Mother's Day Weekend at Porta Verde Resort, Cavinti, Laguna

I was here more than a decade ago when the place was still a private vacation place of the Imperials, who was a friend of a friend and I just happened to tag along, they've expanded it and turned it into a resort called  Porta Verde Resort Villas. I got excited when I recognized this place being offered at 50% off a night stay at one of those groupon deals site I used to frequent and right away decided to snag the deal. Regular rates range from 10,000 pesos to 13,000 pesos a night depending on the type of villa you wish to stay and  50% off that amount meant huge savings. What made the deal more attractive is the fact that I can bring my parents and my dogs, yehey to that :))

woke up 7am to these awesome creation

The Deal

The deal offers 50% off the tariff rates, accommodation for 6 pax, plus 2 minors below 10 yrs old and pets allowed, unlimited use of kayak and free motorized boat tour around Lumot Lake (a manmade lake just like Caliraya that's located on the other side). I'd say that was an awesome deal I wouldn't want to miss. After the purchase, I called the reservation number and book the date coinciding Mother's day so I can bring my Mom and celebrate the day here.

Our Villa

Catmon Terrazo Suite

Catmon Terrazo was our villa of choice, it was the main villa where we stayed before that offers an unobstructed awesome view of the whole place. It got two air-conditioned rooms, a servant's room, a huge living room with sofa beds, a functional kitchen, 2 comfort rooms with bathtubs and a very spacious balcony for all my sightseeing and photo op needs. All kitchen utensils will be provided and then accounted for at the end of your stay. A gallon of mineral water a night is also free. There's no TV or Radio in any of the Villas, well I didn't find the need for it, but they offer free Wifi, I guess that's enough to stay connected with the world. You won't also need to bring your towels because those are provided as well. Just bring your food and no corkage fee will be charged. Just a quick tip, if you are grilling your food, bring some charcoals with you, they don"t provide it here. If you can't avail of this villa, just pick the one beside the jacuzi and infinity pool, that accommodation offers nice views as well.

 Activities

• The place is really picturesque and if you're into photography, you can definitely use that skill to capture the place.
• You can do morning, noon and night swimming in the infinity pool or in the lake. They will require you to wear a vest if you choose to swim in the lake. They say its 30 ft deep.
• Kayak all you can, just wear a vest and sign the waiver.
• Motorized  Boat Tour within Lumot Lake for groups.
• Riding a Jet Ski would be perfect if you can bring your own and ride it here.
• Fishing is also allowed, just bring your fishing gears.
• Free unlimited billiards and Karaoke for a fee
• Relax, eat, enjoy the nature or read a book

getting ready to kayak

playtime with my dogs

How to Get There

Google map directions showed that from Alabang, you can get to Porta Verde in less than 2 hours. Well, that's if you have no idea how congested traffic is once you enter Calamba. Our travel time took us more than 4 hours to reach the place with several stops to ask for directions. My suggestion is just go to Pagsanjan, Laguna the best way you can and once you reach the Pagsanjan arch, check the Pagsanjan Municipal Hall on your right, if the Pagsanjan-Cavinti bridge is already repaired, turn right and access that road, that's 2 kms less travel however if its not yet accessible turn left and pass thru Lumban, that's what we did since we have no choice. When you see a fork road, just keep right and there's a check point, from there the road will be uphill and zigzag. You will pass thru Caliraya Springs Resort, Lagos Del Sol and when you reach Lumot arch, try to slow down and look for a signage on your left (I only saw one) that says Porta Verde Resort - turn left (just turn left, right away) its a narrow road leading to Porta Verde. The zigzag road from Lumban to Porta Verde took us 25 minutes  covering 20kms.

One final group shot before saying bye bye, see you again next time. We really enjoyed our stay. Thanks to all the helpful staffs :)

If you want to get more details about Porta Verde Resort Villas, their other accommodations, rates, amenities, etc., you can check their website here.

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Philippines (LTO) Driver's License Renewal at the Malls

When I learned that renewal for a 2 yrs expired driver's license would require the applicant to go through the whole process of taking the exams again, I wasted no time and visited the nearest LTO satellite office at Tutuban Center Mall to renew my driver's license. It's nearing its 2 yrs expiry mark, and even if I haven't been driving for quite a long time, I know I will have to do so sooner than later. There's a LTO Tayuman office just within walking distance from my place but the chaos and waiting time involved in their renewal process are the reasons I won't be setting foot in any LTO main offices again.

Applying at the LTO satellite offices in malls offer more convenience and less waiting time. It only took me less than an hour to go through the whole process of renewal.

Here are the Steps for Driver's License Renewal, just make sure you bring your old driver's license with you together with the receipt and take note of your TIN (Tax Identification No.).

STEP 1 - Medical Test

• First step is to proceed to the Medical Office, just right beside the LTO center to have your drug test and other medical examinations. 
• You will be asked to fill out a form and take your weight and height at Counter 1
• At Counter 2, your photo and biometrics will be taken.
• At Counter 3, you will have to pay the cashier 400 pesos for the Urine Test
• At Counter 4, you will have to submit the forms and receipts and you will be asked to proceed to the comfort room to fill the plastic bottle with your urine up to the neck part. Afterwards an eye and hearing exam will be conducted and another 50 pesos will be paid.
• At Counter 5, you will submit the urine sample as well as the eye and hearing exam results.
• You'll wait for a few minutes and the results will be released at Counter 6

STEP 2 - LTO  

• Show the results of your Medical Tests/Certificate at Counter 1 afterwards you will be handed an application form to be filled up. Hand all the papers back to them when done including your expired driver's license.
• At Counter 2, your photo and your electronic signature will be taken.
• Counter 3 is the Cashier, so ready the amount to be paid. I was charged 568 pesos (including the penalty fee)
• After +/- 10 minutes (depends on the volume of applicants) your Driver's License ID will be released at  Counter 4.

Total Fees Paid

I paid a total of 1,018 pesos for the renewal of my driver's license. Breakdown of fees are as follows.

Medical Tests = Urine Test + Other tests = 400 + 50 = 450 pesos
LTO Fees =  Renewal Fee + Computer Fees + Penalty Fees * (if any) = 350 + 67.53 +150 = 568 pesos

*Penalty Fees (If Driver’s License Is Expired)
1 Day to 1 Year: 75.00
1 Year & 1 Day to 2 Years: 150.00
More Than 2 Years: 225.00
 
Check the nearest mall where you can have your driver's license renewed for more convenience and you'll save on fees if you renew your driver's license on time :).

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PH 2013 Election : How and Where to Vote?

Its only a few days left before Philippines 2013 Election and once again even if it pains us to see how the unqualified gets elected for the nth time, still let's exercise our right to vote and be counted this May 13, I always believe hope springs eternal.

To those who are still researching on who to vote for and how to vote should check out this web page at http://google.com.ph/elections. Google Philippines just launched this election portal to assist voters on making wise decisions and provide updates on all matters related to our 2013 Election.

http://google.com.ph/elections

There are several tools provided by Google to help voters locate the local candidates running in their area, just key in your city or municipality to find out the details. Precinct finder is also available to access your voting centers and precinct number.

Just several thoughts you might consider while preparing your list of candidates to vote for:

• Please don't base your vote on a candidate's popularity, always check their credentials and what they've accomplished before they run for a higher position. Remember we are not looking for trainees here but leaders, our elected officials should be well versed and fully equipped in legislation if they are running for a senate or congressional seat otherwise there's barangay election coming soon which suit them more. 
• Check those candidates who disregard election rules. If they can't follow simple rules, how do you expect them to function on more complex matters.
•  Also do a research how much fund were poured in on the candidate's campaign and if they went beyond the allowed budget, don't vote for them. More often than not the source of these funds came from donors who expect a triple return of their investment and these candidates for sure will prioritize returning that favor rather than serving the interests of their constituents.
• Please vote wisely. Let's put a stop to these greedy politicians and wealthy businessmen who think that Filipino voters are too shallow and gullible.

May we all be guided accordingly and come May 13, get ready with our written list and head out early to our precincts with a clear mind and cast our votes for the 2013 Philippines Election.

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SUMMER HOLIDAY FAVOURITES

We've all got our own idea of what makes a great summer holiday, and thanks to the vast range of summer escapes now available through today's package holiday market, it's now easier than ever to enjoy a sun-drenched week or two without breaking the bank. So, which locations score the highest with today's summer sun-seekers?

The Spanish mainland is the stalwart of summer holidays and continues to draw happy holidaymakers back to its sunny shores year after year. Much of the action takes place in the Costas, particularly the bubbly, family-friendly regions of Costa Dorada, Costa Brava and the effervescent Costa Blanca. Here, the resort of Benidorm looms large and lively on the Spanish coast, overlooking sparkling golden sands and serving up a dose of Vegas-style nightlife with lashings of cheesy fun and bubbly entertainment.

The Spanish islands are another great hit - particularly the lovely Balearic Islands - which offer diversity and island living by the bucketload across the ever-popular destinations of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca.

Away from Spain, the Greek islands continue to draw the crowds to its sun-baked beaches and stunning archaeological sites. Dance 'til dawn in the non-stop resorts of Faliraki in Rhodes and Kavos in Corfu, entertain the kids in Crete's cheerful Thassos or Zante's beautiful, laid-back Argassi, or kick back and relax in the low-key resorts of sleepy Samos.

There's a whole world of choice at your fingertips, and that's even before we've mentioned the golden sands of the Algarve, Malta's bubbly beaches or the fantastic east-meets-west appeal of Turkey...

Whether you're after a summer scorcher or a winter warmer, you can browse and book holidays online through Direct Holidays, part of the Thomas Cook Group, and enjoy huge savings as well as the chance to stay in some of the world's most beautiful and sought-after destinations. Which one will you choose?

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Divisoria Guide Series : Find The Items Here (Part2)

        Divisoria is a shopping place suited for bargain-hunters, small and medium businesses involved in buy and sell and those industry producers in search for raw materials and finished products. The area can really be chaotic if you have no idea where to look for the things you need.  I've already mentioned in my previous post the Do's and Dont's in Divisoria Shopping; now this detailed guide  below will help you find the things you might be looking for to kick off that business you had in mind. You can find the map here or just go to Part 1 of my Divisoria Guide Series.

read the banner, lol

1. Food Products

FRUITS
ASUNCION ST.  - here is where you'll find seasonal and tropical fruits like pineapples, papaya, watermelon, avocado, banana, melon, and jackfruit. Inside the Asuncion Market are turnips, sweet potatoes, fresh tamarind and gabi.
EL CANO ST. - looking for different varieties of mango, head down to this street.
LAKANDULA ST. - over here you can find, saba bananas, coconut and corn.
CARMEN PLANAS ST. - they sell imported fruits here like apples, oranges, lychees sold in boxes and crates. They also have Davao pomelo and mangosteens.
M. DE SANTOS AVE. - here dealers would set up at night in front of New Divisoria Mall (NDM) to sell these fruits.

VEGETABLES
The best time to buy vegetables is at night from 6:00pm until 5:00am the next day.
These vegetable dealers are concentrated from STO CRISTO ST., and  CARMEN PLANAS ST and extends to BILBAO ST. and PADRE RADA ST.

MEAT AND FISH
EL CANO MARKET - this is the designated retail market for pork and fish. 
NEW DIVISORIA MALL - at the basement of this mall, the wet market section is where you can purchase a pack of fish fillet, a kilo of beef tripe or a kilo of beef pares.

POULTRY
EL CANO ST - here you can find stalls selling fresh and salted eggs
STA ELENA ST side of NDM - on this side you can find dressed and lived chicken

SEASONINGS/FOOD FLAVORINGS/CONDIMENTS/PROCESSED FOOD 
EL CANO ST - stores here sell sauces and condiments
NDM (dry section) - here you can find more selection like frozen green peas, corns and carrots, french fries and processed meats.

CANDIES AND KROPECK
NDM basement - you can source candies here
STO CRISTO ST. - they have a wider selection of goods here that also include items like flavored nata de coco.

OTHER FOOD ITEMS
ASUNCION ST (Binondo Side) / EL CANO ST. - there are fishball factories here where you can buy items for your fishball cart. At EL CANO St., there is a TAHO supplier here called Mang Esting's Taho Factory.
RECTO ST. near Jollibee Sto Cristo St/ CARMEN PLANAS ST. - there are factories selling fresh noodles here.

2. Baking Equipment / Supplies

STO CRISTO ST. - for all your baking needs, they have here industrial mixers, macaroon trays, standard baking trays, paper cups, flavorings and coloring mix.

3. Kitchen Equipment / Pots and Pans / Plates

STO CRISTO ST. / TABORA ST / RECTO ST. -along these streets you can find kitchen equipments, griller with fryer, some brands of pots, melaware and ceramic plates and bowls.

4. Hair and Cellphone Accessories

NEW DIVISORIA MALL (NDM) - head down to this area to check varieties of cellphone accessories like straps, cellphone cases, pouch bags and get them at a bargain price. You can also find here and along PLANAS ST., a lot of stalls selling hair accessories.

5. Chemicals / Candles and Candle-Making Supplies

Check out GODY WAX CENTER for all candle related needs. They have a shop at STO CRISTO ST, and another at JUAN LUNA ST.

For industrial dyes and chemicals used in soap making, look for EVERLIGHT STORE along M. DE SANTOS ST. 

6. Toys

A lot of toy wholesalers and retailers can be found at the basement of NEW DIVISORIA MALL or you can check NEW DIVISORIA SHOPPING CENTER more popularly known as "Bodega" at the corner of TABORA ST and STA ELENA ST.

7. Party Favors

NEW DIVISORIA MALL is still the best place to visit when looking for balloons and party favors, they can be found at the basement.

8. Corporate and Party Giveaways

For the usual corporate giveaways like mugs, umbrellas, calendars, digi clocks etc., find them at several stalls at NEW DIVISORIA MALL (NDM), 168 MALL and JUAN LUNA ST.

For Party and Wedding giveaways, there are wide selections at TABORA ST. For DIY souvenirs, check out the basement of NDM for native products, figurines, etc.

9. Textile and Sewing Needs

You can find these items along TABORA ST., YLAYA ST., and CARMEN PLANAS ST. Famous Philippine Designers flock to this places when sourcing for their new creations. You can also find here, laces, sequins, needles, threads, etc.

10. Canvas / Foams / Stuffings

You can check items like canvas, tarpaulins, foams and styrofoam stuffings at JUAN LUNA ST.
11. Office and School Supplies
For bulk purchase head down to STO CRISTO ST. to look for school and office supplies. You can also find these items at some stores at JUAN LUNA ST.

12. Clothes /Socks / Underwear / Handkerchiefs

Visit 168 Mall, NDM, and JUAN LUNA ST. to look for these kinds of items. For school uniforms, go to TABORA ST.

13. Sundries

M. DE SANTOS ST - find here different containers and jars.
STO CRISTO ST. and CM RECTO ST - find here styrofoam food packs, plastic cups, spoon and fork and drinking straws.
TABORA ST / JUAN LUNA ST. - you can find here, boxes, gift wrappers and other packing materials

14. Commercial Printing

JUAN LUNA ST., - here, you can find several stores doing commercial printing. Printing cost varies for each shops, its always wise to check the prices before finalizing the deal.

        To get more discounts and some perks, always buy in bulk  and established a good relationship with some merchants by being a loyal customer usually called "suki" and to  become an expert bargain hunter follow this Divisoria Guide Series I've provided.

       

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DIVISORIA Guide Series : Do's and Dont's (Part1)

The idea of shopping in Divisoria might overwhelm most people. It's easy to get lost in this busy and buzzing with lots of activity shopping mecca but if we can be guided accordingly, Divisoria is certainly the best place to get the most value of our hard earned money.

On Getting There

Traffic around the area can really get crazy most of the time. So planning your trip is the key to a successful visit to this bargain haven called Divisoria or Divi to some.

    DO's

• It's always a good idea to ride our light rail train system to avoid the traffic, just access the nearest station in your place and alight at Recto station. LRT1, LRT2 and MRT are somewhat interconnected so getting to Recto will be a breeze. From Recto, take a jeep bound to Divisoria.
• Go there mornings on weekdays to avoid throngs of shoppers and commuters that get heavier in the afternoon.

    DONT's

• Avoid visiting on rush hours and its always best to just commute rather than bring your own vehicle.

Wear Comfort

     DO's

• Flipflops, T-Shirts, Shorts ... anything that makes you feel comfortable
• Safeguard all your essentials and put them inside a sling bag you can always place in front of you.
• Bring your shopping bags and be eco friendlier

     DONT's

• Don't wear jewelries or you make yourself a prey for the snatchers and pickpockets
• No high heels please, I've seen some people wearing them and I can only smirk in amazement.

What and Where To Buy

    DO's

• Make a list of things you'll buy and know beforehand where to locate the stores that sell it.

    DONT's

• You know how time flies easily and how huge Divisoria is, so don't waste your time and your energy roaming freely without a fixed direction. Check the map and my street guide below.
• Knock offs abound but avoid fake cosmetics and drugs and food items that might contain harmful ingredients.

Click to enlarge

        1. For Vegetables, Fruits and Meats

            - Locate CM Recto St., M. De Santos St, Fulgeras St, Sto Cristo St and Divisoria Mall

        2.  Raw Materials and Ingredients for your Food Business

            - Find them at Asuncion St and Elcano St.

        3.  Cookwares and Bakewares
            - Check it out at Sto Cristo St.
        4.  Clothing Goods, Sundries, Textiles, Accessories
             - Head out to Tabora St. and Ilaya St.    

HAGGLE

   DO's

• Always ask for the last price and make sure to canvas the price of the items first from other  merchants before making the purchase. You'll be surprise how some sellers jack up their prices.     

Now, that you are aware of the DO's and DONT's in Divisoria shopping, the next article will tackle in detail where to shop in Divisoria. Find that article here.

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Single Trip vs Multi Trip Travel Insurance

When you're planning a holiday, there is a long list of things to think about. Which hotel? What's the beach like? Are there local activities for kids? Where's the best seafood restaurant? And that's just for starters. One travel essential which you must add to your to-do list is travel insurance, and even if you're trying to cut the cost of going away, this is one holiday feature that you really shouldn't go without.

It can feel a little daunting when you start looking for travel insurance. After all, with all those different policies and prices, not to mention the various destinations and activities you need to cover (or not cover), it can get a little complicated. But given the importance of travel insurance and the fact that it can protect your finances should things go wrong, it's well worth taking the time to figure it out.

One of the main considerations when booking travel insurance is whether you need a single or an annual policy. Simply put, this is the difference between one trip per year, and several. So if you're planning just one holiday within the next 12 months, you could opt for a single trip policy to cover you for this trip, and this trip only.

If however there's a chance you'll go abroad again within the next 12 months, it's probably worth taking out an annual or multi-trip insurance policy. This covers you for several holidays within the space of a year which usually brings the average per-trip cost of insurance down, making it more cost-effective. Plus it's one less thing to think about.

If you're confused about travel insurance, speak to a representative at Thomas Cook to find out more. You can book a wide range of policies to suit different types of holidays, and you can also reserve annual or single trip travel insurance from Thomas Cook. Visit the website or speak to a representative to find out more.

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Boracay Accommodations

There are plenty of accommodations in Boracay to choose from and if you are looking for value for money in a beachfront setting, check my recommendations below.

In the several times I've visited Boracay, I've never used the same accommodations twice because there's always something new to discover in this island paradise. I've tried Eriko's Guesthouse (I just don't like the small unlighted alleyway you have to pass through before getting there), Villa Simprosa Guesthouse (its a compound with several rooms but the area can really get chaotic at times), Mito's Place (they used to be at the beachfront but I think they sold their front area to Starbucks and Gerry's Grill that now occupy their front space) and Alta Vista de Boracay ( a luxury resort I wouldn't mind staying again even if its not located at the White Beach but only if I can avail the 50% discount I got before)

But I think I've found my "HG" when we speak of value for money. I'm rounding up my top 2 choices of  Budget Friendly Accommodations in Boracay that pass my requirement of a beachfront location with a room and a veranda that offers an unobstructed view of the ocean and within walking distance to familiar places of interest.

1. LA FIESTA RESORT

Topping my list is LA FIESTA RESORT. It's a small resort with a very homey atmosphere. Its location is directly on the White Beach, Station 1 and only a few meters away from D'Mall and some restaurants. Rooms have balconies that are facing the beach, perfect for sunset watching and people watching or just lounging while reading a book or sipping a drink. It's perfectly located close to all amenities.

Standard room rates range from 1,500 pesos to 4,000 pesos depending on the season and the number of guests.  (Just some tip, try to haggle, we were able to get 2 rooms, one on the ground and on the 2nd floor, sleeps 4 pax each for just 2000 pesos per room.)

For reservations :
(036) 288-4234 (landline)
0919-861-0886 (mobile)
Look for Ms. Armie..

2. CASA FIESTA

CASA FIESTA RESORT just like LA FIESTA is similarly situated at a beachfront location at White Beach Station 1, offering the same basic amenities, an awesome sea view and same price points. I believe owners of both resorts are relatives. They are actually just a few blocks apart.

It would be perfect if you can book the room with the veranda overlooking the ocean, I think one of it is room 205. But between Casa Fiesta and La Fiesta, although the latter is needing some renovations, I still felt a more relaxed ambiance at La Fiesta. But you definitely won't go wrong with both budget friendly accommodations.

For inquiries and reservations: 
call/txt at (036) 288-3898
0919-246-6522 Look for Josie..

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Araw ng Kagitingan 20 Peso Seat Sale by Cebu Pacific

In celebration of "Araw ng Kagitingan" or Day of Valor, Cebu Pacific just announced a seat sale alert effective today until seats last. The details are listed below.

Let's brave the date and book our desired destinations. Surf the dates and look for the 20 pesos base fare for all domestic destinations for travel dates from September to November 2013 while its 200 pesos base fare for International destinations for travel dates from October to December 15, 2013.

Visit their website to book for your flight at www.cebupacificair.com

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INDOCHINA TOUR : The Itinerary

My Holy Week staycation proved worthwhile in planning a lot of things, one of which is our INDOCHINA tour this year and though it is still more than six months to go, I need to figure out how many days we need to cover our planned trip, what countries to visit, what must sights to see, where to stay, what to do, how much money to prepare, how many days leave from work we can afford to take and what return flight to booked.

Prepare yourself girls (you know who are), this is going to be our preliminary itinerary and probably just make some minor changes along the way.

INDOCHINA Itinerary (Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand)

DAY 0 - DEC 9 - Depart Manila via Cebu Pac

• Pay Travel Tax (1620 pesos) and Terminal Fee (550 pesos)
• Arrived Ho Chi Minh 12:20 am Dec 10
• Buy Dong Currency at the Airport
• Hotel Taxi Pick Up (15USD)
• Check in Hotel (tentative  Bich Duyen Hotel, Hong Han or  http://nguyenkhanghotel.com) (28 USD Triple Room/night)

DAY 1 - DEC 10  VIETNAM

• Hotel Breakfast
• City Tour  (Museum of History (Entrance - 15,000VND)*, War Remnants Museum (Entrance - 15,000VND)*, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office
• Shopping (Ben Tahn Market/Saigon Square)
• Food trips/Socials (Allez Boo Bar and Restaurant, etc )
• Overnight Ho Chi Mihn

DAY 2 - DEC 11

• Hotel Breakfast
• Cu Chi Tunnels Half Day Tour
• Shopping or City Tour
• Food Trips
• Water Puppet Show
• Overnight Ho Chi Mihn

DAY 3 - DEC 12 CAMBODIA, Phnom Pehn

• Breakfast / Check Out / Leave for Phnom Pehn (9am)
• Bus Ride to Phnom Pehn (Mekong Express 15USD - 6-7 hrs) 
• Arrive Phnom Pehn around 4pm
• Ride/Walk to Hotel (Tentative- Checked in at Velkommen Guesthouse in Riverside, or Bright  Lotus 1 Guesthouse) (12USD)
• Food Trip/ Shopping - Russian Market/Central Market 
• Overnight Phnom Pehn

DAY 4 - DEC 13 Arrive Siem Reap

• Breakfast
• Tour of Phnom Penh (The Killing Fields and Museum, S21 Genocide Museum, The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom)
• 12 PM Travel to Siem Reap (6 Hrs Bus Ride)
• 7PM Checked in at (19USD w/tour) Bou Savy Guesthouse or Victory Guesthouse (tentative). Walking tour of Siem Reap (Pub Street, Siem Reap Night Market)
• Overnight Siem Reap

DAY 5 - DEC 14

• Leave before sunrise for Angkor Wat Tour
• Breakfast
• City Tour
• Socials
• Overnight Siem Reap

DAY 6 - DEC 15 THAILAND, Bangkok

• Check Out then Arrange for (Leave 8am) Siem Reap to Bkk trip (16 USD) (8hrs)
• Arrive Bangkok 5pm (Khao San Road - Hua Lampong Train Station - Silom or Lumphini)
• Check in Hotel (Etzzz Hostel 12USD/night)
• Food trip / Socials
• Overnight BKK

DAY 7 - DEC 16 

• Breakfast
• Ayuthaya Tour / Grand Palace Tour
• Food Trips
• Get a Massage BKK style
• Overnight BKK

Day 8 – Dec 17, 2013 Back to Manila

• Bangkok Market / Shopping
• Midnight Flight Back to Manila

I'm thinking of adding 1 more night in Siem Reap to do a Village Tour and some immersion. This will extend our return flight to Dec 18 instead. What do you think girls?

With regards to expenses, I haven't made a detailed accounting yet but included here our accomodation expenses per night per head and our bus transportation expenses from one country to the other just to have a ballpark idea of some of the major expenses. The food there is relatively affordable so it won't be a major expense. Maybe we will spend more on shopping since these countries are known to be a shoppers paradise, yay!   ;-)

So there, our preliminary INDOCHINA itinerary. Let's do the second leg next year to cover, HANOI - LAOS - MYANMAR - MALAYSIA, whatyathink? ;-)

* 10,000VND = 20 PHP

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Extreme Adventure at Kalinga with Sidetrip to Tuguegarao

Six ladies going up north to indulge in some extreme water activity. It was a spur of the moment plan that pushed through the next day.

We left for Tabuk, Kalinga from Manila via Autobus Lines in Espana on the night of May 31, 2006 and arrived Tabuk around morning the next day after an uneventful 10 hrs trip.

Would you believe that we were billeted at the 21st Infantry Battalion situated in Tabuk, Kalinga? Our friend happens to be the sibling of the commanding officer of that unit and offered us an interesting accomodation. He asked us if we wanted to look for an accomodation within the area but insisted we  stay in his air conditioned barracks or if we're willing to sleep in a makeshift tent. We picked the latter and it was so much fun and challenging.

Playing kickass girls ala Charle's Angels, lolz ....

Look how it was made on the inside .....

Sleeping was a challenge especially during the wee hours when it becomes really chilly. But we got used to it eventually for the next 3 more days of our stay here. Besides who wouldn't  love this experience.

Our scheduled white water rafting was on a Saturday and while we're waiting for that date, we were told so much to our delight that our kuyas would bring us to Tuguegarao to explore Callao Cave and the Pinacanauan River. It was more or less a 3 hour drive from Tabuk.







We crossed the river and enter the Callao Caves, explored several chambers and meditate in the church that was inside the Callao Caves. Afterwards, we rode our boat, then dock and  had our lunch in one of the shaded areas where we met some nice locals who offered us their picnic food. We gladly obliged and enjoyed the local dishes like the Cabagan Pansit. We spent more time swimming and chatting and while we wanted to see what our guides were saying like thousands of bats flying out of Callao Cave by 6PM, we decided to head out while there's still light so we can reach our barracks (as if we're some soldiers, hehe) before sunset and feel safer since we were staying inside a military camp. But before we do that, we dropped by at one of the malls in Tuguegarao and dine in some food court kiosk and order a bilao of Cabagan Pansit as pasalubong to our most valued host Kuya Jun sans the title Lt. Col. to make it more informal and to some of the Army officers.

We slept lightly while our friendly troops headed out for some night mission and we prayed that they will be guided back safely. On a side note, when we arrived here, their flag is on a half mast because 3 of their comrades were killed by some lawless elements while doing community works. We were a bit bothered by that piece of news, so we cancelled earlier plans of mountain hiking.

June 3, we woke up early, excited about our white water rafting activity but then became nervous when reminded of the dangers involved and I had to sign a waiver, hehe. Anyway our friendly troops arrived safely and some joined us to complete the needed number of participants.

They call our activity Ullalim Run, suited for beginners with Class 3 rapids passing thru Pasil to Tabuk. It probably took us  4 hours to finish the run with several stops to rest and catch our breaths and have some snacks. The group was divided into two rafts.

It was a very exhilarating experience navigating wild rapids and as if this was not enough, my courage was put to another test when the group insisted that everyone should jump from a 5 meter high rock formation. When my turn came to jump, I did not hesitate. My friends thought I would bail out like the many times I did when extreme water activity is involved. Well, honestly speaking I got my courage with this piece of life vest I'm wearing, if that wasn't there, I wouldn't even dare a bit ;-).

that's me ;-)

After the jump, we passed through what they call swimmer's rapid and we did what they call body rafting and that's to swim along with the rapids.

me doing body rafting

We finish the run by 3:30 pm with so much adrenaline still flowing in our veins. That was a 
priceless experience and we are thankful for our competent guides and our friendly army 
officers for making us all feel safe.

We stayed for another night, slept soundly and woke up late the next day, enjoyed our 
brunch and visited the market to buy some Kalinga coffee and other delicacies for our
pasalubong back home. By 5pm we said our goodbyes and our heartfelt appreciation 
to Kuya Jun and Libay and Kuya Ronald for  taking care of us and making us feel 
most welcome.

Hopefully, we'll meet again and do the Tinglayan run next time around.

*** This is my initial Blast from the Past post while I gather my old 3 x 5s, and revisit 
my old adventures during the times when Digicams are still a luxury, DSLRs are 
only for the PRO and blogging is not yet a hobby ;-)

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