Punta Malimono Beach

During Holy Week, I visited my hometown to spend my holiday vacation. It was two years ago not seeing my mother, friends, relatives, and high school friend. That was unplanned because I was running out of time, but someone pushes me to grab the opportunity.


Since, the group does not have a plan for summer getaway so I’ve decided to visit my hometown.

Before the Easter Sunday, my childhood friends gathered and planned to have our get-together outing. We went to Malimono Beach –this is a well-known beach in our province.

Background

The beach is about thirty minutes away from our place. It has lodge which cost 150-200 pesos for the whole day. It has river which makes the sea water cold. There are also rocks on the other side of the beach. You can bring your snorkelling gear for you to explorer the undersea. The sand is black and some part of the beach is pebbles. The beach is located at Malimono, Surigao Del Norte.

You can play volleyball or any activities you want.

You can bring your food because there are no establishment around the area.  

We stayed at the beach until six in the evening and I am glad that I was able to capture the stunningly beautiful sunset.

Getting there

From Surigao City terminal, take a jeep going to Malimono and about one and half an hour drive from the city. Ask the driver or the conductor that you are going to Malimono Beach. The fare is 50 pesos.

More photos here...

Happy travelling!
Marco

Crystal Cove Island - Boracay Island

The island was formerly known as Tiguatian Island and located about ten to fifteen minutes away from the White Beach on Boracay Island. Crystal Cove Island is the main stop of the Island Hopping tours from Boracay. The two hectares island offers various picnic areas, a museum of the local seashells and artwork, sea cove and an aviary of some local birds.

Background

Crystal Cove also features white beaches, a stunning view, and a peaceful place. It allows you to experience the breathtaking scenery while walking to the caves. You can explore the natural beauty of the rock formations.

In the picnic area, there are numbers of cottage that are made up of nepa hut and some are buildings created using the rock. You can have private gatherings here with your friends and loved ones.

Crystal Cove Island

There are two coves in here; the first cove is located near the main picnic area. Entering this cove is you need to descend down the skinny spiral staircase so that you can view the waves splashing against its wall. Inside the coves are the rock formation and the crystal clear water. On the other side of the island is where you can find the second cove, it provides a great picture with a background of the water crashing.

Be carefully upon entering in the coves because of the slippery rocks!

Crystal cove is also a great place to chill and enjoy beautiful view. Whether you want to walk around and explore all the features that the island has to offer.

chill!

Picture taking at the Cave

Getting there

Reaching Crystal cove is via motorboat that takes about ten to fifteen minutes from Boracay Island. This is the main stop of the Island Hopping tour. There are locals in the Boracay Island that offer Island hopping, ranging from 800pesos to 1000 pesos and various water activities.

More photos here...

Happy travelling!

Marco

Tranquility Puka Beach Boracay

This is another beach on Boracay Island, which is located along the island’s northern end. Puka Beach is a picture of what most individuals expect on a tropical island: white sand, purplish blue water, and uncrowded beach.  It was called Puka beach because the place where resident meet to collect Puka Shells.

Background

This is very different from the other beaches of Boracay. This is the longest beach on the island’s northern tip. The sand is not as fine and white as those in the white beach. But, the tranquillity of the surroundings can make your stay in the beach a memorable one. It became famous because the beach has many Puka shells.

The beach is uncrowded compared to the white beach. The location of the beach gives you a feeling that you are in a remote place. Allow yourself at least two hours of spending in the beach. Relax and enjoy!

footprints

Adventurers can hike or ride a rented bicycle or motorbike going to the beach.

It is advisable to bring food and cold drinks because the beach has no resorts and establishments in the beach. It is separated from the white beach in Boracay. But, there’s a restaurant at the eastern end of the beach.

Puka beach is a great spot for a picnic; however make sure to bring your trash home with you.

shells

Getting There

*You can take a tricycle going to Puka beach. The tricycle can be found at the D’Mall. Fare is around 100php.

*If you are adventurous then, you can rent a bicycle or motorbike to reach the beach.

*Going to Puka beach takes about thirty to forty-five minutes.

*No entrance fee

*There’s a tricycle terminal in front of the entrance.

Your Boracay Island escapade is not complete without visiting Puka beach. Include Puka beach on your itinerary if you are on a vacation on Boracay Island. 

souvenir items 

More photos here...

Enjoy your travel! Be safe always!

Marco

Boracay Island: Things To Do

Everyone is dreaming to spend their vacation in the best beach in the world, Boracay Island.  It is known for white sand beaches and leisure activities like; scuba diving, helmet diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, parasailing, and water sport rides. It is among the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. In fact, Boracay Island was awarded as the best island in the world in 2012.

This small island is located at the Northwest of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. 

It was developed among the best travel destination for relaxation and nightlife. It is also one competitive venue for the Asian Windsurfing Tour. The white beach is well known beach on the island –it is about four kilometres long. There are various establishment likes resorts, hotels, lodging houses, and restaurant.

Beforehand, this island is included in the to-do list of a traveller like me. I am glad that I was able to visit here. The original plan, actually, was to join the Ati-atihan Festival in Aklan and sidetrip on Boracay Island.  The plan was changed because when I make some inquiries for reservation all Inn and hotels are fully booked. I was so frustrated!

So, hello Boracay Island…

It was my first time on Boracay Island and so with my travel buddy, both of us have no idea on what to do. Since, I was appointed to make our itinerary. I stumble upon on a different blogs to have learned interesting activities.  

Things to do:

Fire Dance: The evenings on Boracay beach offer shows and entertained tourist like cultural dancing, live band or acoustic singer, and the most interesting is the Fire Dance.

Island Hopping: The Island is home of undeveloped beaches, crystal and turquoise waters, and colourful coral reefs. So, your adventure will not be completed if you did not do this!

Explore White Beach:  Boracay is known for famous white beach with crystal clear water and fine white sand. So, discover the beauty of four kilometres white beach. You can jog/run in the morning or in the afternoon. Walking with your bare foot, sun bathing and then, watch sunset!

Puka Beach: If you want to escape from the busy and crowded Boracay station from 1, 2, and 3. Then, Puka Beach is good for you! It is a peaceful stretch of white sand in the northern tip of the island. The sand is not as fine as white beach. You can hire a tricycle to take you there.

Snorkeling: Take a glance of the thriving sea life. But, sad to say, we can’t see the beauty under the sea because the weather is not so good due to the low pressure that hits Visayas and Mindanao. The water is not so clear!

Pig-Out: There are several restaurants establishments around the beach. We tried to consume in the street foods, which is very interesting, Smoke Restaurant, and finally, I tried the Jonah’s Fruit Shake.

Other leisure activities are mentioned above and other interesting pastimes are FlyFish, Banana Boat, ATV car ride and buggy cart, Parasailing, Jetski, skim boarding and more.

Since, our flight was re-scheduled and so we decided to join the last part of Ati-Atihan Festival. I am so glad that we can still witness the festival. Next time, we will try the other activities Boracay Island can offers. Lastly, we enjoyed the trip because of the amazing scenery. Happy travelling!

More photos here...

Keep safe guys,

Marco 

Summer Getaway | Cagbalete Island

Villa Cleofas Resort

Summer vacation is a way to relax and to unwind after the stressed out from work. This is also the time for you to have a simple get together with your friends and family members or even officemates. But certainly, plan it ahead of time to avoid the conflict of your schedule especially when each of you might have different work schedule.

During summer, most people are pre-occupied organizing and planning where to go or where to spend their summer getaway.

However, Elite Team (that’s what we call to our group) planned a summer getaway. We have many options where to go and finally, after the arguments and suggestions we all settled to have our getaway to Cagbalete Island. I am pretty sure that everyone is very excited because it is our first summer getaway together.

Travel Time

The group met at EDSA Kamuning and board on JAC Liner bus bound to Lucena, its 3 hours’ drive from EDSA Kamuning. All of us took a sleep during the ride because we left Cubao at 12:30 in the morning.

From Lucena Grand Terminal, we rode an ordinary bus bound to Mauban but we had our early breakfast first before we headed to Mauban. The first trip going to Mauban will leave at 5:00 o'clock in the morning.

Upon arrival at Mauban, we dropped by at Mauban Market to buy foods for our overnight stay at Cagbalete Island and then, we headed to Mauban Port and board on public boat going to Cagbalete Island, scheduled trip is 10:00 o'clock  in the morning.

Mauban Port

We arrived at the port early from the said schedule so, while waiting for our trip we had to try their special delicacy, the Pancit Habhab.

Going to Sabang Beach, Cagbalete Island is an hour ride from Mauban Port board on a public boat or you can rent a private boat going there, it’s up to you which one you prefer. Upon arrival at the Sabang Beach, we board on a small boat going to the seashore. Then, the local guide us going to Villas Cleofas its 30 minutes trekking.

Villa Cleofas lodge

It was already 12 o’clock in the afternoon when we arrived at Villa Cleofas and we are already hungry. We prepare our lunch and dinner after checking in at the resort. We had fish, vegetable, meat and fruits. We ate our lunch very late but its okay we still enjoy eating the food and the place.

Background

The resort is not crowded unlike the other beach. There are 6 lodges and they also offer a tent if you’d like to stay at the tent. It’s low tide in the afternoon and high tide early in the morning. The sunrise is perfect and very romantic. I cannot see the sunset because it is in the other side of the island.

On the other day, after eating our breakfast we hired a private boat and Manong brought us to the other side of the resort which we can swim. The water is clear and the sand is powdery. We had enjoyed and we wanted to stay longer there but Manong told us we need to get back to the resort because they will have a hard time to dock on the shore due to the low tide.

low tide in the afternoon

high tide in the morning

the group

We checked out at the Villa Cleofas around 2 o’clock in the afternoon but while waiting the private boat to pick up us. We had a little game and we had a lot fun and enjoyed the game.

3 o’clock in the afternoon back to Lucena Grand Terminal.

Expenses:

Getting there

• Board on a bus bound to Lucena Grand Terminal.
• From Lucena Grand Terminal, ride a bus bound to Mauban, Quezon and jump-off to Mauban Market.
• From Mauban Market, ask the tricycle driver to drop you off to Mauban Port.
• Then, ride a public boat going to Sabang Beach, Cagbalete Island.

The Three Island You Should Not Missed in Siargao Island

Siargao Island is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines. If your intention is only to surf then Gen. Luna, Siargao Island is the best place to be. However, if you are planning for an island to hop then Siargao Island are not just a surfing capital but offer you to go exploring the island just nearby Gen. Luna.

The three islands in Siargao is just approximately 30 minutes pump boat ride. So, you should not missed  this island during your summer getaway.  

Here are the three magnificent islands: 

Guyam Island

*Guyam Island is just few minutes ride from Naked Island. This is also a small island which covered by trees and coconut trees.

Dacu Island

*the island which you enjoy not just the bright emerald colors of water the powdery sand but as well as the enchanting sunset viewing. Dacu Island offers a wonderful ambiance.

Naked Island

*the island is named Naked Island because its uncovered island; the trees and shrubs are not really existing in the island. Only fine white sand and you can walk around in just a few minutes.

Thanks for visiting! :)

More photos here...

Marco

All about my vacation

I am away from my family for almost 10 years now. Yes, I must say that I am independent. I can live with my own life which before I never thought I can do it. I can say that living alone is very challenging because you’ll be the one to cook your food, doing your laundry, cleaning your room, and the most challenging – budgeting! I’ve learned a lot of being alone.

Surigao City Beaches and Resorts

Image from flickr

Surigao City owns beautiful beaches and resort that tourist visitors would love. Tourist can enjoy and relax.

Mabua Pebble Beach is a beach that forms the northern end of a closest shoreline that includes the Ipil Beach. The smooth white pebbles and gray rock formations are its main features. There are many resorts and cottages for rent around the area.

Ipil Beach is a white pebble beach located at the south of Mabua beach nearby Ipil village.