Overnight Camping in Zambales

I had no prior plans on where to spend my Holy Week this year so my college friends and I set a quick getaway to the North. We searched and browsed resorts and beaches in Zambales and Bataan, and we decided to go to Crystal Beach Resort in San Narciso, Zambales. We immediately called to book an overnight stay for 4-5 people but because long weekend is fast approaching and we had just few days left when we finalized everything, the resort is fully booked. We had another option, to bring our own tents and just pay for an overnight camping fee. That was Php290.00 per head. For us it's fair enough, so we're good! :)

Thursday morning, at around 8:00 in the morning, we headed to the North for our Holy Week Adventure this year. We kept on praying that the typhoon would not make its landfall during the entire long weekend so all of us can enjoy the holidays and it seems like the heavens heard us. It was a very hot and sunny day! After a few stops and several traffic jams along the way we reached our destination: the Crystal Beach Resort in San Narciso, Zambales, that was around past 3:00 in the afternoon. Quite a long drive but who cares?! We have all the time in the world to spare! :D

We immediately pitched our tent, so we can have a place to rest.

We were so excited as this is another experience for us. We will be spending the night inside this tent!After we were settled, we took showers to freshen up and we roamed around the resort.

We checked its houses of different sizes and styles which were all booked, the campsite, the grounds, the beach, until sunset... Oh you can witness a very awesome sunset here!

At 7:30 in the evening, we were getting hungry so we went to their restaurant to check what we can have for dinner.

We ordered Inihaw Fiesta and chicken Binakol. It's a bit pricey, but servings are sumptuous and their food tastes good! We can say their food was worth the price. BURP! :)

After dinner, we went to the 'perya' (fair) outside the resort and spent some wee hours there. Then we headed back to the resort's campsite for a well-deserved rest.

Good night! ZZZZZZzzzzzz. At first it was hot inside the tent but eventually it became colder. I had a great sleep! \(~_~)/

For breakfast, we availed the breakfast buffet for only 250.00 per head.

They served pancakes, fried rice, danggit, longganisa, corned beef, fried eggs, bread, milk & cereals, lomi soup, your choice of coffee, tea or juice, and very sweet ripe mangoes! What a great way to start our day!

We spent our second day swimming, roaming around, and taking pictures of course! We enjoyed the view, the nature, the ambience, the people, almost everything in this place is great!

Wether you are inside their nipa huts, their bungalows, or even inside a tent!

4:00 in the afternoon, we were packing-up our things and preparing ourselves as we would be returning to our busy lives in the city.

Our two-day adventure here in Zambales officially ended but it was quite an experience we'll never forget!

Bantayan Island, Cebu

I have been to Cebu for a couple of times now, but this is my first time to explore one of its beautiful islands, the Bantayan Island. It is far from the city of Cebu but I am telling you, it's all worth the long journey.

Getting There:

At around 5:30 in the morning we were in the terminal to catch the early trips going to Hagnaya Port at the town of San Remigio. We travelled almost 3 hours by land to get there. We reached the port at around 830 am and we waited for the public ferry going to Bantayan Island. At 930 am we were boarding the ferry. It was a 2-hour ferry-ride.

At past 11:00 we reached the port at Sta. Fe. We rode a pedicab going to Budyong Resort. 

That will be our home for 2 days and 1 night. :)

Below are the picturesque views at the resort. 

From our room, going to the beach...

Enjoying the different shades of blue...

View from the beach....

Good morning sunshine!

Sunset...

And oh... Starry starry night! 

The place is so quiet and peaceful. A lot of foreigners roam around. They also have bars and restaurants here for socials if you want, that offers great foods and drinks at a fair price. But the good thing is that they are all located outside the resorts, thus, preserving the serene ambiance at the beach front.

How can I ever forget this lovely place?

Hello There, BALER!

I've been in Baler, Aurora for a number of times and I would be glad to come again and again and again. So long as time and budget permits.. :) I don't know why, but this is just one place that captured my heart. Not because I learned how to surf here, but maybe because places and views here are just so relaxing to look at. It will simply blow all your blues away! And for adventurer-seekers, take note of all other things you can do here if you're not into surfing.

Here are some of the things you can do when in Baler. :)

1. The Millenium Tree. As soon as you reached the town Maria Aurora, you can drop by to see this 600 plus old Balete tree and is claimed to be the biggest of its kind in Asia, before going to Baler Town proper which is still a few kilometers away. Stop and see how really big this tree has become that fifty people with arms stretched are needed in order to encompass its circumference!To see is to believe! Dare?

2. Ditumabo Falls. This Falls is just one of the attractions in Baler which is located in the town of San Luis, Aurora, few kilometers away from the town proper. Vehicles are required to park at the Tourist Assistance Center and visitors must hire a tricycle to bring them to the drop-off point where they will begin to walk roughly 45 min to reach the falls. Caution: It is going to be a bumpy ride!

Prepare to get wet because there are times that you have to cross the river. Be careful when stepping on huge stones, they are quite slippery, and you might end up getting bruises or wounds. As you come closer, it becomes cooler as trees cover the trail. Butterflies flutter around, birds are humming in the air, and the smell of the grasses and ferns are all over the place. At the side of the trail, crystal clear water flows continuously by the streams. It is quite a long walk, but with a scenic sight, how can one get tired?

At the end of the trail, the Mother Falls is waiting to reveal its beauty! Soak your body to the ice cold waters as you gaze at her and be amazed at this another wonder of creation. Take as many pictures as you can. Catch as many smiles as possible. Enjoy your moment with Mother Falls.

3. Diguisit Beach. This is a beach with a rock formation privately owned by Dela Torre Beach Resort. It's a great view from the Nipa Huts and the resort's lodging places, though the beach is not recommended for swimming. We usually stay in this resort because it is more peaceful here than in Sabang beach (the beach for surfing) and prices for an overnight stay here are more affordable, especially for backpackers like us.

What I like most in this resort is that the sound of the waves that will kiss you goodnight is the same sound that will greet you in the morning! Plus their staff and owners that are all accommodating and honest. Honest, because one time they returned the wallet my friend left in one of their rooms. :)

4. Dicasalarin Cove. This place is also privately owned, but they allow visitors as long as you are willing to pay 300.00 per head upon entrance. But I can say that it's worth it.

It's a white-sand beach great for swimming, and you can also climb the top of a hill where there is a white tower.

The view at the top is really spectacular!

5. Surf at Sabang Beach. This is the most commercialized part of Baler. This is where the top hotels and restaurants are located.

Surfing Board rentals and trainors are almost at every corner. The waves here are great for surfing both for beginners and professionals and trainors are really cool!

At only 350.00 you can use a surf board for an hour and you will be trained and accompanied by your trainor, he'll also be your personal LIFE GUARD! :D

You can also visit their museum, hanging bridge, and the Ermita Hill if you have more time to spare.
Don't forget to buy pasalubong! Their suman is also a must-try! :)

Hi Tanay! A Day at 10 Cents To Heaven

I just remember one of my funny experience with Zip Lines. During our second year anniversary, my boyfriend and i went to Ten Cents to Heaven in Tanay to celebrate there. 

We went there just riding a motorcycle and that added thrill to the experience. It was an hour of ride but I did not mind it. I enjoyed the view along the way. The weather in Tanay is colder compared to Manila that it feels like you are in Tagaytay.

Ten Cents To Heaven is actually a campsite/resort ideal for group or corporate outings. They have amenities for outdoor activities and team building. You can also cross the hanging bridge or do wall climbing here.

What we find exciting here is the 1.1 Km zipline making it the longest zipline in Luzon!

As soon as we had our snacks and some rest, we immediately geared up for our second zip line experience and the longest so far! 

My heart was pounding as the staff pushed me and I saw the cliff below me where my body could possibly fall should there be something wrong! Haha! But everything goes well and along the way I was able to conquer my fear and enjoy the ride. It was almost over, around 3 meters away from the other end of the zip line when i suddenly stopped! Maybe because my weight was not that heavy! Haha! I was nervous at first because I was left hanging several meters high! The staff decided to get a long bamboo, for them to pull me. 

And while waiting for them to rescue me I striked some poses at the camera! Another fun experience for me! :)