Lakbay Lokal: My 2016 in Travel

While I'm glad that 2016 will soon end (and take away the negative stories that plagued it,) it will leave me with some good moments to cherish.

It brought me to new places and allowed me to revisit familiar ones.

APRIL: Holy Week tour in Bataan and Corregidor
My high school friends stayed in Abucay, Bataan to observe the Holy Week celebrations on that part of the province.

We also took the time to visit the historical Corregidor Island (and its War Museum), Balanga Cathedral, Abucay Church, Balanga WWII Museum, and of course, Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Read more about our Bataan and Corregidor trip HERE.

Facade of Balanga Church

Facade of Bataan WWII Museum inside an elementary school compound

Abucay Church glows on the eve of Easter Sunday

MAY: Trek to Mt. Pamitinan, Rodriguez, Rizal
Few days before my 25th birthday, I thought that I wanted to hike a mountain to literally "thank the heavens" for my life thus far. I invited my closest friends to a trek to Mt. Pamitinan and enjoyed my prelude to #QuarterLifeNoCrisis. 

JUNE: Day trip in Tagaytay
On my day off from work, my best friend and I roamed around Tagaytay City where we visited Museo Orlina which houses the glass sculpture masterpieces of celebrated Filipino artist Ramon Orlina. We had a filling lunch at Dreamland Arts & Crafts Cafe. In the afternoon, we visited the Guiness World Record-holder Puzzle Mansion with its confusing alleyways of local and international puzzles owned by the late Gina Gil Lacuna. We had dinner at the cozy Java Jazz Coffee Shop then capped off the night with a whole body massage! 


Read more about our Tagaytay trip HERE.

at Dreamland

at Java Jazz

SEPTEMBER: Day trips in Puerto Princesa, and El Nido, Palawan
Because I did not have an international trip this year, I thought that I would maximize our 3-day company outing as it was also my first time to visit the majestic province of Palawan! Straight from the airport and after having breakfast at Haim Chicken Inato, selected officemates and I headed on to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park for a guided tour inside one of the New7Wonders of Nature--the Underground River! On the way back to Aziza Hotel, we made a detour to Karst Mountain Elephant Cave, a 2-time pit stop in The Amazing Race. 

the view to the river's entrance

We were up early on Day 2 for a 6-hour road trip to the pristine beaches of El Nido. We paid for an island hopping tour and visited 7 Commando Beach, Small Lagoon at Minilok Island, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and finally the Big Lagoon.

at 7 Commando Beach. Look at that hues of blue, green, and brown!

inside the Small Lagoon

still at the Small Lagoon

It was my first time to: 1) kayak, 2) drive a large motor boat, and 3) free dive in saltwater so I would say, it was well worth the trip (and the cost!)

NOVEMBER: Day trip in Cebu City, Cebu
Third time's the charm. For my third consecutive business trip in Cebu this year, I finally squeezed in enough time to visit at least two known tourist attractions in the city--the Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino (including the museum adjacent to it) and Magellan's Cross. 

I had enough energy to burn as I feasted on Garlic Shrimp, Pineapple Rice, and Fresh Coconut while dining al fresco at Shaka Hawaiian Restaurant in the middle of Cebu IT Park.

Facade of Sto. Nino de Cebu Basilica

at Shake Hawaiian Restaurant

DECEMBER: Barkada (+Solo) trip in Baguio City, Mountain Province
My best friend had the similar idea for her birthday so she invited us to hike Mt. Ulap in Itogon, Benguet. Sadly I wasn't able to join them because I just recovered from a viral exanthem.

We enjoyed a weekend eating at Pizza Volante and Good Taste Restaurant, biking at Burnham Park, playing inside its amusement park, and stopping by Baguio Cathedral. After that I had two days by myself so I visited Baguio Museum, and ate at Cafe by the Ruins and Oh My Gulay!

I also revisited my go-to places like Mt. Cloud Bookshop, Glen 50s Diner (in its new location,) and the Pink Sisters Convent and Chapel. 

"Ole Nick's Open Face Tuna:" Nick Joaquin's instructions to the cook: butter the bread, spread flaked tuna evenly over the buttered surface, dip in beaten egg and fry in even MORE butter"

"Bandilang Pula" - mountain rice, vegetables in season, mongolian sauce, tofu, and omelette

Facade of Baguio Museum where a mummy inside a wooden coffin is in permanent display

Facade of Baguio Cathedral along Session Road

Lakbay Lokal: Traipsing Tagaytay

My best friend and I had one whole day for free (June 24). After talking about our getaway options for almost an hour, we decided to go to Tagaytay (*surprise!*).

Like most of our out-of-town trips, we knew where we would go but not what we wanted to do. We were just sure of one thing: we wanted to see art (and kaartehan) everywhere we go.

So here is our 16-hour budget itinerary for local tourists who want to escape the city and reignite their creativity as they rediscover Tagaytay:

*All prices good for 1 person only

0845AM

-Ride a DLTB Co. bus going to Tagaytay from Buendia (below LRT station) for only P83.

1045AM

-Arrive at Tagaytay Rotonda where, interestingly, a statue of Ninoy Aquino with a red sculpted steel tree now stands.

-Ride a tricycle to Museo Orlina for only P30. Entrance to the museum is P100.

-Museo Orlina houses the glass sculptures of renowned sculpture architect Ramon Orlina, as well as works of other local and foreign artists. It's a four-storey museum with huge open windows that let the fresh and cool Tagaytay air in, and white walls accented by colorful glass sculptures and recurring red-yellow-blue color patterns inspired by the works of one of Orlina's idols. It's four floors are named after his children (in order): Naesa, Ningning, Anna, and Michael.

 0100PM

-Ride a tricycle going to Dreamland Arts & Crafts Cafe near Cityland Condominium for only P20.

-Go grab your lunch! I tried Chick-A-Dream (Grilled Zesty Chicken with Herbs and Spices, Egg, Summer Salad, Fried Green-e-Rice, Tubasuk Vinegar, and Soup) for P180 and Lychee Smoothie with Yakult for P150. My F&B tasted better than expected :)

-The place is dreamy and artsy but they play loud remixes of OPMs that you would normally hear at pedicabs in the Metro; that is a major turnoff. Luckily they have a more appropriate playlist upon our request.

-For social media whores, sadly Dreamland doesn't have WiFi because it encourages customers to "talk to each other." They have group games (i.e. UNO Stacks, Sungka, Domino) to encourage bonding and books to help you pass the time alone, in another world. They also sell various items from dream catchers, dresses and bags, hand painted portraits, keychains, even hand sewn socks and wallets.

0330PM

-Take a short walk or ride a tricyle (for only P10) back to the Rotonda then ride a jeepney going to Nasugbu for only P10. Ask the driver to drop you off at Puzzle Mansion in Brgy. Asisa. 

Caution: A tricycle driver tried to trick us for P400 for 2 straight to the Puzzle Mansion from Dreamland. That's P380 more than what you really have to spend for!

0345PM

-Ride another tricycle for only P30 going to the Mansion. You have to walk five minutes from the drop off point because it's located in a low land. Entrance to the mansion is P100.

-Puzzle Mansion holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Collection of Jigsaw Puzzles of Any Size, Shape or Form."

-The over a 1,028 collection of jigsaw, crystal, and wooden puzzles on the ground floor is overwhelming. They have 2D and 3D puzzles and even puzzle balls. Better to create your route going around it (i.e. left to right, clockwise, zigzag).

-Watch the playback of the owner's TV interviews to learn more about her humble beginnings, success story, and aspirations to contribute to our tourism, one puzzle piece at a time. Or simply search for Georgina Gil-Lacuna.

-The 2nd floor features the world's largest and second largest jigsaw puzzles! You can also buy souvenir and rare puzzles at the shop, and have a snack break at the cafe.

0500PM

-Travel back to Brgy. Asisa tricycle terminal. Ride a jeepney going to Olivarez Terminal for P12.

0555PM

-Ride another tryk going to Java Jazz Cafe for only P25. It's near Ina ng Laging Saklolo Parish.

0610PM

-Have your dinner in this quiet and indie-artsy cafe. I tried Pan Fried Fish Fillet in Creamy White Sauce (P119) and Pandan Green Tea with Chips and Fries (P99). Both weren't great and they were served small considering the price :(

0830PM

-Cap off the night with a nice, light massage. We tried the whole body massage at Touchpoint Spa in front of Olivarez Terminal for P450. It was okay, not good nor bad. I still prefer Nuat Thai massage which is P100 cheaper.

1000PM

-Walk shortly to the Rotonda then ride a bus going back to either Buendia or Pasay for about P80 only. 

And voila, welcome home!

In all, you have to allot about P1,500 to enjoy a day trip in Tagaytay. If you want to spend the night, you can find a Bed & Breakfast accommodation for P500. Most of the cafe and restaurants have them, you just have to ask the locals to find the affordable ones :)