Adobado Hanit

I know the price of seafoods are a bit cheaper in the province when compared to prices in Manila, so I included seafoods on our list. We don't have any idea which restaurants serve the best seafoods in Legazpi, but thanks to the free wifi connection in the apartelle, we had access to google. Some of the search results pointed us to food shops in embarcadero, but another one caught our attention, the Sibid-Sibid Food Park. 

We just hired a tricycle to get there. Looking at the menu, my guess is right. The prices of the food is way cheaper than that of restaurants in Manila. I particularly wanted to eat crabs, so we ordered Adobado Hanit. Hanit is a bicolano term for mud crabs. We also ordered rice and ensalada on the side.

Rice wrapped in banana leaf and Adobado Hanit

Sili and Tinutong Ice Cream

When I planned the trip, I listed some unique food to try in Legazpi. One of those that are on my list is Sili ice cream at the 1st Colonial Grill. The nearest branch accessible from the place where we were staying is that one in Pacific Mall, so we decided to go there to try the sili-flavored ice cream which can only be found in Bicol.

The 1st Colonial Grill serves 3 unique flavors of ice cream: Sili, Tinutong, and Pili

Legazpi/Albay

We went back to Legazpi after lunch via a van in Donsol central terminal. As usual, we had to wait for the van to be full for almost an hour. We arrived in Legazpi at around 3PM and took a tricycle for PhP30.00 to RMJ Appartelle.

RMJ Appartelle is located at Rose St. Imperial Court Subdivision Phase 2. It is just a few steps away from Metro Gaisano and Pacific Mall. The Room that we rented for 3 days/2 nights costs 650.00. It is air conditioned with private CR and free wifi access. They also serve meals.

RMJ Apartelle

Bicol

Just this weekend, we visited the towns of Legazpi and Donsol in Bicol region for a short vacation. Days prior to our vacation, I prepared an itinerary for our trip but we were not able to visit all the places I listed in our itinerary. Nevertheless, the trip was relaxing and we really had fun.

Before the flight, we had our breakfast at a local foodchain. We had rice meals and coffee plus pancake.

breakfast at Jollibee

We took the first flight to Legazpi via Cebupacific at 7:50 AM. The very first thing which greeted us in Bicol was a view of the majestic Mayon Volcano

Legazpi Airport to Donsol

We arrived in Legazpi at about 8:50 AM and from the arport, we took a tricycle to Donsol van terminal (across Save More) which costs us PhP 50.00. We had to wait for other passengers for the van to Donsol. I even had time to buy food from "Save More" store which is located just across the street. We left the terminal around 10:30 AM.  We arrived in Donsol at 11:30 AM.

Van for Donsol

Check out the following links for the details of our trip:

• Donsol
• Legazpi/Albay

Donsol, Sorsogon

Donsol is a third class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines located at the south of Luzon island

To visit Donsol from Manila, you may take any flight to Legazpi via any of the local airlines listed here. From Legazpi, take a van which offer direct trips to Donsol.

During our visit in Donsol, we asked the van driver to drop us off at Aguluz Homestay. The place is along the highway so it is very accessible. We contacted Ms. Marilyn Razo of Aguluz homestay prior to our trip and we reserved a deluxe non-aircon room. We met Kuya Raul when we arrived at the place.

Aguluz Homestay Patio

Aguluz Homestay

The room that we booked is very spacious with two (2) queen sized bed and own private CR. We opted for a non-aircon room to save on cost. We got the room for PhP1,000.00. Since they didn't have other guests, we basically have the whole house. :-)

Aguluz Homestay Deluxe Room

I came to know about Aguluz homestay (formerly known as Razo's Inn) thru tripadvisor as one of its recommended places to stay when in Donsol at a cheaper price. Aside from the very nice place, Ms. Marilyn, the owner made us feel at home and she coordinated all of our tour and made sure that we enjoyed our visit even though she was in Palawan. 

You may contact Ms. Marilyn Razo of the Aguluz Homestay at this number: 0918 942 0897. I highly recommend her place If you are looking for an accessible, very nice, and homey place to stay in Donsol at a cheaper cost with the most awesome host/tour guide. You will definitely not regret staying at her place.

Flight Schedules to Cagayan de Oro

There are several schedules for the different direct flights to Cagayan de Oro City 

Manila to Cagayan de Oro

A. Via PAL Express:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 5:20 AM, 8:45 AM, 10:55 AM, 3:05 PM
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 5:20 AM, 8:45 AM, 10:55 AM, 1:00 PM, 3:05 PM 

Cagayan de Oro - Camiguin - Bukidnon Trip

My friends and I went to a 4-day trip to Cagayan de Oro- Camiguin- Bukidnon last 2011. We took a flight from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, then headed to Camiguin to spend 2 days there, then went to visit Dahilayan in Bukidnon. We spent our last day in Cagayan de Oro with a white water rafting adventure. 

Manila - CDO - Camiguin - CDO - Bukidnon - CDO - Manila

Please check the links below:

• Camiguin 
• Bukidnon
• Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro is a highly-urbanized first class and capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in Mindanao, southern part of the Philippines. It serves as the regional center and business hubs for the Northern Mindanao (Region X), and is part of a growing Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro, which include the city of El Salvador. It is located along the central coast of northern Mindanao island facing the Macajalar Bay and is bordered by the municipalities of Opol to the west; Tagoloan to the east, and provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte to the south of city.

Bukidnon

Bukidnon is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Malaybalay City. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte. 

Camiguin Island

Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao, with its land area pegged at 29,187 hectares. It is composed of five towns, namely, Mambajao – the capital town, Mahinog, Guinsiliban, Sagay and Catarman. The island plays host to seven volcanoes, including the still-active Mount Hibok-Hibok. 

According to http://www.camiguin.gov.ph: "The island of Camiguin is one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. The advantage of Camiguin versus other local tourist destinations lies in the "completeness" of its natural environment and the high diversity of the ecosystem." 

Baguio City

Bell Church

Most of us usually visit Baguio City to experience its cool climate, and to visit its tourist areas like the Mines View Park, Burnham Park, Strawberry Farm, among others. However, Baguio City is more than that. 

Despite its being one of the most popular tourist spots in the Philippines, there are still places which only a few have gone to. Get to know the other places worth visiting.

Sagada, Mountain Province

Lumiang Cave

Sagada is a municipality of Mountain Province is popular for its cool climate, caves, falls, amazing sceneries, warm people, and of course, good food. 

Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo

Bangui Wind Farm, Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmills

Bangui Wind Farm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MWwind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the South China Sea. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangui_Wind_Farm

Bohol

Yes, this is in Bohol. The province of the famous Chocolate Hills and the Tarsiers has more than what most of you might have seen on post cards :P

Iloilo City

Last 2009, I was able to visit Iloilo City. Aside from La Paz Batchoy, Pancit Molo, Piaya, or Biscocho, Iloilo is popular for its numerous old churches. 

Iloilo City Map

I was able to visit some fascinating churches and other places staring from the far end of Iloilo (the last town before Aklan). 

First Stop: San Joaquin 

San Joaquin Church

San Joaquin Church was built by the Augustinian Order in 1869. It is known as the only church in the country with a militaristic facade, incoporating the bas-relief mural Rendicion de Tetuan.

San Joaquin Cemetery

The San Joaquin Cemetery is located along the main highway in San Jaoquin Town. The construction of San Joaquin Cemetery was commenced by Fray Mariano Vamba, the last Augustinian parish priest of the town in 1892. A statue of Jesus with his arms outstretched stands on top of a baroque style gate, and on each side of Christ, two columns with angelic figures are poised as guards. In addition, sculpted heads of two cherubs and a skull representing death marks the entrance of the cemetery. Twenty stone steps after entering the gate and you will be greeted by the Baroque designed mortuary chapel standing on the center

Miag-ao Church

According to wikipedia, the Miag-ao Church, or Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, was built in 1786 by Spanish Augustinian missionaries and was declared as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Baroque Churches of the Philippines" in 1993. On the front facade, which is flanked by two watchtower belfries, one can see the unique blending of Spanish and native influences.

The central feature of the bas-relief facade is a large coconut tree which reaches almost to the apex. While an integral part of the Philippine landscape, the coconut tree is also the subject of lore. According to an old Philippine legend, the coconut tree was the only bequest from a loving mother to her two children, a tree which sustained them for life. On the church's facade the coconut tree appears as the "tree of life" to which St. Christopher carrying the Child Jesus on his shoulder is clinging to. The lesser facades feature the daily life of Miagaowanons during the time. Also depicted are other native flora and fauna, as well as native dress.

The church and its watchtowers were also built to defend the town and its people against raids by the Moros. It therefore has thick walls and, reportedly, secret passages. Indeed stretching along the Iloilo coast are defensive towers, but none that equal the size of the Miag-ao. It is because of this defensive purpose that it is sometimes referred to as the Miag-ao Fortress Church. 

Guimbal Church

One of the oldest in the country, the 400 year old Guimbal Church which was built in 1774, was made from adobe stones called igang and coral stones from Guimaras.