Wednesday, September 14, 2016

#TheIlocanoAdventurers goes to Surong Falls, Pasuquin


Looking for a budget friendly around Ilocos Norte?
Join #TheIlocanoAdventurers on facebook and let's go! 

Sharing our spontaneous adventure last monday (holiday) in Surong falls, Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.


Pasuquin is one of Ilocos Norte's municipality and it has a lot of waterfalls.
In Brgy. Surong there is a truly breathtaking view of a majestic waterfalls.


HOW TO GET THERE?

From Laoag, take the jeep going to Pasuquin or bus going to Pagudpud. Travel time is around 30-45 minutes.
Then, stop in the plaza and hire a tricycle to get there.
In case you have a private car, take a right-turn going to the market and go east until you see this.
From the center of Pasuquin, it takes less than 15 minutes to get to the drop-off point.
Some parts of the way are rough road.

Just ask the residents if you are going in the right way.

Welcome to Brgy. Surong!
Keep straight until you can see an entrance in you left side. There is no signage so it is better to ask or to have a guide.

So let the trekking begin!


First you will se a farming sight until you get here.

Trekking time is about 15-20 minutes. It is a very easy trek. Just be careful with the slippery rocks.

 Don't forget to bring water and waterproof gears.

And these are some views/mini falls along the way.











The hardest part are like this only.
 
And viola! Amazing right?

This is the tallest waterfalls I have seen so far here in Ilocos Norte. Maybe it is about 30 ft. tall (not sure at all).



We were lucky to witness this color of the water during rainy days.

Please be careful when diving because there are rocks in some areas.


And enjoy the cold water.

Take pictures for good memories.

Plus, there is small a mini cave beside the waterfalls.
Sagada feels?


It is deep and has a wide area for swimming.

Here is a diving area




This is probably one of my favorite waterfalls so far next to Avis falls here in Ilocos Norte

Bring some friends and enjoy God’s creation.

And lastly, please respect our mother nature and don’t liter.


Thank you Ilocos Norte for always surprising us with your beauty.

Love,
The Ilocano Adventurers
 

EXPENSES:

Laoag to Pasuquin roundtrip (jeep/bus): Php 50.00
Tricycle roundtrip: Php 150/tricycle as long as you fit in
Fee for the guide: Php 100 or depending on how much you want to tip him/her.


Thank you for reading!
Join us next time. Search our facebook group "The Ilocano Adventurers"!
See you! 


Thursday, July 28, 2016

Jessica Wonders El Nido, Palawan



This is my second visit to Palawan, one of the most visited place here in the Philippines by tourists, and it always amazes me. Palawan makes me feel like being in a paradise, like having a day dream. 
The limestones, crystal clear beaches and lagoons, seafood, good vibes...

So if you're a beach lover, a tropical person, who has a great excitement when it comes to salt water adventures, note and bold Palawan in you places to go.  

From Manila to Puerto Princesa there is a around 1h and 15 minutes of travel time. 
We took the Cebu Pacific airline for it is the cheapest airline here in the Philippines because airfares to Puerto Princesa/El Nido usually costs a lot.
The airfare (MNL - Puerto Princesa) cost me 2,200 roundtrip.

When we arrived in Puerto Princesa, we didn't have any reservations for our transfer to El Nido. We didn't worry because transfers are offered in the airport and outside the airport. 
There was this one offering a mixed van transfer to El Nido. They asked us to pay 700 pesos each but I bargained to 500 pesos and they agreed.
There are also bus transfers to Puerto Princesa to El nido if you prefer.
Travel time from Puerto Princesa to El nido is aprox. 5 hours. 
 (Never be shy to bargain if you're in a budget trip because you'll never know. Although, I think foreigners don't get discounts that much unless they're travelling with a local.)

Day 1 - Arrival to El Nido

Van stop over

The road to El Nido is like the road to Baguio or Pagudpud. All green and many curves. 

Our van transfer dropped us in our hostel, Spin Designer Hostel.
It is the best hostel where I've stayed so far. They offer private and shared rooms with an eat all you can breakfast everyday. They also have different events depending on the day. 
Visitors are usually foreigners and travellers, so if you're looking for a friend it's also a good place to find them.
So, I highly recommend Spin Designer Hostel. 

Sala


Pancakes, bread and egg for breakfast

Mix shared room

Dining room 

Atic for breakfast or for BBQ night

Kitchen (you can cook if you want)

After our dinner in El Nido, we roam around to book for our tours during our stay.
My friend, Ryan, recommended me a tour agency in front of M lhuillier, Kashiecas tours
Joined tour for tour A's price is usually 1200 pesos and Tour C is 1400 pesos, but we got a discount for them two for only 1900 pesos! ( Bargain skills)
Goggles and lunch with drinks and ECO ticket are included.

A piece of advice: It's way cheaper when you book your tours when you arrive in your destination. Tour packages are usually cheaper and you can bargain their prices! 

Day 2 - Tour A

Meeting time is 9:00 AM.

                              
                              
                                                                      Pick up point 

                                 
Boat with the joined tour 

1. Seven Commandos Beach

It was our first stop. Around 15 minutes travel time from the meeting point to the island. 
It is named after the 7 remaining japanese commandos who lived in the aisland as straglers after Worl War II. 




2. Big Lagoon 

We weren't able to enter through it because it was low tide so we walked. 






Sea orchins are everywhere so be careful because I got pinched


3. Secret Lagoon

It's secret because it's behind the limestones.

Limestones

Coconuts sorrounded by limestones

Inside the Secret Lagoon

4. Small Lagoon

It is located on the cove of Miniloc Island so you have to swim of kayak (300 pesos) through to see the turquoise-green waters and limestone walls.

Kayak for 300 pesos good for 2 persons


Paddle board

Last picture before our Tour A ended


Day 3 - Tour C

Joined Tour with around 20 people from different places!

1. Helicopter Island

It is called Helicopter Island because of its form. A place for snorkeling. 


2. Hidden Beach

Walk or swim around 100 meters to get here. 



2. Talisay Beach

We had our delicious buffet lunch here with this kind of views. Beautiful!

View

Buffet lunch


After lunch we headed to the 3. Secret Beach but waves were crashing the limestones where we had to enter so I didn't go there. Sadly, I had to skip it.

4. Matinloc Shrine

Our tour guide said that the Matinloc is now a private property so we weren't able to enter the place but we snorkeled near it. 



Enjoying our last tour in the island


Catching sunset and having our last dinner in El Nido

Port side seafood restaurant for grilled foods and etc.


Day 4 - Back to Puerto Princesa - Manila


We took a quick visit to the Puerto Princesa Baywalk before our flight. It's very near to the airport so tell your van driver to drop you here and get a tricycle after. Php 10 pesos/person.

Puerto Princesa Baywalk


EXPENSES:

Airfare: 2200 pesos
PP-El Nido-PP: 500 + 450 = 950 pesos
Tricycle Baywalk - Airport = 10 pesos
Tours: (Tour A & C) 1900 pesos 
Hostel: 1000/night x 3 nights = 3000 pesos
Terminal fee (PP): 200 pesos
TOTAL: 8,260 pesos

*Food and other expenses are not included