Alibijaban, a DIY island, Philippines

It was one of the best and indeed different experience for us visiting this island. It would be tough for anyone to find Alibihaban island unless someone points it on map.  It is almost 7-8 hours journey from Makati to this island. We need to take a boat from San andres to reach this island.

The white sand island beach, we can say that is raw and untouched island, will give you immense closeness with nature. There is no tourism info about this island,  no entrance fees, no lodging, no restaurants etc.. you will really need local people to visit this island and plan every bit of things yourself.

Altogether, it is a DIY island. Information can only found on blogs and internet. You need to carry your own cooking setup and tents if you are planning to stay overnight.

I was lucky to find a local group planning to visit this island and they seemed to be pro in organizing trips. Fully equipped with all camping tools, tents etc.. I just had to stick to their plan. Well planned and very nice group with an jaw dropping beautiful island destination made our trip memorable.

We started in night around 11PM on Friday 12th-Jun and reached early morning on Saturday. After doing some shopping on main land for our food requirements, we took a boat ride to this stranded island. 20 minutes waving on sea and we landed our feet on white sand beach. Island is a home for almost 300 families and we got a warm welcome from village kids.

we encroached a part of shaded land by the beach and landed our feet there. While one group starting setting up the open air kitchen, another group started working on tent and command center. Yes, our one tent was quite big to accommodate 10-12 person and we named it command center.

Tent and command center by the beach. Open air kitchen is on the back side.

We took a quick walk around to see the island, followed by lunch session. While others went for snorkeling in sea and searching sea creatures.

I was quite astonished with the friendly and honest nature of villagers, specially kids. when everyone went for a walk, no one was around to look after our luggage or things. When we returned, even many kids were sitting near our tent, our luggage remained untouched and so was our food or snacks which was there in open air kitchen. Local kids guided us for a long walk in Mangrove forest which was on the other side of island. there was one river flowing in the middle of forest and which added beauty of this forest. After taking lot of pictures and analyzing few creatures of mangrove we decided to return. we took the way through sea. Yes, a part of land was coming out on sea, which will get submerged once we get high tide in night.

After an exhausting yet interesting walk, we reached our base camp. Sun was already fading away and sky was displaying different color on big canvas. We sat down on beach with our cup of coffee staring at sun, mesmerized in nature's beauty.

Enjoying Sunset 

After a nice dinner everyone got busy in casual chit chat. It was nice experience for us to sleep in tent for first time. Sooner dreams engulfed my tired body and mind. Day started quite early then usual. As per plan, we got in boat to go around island. Mangrove forest was half submerged in water due to high tide last night, creating a nice place for swimming. We couldn't resist jumping in clean water.

After an adventurous trip on boat around the island, we headed back to our base camp. Had a nice feast over fresh fishes caught from sea. Journey came to an end with unforgettable memories recorded in our brain cells and moments captured in camera :) . Paid our sincere thanks to the enthusiastic group before saying bye to everyone.

Enjoy the photo slideshow below :)
---

Moriones Festival, Marinduque, Philippines

Marinduque, also known as the heart of the Philippines due to its geographic location and shape, is a stranded island almost 3 hours journey in ferry ship from nearest mainland port. 

Way to Marinduque

Boac, Moriones

We were still not able to finalize our destination for 4 days surprise holidays coming in early April. Most of the hotels and means of transport were fully booked. We had some recent trips to beaches and highlands and hence there was a thirst to explore something different. When one of our local friends told about Moriones festival celebrated during Holy Week in Marinduque, I got itchy feet.

Moriones

Finally uncertainty cleared when we took last minute decision to take risk and try our luck with bus and ferry ticket instead of sitting at home. I came back from office, took one hour to pack bag and headed to Jac liner bus station, Cubao.

Stay in Marinduque was pleasant and I must say that it was one of the most unique experience. Slow moving and peaceful place was crowded during Holy week due to local and foreign tourists. We were astonished to see the honesty of people and also their eagerness to help tourists by making them comfortable with the festival and locality. Jeepney and tricycle also never tried to charge us extra. No wonder, Marinduque ranked number 1 by the Philippine National Police and Philippine Security Force as most peaceful province with no crime record.

It took almost an hour to travel in Jeepney from Balancan port to Boac city of Marinduque. We checked in our hotel around noon and after a quick nap and refresh, headed to the open air theatre where Moriones festival was organized. Although, Moriones, in their nice costume, did a nice welcome at the port but we were eager to see the festival ceremony.

Moriones festival goes for one full Holy week. We managed to witness major part of festival on Thursday, good Friday and Saturday.

The festival demonstrates the story of Jesus, the prophecies, the birth, life and teachings, passion, death and resurrection.  

"Way of the Cross" re-enacts the suffering of Christ as he carried his cross to Cavalry along with two other men who were considered culprit. Moriones (locally known here, wearing costume and mask as roman soldiers) whip & punish them all the way around city with a leather thonged whip which ends on a hill(Golgotha) where Christ is crucified along with other two on both sides. There were a group of people called "flagellants" whipping themselves with round pieces of wood or bamboo marching behind the Jesus. There was real dried blood on their body. We learnt from a fellow local that they get skin deep razor cut before they start whipping with wood. After the ritual they will go to river or sea and wash their wounds. It is said that bath which is done on good Friday heals the wound quickly without leaving any mark.

Crucifixion Process.

The complete procedure was followed by a crowd of tourists as well as locals shouting and trying to feel Jesus pain. One of the Morion pierced Jesus in his side with spear after crucifixion. According to story, Longinus was the name of the Roman soldier and he was blind on one eye. Some of the Jesus blood fell upon his eyes and he was healed. The event was nicely demonstrated in the play.

The complete theatre play ended by 2-3 PM and when we headed for lunch.

Next big event which was supposed to be played on Sat evening at 7PM. The event name was "Beheading of Longinus".

We took the evening time to escape to the island beautiful sunset scene and natural hot water spring in Buena Vista, another city of Marinduque. Island is also blessed with Boracay like white sand beach in Torrijos but moriones was our major attraction point. We roamed around in Boac, visited oldest cathedral, local market and Museum. We joined again in the Expo for next event of Moriones festival before sun went down.

Series of theatrical presentation started which was perfectly planned and organized. Right from costumes, sound effect, lighting and actors in the play everything was properly planned. I was not expecting such a nice presentation in a small city like this. They also made an elevated area in the open air theatre to give a real effect of Golgotha, mountain on which crucifixion happened. Complete play was in Tagalog (Philipino Language) and definitely a tough time for us to get the full story.

The play ended with beheading of Longinus and the whole city sitting in open air theatre enjoying the play got up and headed for dinner. 
Month before the festival, costumes, equipments and sites are checked and prepared. Then the participants and director rehearsal multiple times before final day. Many volunteers to play this role while others visit their homeland to be a part of this festival.

Moriones festival recordings uploaded in youtube.

   

Travelling to Marinduque: There are buses from Cubao and Buendia bus station to Lucena port, nearest port to Marinduque. We boarded bus in Cubao. Bus was available at every 5 minutes. It takes approx 4-5 hours.

You will get ferry from Lucena port to Balancan port which runs every 2 hours. It takes 3-4 hours to reach Balancan. RoRo (roll in roll out) timing 

Roro Timing

Jac Liner have direct bus facility to Marinduque which runs every day at 5 PM and is most comfortable way to reach this island. Advance booking would be required if you are travelling during peak season. Expect a very long queue for bus and ferry if you have no advance booking.

There are jeepneys from Balanacan and Cawit port to different cities of island.

Return Journey was much comfortable with no waiting time. Once you are out of Ship at Lucena Port, you can see queue of buses there.

Hotels and accomodation: Hotels are in range of 1000P to 2000P in Boac city. There are many resorts at reasonable price as well. "Boac hotel" is much advertised but I prefered "Tahanan sa Isok" more because of their friendly staff and clean room. Swimming pool is added facility here.

"Lucky Seven Pension hotel" is also good hotel in Boac although handled by only one old lady so don't expect any nice service. There is no online booking center but you can directly call and book. 
Accommodation options are also available in other cities of Island.


Food: Food is easily available at reasonable price across island. There are many small restaurants. I was expecting more of seafood since but chicken and pork was mostly available in Boac restaurants.

We discovered "Shrine Restaurant" which was close to Tahanan sa Isok hotel and had nice seafood list in menu. Chilly crab was nice there.

reference: http://www.marinduque.gov.ph/

---------------

Boracay, A Paradise, Philippines

20-Nov to 23 Nov 2014

Beautiful beaches of Philippines are always in one of the top tourist destinations. After long planning, at last I managed to steal time from my busy life to plant my foot on the world most Beautiful beach, Boracay (2012 award winning beach). Images are better than words so let me start with some pics. Picture slide show is at the end of this post.

It is also the most visited island in the world. Famous for their milky white sand beaches and crystal clear water, Boracay is 45 minutes flight journey from Manila. Caticlan is the nearest airport although it is quite small and manges flights only during day time. Budget travellers can take flight to Kalibo which is around 2 hours journey from Caticlan by road.

There are number of buses and vans from Kalibo to Caticlan runs every 5 minute. Last bus is at 10PM.

A small boat ride of 10 minutes from Caticlan will land you in Boracay island. Tricycles are available from jetty port to your hotel.
Scroll at the end of article to see prices.

Accommodation:

There are a number of resorts and hotels for all type of travellers. Number of resorts are available  facing to sea just beside the beach. If you are going during off time and more focussed on beach facing hotels with decent facilities, you may go there, walk along station 2 and 1 and find the hotel. Off time prices vary between 1200 Peso to 4000 Peso per day single room for two.

During peak season, in Nov, Dec and Jan, it is advisable to book hotel in advance. We booked "Boracay Holiday Resort". The stay was quite comfortable with a big swimming pool and pool side bar.

Food and Drinks:

Best place to feast in Boracay is D'talipapa. It is like fish market and lot of restaurants around called "Paluto". You can walk in market and select your fish, crab, lobster etc.. and handover to Paluto. They will charge only for cooking according to dish ordered.
You can also buy vegetables for Salad which will be cut and served free of cost.
Generally wet market sellers try to quote high price first. Don't forget to haggle on price.

There are few local Japanese, Chinese, Korean and one Indian restaurant in and around D'mall. D'mall is near station 2 and 10 minutes walk from D'talipapa.
With lots of tourists coming in, food is over priced here. We liked one Chinese restaurant for their ambiance location and price. It is located in Regency Hotel, close to McD.
There are also local Franchise restaurants like Inasal. which will help to keep your food expenses under budget.

There are lot of fruit Juice shop along the beach although beat one is "Jonah" located at the end of station 1.
Crazy crepes is also nice place for beverages .

Beer is still cheaper throughout the island and also hit by happy hours till 9PM. If you love drinking, you can join pubcrawl group in Boracay. 700P for ladies and 900P for guys.

Activities:

Here is the main attraction of Boracay other than white beach itself. All activities offered there are fun filled. I am putting in order from most interesting to least interesting.

I got Mr Ron contact from some blog who provided all activities at good rate. 0915 8722 855.
I also found one more agent, Wella. Her activities rate was also competitive. Contact 0912 483 9943.

Helmet Diving: (350P/head) Awesome and one of its kind of experience when you wear iron helmet of weight almost 25kgs and diving in almost 20 feet while still feeling weightless with lot of fishes around. I felt like I am in a big beautiful aquarium. They will provide you food to feed fishes there and it will be awesome to see fishes swimming and eating right from your hand.

Helmet Diving

Flyfish: (350P/head): It is the most fun filled activity here. It will kick your adrenaline to highest level. An air filled boat is dragged by a speed boat. The flyfish will lift and it will be real challenging to balance yourself in boat. We toppled couple of times.
A boat is for max 6 person and minimum 3 persons. It will cost more if only 3 persons are going to do this activity. You can also wait to join with other group.

FlyFish 

Parasailing: (600P/Head weekdays to 1200P/Head weekend). A nice boat ride to a floating platform. Parasailing is done from the platform in the middle of the sea.

Zorbing: (380P/head)Zorb is a big double layered air filled ball. You need to seat inside. Ball will roll down from uphill inside water. It is real fun experience in this ball. Free shuttle is running at every 5 minutes. You can go there and book directly or can book through agent. I got cheaper from agent.

ATV and Buggy Car (600P/head): Held at same location as zorbing, it is four wheel bike and car ride to uphill and back.

Sailing and Sunset view: (300P/head) This is 30 min sail boat ride when sun starts lowering down.

Island Hopping: 1200P/head: They will take you around the island showing different beaches of the island and clear water with marine habitats for snorkeling. It is nice thing to do a relaxing way to see the island. We planned it on the last day of our trip.

We ended our trip with nice bath and massage and headed back to Jetty holding lot of mesmerising memories and lots of moments captured in camera.

Kalibo airport to Caticlan Jetty	250P
Environmental fee	100P
port fee	75P
Boat to Boracay	25P
Borcay to Kalibo	250P
Port fee	100P

--

Tagaytay, Philippines

Situated almost 60km from Manila, Tagaytay, is an easy escape for a 1 or 2 day trip. The city is situated on approx 600Mtr height from sea level with a slight cool pleasant weather. Tagaytay volcano is second most active volcano in Philippines with 33 historical eruptions, first in 1572.

Although there is no eruption happened after 1972, there is continuous seismic waves and alert was raised couple of times. 

  

There are bus services from different part of Manila that is Ayala MRT, Gil Puyat LRT and EDSA LRT. AC buses are 82Peso and may take 2.5 hours to 3 hours depending on the traffic. It is advisable to  start early in morning around 7AM to avoid traffic and rush at bus stop. Buses to Tagaytay is generally crowded on weekend and you can find people standing.

We took DLTB bus service from Gil Puyat (Buendia) LRT. Bus will go through Oliveraz circle which can be easily identified by statue standing in the middle. If you have booked a hotel, you can take a jeepney or Motorbike siklo to go there.

There are many hotels near around Oliveraz and generally available. You can go see the rooms and select in case you are planning to stay overnight.

The city is located around Taal Lake and the beauty of lake can be enjoyed from different view points. 

Food: You can try few local food with a lake view in few restaurants near Oliveraz circle. There is one local fastfood Inasaal which got comparatively nicer food. 

KFC and McD are also available in city. Tagaytay is famous for its coconut sweet delicacies know as Buko Pie and Buko Tart.

Few places you may like to see other than Taal lake:

People's park.: Take a Jeepney from Oliveraz to People's Park which may cost you around 20Peso. People's park is on the highest point of Tagaytay. You can visit the church there and enjoy the scenetic beauty of lake from very top.

Entry fee: 30Peso

Picnic Groove: Picnic groove is on the way to People's Park. You can visit Picnic Groove while returning from People's park. There are few acivities in the park other then putting your tent and relaxing. You can enjoy Horse Riding and boating here.

Entry Fee 50Peso. 

Horse riding :350 Peso

Sky Ranch: Sky ranch is Amusement park with few fun rides. There is nothing unique here. If you got enough time or got kids you may like to visit this place. There is one restaurant few steps away from this place, Buffalo Burger, which is famous destination for people who like beef burger or fastfood. 

                                                              Taal Lake and Volcano

We started for Taal Lake & Volcano at early morning 6AM. Morning is advised to avoid sun and rush at Boat.

You can take a Bike Siklo from Oliveraz to Taal Lake boat point. Basic charge is 300 Peso max both way. Boat from land to volcano Island is 1500 P per boat for max 5 people as per govt declaration although you can bargain it to 1000P. 

The heavenly picturesque view can be enjoyed right from the boat journey till volcano island. If you are in pink of your health you may like to trek up hill which may take you between 40min to 1 hour. Horses are also available to take you to the top of mountain with govt defined rate of 450Peso with guide 450Peso also.  

You can avoid taking guide since there is nothing much to explain and path to crater is very simple where no guidance required. 

While trekking you can see few small mud pots and geysers which is live hot and releasing thick smoke. It is advised to wear proper shoes and mask to avoid heat and poisonous gas coming out of these mud pots.

The Crater lake on Volcano island is the largest lake on an island in a lake on an island in the world. Moreover this lake contains an island. You can return back to oliveraz circle to get a bus back to Manila. Buses will keep coming at this circle with a good frequency. 

The Philippines

Manila, The Philippines

Famous for the most beautiful beaches on earth, Philippines was always on top of my places to visit. I had no idea that I would be getting this opportunity so soon. The island of Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas) is an archipelago in Southeast Asia with more than 7000 islands located between Philippine sea and South China Sea. My flight was in bright day time and I was curiously staring out of window when I heard announcement that flight will be landing soon. Plane crossed sea and I got first glimpse of Philippines with greeneries all around on wavy land, hills and mountains assured me that I am really landing in a natural wonder.

It was a little troublesome at airport collecting luggage, standing in long immigration queue shifting my wait from one leg to another and later a taxi to hotel where taxi driver gave a bitter first experience in Manila. Got few dollars exchanged to Peso at airport (43 peso/1USD Aug2014). Taxi moved through big and small congested streets and skyways. We reached Makati, my destination, sooner which moreover looked like a concrete jungle and rising towers all around.

Taxi stopped in front of a high tower and we got room on 24th floor. The gazed out of glass wall toward the glittering lights of towers standing parallel to us. Slow moving traffic with vehicles twinkling lights was also clear.

Our hunger to know the place and try new cuisines sooner forced us to start exploring the city.

Locals are in general sweet and soft spoken. Tagalog is the local language here but English is also widely spoken and understood. Showing respect in polite words addressing sir/ Mam is quite common here. Public transport(Metro) is generally crowded and bone crushing during peak office hours. We still found people offering their seats to girls and older people. Jeepneys are another local public transport with low height and windows with no glass. Around 20-30 people can sit inside depending upon size of Jeepneys. Taxi is also easily available at reasonable rate.

Jeepneys, pulbic transport in Philippines

It was tough for us to find local food shops here. City is full of international food chain brands like KFC, McD and few local brands like Jollibee & Inasal giving a tough competition to them. We tried some local street BBQ and had an opportunity to enjoy local delicacy in some restaurants. Halo Halo (dessert) in Inasal tingled my taste buds along with its main course.

Halo Halo Dessert

Philippines is endowed with awesome natural beauty black lined with sudden weather change and natural disasters like typhoons quite often. We already experienced 3 typhoons within 1 months of our stay.

It is rare to see people following their traditional dress although men can be seen in silk shirts which is not tugged in pant. These shirts are status symbol here and hence mostly wore by rich people.

Shopping in Manila:

There are some local market areas. Weekend morning market also held in Legaspi Park(Sunday) near to greenbelt 1 and Salcedo Park(Saturday). You can get local and fresh items here for your full week. Mostly sellers here are from near by villages.

Morning Market, Legaspi Village

There are few wet markets here called Dampa. Dampa at Macapagal open all days and rich of fruits vegetables and seafoods. You may need to bargain as prices may be high for foreigners.

Farmer's Market: is very nice traditional market located near Cubao MRT. Fresh vegetables, meat and seafoods are available at cheaper rate with lot of local shops available for household items as well.

Farmer's Market

Greenhills : This market is a big stretch of cloths, bags, mobiles and souvenirs shops at affordable price. You can bargain at your best here. This is located near Annapolis MRT. Although I didn't experience anything as such, as per local people input, pickpocketing is common in this market so you should be careful with your belongings . In general, it is a safe place for shopping.

Other than these markets, Greenbelt, Gloreitta(nearest MRT Ayala) and "Mall of Asia"(Nearest LRT EDSA) are the malls to satisfy your shopping greed. 

Chinatown: 168 Mall and lucky Chinatown one of many shopping heavens in Chinatown. Prices are cheap still you can bargain further. you can find almost everything there, from jwelleries, cloths, household and kitchen items, electronic goods, furniture etc..

Places to Visit:

There are many churches across Manila while few are quite old and spectacular.

You can visit few of the listed places here.

Intramurous Church

Intramuros: Old Spanish City, still alive located at the sea belt gives you historical idea of Spanish influence on Philippines. The city is surrounded with high walls equipped with Canons.

Nearest LRT united Nations.Take Jeepney to Intramuros

American Cemetery: The place I liked most few Kms from Makati is a nice place to visit. A big stretch of American soldiers tomb here. A total of 17,206 tombs are here.

China Town: Oldest Chinatown of world lies here. With a smell of chinese culture and tradition with cuisine, this place is also a haven for shopping lovers. Although, for shopping you need to go a little ahead of Chinatown known as Binondo or Diversoria. 

Manila Bay: You can spend your evening here with lot of eateries around. Just sit at the bank of river and spend your evening with nature.

Star City: Located close to Manila bay, Star City is amusement park which can keep you busy for a day. Starting time is 4 PM on weekdays and 2 PM on weekends.

Ocean Park, children's museum can be also considered in your visiting list.

Visit Tagaytay

-
.