Catanduanes Trip

 

August 31 - Sept 3, 2023

Catanduanes Island.

For me, this is one of the underrated yet best islands I’ve reached so far and would want to go back - over and over again.

I would love to visit every pristine white-sand beach it offers and other wonderful, mystic and scenic places it has.

Twin Rock Beach, Binurong Point, Puraran Beach, Blue Lagoon, Nahulugan Falls and a more than century year old Bato Church are just few of the superbs must visit spots! They are truly Instagrammable and Fb Reelable!

Our Catanduanes tour has been a chill and adventurous trip in one.

It was also a budget-friendly four-day vacation. Locals are great, hospitable and warm.

The food there is great as well especially the sea foods! A truly recommended place for you to visit, come and see the sea.

So, book that flight and go discover Catanduanes!

 

Here’s our itinerary and budget for this trip.

Day 1:

Virac Airport. We booked a flight from Manila to Virac. We arrived in Virac at 7 am.

Then we had breakfast at a  nearby Cafeteria.

Then we’re off to explore the beauty of Catanduanes!

Our first stop was at Twin Rock Beach Resort. Its beach sand was pure and off-white. The rock formations were beautiful and it got its name there. The vibe there was just chill and peaceful.

Then we went to Tampad Beach, Talisoy. We just had a quick visit there then we’re off to our next destination.

It was the Hicming Falls. It was a 15-minute walk going to the falls. We also witnessed a wide rice puddy as we walked along the rocky trail.   

We took a dip at the falls and we enjoyed it as we were the only guests when we arrive there.

 

Next stop was the Bato Church. It was on the way going to Puraran Beach so we took a quick stop over at the church to pray and to be amazed by its beauty.  

Baras, Catanduanes. Our booked accommodation was in Baras at Puraran Beach.

We checked in at 2 pm. 

Then we had our late lunch at 3 pm before going to our next stop.

Binurong Point. They often call this as their mini version of Batanes.

There will be a 20-minutes trek going to Binurong Point. But it’s worth it!

We reached the peak at almost sunset and again, we were just the only people when we got there as if the whole place was just ours to enjoy.

At 6 pm, we’re back to our accommodation and we had our dinner before calling the day off.

We had a fully booked day 1! It was tiring but we truly enjoyed it.

 

 

Day 2

Today’s agenda was just to chill out.

I woke up before 6 am to witness the breathtaking sunrise of Puraran Beach.

I enjoyed my solitude until 7 am.

Let me share to you a journal entry I have written while staring at the wide sunny horizon and sitting at the fine sand.

 

Sept. 1, 2023 Friday

Puraran Beach, Baras, Catanduanes

Dear God,

Thank you for everything.

Thank you for every opportunity you have given me to go to wonderful places. I am always grateful for the safe travel, good health and for providing everything for me. Your creations are truly appreciated.

I find happiness in the seas, mountains, locals I get to see every time I go out there, to wonder and wander, to experience all Your majestic gifts to humanity.

To feel the bright sun in my skin, to touch the sand with my bare feet along with the waves and to breathe the air that is so fresh, all I can say is thank you but actually, I am running out of words to say what I truly feel.

It’s all goodness, gratefulness, happiness and contentment.

And I believe that I will go farther. But still thank you, for giving me home where I can return to in every trip that I have.

Thank you for the life I have. You are great!

-end of journal entry-

 

We then had a breakfast by the beach. We just ordered food.

 

Then all through out the day, we just chilled by the beach.

At 4 pm, we had our early dinner. We had lobster! Yey!

Then we had a night swim while having some drinks.

It was a perfect day!

 

Day 3

For our third day, we went again on an adventure by exploring some great beauty of Catanduanes.

At 10 pm, we check out on our hotel. Then we went to Blue Lagoon. It has a trek going to the lagoon and it’s a bit hard going there because of the path with big rocks.

But the lagoon is breathtaking especially during low tide.

 

Then we had our lunch on a nearby Inasal restaurant. The food was delicious yet affordable! We enjoyed our lunch.

Then we’re off to Nahulugan Falls.

And then we’re back to Virac.

We went to Virac Port to buy some pasalubong then we also bought food for dinner.

We then checked in to Sunset Coast Beach Resort. It was already dark when we reach the resort.

 

 

Day 4

For our last day, it’s fly back time to Manila.

We checked out at 6 am and we headed to the airport which was 15 minutes away from the resort.

And finally, it was a home sweet home with a lot of happy memories that we brought home!

 

Thank you to my best travel buddies!

Our Total Budget. Php. 5,000.00/ head (for group of 5 pax) was our over-all expenses for food, accommodation and van transportation. Flight fee was excluded. We got it from a promo fare last March.

Breakdown budget:

Amount	Expenses description
1,000.00	Van transportation
2,000.00	Food
2,000.00	Accommodation
5,000.00	Total budget per head

 

Batangas and Laguna 2023

 

August 2023

Today's whole day adventure was a road trip to Laguna (passing through Batangas) for Hubbs' birthday!  

We started the day early. At 5 in the morning, we were already on the road and our destination was in Calauan, Laguna.

It should only be a 2-3 hour drive but we encountered some traffic along the way because of the rush hour.

We then took our breakfast at Jollibee Calamba.

According to Waze, we will pass through Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Because of this, I asked Hubbs that we go to St. Pio Church.

I’ve been wanted to go here for a church visit, to say a little prayer and a wish.

And now, it has come true!

It felt great and grateful to be here.

We always go at St. Pio in Eastwood and it felt nice to be here in Batangas.

Thank you, Lord God for this opportunity to visit St. Pio Church in Batangas.

It was a huge place and we even took time to explore it.

I’ll be sure to go back here anytime soon!

 

Our next stop was the Silva Hotspring in Calauan, Laguna.

Thank you, Waze!

 

We parked our motorcycle then we hiked a bit to reach the resort.

We paid for entrance fee and a table.

Then we had lunch.

We brought a packed lunch. Hubbs cooked chicken pork adobo last night and we also brought rice.

Then a little bit of swimming time. 

 

After having our yummy lunch, we’re on our way back home.

We got home at 6 pm.

Happiest birthday Hubbs! I hope that you enjoyed this day’s getaway as much as I enjoyed it.

To more of our adventures!

Ilocos Trip 2023

 

Travel Date: July 19 – 22, 2023

After eight years, I was back to my moving on escaping zone – the wonderful province of Ilocos.

But this time, it’s for work.

Our flight time was 4 am. By 5 am, we were already at Laoag Airport.

We had breakfast at McDonalds and then we did some work by 9 am.

Then just before lunch, we rode a bus going to Vigan and checked in to our hotel.

 It was a two-hour trip from Laoag City to Vigan City. We then checked in at Hotel Mercante just near Calle Crisologo.

Later in the afternoon, we had some time to visit Calle Crisologo and we bought some pasalubong. Of course, photo ops are part of our itinerary for that day.

We had dinner on a restaurant along Calle Crisologo then we headed back to our hotel for an early sleep because we’re tired and we don’t have enough sleep last night due to our very early flight.

For our Day 2, we had a whole day of work.

 

We had our breakfast on our hotel’s restaurant by 7 am. 

Then we’re off to our meeting place. It was a product training at Max’s Vigan.

Then by night, we had a chill time at one of the bars along Calle Crisologo with our colleagues.

The following day, we went to work again until before lunch.

We had a yummy lunch at Calle Brewery.

Then we’re back to Laoag.

We had some quick side trip to Bantay Bell Tower, Baluarte, and Paoay Church.

By 6 pm, we were already at Sola Hotel – a hotel in Laoag and it was such a nice play to stay. 

I love it there especially that during the time of our stay, it was not crowded.

We had a dipping time by its pool then dinner by 8 pm.

Our flight for the following day was at 5 am.

It was a quick trip for work but definitely I am grateful for having the opportunity to visit my healing place once again.

My first time here was when I was brokenhearted but now when I came back, my heart is already full of love, happiness and gratefulness.

I just feel so blessed and loved and everything really happens for a reason. 

I would definitely love to go back here in Ilocos to visit again some famous tourist spots  like the Borjador Lighthouse, Paoay Sand Dunes, the windmills, its white-sand beaches, and other beautiful nature spots it offers.

Our 2023 Boracay and Antique Family Trip

Boracay and Antique Trip

June 3-7, 2023

As they say, “invest more on experiences rather than material things.”

And I do believe in this.

Because money can still be earned but time – especially those moments with our loved ones won’t. 

 

I’ve been to Boracay and of course to my hometown Antique for countless times already but this year was different and will be forever cherished.

It became extra special for this trip because for the first time, Hubby and I rode on a plane together.

Also, I was with my family. And times with people close to my heart are always priceless.

 

So, without further ado, here’s our timeline for our recent trip.

 

Day 1 | July 3, 2023 Saturday

Hubby and I flew out together from Manila to Roxas City, Capiz at 4 am.

We visited my cousin living in Roxas. We had a breakfast and lunch at their home.

Then by two p.m. we travelled to Kalibo via van. It was a 2-hr ride.

When we reached Kalibo, we waited for my brother, his girlfriend and our cousin. Their ETA was 4 pm.

And we all rode a bus going to our hometown – Antique which was another 2-3hrs ride.

It was already 7 in the evening when we reached home. Hubby cooked for our dinner.

Then we went to our relative’s family resort and we slept there.

But before we slept, we had a night swimming on their pool.

It was a long day but our hearts were full.

 

Day 2 | June 4, 2023 Sunday

Our agenda for this day was our trip to Boracay.

From our place, it’s 2-3 hrs road trip going to Caticlan.

Then upon reaching Caticlan, we rode a ferry going to Boracay Island.

A shuttle drove us to our booked hotel.

We checked in at Faith Village Hotel and our rooms were simple but nice.

We ate for our late lunch at Mang Inasal then we had some photo ops and long walks at Station 3 to Station 2.

Boracay sunsets are breathtaking as always.

It was and always a nice feeling to sit on the sand and just do nothing but stare on the beauty of the sea.

It was also entertaining to watch people having the best time of their lives same as ours.

When the sun was already down, we were back to our hotel which was only walking distance to the beach to rinse off and took a rest. I slept early because ‘Hello, Tita feels’ and I was just so tired from our land travel. I just listened to my body and I know that my social and physical batteries were already drained and needed to recharge for another wonderful day ahead.

 

Day 3 | June 5, 2023 Monday

We woke up early and it was raining.

We ate on a nearby cafeteria.

Then after breakfast, we took a morning dip by the beach. We even tried kayaking and paddle boarding and of course photo ops will never be absent during our family gatherings.

My mom loves taking photos and I think I got it from her.

My cousins just had pancit and bread for lunch.

Then at 12 noon, we already checked out and back to Caticlan. A shuttle fetched us on our hotel and dropped us off at the pier then we took a ferry again back to the main island.

We rented a van going back to our home in Antique. It was almost 5 p.m. and it was raining on and off.

We washed our wet clothes and prepared for dinner.

At 8 p.m., we decided to buy milk tea.

And at 10 p.m. we finally called it a day because tomorrow is another adventure day for us.

 

Day 4 | June 6, 2023 Tuesday

The whole gang decided to go to our relative’s mountain resort. It has a river and a lot of amenities.

We went to Calawag Mountain Resort. Our first stop upon reaching the resort was the hanging bridge.

And then we decided to go trekking and we went to see the majestic waterfall of Bugtong Bato Falls.

I’ve already been there but it was nice to be back and this time with my husband.

It was a half an hour trek going to the falls. Green sceneries filled our eyes along the way.

It was an easy trail yet a bit of tiring to those who are not used to take long walks.

The water was cold yet refreshing.

And we take some moments to appreciate the beauty of nature in front of us.

After a few minutes, we decided to go back to the resort to have our lunch.

We had a boodle fight and we totally enjoyed it!

After having our lunch, we enjoyed the Kawa Bath even though it was raining.

For our night stay, we went again to Kawa Inn and we had our dinner there.

 

Day 5| June 7, 2023 Wednesday

It’s our last day at the province.

We had our early breakfast and we were back to our Lola’s house to pack our things.

We also dropped by at my cousin’s grave to pay a visit.

Our flight was at 7 pm.

We ate lunch at my lola’s house.

So, by 1 pm, we rode a bus going to Kalibo and it was a 3-hour ride.

When we reached Kalibo, we ate at Chowking for our early dinner.

Then when we reached Kalibo Airport, we bought some pasalubong there.

Our flight was a bit delayed but we reached Manila at 9 pm.

So, this ends our trip.

And I will be forever grateful for all the opportunities given to us to travel.

Thank you, Universe for always providing. All glory to the Lord.