JB Wanders: Travel

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Just early this year, I had the great opportunity to go on a trip with my big family to Biliran Island. Biliran is one of the three main islands of the Eastern Visayas Region, along with Leyte and Samar. Unlike other island provinces in Visayas, these three islands are interconnected by bridges i.e., the Biliran Bridge linking Leyte to Biliran and the famous San Juanico Bridge connecting Leyte and Samar. Thanks to these bridges, traveling to the different tourist destinations in this region is a breeze.

Our Biliran trip was memorable for me because this was one of those rare get-together moments we had as one complete family. You see, I have seven siblings, three of whom have their own families already and the rest have their own lives to live in other cities and countries. So one could just imagine how occasional it can get to have the family circle intact. If it weren't for my sister's wedding a couple of days before, this trip would not have been possible. All in all, we were 17 who joined the trip, including in-laws, nieces, and nephew.

#TeamBensig !

My family chose Biliran because of its accessibility and proximity from my hometown, Ormoc City, Leyte (just 2 ½ hours north). Also, we know that there are a lot of wonderful attractions in Biliran that are just waiting to be discovered and appreciated. In this tour, we had the chance to visit two of Biliran's beauties: the Sambawan Island and the Tinago Falls.

Sambawan Island

After crossing the Biliran Bridge, we headed straight to Kawayan Wharf where our Bangka drivers were already waiting. They were pre-contracted by my mother's friend who's from Biliran. And since we're a big family, we rented two boats to take us to the island on a day tour for only PHP 2,000 per boat good for 8-10 persons. We crossed the sea and traveled for almost an hour before we arrived at the Sambawan Island, where we were instantly greeted by these bright and blue waters and white sand.

When we arrived, we paid an entrance fee of PHP 100.00 per head and rented a beach hut which can sit up to 8 people for only PHP 500.00. We unpacked our things and took our lunch prepared for us by our parents. Nothing beats good old home-cooked meals eaten with a complete family on a tropical island vacation. After feeding ourselves full, we took some siesta time and just enjoyed the cool sea breeze and the nice scenery. Then we decided to trek to the watch tower at the top of the hill overlooking the whole island. The view at the top was breathtaking! I've never seen such an awesome 180 degrees view of an island in all of my travels so far. We took photos of the outstanding and picturesque scenes before going back to our cottage. We all then took a swim and had so much fun the rest of the day.

We sailed back to Kawayan wharf before it got late in the afternoon because we were told that the sea swells could get really high and dangerous (true enough, they were really scary!). We checked in at Marvin's Seaside Inn to spend the rest of the night. The place was perfect for us because they had rooms that could accommodate big families for only PHP 1,700.00 per night. They also had a swimming pool which was very suitable for family gatherings. You can search for their room rates and other amenities in BiliranIsland.com. The next morning, we did some family bonding time in the pool before we checked out from the hotel.

Tinago Falls

Next, we went to Tinago Falls which was about 30 minutes away from the hotel. Tinago Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls located in Brgy. Caibiran, Biliran. The word “Tinago” actually means hidden in English. The name became ironic now that it was more accessible to tourists after the Naval-Caibiran Cross Country Road was constructed. When we arrived, we paid a fee of PHP 10.00 for adults and PHP 5.00 for children before we’re allowed to enter the site. It was already high noon when we came, so we ate our delicious lunch we bought from a family restaurant that we’ve dined the night before. From where we’re eating, we could already see the beautiful waterfalls and feel the cold breeze that was brought by the waters rushing down from the mountain cliff rocks.

After eating, we all decided to take group and individual pictures with the majestic waterfalls. It was a challenge going near the falls because we needed to hop across and climb huge and slippery rocks. One small mistake on your step and you could fall and break your legs.

When we got the shots that we wanted, we went back to our station. Although the waters were so inviting, we didn’t take a swim in the natural pools around the area because it was freezing cold (we even got our case of beer chilled in the water). We just packed our things and went home. That concluded our two-day family escapade in Biliran Province.

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Travel Tips

Now that I have already shared to you my experience in these awesome spots in Biliran, I would like to share to you some travel tips on how to get to the island and summarize some of the expenses that you will incur.

How to get to Sambawan Island

From Manila:

· Book a flight going to Tacloban

· Ride a passenger van (can be Duptors, Van-vans, Grandtours) from Tacloban bound for Naval, Biliran – PHP 130.00 fare

· Catch the passenger ferry boat going to Maripipi Island via Naval Port – PHP 60.00 per head

· Ride a habal-habal from Maripipi going to Brgy. Ol-og – PHP 30.00 per head

· Hire a boat to take you to Sambawan Island (travel time is 15 minutes) – PHP 600.00/Bangka (good for 5 pax)

Alternate Route:

· Ride a habal-habal in Naval, Biliran going to Kawayan Municipality – PHP 60.00/head

· Rent a boat and travel to Sambawan Island - PHP 2,000.00 for day tour and PHP 3,000 for overnight stay (boat capacity is around 8-10 persons)

Island Fees:

· Island Fee - PHP 80.00 Entrance fee + PHP 20.00 Environmental fee

· Island Cottage (good for 8 pax) - PHP 500.00/day or PHP 1,000.00 (depends on the size)

· Lodging Cottage (good for 10 pax) – PHP 2,500.00/day (includes Toilet & Bath, Electric, Beddings, etc.)

· Tent Pitching fee – Php 100.00/day

How to get to Tinago Falls

· Once you’re in Naval, you can already hire habal-habal drivers to take you to Tinago Falls for a roundtrip fare of Php 500.00.

*All Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

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When people hear the word "Baler", most often they associate it with surfing. Actually, that's what I thought so too, until after I spent one weekend in this small town of Aurora.

Baler is the capitol town of Aurora – a province named after the wife of the late Philippine President Manuel Quezon. It is known for a historical siege, now called “Siege of Baler”. When the 300-year Spanish colonialism had ended and the Spaniards sold the Philippines to America, a group of rebel Spaniards decided to stay and occupy the Church of Baler. They felt like it wasn’t their time yet and they defended the place for almost a year until they finally gave up. This became the last Spanish stronghold in the Philippines.

Historical Church of Baler

Baler is as much as a travel getaway for romantic couples, families, and travel squads as any other top destinations in the Philippines and I want to share some of the popular attractions we visited and the things we did in our trip last year.

Surfin' Up

Again, pop culture is very familiar with Baler as a surfing haven. Your trip to this place would not be complete without surfing up the beautiful waves of its beaches. The Sabang Beach is one of the most popular surfing sites in the Philippines with surf shops and schools that cater to both beginners (like me) and seasoned surfers. Surfing lessons usually last for an hour which cost around 350-500 pesos. I could say that surfing is really a must-try activity when you visit Baler. I love the adrenaline that it brings and the feeling of success and excitement when you get to stand on the surf board and ride the waves with pride.

Millennium Tree

When we crossed the border of Nueva Vizcaya going to Aurora, the first town we entered was Maria Aurora. Here, we made a stopover in Balete Park where the biggest and oldest Balete Tree in the whole Philippines could be found. It’s been living in the country for more than 600 years. It’s so huge that it would take at least 60 people holding each other’s hands to encircle it. It felt eerie when I first saw it because the Balete tree is usually believed to be the thriving place of enchanted people, ghosts, and negative entities in Filipino folklore. Those feelings slowly faded away and got replaced by a sense of awe and fascination due to its grandness.

Diguisit Beach and Rock Formations

After the bewitching experience in Balete Park, the second place we visited was the Diguisit Beach in Brgy. Zabali. It's just 15 minutes away from the town proper. When we arrived, we were greeted by these beautiful rock formations with a perfect background of the clear blue sky and wide ocean. Such landscape surely caught my eye.

History tour around Baler

Setting foot in their town proper, I could already feel the historical vibe of the place. What's good about it was that the people of Baler were able to preserve and present such rich history and culture through its wonderful landmarks, which were just a stone's throw away from each other. First, we visited the replica of the Ancestral House of Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon. We also went inside the famous Baler Church which was in front of the exit gate of the house. A few walks away from the church was the Quezon Park which featured the statue of President Manuel L. Quezon at the center, a replica of the nipa hut where he grew up, and the presidential car he used during his term. Lastly, we visited the Museo de Baler which housed the many historical artifacts and memorabilia of the province.

Mother Falls

Another major attraction in Aurora that we enjoyed so much was the Ditumabo Falls. Locals claim it to be the biggest waterfall in the province; hence, they refer it to as the Mother Falls. We trekked for more than an hour which was a bit challenging that time because the trail was disrupted by the strong typhoon that hit the province a week before our travel. We climbed huge rocks and battled the strong currents of the river before we arrived at the site. Indeed, the trek was hard but an added treat in itself. At the end of the trail, the magnificent falls greeted us. Its rushing waters from the top of the cliff were so strong and freezing cold. We took a quick dip and enjoyed its plunge pool. Surely it was a breathtaking sight to behold and certainly worth the visit.

These tourist attractions are highly recommended and there’s even a ton of other things you can do in Baler that will make your experience even more special and unforgettable.

Palawan is an island province located in the westernmost side of the Philippines. It is a world-renowned travel destination in the country blessed with so many pristine white sand beaches, breathtaking island landscapes, and abundant flora and fauna. Some of its famous jewels, the Underground River and El Nido, have already received a number of accolades here and abroad. And I was fortunate enough to visit and have firsthand experience on these natural wonders.

Underground River

The Subterranean River National park is about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Currently, it holds the recognition as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The Underground River winds through a cave estimated to be around 9 km long and flows out directly into the South China Sea. During my trip, this was one of the places that I was really looking forward to seeing. Ever since high school, I have always been a fan of earth science specially on topics about rock formations, caves, volcanoes, and everything in between (nerd alert!). Taking on this tour, I really had high expectations and fair enough, it did not disappoint.

The place was really amazing! The cave’s facade features a karst made of limestone and in its mouth forms a lagoon surrounded by lush forest. And if you're already sold with that, wait 'til you see what's inside. A pitch darkness full of magnificent stalactites and stalagmites that come in various shapes and sizes. Tourists are provided with a spotlight/searchlight in order to appreciate the marvel that's inside the cave's several large chambers. Overall, my experience in Puerto Princesa Underground River was one for the books. I am very lucky to ever witness Nature's magnificent work of art created and perfected probably for more than a thousand years.

El Nido Palawan

El Nido is one of the most famous crown jewels of Palawan. It is a small town blessed with so many beautiful beaches, island coves, blue lagoons, spectacular island rock formations, and marine biodiversity. It has become a haven for world class island resorts and the no. 1 go-to destination for backpackers, celebrities, wealthy personalities, and tourists all around the globe. It is consistently regarded as a top travel destination and recognized as the most beautiful island in the world. One of the best ways to experience all these is to go on island hopping.

When I went to El Nido May of last year, I tried one of the island tours and witnessed for myself the actual beauty of this place. We went to the famous "Big Lagoon" which was surrounded by beautiful island rock landscapes perfect for photo opportunities.

Then we headed to its little brother - "Small Lagoon" where we finally got the chance to take a dive and swim in its very inviting waters. For the first time, I tried snorkeling and found it really enjoyable. I saw lots of different types of fish and lovely corals that I've only seen in TVs and magazines (I even got to find Nemo! haha).

After spending some time in the lagoon, we went to "Shimizu Island" which boasted a stunning white powdery sand beach. Here, we ate our very tropical island vibe lunch prepared to us by our tour guides. I felt like I was in my own secluded private beach although this daydream was cut short because we had to proceed to our last destination which was the "7 Commando Beach". There were lots of local and foreign tourists from the other island tours who were enjoying the beach. I wish I still had enough energy in my tank to take a dip but my body was starting to fail me. I decided to just laze around and drink some fresh island fruit shakes and coconut juice under the tranquil shade. The tour ended with a trip back to the hotel that welcomed a noticeably tired bunch - drained, sun-kissed, but carried every bit of satisfaction.

While it seemed like things went smoothly, a handful of unfortunate events decided to pay a visit. I got pricked by a sea urchin after our island hopping tour (another first). On our way back to Puerto Princesa, the bridge got wrecked by a heavy rain in our last night. We had to walk a makeshift bridge to cross the river and transfer to another service van. Nevertheless, it was still all good fun just the same. The experience was like no other!

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If you like this post please feel free to comment and let me know your thoughts. Cheers wanderers!

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JB Wanders

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BILIRAN ISLAND: A FAMILY ESCAPADE

These 5 Spots In The Philippines Satisfied My European wanderlust

Baler: More than just a Surfing getaway

Palawan Jewels: Underground River & El Nido

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