Let'sWander

A trek to Mount Pinatubo in Tarlac

M O U N T P I N A T U B O

"It was her chaos that made her beautiful"

the beauty of this crater is situated near the tri-point of the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga. Mt. Pinatubo had its massive erruption in 1991. The catastrophe was so enormous that volcanic ashes filled the atmosphere affecting even the remotest corners of the earth. Thousands of people lost their homes and livelihood as the aftermath was even more devastating. Even though Mt. Pinatubo may have brought pain in so many people more than two decades ago, it is now a proof that there's a rainbow always after the rain. Look at the mesmerizing beauty of this volcano, I can't stop staring at it.

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, by Rian Ko

batangas. nasugbu

Fortune Island | Nasugbu, Batangas

Fortune Island is located off the coast of the town of Nasugbu in Batangas. A 27-hectare island that is fast becoming a go-to place for those who want to have a quick island hopping near Metro Manila plus this island is a budget friendly place.

It was once a luxury resort that features vacation houses facing the beach, a salt-water swimming pool, a serpentarium, a helipad and a museum for the San Diego ship which sank near the island in 17th century. Currently, it’s an abandoned island left with Athens-inspired ruins and a beautiful beach filled with creamy white sand and turquoise sea.

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, by Rian Ko

mountains

A little relaxing place called treasure mountain in Tanay, Rizal

T R E A S U R E M O U N T A I N

Who needs a quick hike and not too far away from metro manila? Maybe this is the place for you. Treasure Mountain is situated in Tanay, Rizal. You can get on top of it for 30 minutes of walking, easy right? The view on top is breathtaking feels like you own the place. We didn't get a chance to see the sea of clouds because we arrived in Tanay at 8am, we only witness the fog. The cold breeze makes me wanna stay longer while looking at the mountains. Sometimes you just have to be on the place where no social media exist, when all you have to do is relax and free your mind. I also like the "Duyan" concept here, it's so cool.

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, by Rian Ko

antipolo

Yellowbird Kitchen x Cafe

The instagrammable kitchen and cafe hidden inside the subdivision in Antipolo, Rizal.

A lovely place to have a romantic date with your loved ones or just a chillin' spot with your friends. Yellowbird opens at 7am so you could enjoy their delicious breakfast. Their milkshakes is a must try too. I love how the place is well organized and maintained. The minimalist designs, the decors, the staffs are all thumbs up. Just a little bit disappointed with the servings of the food. You may also reserved the place for parties/events.

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, by Rian Ko

daranakfalls

Daranak Falls | Tanay, Rizal

Daranak Falls is known for it's turquoise water but sadly when we came here the weather is not that good. Just a piece of advice, don't come here when it's raining because the water turns brown. There are two major falls here; daranak falls and Batlag falls (5-10 minutes walk from Daranak). If you really want to just have a quick trip, this place is perfect for you especially when you're near Rizal area. Tour Guide is not advisable because you could just walk going to the falls. Jumping in the falls is allowed as long as you know how to swim, if not you can rent the inflatable.

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, by Rian Ko

beaches

Lakawon Island + Tawhai floating bar

Lakawon is also called Llacaon, is a banana-shaped island off the coast of Cadiz in the northern portion of Negros Occidental. It is a white sand beach island that offers a lot of activities. While the Tawhai floating bar is just 5 minutes away from the island via pump boat. If you really want to go here just a booked a flight from Manila - Bacolod and ride a bus from North Bus terminal to Cadiz. It took us 1.5 hours to go here.

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, by Rian Ko

bacolod

HIDDEN PARADISE IN SIPALAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

I've been longing to visit this place and yes finally dream come true. Perth Paradise Resort is located in Sipalay, Negros Occidental 5.5 hours away from Bacolod City. If you really want to enjoy the whole resort make sure to booked a room during weekdays because a lot of people is here on weekends. There are only 7 rooms in the resort; 4 cabana rooms, 2 standard room with a/c and 1 family room. Day tour is also available in Perth. When we finally arrived at Perth, I felt so exhausted because of the long hours of drive plus the stairs going up to the pool is really tiring. The view was spectacular and stunning, seeing this kind of beauty melts my heart.

P A R A D I S E F O U N D

offers you a spectacular views of islets that surrounded by a lagoon.

THE INFINITY POOL

Yes, it was very stunning but you need to take the stairs going up. I'm so in love with the view, after all the long hours of travel, a bumpy tricycle ride here we are. I am so happy that we've finally made it here. I can spent hours just looking at the view. It makes me wanna cry, can't imagine myself being here.

Swimwear from @cocoblissmanila

THE LAGOON

Other than the pool, Perth paradise also has a kubo type area in lagoon where you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling but make sure you know how to swim because it's deep. They also have tour packages like island hopping in Tinagong dagat, Mangroves, Sugar beach resort cost Php 1,500.00. Bar is open 10am-10pm.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Manila to Bacolod

- Booked a flight to Bacolod City via Cebu pacific, Philippine Airlines etc. (Got our seats on sale at Cebu Pacific Php 2,000.00 roundtrip/pax)

- From Bacolod-Silay airport ride a taxi/van going to Bacolod.

- or much better walk to the main exit of the airport and ride a tricycle going to Silay main road.

- once you arrived at the main road, ride a jeepney that has a signage "bacolod"

- you will be drop off at North Bus terminal, ride another jeep to downtown bacolod.

Bacolod to Sipalay

- From downtown bacolod, ride a tricycle to South Bus terminal.

- there are bus going to Sipalay and the signage is "HINOBA-AN" just tell the driver to drop you off at Sipalay market.

- Lastly from Sipalay market or bus stop, hire a tricycle/habal habal going to Perth paradise resort.

BREAKDOWN EXPENSES:

Accommodation

Kubo type with electric fan Php 1,300.00

Standard Room with air condition Php 2,500.00

Family Room with air condition Php 3,000.00

Entrance fee Php 80.00

Swimming Pool fee Php 100.00

Transportation

Airfare Php 2,000.00

Ceres bus Bacolod to Sipalay Php 200.00 (non ac)

Php 265.00 (aircon)

Tricycle going to Perth Paradise Php 200.00/each roundtrip

Food & Beverage

Lunch/ Dinner good for 2 pax Php 350.00

Beer Php 60.00

PERSONAL TIPS:

- Day tour is allowed between 7am - 5pm only. Cottage not included.

- There are only few tricycle outside the resort so make sure you get the number of the driver that drops you off the resort.

- Bring foods there was no sari sari stores outside. (Sobrang liblib bes)

- Poor Signal, No data connection, No wifi. Sad life. lol

- The pool is not big so don't expect. But the view is super solid. POWER.

- If you really want to enjoy the resort, make sure you travel early because it was 5.5 hours from bacolod.

- Try to swim at the lagoon area.

- Take a lot of pictures! It's definitely worth the visit. All for the instagram and blog! Enjoy!

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, by Rian Ko

beaches

When in Quezon Province; Kwebang Lampas, Dampalitan and Borawan Island

Quezon Province is filled with such beautiful Islands with crystal clear water and white sand beaches. Three of the Major Island in Quezon that is being popular nowadays are the Kwebang Lampas (Puting Buhangin), Dampalitan and Borawan. It is located near Padre Burgos, Quezon, 5-6 hours drive from Manila depends on the traffic. Quezon is a province of the Philippines in Calabarzon region of Luzon Island. If you really want to relax and free your mind this is the right place for you; No loud music, no parties, no crowded people.

KWEBANG LAMPAS or PUTING BUHANGIN

Puting buhangin which literally means white sand/Kwebang lampas can be travel by boat for about 20 minutes. You will see a the beautiful limestone rock formation in the cave. The island is good for swimming, sun bathing and beach bumming. The shoreline is clean and well maintained. There are a lot of shady area as well where you can just lay on the sand if you don't want to rent a cottage. Perfect to have lunch here, you can actually grill tilapias, barbeque etc.

SAND BAR

One of my favorite among the island that we visit and also the main highlight of the Quezon Province island hopping experience. The boat ride is 35 minutes, you'll passed the kwebang lampas and borawan. Unfortunately, the sand bar is not as huge island like we expected but it was so beautiful. The white sand is so fine and the water is so calm and clear, but make sure to watch for the sea urchins there's a lot of them here. You will also see dead star fish and sea shells along the shoreline.

DAMPALITAN ISLAND

The only island that is allowed to have Bonfires, good for overnight camping and pine trees. Just a little reminder if you want to have a less hassle-free camping, maybe you should contact a tour package because they offer electric lights in the island, equipments for grilling and cooking, island hopping tours. And buy all the things you need in the market because the prices in the sari-sari stores are so expensive (take note: it's their way of living there so don't haggle). The sunset in Dampalitan is breathtaking feels like you don't want to go home.

BORAWAN ISLAND

The last island that we went to before we headed back to Manila. The island called Borawan because it is like Boracay and Palawan combined. The white sand is fine surrounded by the big limestone rock formations along the island. 8ft Cliff diving is advisable here just avoid jelly fish and sea urchins.

PERSONAL NOTES:

- much better if you have tour package for less hassle

- buy your food in the market because the prices in the sari sari store is expensive

- bring sunblock to avoid sunburned.

- rent a car/van to avoid hassle

- make sure to drive at 12am so you'll arrived 6am in Quezon

TRIP EXPENSES:

Php 5,000 - Car Rental Manila - Quezon - Manila

Php 700.00/pax group of 9 - Island Hopping tour package

Php 200.00/pax - food expenses

Total = Php 1,500.00/each

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, by Rian Ko

baguio

A day hike at Mt. Ulap | Itogon, Benguet

I've been longing to hike Mt. Ulap but i'm too busy at work. When I had the chance to plan it with my co-workers, i make sure that we'll gonna make this happen. Mt. Ulap is located at Brgy. Ampucao Itogon, Benguet just 40 minutes away from Baguio city. Spanning around 8 kilometers through several peaks along the Ampucao-Sta. Fe Ridge. It showcases of what cordilleras has to offer; Pinetress and grasslands with stunning views of the mountains.

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, by Rian Ko

getaways

Crystal Beach Resort: A surfing haven

Who doesn't love watching the sunset and your feet surrounded with grayish sand of Crystal beach resort. I know everybody loves going out of town with friends, families or love ones to relax and have fun at the beach. Play volleyball, go crashing the waves, sit along the beach and drink beer while having a conversation with your friends, bonfire and stargazing night.

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, by Rian Ko

getaways

Los Banos, Laguna getaway with family

Hello bloggers and instagrammers that are following my blog. It's been awhile since the last time i posted something in my blog. Well, ber months is such a busy month for me. My sister invite me to join their trip to Laguna with kuya mark's family. Actually it's not a private resort, the friend of kuya mark's uncle own the house. I know it's not possible for some people to go here but i'd rather share my happiness while having a vacation on this place it was really relaxing and so peaceful.

As we interview the owner of the house he said that he was just an ordinary man way back then. He is working for mining company and his boss gave him a house & lot. He discovered a "bukal" where the house is build. That's why the water on the pool is hot spring so refreshing.