The Inquisitive Explorer

We went to the famous Burnham Park located at the heart of the enchanting city. Burnham Park was named after the American Architect, Daniel Hudson Burnham who brilliantly
laid the plans for the beautiful city. The park features the famous man made lake where you can rent a boat.

Fees:
                 No entrance Fee


Amenities:

         Bike: 100 php for 1 hour
         Boat:150 php for 1 hour
         Picture Taking with costume: 20 php per shot using your camera


Things To do:
















Overall, the place is for everyone. Lovers and Families will surely love to hang out in Burnham Park because of it's romantic and family-friendly amenities. You can just bring your own mat and picnic basket while watching the peaceful place of Burnham Park.

Legazpi City is the capital of Albay where the famous Mayon Volcano is located. It is actually, the Largest city in the Bicol Region subdivided into 70 barangays. A 2 hours drive away from Naga City,  If you are fond of nature trippin' then this place will fit your imagination.



It was just a Quick trip to Legazpi, an overnight trip but it's worth it. Let me share with you the top places to visit when you get there.



 The Famous Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins






How to Get There?


Use your travel weapon, "ASK". We asked several locals just to make sure that we are on the right path. Luckily they gave us one answer. You can take a jeepney at the public market going to Guinsiliban. Mind you, you'll see jeepneys everywhere. Ask the drver to drop you off at Cagsawa Ruins and from there, just take a tricycle.



You might be wondering why you often hear Cagsawa ruins and Mayon Volcano together, but it's totally different. Cagsawa Ruins are the remnants of an 18th century Franciscan church, the Cagsawa church.  It was destroyed during the most destructive eruption of the nearby Mayon Volcano in 1814 and only the church tower remains. It is catually considered as a perfect spot because you can view the volcano from the Cagsawa Ruins. Its aesthetic scenery and the perfect cone makes a picturesque backdrop for photography. But unfortunately, it wasn't a good weather so we weren't able to see the perfect cone. But we surely had fun roaming around the place, praying and shopping.







                        MUST TRY! You can buy this Special Halo-Halo inside the Cagsawa Ruins
                                   ( just along the souvenir shops) and I swear you'll like it!

Anawangin is a bow-shaped cove filled with pine trees located in San Antonio, Zambales. This place is known for its sand mixed with volcano ashes from the last eruption of it's nearby mountain, Mt.Pinatubo. I heard that this became a sanctuary to people who wants to experience humble way of living and away from the city lights.I was extremely inquisitive and joined my friends to see for myself, the hidden paradise. 


My friend purchased a tour package for nly 1,500 php/per person.


Inclusions:

 - Island Hoping at Camara, Capones Island and Pundaquit Island
- Free use of Ice Box and Kitchen Utensils
- Free Charcoal ( they'll give it upon arrival)
- Free 2 Gallons of Distilled Water
-Entrance Fee on all Islands ( including Overnight fee at Anwangin)
- Free use of Tent
- Roundtrip Boat Transfers
- Roundtrip Transfer (Manila-Zambales-Manila)


There are a lot of travel tours that are offering competitive rates and everything is covered except the Food so we went shopping for our groceries and we're all set. We left Manila early in the morning and reached Brgy. Pundakit before noon. Travel time from Manila to San Antonio, Zambales usually takes 2-3 hours depending on what time you left. But because of numerous stop-over, it took us 4 hours.



We then proceeded to the barrio of Pundaquit where the parking area is located. We choose to skip the trekking part because of the time and from there, we took a boat ride for around 40 mins and reached the Island before dawn.





 


 We went to the other side of the beach, where you will see big rocks scattered around.



                                                     


Anawangin Cove is still a beautiful island but it was far from what it was before. A virgin Island, a place for soul searchers. My friends who has been there before even told me that it was far from it was before. It's sad that it happened, but on the lighter note it can still be considered as one of the must-see places in the Philippines. Who wouldn't want to stay away from the city lights, traffic and air pollution? No matter how you look at it, I bet you will still enjoy the simple way of life and the picturesque view in Anawangin most specially if you're bringing your friends with you.






1. You have an option for trekking or just go directly to the island. I advise you to try trekking for you to see the real beauty of the island and the West Philippine Sea from the mountains.


2.  Tour package is an option. You can plan your own itinerary.  But if you want to avail the tour packages. You can check  http://anawangintourpackage.blogspot.com/ ot www.sulit.com.ph

3. Tour package rates usually starts from 800 php ( depending on your length of stay and needs).

4. You can set up a bonfire on the island while drinking your favorite drinks or while putting marshmallow on the fire.
 
4. You may also include Island hopping in your itinerary so you can see the beauty of Capones Island ( where you can see the lighthouse and  Pundaquit Island (which is the best island for me amongst the 2)

5. You can rent a tent on the island, just approach the locals.

6. Souvenirs are available. There are locals roaming around and selling souvenir items.




DO NOT FORGET  to bring :

1. Lighter and Flashlight because there's no electricity on the island

2.  Extra money ( for souvenirs or if you run out of food)

3. Medicine Kit

4. Blanket and Pillows ( not included on the tent rental)

5. Mineral Water ( Yes, it is included in our tour package but we still ran out of mineral water)

6. Garbage Bag ( To cover your belongings while you're enjoying the boat ride and island hopping)

7. Padlock  (Lock your tents using a Padlock while you're enjoying the beach)


 Budget
 - 800 to 1,500 per head

Transportation
- via Van ( included on the tour package)
-  via Victory Liner Bus

Location: Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Travel Time: around 9-10 hours from Manila
Transportation: Florida Bus
Fare: 650 php ( Bus)

I've been dreaming to explore Ilocos for so long and finally, it happened. It's almsot 3am when we headed to the Bus Terminal of Florida in Kamias, Cubao. Unfortunately, there are no midnight trip in Florida Bus Terminal in Cubao. We were informed that the trip starts from 12pm and so we

proceeded to Florida Bus Terminal in Sampaloc (Lacson Ave. near UST). We paid 650 php per head for a one way ticket to Vigan.


 It was pleased with my experience during the trip. They have nice and comfortable seats and i didn't have to experience body pain. The aircon was superb, my blanket is not enough and i had to wear jacket. I was able to rest  well and when i woke we almost reached our travel destination.


Ilocos Sur is one of the most beautiful province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region. It is subdivided into 32 municipalities and 2 cities (Vigan and Candon City). We decided to stay and tour around Vigan City since it has plenty of tourist spots and history reflects that of the Philippine history in its entirety.


I visited different tourist spots in Vigan (which I will post soon) and I noticed that most of them caters old-fashioned houses, a perfect example of  Spanish colonial town in Asia.You'll see popular restaurants and brands but the establishments seem like it was reconstructed from old houses and only the interior was changed.  If you are into history or wants to take a glimpse of ancient times, you will surely love Vigan.

But before finishing your itineraries, let me give you some "MUST KNOW" , "MUST SEE" and "MUST BRING" ideas that I learned and seen in Vigan.


 Food

Experience dining in a lovely ancient ambiance since Vigan is known for it's old-fashioned house while enjoying it's specialties like Bagnet, Longanisa, Poque poque and Sinanglaw.





Sinanglaw



                                        Photo credits to http://pinakbetrepublic.blogspot.com



 Poque poque






 Transportation


When roaming around Vigan, you have an option to take a tricycle or Calesa. A one way ride via tricycle usually costs 20 php per person while a Calesa Ride costs 150 php per hour.



I was offered to ride a Calesa for 150 php for 1 hour and I was informed that the driver will take me to any tourist destination that I want. But no matter how long you're in an area, your time will continue to run. 






The climate in Ilocos Region is generally dry, that's why if you're planning to explore, it's very important to bring an umbrella, bottled water to keep you hydrated, face towel and do not forget to apply sunblock to protect your skin from
UVB.



Known for it's contribution in our history, you will be pleased with its famous and enchanting must-see tourist destination. If you have limited time, you can just visit their famous tourist destination,

•  Calle Crisologo
• Baluarte
• Bantay Church and Belfry
• Pagburnayan
• Hidden Garden
•  Vigan Cathedral
• Loom Weaving

I paid time to visit Vigan for 1 day and it was one of the most memorable trip I had. I was ecstatic the whole time and I learned so many things from this trip. I hope our government will continue to push  tourism in Ilocos. I am really proud on how they were able to preserve the culture and I am grateful to learn and somehow feel the vibes of our ancient history. An ecstatic applause for Ilocos Sur!