Human Interest Pictures 2014

Normally, I prefer shooting landscapes than human interest pictures. Here are some of my attempts to capture them..

Docking the boat (Coron)

Quenching the thirst (Siargao)

Making of the flower garland (Intramuros)

Let me drink (Cagbalete Island)

Charge! (Celdran in Intramuros)

Coin diving (Masbate)

The Smile (Tanauan City, Batangas)

Against the rapids (Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna)

What's for lunch kuya? (Sabtang Beach, Palawan)

Going to school (Myanmar)

Child frolicking (Banana Island, Coron, Palawan)

Superman (Matnog)

3 on 3 (Coron, Palawan)

It's More Fun in the Philippines!!! (Cagbalete Island)

Top 10 Beaches in the Philippines (Ranked)

In my years of travel, I have seen and marveled at so many white sand beaches in the Philippines. Due to lack of time, I was not able to explain why I have chosen them and ranked them accordingly. But in the near future, I will surely give my insight on why I have chosen them..

Here are my Top 10 Beaches in the Philippines for Tourists!

1. El Nido, Palawan

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html


2. Boracay

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html


3. Bantayan Island, Cebu


Anika Beach Resort

Related link -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/bantayan-island-in-cebu.html


4.  Pearl Farm, Samal Island, Davao

www.etravelpilipinas.com

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/island-garden-city-of-samal.html


5.Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City

Related link -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-great-sta-cruz-island-zamboanga-city.html


6. Siargao (Cloud Nine, General Luna)




7. Calaguas Island, Camarines Norte

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/calaguas-island.html

8. Malapascua Island, Cebu

Related link -
http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/malapascua-island-best-island-in-cebu.html


 9. Palaui Island


from www.colors.ph

10. Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte


from www.wilstop.info

Related link -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/ilocos-sur-experience.html

RAV Transportation Services

Van for Hire

Derick Villegas

0998-545-0016

0917-504-0770

(043) 778-4657

(043) 703-0435

Email: rav_services@yahoo.com

Facebook: RAV Electronic Services

Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

Transportation / Tour services to any point of Luzon

Brand New Foton Traveller vehicles available

Equipped with GPS, wifi, videoke, RFID, Sky TV

Satisfaction Guaranteed! =)

OTHER RELATED LINKS:

Best Beaches in the Philippines (A Review)

Luzon - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-beaches-in-luzon-review.html

Visayas - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-beaches-in-visayas.html

Mindanao - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-beaches-in-mindanao-review.html



Top 5 Island Destinations for Island Hopping!

The Philippines is blessed with islands and islets and that is the reason why one of the adventures tourists love doing in the Philippines is island hopping!

Having traveled almost all the provinces in the Philippines (4 more remains to be explored), I am sharing my pick on the top 5 island destinations for island hopping.

1. El Nido, Palawan (Luzon)

Big Lagoon

El Nido has always been my favorite. It is a protected marine reserve. It has the Snake Island, Small Lagoon, Helicopter island, White sandbars, and the Big Lagoon. The water is so crystal-clear, it is best for snorkeling and scuba diving. Simlpy amazing!

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html

2. Coron, Palawan (Luzon)

Kayangan Lake

Coron offers the variety of nature tripping experience you will simply love and adore. It has the Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoons, and the Skeleton Shipwreck. You can also go to Malcapuya Island.

Related link -http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/enchanting-coron.html

3. Caramoan, Bicol (Luzon)

The Survivor series was shot in these islands. That's all!

4. Siargao, Surigao Del Norte (Mindanao)

Guyam Island

Aside from Siargao Island itself, you can explore namely - Dako Island, Guyam Island and Naked Island. And even go farther to Bucas Grande Island.

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/siargao-surfing-capital-of-philippines.html

5. Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa, Palawan (Luzon)

Snake Island

Honda Bay is the nearest island hopping tour in Palawan. It has various islands to go to and all the islands have white-sand beaches.

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/puerto-princesa-travel-and-itinerary.html

Siargao: Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Surfing is one fastest growing sport in the Philippines today aside from scuba diving. 

And the best place to enjoy it is in Siargao!

from Popular Tourist Spots

Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippine sea situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila in the province of Surigao del Norte. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometers. The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet, Port Pilar. The coastline is marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white, sandy beaches (Wikepedia).

Tagged as the "Surfing Capital of the Philippines," Siargao ranks in the Philippines as one of the top ten best beaches in the Philippines.



I went to Siargao last March 2012 and my adventure was phenomenal!

Enchanted River

From Hinatuan, Agusan Del Sur (where I went to see the Enchanted River), I rode a bus to Surigao City.

The travel by land was good for 4 hours.

There are so many ways to go to Siargao. 

From Manila take a flight from either Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Airlines or Zest Airways  direct to Siargao island  or take a flight via Philippine Airlines or AirPhil from Manila to Surigao City.

Another way of going to Surigao is by land travel using Philtranco from Manila and by sea thru 2GO travel from Port of Manila.

Anyway, I came from Agusan Del Sur, and I opted to use travel by land. I was on my 8th day of travel in Mindanao. Enjoying the summer in Mindanao.

I arrived late in Surigao City. I had to spent the night in the city since there where no more available means of transportation to Siargao.

The following morning, I woke up 5 am and proceeded to "Pantalan" (pier) where my ride to Siargao was located.

There are two ports in Surigao. Make sure you are in Pantalan.

Good thing I woke up early that day, the first trip to Dapa was slated 6 am.

And this is the ferry boat ride to Dapa, Siargao.

The golden sunrise was so beautiful that day! 

A perfect day to go to Siargao!

From the port to Dapa, Siargao, the boat ride was 4 hours. I marveled at the sight of the seas and enjoyed my ride.

After 4 hours, we reached the port of Dapa. And I hurriedly went to the nearest canteen where I took my late breakfast. It was already past ten am.

The best place in Siargao is Gen. Luna.

After my late breakfast, I hired a habal-habal to my destination. I paid P150.00 for the ride. Along the way, I was talking to the driver and asked him the best spot where I could spend the night in Siargao. 

He answered, "Cloud Nine."

Along the way, we passed another port.

And I felt that I was about to have a good time in Siargao!

After 45 minutes, we reached the spot. The resort is Ocean 101, Cloud Nine. The best thing about Ocean 101 was that it accepts credit card payment.


      

I did not have any second thoughts about my accommodation that day even though I had to pay P2, 500/day for my stay. 

The place was very cozy, relaxing and refreshing. 

I placed my stuff inside the room and trekked the beach of Siargao.

This is the collection of surfing boards of the owner of Cloud Nine Resort.

While walking, I saw so many people surfing in the beach. The wave was strong, ideal for surfing!

I may not know how to surf. But watching them surf gave me a good time to behold.

People of all ages enjoy surfing in Siargao. You can see so many people carrying their surfing boards towards the beach.

They were so busy enjoying the waves and preparing their surfing boards!

I stayed in the beach and watched the surfers do their stuff.

After one hour, I decided to go to other side of Cloud Nine. I passed the Boardwalk of Cloud Nine. This one of the spots in Siargao that you do not want to miss seeing.

Boardwalk

Aerial view of the Boardwalk 

The main building

After my trek, I decided to have a massage. I paid P400/hour for the massage. After the massage, I took early dinner and slept soundly that night.

Day 2

The following morning, I checked out of the hotel. I did my island hopping adventure in Siargao. I paid P4,000 for the said tour. I had nobody to share it with and I paid in full. Normally, it is around 2,500 only but I had to go back to Surigao City and passed Bucas Grande Island and that is the reason why I had to pay that much. I brought my own snack for the trip. As a tip, never hire the boat thru the resort. It is a bit more expensive because of the commission.

This was my ride for the island hopping. Last stop of the tour was the Bucas Grande Island. There were three islands that we had to visit that day, namely - Dako, Guyam and Naked.

First stop, Guyam Island

Guyam Island - cute and rocky island

Going to the next island

Dako Island - the biggest among the three

There are many coconuts in this island

Only Dako island is the inhabited island.

Last stop, Naked Island

Naked island is a small, barren, white sand island just like Camiguin's White Island. But it contains small patches of grass in some areas.

Island hopping is best enjoyed during summer. I do not recommend doing it in during rainy season where the waves are fierce and stronger.

Then after the three islands, we went to Bucas Grande Island.

Bucas Grande Island is no longer part of Siargao. So I think it's better if I will make another blog for that spot. Another beautiful place in Surigao!

Starting point of the tour 

Inside Bucas Grande Island - Sohoton Cove

I had fun in Siargao. It's really more fun in the Philippines!! =)

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html

Coron - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/enchanting-coron.html

El Nido - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/el-nido-adventure-of-lifetime.html

Camiguin - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html
Guimaras -  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/guimaras-paradise.html

Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html