Exploring Sagada - Tour with SAGGAS

I would always say that Sagada Caves gives you the best extreme spelunking experience as you crawl, glide, rappel, monkey walk or even a lizard walk if there are any. 

How to get to Sagada?

There are 3 possible routes you could take in order for you to reach Sagada.

Manila - Sagada via Baguio is the best way if you plan to at least relaks at the Summer Capital of the Philippines for a day or two before heading to Sagada. Plus the fact that you would have more bus option going to Sagada.

Here's a break down of the cost if you choose this route:

• Victory Pasay to Baguio - Php 450.00
• Taxi from Victory Baguio Terminal to Lizardo or GL Bus situated at  Dangwa Terminal at the back of Baguio Center Mall - Php 50 to Php 70
• Baguio to Sagada - Php 220

Note: The earliest trip of GL/Lizardo bus leaves Baguio at around 6:30 AM and the latest would be 1:00 PM. However the earliest trip of the bus from Sagada to Baguio is 5:00 AM and the latest would be 1:00 PM.

You would approximately spend (bus and taxi fare) around Php 1460.00 from Manila to Sagada Vis-a-vis.

Manila - Bontoc via Banaue is through cable bus located at E. Rodriquez in front of Trinity College now known as Trinity University of Asia. Fare would be approximately around Php 650.00 and then from Bontoc to Sagada through jeep that would approximately cost you additional Php 150.00. The jeepney schedules from Bontoc to Sagada is from 8:30 AM to 5:30 AM but it does change depending on the demand.

If you choose these route, your round trip would approximately cost you Php 1600.00.

Where to stay in Sagada?

Accommodation is not a problem in Sagada. I used to stay at St. Joseph Inn before and their quite accommodating  For other options and hotel phone numbers please click here.

What can you see in Sagada?

Sagada for me is a perfect place for being one with nature. Eco-tourism is just great. I have listed down my Top Priority.

Priority #1 - Sumaging Cave

Sumaging Cave is a must see cave as it offers a wide array of stone formation. Be amazed on the wonders of nature on how water had carved the stones and make it so perfect like it was delicately carved by an expert sculpture. Exploring Sumaging cave only may take you 3 to 4 hours at most.

Priority #2 Bomod-ok Falls

If you love trekking and a breath of fresh air then a trek to Bomod-ok Falls is the answer. Walk along the rice terraces of Fedilisan. You'll need to walk along the rice paddies then have bath on the icy cool water of the Mighty Bomod-ok Falls. These would need a whole day activity.

Priority # 3 Cave Connection

Extreme spelunking at its best. That's how I describe it. You will be exploring two great caves of Sagada. You will be entering the Lumiang Cave and exiting the Sumaging Cave. However, prepare yourself with the twist turns, crawling, rope assisted descend and climbing.

On your way to the caves you can also see other scene like the Hanging Coffins...

Where to eat?

Since Sagada is a well known tourist destination, restaurants is almost everywhere like Masferre Restaurant, LemonPie House, Yogurt House, are just a few of the restaurants that offers good quality food. When we went there we were able to have our dinner at Salt Pepper. The food was awesome.

There are also some pretty descent stores that you can dine into. There are eateries located just below the old Sagada Municipal Hall.

Or inside the new building just across the jeepney stations.

Both eatery provides quality food that is affordable and budget friendly.

Best Tour Guide in Sagada?

I am basing my judgement on the knowledge of the tour guide based on my personal observation, value for money, my personal experience, customer service and total customer satisfaction, and of course professionalism. As a paying customer for our tour guides we of course wanted the best. A tour guide doesn't just bring their client to the place where they want to go or explore of course they would have to say something about it, a story maybe. I personally would like to know the why's, how's, where's. A tour guide would need to brief their clients as to what they should expect no matter how dangerous or difficult it may be in a way that it won't scare them away. Tour guides should always be ready in case emergency happens at least to have a first aid kit in case something went wrong while touring them around. A tour guide should also give the Rules and Regulation and the tour guide should strictly be following them.

If I am going to give my rating with SAGGA'S (Sagada Genuine Guides Association) I will give them 9 out of 10. They amazed me with the facts they gave and their professionalism and they disaster readiness. Gareth is totally funny, enjoyable, public speaker and approachable just like the other tour guides we had.

When our friend had an open cut, they immediately stop and help her by cleaning the wound. I was observing their facial expression and you can definitely see their concerns. It is a good attitude of a tour guide. They are in deed caring...

Our winning SAGA's Tour Guides:

You would need to walk a few meters more below the old Sagada Municipal Hall so you would find the SAGGA's Office it is also near SALT and PEPPER Restaurant.

So next time you visit Sagada you know you know where to get your tour guides. Click here for SAGGA's Website and to learn more and give yourself a hundred reason why you should choose them and why you should Visit Sagada!

Our groups other activities?

Riding on a jeepney (TOP LOAD) is just one of the most thrilling way of sight seeing!

Souvenir Shop is everywhere in Sagada... Here's what I spotted...

Wood Carve - Igorot's are known for wood carving so it is expected to have wood carved items found almost every stores.

Weaved bags - The back pack Sagada Weaving is one of my favorite. It is washable and it is very sturdy plus it comes with many color i just choose blue since it is my favorite.

Others...

Tips when visiting Sagada:

1. When going on spelunking it is always best use toe shoes or cheap slippers. If not go in the cave barefoot, it is safer and to avoid slipping.

2. Always bring with you extra clothes in case you get wet or you need to change. Make sure you place them in a zip lock in these way it doesn't get wet when it rains or when you go spelunking.

3. If possible bring with you a water proof camera. If you don't have one make sure you have waterproof bag or an extra zip lock to put your phones and other gadgets.

4. Always bring extra bottled water and first aid kit in case you would need it. Am sure Sagga's tour guide has one but it is better to have your own.

5. Don't bring children below 12 years old when spelunking. However, in case you wanted them to experience hire additional tour guides for your children's safety. SAGGA's recommends 1 tour guide per 2 adult tourist in cave connections.

6. You can TRUST SAGGA's Tour Guides but it is required to listen carefully to their instruction.

See you in SAGADA!

Cupcake Monday

Cupcake is one of my weakness. I simply love indulging myself with a piece of cupcake. The joy is worth a piece of cupcake for me. That is why, I was really happy when Kessa Peralta-Nielsen brought a box of cupcake for her team. I knew I would have one there... LOL

I actually love the designs as they are colorful and really playful. I am sure kids would love to have a piece of cupcake in their birthday parties.

These are also another set of cupcakes that I really love. The red velvet and the chocolate cupcake is really enticing. The sweetness of these cupcakes are just the right amount for your to rejoice the heavenly comfort of these cupcakes.

The EYE at SM Mall of Asia

THE EYE at SM MALL OF ASIA is self acclaimed as the tallest ferris wheel in the Philippines. It is measured 55-metre (180 ft) tall. The EYE at SM MALL OF ASIA opened to the public last December 18, 2011.

It was our first time and somehow it is exciting and definitely nerve rocking! The EYE at SM MALL OF ASIA has 36 air-conditioned gondolas. Each gondola is able to carry up to six persons, giving a maximum capacity of 216 passengers.

The EYE at SM MALL OF ASIA operates from 10:00 until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon until midnight the rest of the week. Of course passengers would also need to be cautioned with the rules like food, drinks, animals, and pregnant women are not permitted, and children under 42" must be accompanied by an adult.

Overwhelming wacky pose lol

Here are the prices:


150 pesos($4) per head (minimum of 4 persons and maximum of 6 per gondola)
250 pesos($6) per head (minimum of 2 persons and maximum of 6 per gondola with free binoculars)

When going there I would suggest an late afternoon so you could have a good view of the sunset and or in the morning so you could have a good view of the city.

I don't think that riding the gondolo's at night would be a good idea. I only saw sparkling lights of buildings and cars.

I just didn't like the creaking sound whenever it moves it really made me uneasy or maybe I just worried too much but other than that it was fun riding the gondolas of THE EYE at SM MALL OF ASIA

Seattle's Best Coffee and Cakes in the Philippines

A cup of coffee and a piece of cake makes me feel good in every stressful moments and with the appetite like mine I have the tendency to be jumping from one coffee shop to the next. It is always best to try their new product.

This time around I have choosen Seattles Best Coffee because they have a new product that they launched recently. 

STRAWBERRY MALLOW and CINNAMON TOFFEE are the 2 new products they just launched. The taste indeed is a great way to jump start your day. So we ordered 3 just to make sure everyone has a good taste of the Strawberry Mallow. We partnered it with Sansrival, Oreo Cheesecake, Dark Banoffee Pie.

The Seattle's Best Cakes

SansRival

SansRival partnered with Strawberry Mallow

Banoffee Pie for my sister

Banoffee Pie partnered with Strawberry Mallow

Oreo Cheesecake partnered with Strawberry Mallow for my cousin.

Indulging the Red Ribbon Cakes

SM Mall of Asia is one of my favorite mall because for one it is really accessible just 1 jeepney ride away from my apartment. I do like it because it is spacious plus the fact that it has tons of stores that offers almost everything you need plus the fact that it is really spacious.

My favorite activity though is drinking coffee and have a slice or a whole piece of cake.

First one on my list whenever I want to eat a piece of cake is RED RIBBON. The last time I ordered Mango Cake. I love it since it is moist, It is layered with white chiffon with light mango cream filling and icing with real mango bits, topped with luscious mango slices. The price is totally affordable. The regular size would cost you Php 500.00 and the Junior or the smaller version good for 4 person would only cost you Php 300

We actually made the Mango Cake my cousin's 18th Birthday Cake just so we could go away with the usual Birthday Cakes.

Here are other cakes from Red Ribbon you might want to taste.

That's the line up of cakes I would be buying when I feel like eating some cakes from Red Ribbon.

Taste Asia MOA - A Review

Taste Asia is located at the Ground Level of the North Parking Building of the SM Mall of Asia just beside the SM Hypermarket. The name Taste Asia is really catchy. That's one of the reason why we have chosen to have my cousins birthday celebration.

Taste Asia also caters conferences and meeting or any other gatherings or barkada dinner as their restaurant is really spacious which I like best in a restaurant. I feel comfortable because I am confident enough that their customers as well as their employees could move freely. Plus spacious restaurant is really inviting and appetizing to me.

The service is also good for as long as you are talking to the person who took your order. I had this experience with one of the waitresses who is not friendly at all. I have to commend the waitress who took our order because she is friendly and very attentive to our needs and requests. (TIP: always talk to the person who took your order)

Since Taste Asia is known for their DAMPA style as well, the food may take a good 15 minutes before it gets served. We ordered a set meal good for 4 person and which turns out to be just enough for the 4 of us. Since it is my cousin's birthday we ordered additional buttered chicken.

Here's what I wanted to say about the food that was served:

1. The food presentation is good. The food looks expensive to me as well. The plating for the shrimp though needs really improvement though so it would be appetizing.
2. The chicken is half cooked. I have to ask them to re-cook it for us. It is unacceptable for a chief/cook to serve a half cooked chicken. Good thing the waitress is very apologetic. I hope next time they don't serve half cook dish.
3. The fish as well is too salty. Another big no no. I would rather have a fish served to me without salt and provide me with a dip rather than having a food too salty.

Here's the food we ordered:

Experiencing Puerto Galera

Summer is indeed fast approaching. Warm summer breeze is starting to unfold. Sweaty morning is becoming visible to everyone rushing to go to work or school. March indeed is the start of the so called warm season in the Philippines.

What else could be more beautiful than to have your best of friends around you chatting, laughing, drinking beer, alcohol or soda and playing beach volleyball in a beautiful beaches in the Philippines. You can strike anywhere in the Philippines and am sure you'll find a wonderful shimmering seas.

Lets not go far. You can find wonderful beach resorts a few miles away in Metro Manila. Puerto Galera located in Mindoro is just 3 hours away. Of course a lot would like to know how to get there. 

How to get there?

1. You can drive all the way from your home to SLEX to Batangas Port then from the port, you will take those fairy boats going to Puerto Galera. Of course since you are driving your own car, you would need to be prepared for the TOLL FEE and your SAIL and PARK FEE plus make sure to have a full tank fuel/gas.
2. Another option is through public transportation. It is cheaper to go these route as it is hassle free as well. You can take BLTB, JAM and TRITRAN. BLTB has a terminal in EDSA-Pasay City. Meanwhile JAM and TRITRAN Taft Avenue near Buendia, also in Pasay City. I would advise though that you would need to be in the bus stations as early as 6:00 AM as their schedules are quite erratic. The fare however may range from PHP 150.00 to PHP 250.00
3. Then once you reached Batangas City you can now take a fiery going to Sabang Beach Resorts.

Puerto Galera is just one of my friends favorite travel destination during summer and their favorite hotel or lodge is the BLUE MARLYNS LODGING House. It is cheaper and really decent. It also offers wifi in all rooms so you could still use your laptop/gadgets.

Another hotel option of course is the MINDORINNE ORIENTAL BEACH RESORT.

The next hotel is yet again another luxurious hotel. I love their landscape.

If you love eating, don't you worry because you can find a wide range of food stalls and cafe's along the beach.

Puerto Galera, just like Boracay is a party beach. So for party goers who loves to go to beach but don't have that much time to go to Boracay, Puerto Galera is the answer. Night life at Puerto Galera is never that boring. There are a lot of bars along the beach that caters to almost party goers. Not only that, fire dancers are also located near the shore performing extravagantly beautiful.

Of course from sunset to sunrise, you would love the beautiful beach of Puerto Galera.

You also have the option of course to experience their crazy banana boat ride.

So what's your plan? Have Puerto Galera on your list.

After visiting Puerto Galera, feel free to let me know your experience too.

Anawangin Cove

March is the start of the dry, humid, and warm summer in the Philippines and most are getting ready to pack their bags and getting ready for their summer getaway. Everyone maybe is excited for water sports like fresh water kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and a lot more. Truly, summer is a season of fun fun fun!

What are your plans this summer? Are you planning to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life? Do you just want to be one with nature? Swimming? Beach? Camping by the beach?

If your answer is YES to all my question then ANAWANGIN COVE is the best place for you. I had fun at Anawangin and it is definitely a place for you. Anawanging Cove is simply one of the best summer destination here in the Philippines.

What I like about Anawangin Cove:

•  CAMPING is definitely an experience of a life time. I don't usually have the chance to experience camping so this is super awesome to me.
• Mountain Climbing is a complement for travelers of Anawangin. This too is super awesome to me because Anawangin Cove does not only provide you with water activities but it also offer you mountains to climb where you could find your price on top of those hills. A refreshing air and scenes to see too.

• Island Hoping is another awesome experience. You'd definitely be thrilled by the beauty of those islands. A thrilling fishermans' boat ride experience is just another while roaming around those beautiful islet of Anawangin!
• White Sand Beach is totally a jaw dropping experience. This is another Philippine Beaches experience could give to our tourists.
• Swimming and snorkeling stops you from wondering what's insides those beautiful sparkling blue sea water. Go and experience to see the wonders of the deep sea!

How to get to Anawangin Cove?

Normally when I travel, I always love travelling early morning to avoid the crazy traffic rush during the day time plus the fact that during day time there are gazillion of jeeps and tricycle along the road.

You can reach Anawangin Cove by two ways. It is either you drive or you take the public transportation. So lets start first with my favorite of course the public transportation. Whenever I travel my favorite of course is through public transportation. This is what we did the first time we visited Anawangin Cove.

1) Take a bus to San Antonio, Zambales. I would suggest for you to choose Victory Liner situated at Pasay City. However, if you have other preference you may do so. Bus tickets change but just to make sure prepare at least Php 300 to Php 500 per person. Tell the bus conductor to drop you off at San Antonio.

2) Once you reached San Antonio ask tricycle drivers to bring or take you to Pundaquit, depending on your group size it might be cheaper if you ask or negotiate to rent a jeepney that will take you to Pundaquit. I cant tell you the price because it can change.

3) Once you are in Pundaquit, you will need to rent a fisherman's boat. If you are going to ask me for the price, I happen to learn that the boat price varies, some would charge you per head others would charge you per boat.

What you should know?

Be sure to bring your own tent. In any case you don't have one just feel free to ask the boat driver, they can either let you rent their own tent. Once you have your boat ready, don't hesitate to let them know about your plans like when and what time will they be picking you up, let them know if you want to go island hoping or snorkeling. Don't forget to bring your sunblock. Here's what I would suggest: