Browsing the blog archive for Destinations: Luzon (Northern Philippines) | Ambot ah! Travel Blog
Lakbay Norte 3 finally goes to Kalinga province to conquer the white water rapids of the Chico River. Already tried river kayaking in Tibiao, Antique … loved it a lot! but it was still my first time to experience white water river rafting.
I’ve heard raves about white water river rafting in the Mindanaoan cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao. I haven’t tried it yet so I got really excited when I found out we were doing it in Kalinga.
White Water Rafting at the Chico River in Tabuk, Kalinga
After our spelunking adventure in Bulacan, we traveled further north to Nueva Ecija to try out sport fishing at the Pantabangan Dam.
The first time I saw it in our Lakbay Norte itinerary, I was like … sport fishing?!! that doesn’t seem to be as exciting as surfing, white water rafting, airsoft, paddle boarding, or even most items in the itinerary for that matter.
I was actually more excited about the long road travel to Nueva Ecija because I really needed the sleep. Exciting, right?
In the end, I was actually glad I had low expectations of visiting the Pantabangan Dam because the awesome experiences we had that afternoon really took me by surprise.
Sport Fishing at Pantabangan Dam in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija
The historic Pinagrealan Cave was our first stop during the Lakbay Norte 3 media tour. It was also my first “real” visit to Bulacan :)
Before, I’ve mostly passed by the province traveling through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Bulacan is the first province after Metro Manila if heading northwards.
Although I was a stranger to the Pinagrealan Cave, I knew Bulacan was famous for its historic caves. The most prominent ones are found within the Biak na Bato National Park, which was often mentioned in history class (back in the day) as the headquarters of the Philippine Revolution.
Pinagrealan Cave, as I later discovered, also played host to its fair share of Katipunero hideouts. The cave was not only filled with history and untold secrets, it also has a lot of beautiful subterranean views.
Short briefing at the Pinagrealan Cave entrance
I had just returned to my empty hostel room in a small town in Southern Palawan when I got a call from the North Philippines Visitors Bureau. They broke the news that I was chosen as one of the lucky travel bloggers joining the 3rd edition of the Lakbay Norte media tour. I was overwhelmed with excitement but I had to keep it to myself … I was traveling solo and there wasn’t anyone around that could relate anyways. The timing couldn’t have been better. It was the perfect way to kick-start my 2012 season of traveling.
I found out later when I got the chance to go online that I was going to be stuck with five other amazing travel bloggers on the Lakbay Norte 3 tour … that’s 8 whole days across 11 provinces in North Philippines! I almost fainted at the thought of traveling with Gael from thepinaysolobackpacker, Ed from soloflighted, James from journeyingjames, Angel from lakwatsero, and Christian from lakad-pilipinas.
Photo-op with the Lakbay Norte 3 Bus at Patapat Viaduct in Pagdupud, Ilocos Norte. Photo taken by Gael.
Day 1
7:30pm ride bus to Caticlan – P346
Arrival in Caticlan
Environmental fee – P75, terminal fee – P50, boat transfer – P25
Arrival in Cagban port
Ride Tricycle to D*Mall – P20
Lunch at carinderia in D*Mall
Menudo + Rice + Iced Tea
Walk to Station 3
Inquire at St. Vincent Cottages – P2,000 aircon room good for two + extra bed. Says wifi included inroon but wasn’t able to get signal
Inquire at Jung Resort (beside St. Vincent) – P1,500 room good for 4 with private tb. Inroom wifi
Sleep until evening
Dinner at Asian Persion Restaurant
Beef Kebab + rice – P110
Walk to Jung Resort
Day 2
Ride tricycle to Cagban Port – P20
Ride pumpboat to Caticlan – P25 boat fare + P50 terminal fee
Ride tricycle to “tabon baybay” coop for pumpboat going to Hambil Beach, San Jose, Carbao Island
9:30am – still waiting for boat to leave. Pumpboat was supposed to leave at 8:00am
9:44am – boat left Caticlan
Arrival at Carabao Island
Ride motorcycle to municipal hall – P20
Walk to Mayor’s House
Check-in. P1,500 original price for room. Discounted to P1,200 for us. Room good for foud. 2 double beds. Aircon
Lunch. Pork Sinigang.
Motorcycle tour of Caraao Island
2 hours – P300. P150 per hour
Pokpokan Point
Airport site
Lanas Beach
Orchids
Nipa Hauz
Tagaytag
Sunset at the pier
Barbaque
Dinner. Beef Caldereta
Day 3
4:30am – wake up
checkout. P2,000 for coffee, two meals, and room good for 3
5:40am – walk to beach. Ride m/v sugar. Pumpnoat – P5 terminal fee. P80 boat fare.
6:20am – boat left
7:15am – arrival at Caticlan. Breakfast at Andoks – P120
9:00am – Bus ride to Iloilo via San Jose (Antique) – P200+
11:00 – culasi
11:27 – Tibiao
1:10 San Jose stopover
1:42 – bus left san jose terminal
During an early morning flight to Palawan, I was looking out the window and saw a flat sheet of cloud covering most of the landscape and with the sunrise breaking out of the horizon. It seemed like we were flying above the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean … and so I thought of capturing this idea in a photo series called “Tropical Tundra.”
I and couple of friends went to El Nido, at the very tip of Palawan Island. It was already my second time to visit El Nido but she still looked just as beautiful as when I first laid eyes on her towering limestone mountains and alluring waters.
The idea behind this photo series was seeing things in a new light and achieving greater possibilities out of our circumstances.
I want to fly and never come down.
In the Philippine Ilonggo dialect, ambot ah literally means "I don't know." After graduating in college, I decided to hold off pursuing my profession and embarked on a free spirited journey of adventure and self-discovery. My travels have led me to many places across the Philippine Islands and South East Asia. I don't know where this path will take me but I'm certain I'll get a lifetime of stories out of it.
