Category Archives: travel

Osmeña Peak

We’re back from our 3-day Cebu adventure. We got to cover more than what we expected that’s why it’s going to be tough to share everything right away. Maybe, we’ll just do it in installments and then summarize everything in one post later on.

This part is about Osmeña Peak, the highest point in the island of Cebu. Situated in Dalaguete, Cebu, the peak is at 1,072.6 meters above sea level. However, it was a very short hike because the jump-off point is already near the peak. Since we were pressed for time, we didn’t get the chance to hike all the way up, and instead cheated with the help of a motorcycle, or habal-habal to get to the hiker’s registration area. (Note: We chartered two motorcycles for two days to get to different parts of South Cebu to cover as much as possible, and we’ll write about this in the coming days).  From there, it took us around 15 minutes to get to the peak.

The entrance fee is just at P20 per person, while there are no fixed fees set for tour guides.

At the summit, you will see some extraordinary “hilly” formations, the shore of Moalboal, and the islands of Badian, Siquijor, Bohol, and Negros. Definitely a must-do when visiting Cebu!

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Mt. Hapunang Banoi

May 14, 2016

Whenever we want to go on a hiking trip but don’t want to travel as far, the province of Rizal is our go-to place. The town of Montalban , which is just an hour away from Cubao, Quezon City, offers different trails going up different mountains, which form part of the Sierra Madre range.

Last Saturday, we hiked Mt. Hapunang Banoi. Just like Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan, the jump-off point is at Brgy. Wawa. Entrance fee is at P25/head, while the services of tour guides are at P500/group. The trail is very challenging and would require climbing sharp rocks. It took us probably three hours to reach the summit (which was definitely worth it) and an hour to get down.

Sierra Madre

Mt. Hapunan Banoi

Mt. Hapunan Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

Mt. Hapunang Banoi

 

Palm Beach, Sariaya, Quezon

May 7, 2016

If you’re looking for a private beach for that barkada/family outing, you may want to check out Palm Beach in Brgy. San Roque, Sariaya, Quezon, which is approximately 2.5 hours away from Manila (via Maharlika Highway or the newly-opened Quezon Eco-Tourism Road). In this beach, one can enjoy the calm waters of the Tayabas Bay, brown powdery sand, and a view of the Mount Banahaw.

For more information, you may contact Mr. Al Gutierrez at 09088639148.

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

Palm Beach

 

Buntot Palos Falls, Pangil, Laguna

April 23, 2016

The province of Laguna is blessed with many waterfalls, one of  which is this 90-ft. Buntot Palos Falls, which according to our tour guide is the highest among the province’s waterfalls, and ranked 4th nationwide during the It’s More Fun in the Philippines Department of Tourism campaign.

Situated in the town of Pangil, one can easily reach the jump-off point from Manila by riding an Infanta-bound bus, getting off in Famy, and then riding a tricycle to get to Panguil River Ecopark, Brgy. Natividad. An alternative would also be taking a jeep bound for Siniloan from Robinson’s Cainta, riding another jeepney bound for Famy and then taking the tricycle.

However, from the Panguil River Ecopark, it would take a 1.5 to 2-hour challenging trek, to get to this amazing view.

The services of a tour guide cost P500/group of 5, while entrance fees are at P25/person. Pretty cheap for such a breathtaking experience.

You may reach Kagawad Ester, who’s in charge, for more information at 09267001056. We also offer joiner’s tours; email us at couplemeetsworld@gmail.com.

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Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Buntot Palos

Barasoain Church

January 23, 2016.

One fine Saturday, we decided to go to the Barasoain Church, without knowing that it was also the 117th anniversary of Emilio Aguinaldo’s inauguration as the President of the First Philippine Republic, which happened inside the same church.

We witnessed a wedding taking place inside the historical church, which was a staple in grade school field trips.

Chandelier

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Barasoain Church

Barasoain Church

Church

Malolos

 

Janna

Nikko Janna

Monument

 

National Museum: Angono Petroglyphs

January 16, 2016

The Angono Petroglyphs is the oldest known artwork in the Philippines, dating back to 3,000 B.C.. It was discovered by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco in 1965, and was declared by the National Museum of the Philippines as a National Cultural Treasure in 1973.

When we went to the site early last year, we didn’t get to see the actual petroglyphs as the area was under renovation. It was last month when we finally got to see the engravings of human and animal figures.

 

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Marinduque: Boac & Gaspar Island

 

December 28, 2015

During our week-long holiday vacation in Quezon, we thought of visiting the heart-shaped island-province of Marinduque, which is three hours away from Lucena City by boat. We got to the Dalahican port at around 8:00 am, and waited for the next ferry bound for Marinduque.

We reached the Balasacan port of Marinduque at around 1:00 pm and rode a jeepney to get to its capital, Boac, have lunch at the Kusina sa Plaza, and visit the Boac Cathedral and Pugutan site.

We then proceeded to the town of Gasan, and chartered a boat, which took us to Gaspar Island.

The Gaspar Island is part of the Tres Reyes group of islands, which are named after the three kinds (Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltazar). We were pressed for time, so we only got to visit Gaspar, which is the most beautiful among the three, according to the very helpful baranggay officials (Kagawad Dodong and the Brgy. Captain) we met at the jump-off point in Brgy. Pinggan.

After a few hours exploring the island, we went to the Cawit port, which is just a few minutes away from Gasan. We waited for hours for the Roro boat, which ferried us back to Lucena City.

Town Plaza

Kusina sa Plaza

Moriones

Boac Cathedral

Boac Cathedral

Boac Cathedral

Marinduque

Gaspar Island

Gaspar Island

View of Marinduque from Gaspar

Rock Formations

Silhouette

Gaspar Island

 

Bantakay Falls

December 26, 2015

The Bantakay Falls, which still forms part of the Quezon National Forest Park, is just magnificent. Our one-hour trek through the cemented trail, and under the rain was truly worth it.

If you need a place to stay in Lucena City, click on the following link for our suggestions: Hotels/Bed and Breakfast/Inns

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Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat & Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

December 20, 2015

We had only the afternoon to explore the historical province of Bataan, having left Manila at around noon. We headed to the Dambana ng Kagitingan, a memorial shrine dedicated to the brave Filipino and American soldiers, who fought during World War II. We were surprised to see the 92-metre high cross, which also has a viewing gallery inside.

Thereafter, we went to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a heritage park, which showcases mansions from the Spanish era, which were dismantled and subsequently reassembled.

Dambana ng Kagitingan

Dambana ng Kagitingan

Dambana ng Kagitingan

View from Top

View Deck

View from Mt. Samat

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Dinner at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar