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loves to travel with my family and explore the Philippines

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Bataan - Dambana ng kagitingan


My daughter is in 2nd grade and we had a field trip in Ocean Adventure and Bataan particularly in Mt. Samat - Dambana ng Kagitingan.

Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)  is in Mt. Samat ,  Pilar Bataan - a memorial shrine that built to honor and remember the 75,000 or gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during the World War II and the white Memorial Cross  was commemorate on their 25th year anniversary and was built under the administration of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. 

The shrine was designed by Lorenzo del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez

How to get there:  Actually we had a bus that brought us there but i check in the net about it so here it goes :

Take a Balanga-bound or Mariveles-bound bus. Alight bus in Balanga City or Pilar town.Travel time - around 2 - 3 hours
Make arrangements for transportation or ask the local (tricycle , jeep or taxi)  to Mt. Samat.

There's also a ferry in CCP that bound to Mariveles, Bataan ,  it will only take 1-2 hours travel time











Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Baguio City, Cordillera Region

Since we got married ,  we really make it sure to celebrate it  every year by getting out of town or sometimes just a small party with the family. We already spend our 2nd year anniversary here and our daughter saw the pictures so she really wants to go to Baguio. Since this was our 13th year Anniversary ,  so let's go and explore the Summer Capital of the Philippines once again.

Baguio City - is also called  City of Pines because of  many pine trees.  

It's better to explore Baguio by "do-it-yourself"  just ask Policeman,  Guards or the locals on where and how to  get there or places you want to go and that's how you'll appreciate the place more.

How to get there : 
From Cavite City (via coastal road )  -  Saulog Transit-  travel time - 5-6 hours

From Pasay City - Victory liner - Php 455- 500.00 (ordinary busses) , Php 600.00 - 750.00 (de luxe busses),  Dagupan Bus line

From Cubao - Victory liner - Php 455- 500.00 (ordinary busses) , Php 700.00 - 750.00 (de luxe busses) ,  Dagupan Bus 

Transportation in Baguio City
Jeepneys  -  there's so many jeepney in Baguio City that ply various routes within it and its immediate surroundings.
Taxi's - cabs are painted white and have proper markings on their sides and you can also hire them for the whole day City tour ( 8-9 hours tour) - Php 1,800.00 - 2,500.00 depending on your negotiation skills
Car rentals - are also available in Baguio but I'm not sure about the amount

Places that you can see and visit in Baguio City 
Session Road - the main thoroughfare of Baguio, where most of the city activity is centered and lots of restaurants, bars and hotels are here

Camp John Hay is now a sort of country club complete with an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, camping and many more.  

 
(pictures found in the net,  thanks to the owner) 

Mines View Park -It  is one of the most popular and most visited park in the city ,  enjoy the view of the beautiful mountain scenery, you can take a picture with the horse but you have to pay Php 50.00 for 2 shots 

Philippine Military Academy

Burnham Park - go for a walk or go rowing on the small lake with the bancas for Php 100.00 - 200.00 per hour. and get photographed with the St.Bernard dog but you have to pay Php 50.00 for 2 shots

Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral ( Baguio Cathedral) - The rose-colored Baguio Catholic Cathedral, located on top of a hill is in the heart of the city, a walking distance along session road, and it  is one of  the most visited landmarks of Baguio.

Botanical Garden - features native huts typical of the type of Igorot dwellings found in the Cordilleras.
 
(pictures found in the net,  thanks to the owner)

Public Market just along the lower end of session road
Souvenirs
You can buy lots of souvenirs here like woodcarvings , bags and shirts.  Also you can buy fresh strawberries,  fresh vegetables in the market.  Peanut Brittle ,  Ube or Halaya,  Strawberry Jams, "sundot kulangot" made of malagkit is also available just look around and you'll find the market worth buying.

First stop ,   Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral ( Baguio Cathedral) or wherever you go visit the church first. We are actually looking for the hundred steps going to the church and never expected that we already done it .
 


Then next stop ,  Mines view park



Botanical Garden 


 


Burnham Park



SM Baguio City
It's so nice to stay in SM Baguio because they are not using aircon's but heater.

There's so many pictures that I wasn't able to post ,  don't know why,  the pictures in PMA where we've experience the "not so good smell"  in the nipa hut right across the bldg of PMA ,  maybe some visitors just used the hut as their immediate "Comfort room"  and the other one is in the Camp John Hay, the long walk we've done hehehehe haaay kapagod doon.

If you are going to Baguio,  just take some mosquito repellant ,  lakas ng loob para magtanong at pera para kahit saan kaya mong pumunta,  just do the "cowboy" thing and you'll feel that its much worth to explore via jeepneys and tricycles. Go to the "Summer Capital of the Philippines"

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Makiling Highland, Calamba Laguna

Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna and 54 kms away from Manila by an hour and 30 mins  travel in public transportation. We  just traveled from my sister-in-law house in Santa Rosa, Laguna and then we decided to go to Calamba.  It is also known as the Resort Capital of the Philippines because of  the resorts and hot springs located here like Makiling Highland to name the few.



( some of the pictures I just copied from the net thanks to the owners)

Makiling Highlands Resort is located at the foot of  Mt. Makiling , Capt. Mamon Road, Pansol, Laguna   and it is ideal to have weekend getaway with your friends and families with an affordable prices.

Entrance Fee :
Adult - Php 95.00 - Php 125.00
Children 12 years old and below - Php 80.00 - Php 95.00
Children below 3 feet are free

Amenities :
Picnic Table      - Php 400.00 - Php 700.00
Small Kamaligs 12 hrs - Php 1,300.00 - Php 1,600.00
Small Kamaligs 24 hrs - Php 2,000.00 - Php 2,500.00

Room Rates - please check rates on their website 

How to get there :
From Manila to Makiling Highland (private vehicle )
take the Southern Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at the Calamba Exit. Drive straight towards the Calamba town proper junction and turn right at the National Highway. Keep going straight until you pass by Max's Fried Chicken Restaurant, Monte Vista Branch. Take a right turn on Capt. Mamon Rd. (just two streets from Monte Vista Resort).

From Manila to Calamba (public transportation)
Buses are available from Lawton, Sta Cruz and Buendia







Facilities 
Relax with the giant pools with its thrilling water slides

A whimsical hanging bridge complete with castle-like turrets on both sides and a perfect place to experience the "swinging bridge" with your friends and families to cross it
















 



Just relax and enjoy ,  don't forget to bring your swimwear, cameras and additional pocket money for "pasalubong"  !!!!