How far can Bubbles go?

Travel Date: April 19, 2015      One weekend, we decided to ride a bus to Tagaytay to hike the smallest volcano in the country.  We took the DLTB bus bound to Nasugbu and we got off to Rotonda Tagaytay and rented a tricycle to take us to Talisay.  From there, we rented a boat to take us to Taal Volcano jump off point.      Taal Volcano is currently active, but it is safe to hike.  The trail is steep and dusty.  You can walk up to the crater for 2 hours or simply just ride a horse.  We chose to walk instead and at the same time we caught all the dust from the horses that are carrying tourists.  Since I don’t exercise, I easily get tired and out of breath.  I stopped a couple of times to rest and determined that I will reach the top soon, even when there were times that I feel like I want to pass out.        Near the top of the crater, there are a few areas where hot steam comes out of the...

Travel Date: February 7-8, 2015      We decided to visit Calaguas in February, because there was no rain and the weather forecast was good.  But we overlooked to check the gale warning which is how strong the force of the wind during that week.       Our boat sailed the beautiful greenish river with scenic banks going out to the vastness of Pacific Ocean.  From afar before we reach the mouth of the ocean, we can see already the towering raging waves.  We were so frightened and unsure if our boat can pass through.  At that time, you will think of withdrawing or continuing the trip.  But our boat managed to ride the huge waves for an hour.      The fear was gone the moment we came closer to Calaguas Island.  The nearby islands we passed by were so beautiful and virgin.  All beaches boast a long white sand and lots of coconut trees.  The moment our boat approached the beach of Cal...

Travel Date: November 26-27, 2014 The Long Mile Barracks      The Japanese-American War during WWII happened many years ago, but its battlefields remain some of the most popular historic landmarks we have in the country.   One of the most important is Corregidor Island.      But the trip here is quite expensive if you will book a regular rate.  Luckily we grabbed a good deal at CashCashPinoy website for a package tour to Corregidor.  It includes hotel accommodation, guided tour, lunch buffet, and a round trip ferry transfer.      Here in Corregidor Island you will journey back in time and tour through tunnels, ruins, batteries, and graves via tranvia bus.  The tour guide will bring the battleground to life through stories plus the light and sound animation effects inside the Malinta Tunnel (main tunnel only).  With the guided tour, you will learn more about the island aside from the information t...

Travel Date: June 15, 2014      A popular day trip among locals and just 2 hours away from Manila, we travelled to Tanay, Rizal to visit Daranak Falls and Calinawan Cave.       The hike to the falls is easy and near the entrance area.   Entrance fee is cheap and you can rent a cottage if you want.  There are public toilets and canteens to order food.  The falls is small and the water is clear.  It is deep so you can jump if you want.      After the falls, we hired a guide to bring us to Calinawan Cave.  For only 15 or 30 minutes of hike, we reached the area and hired another guide to the cave.  Going down the cave we saw stalactites and stalagmites.  What amaze me were the shiny stalactites crystals.  I never expect that I will see one here because of its proximity to Manila.  There were number of levels to explore, but we did the easy one.  The cave is beautiful and f...

     It was my lucky day!  Finally, I could see now the entire volcano!  But it was my second visit already.  The first time I went here, I never got a chance to see its peak because it was covered with clouds.  The view is really breathtaking! Cagsaua Ruins Where to Stay?     Mayon Backpackers Hostel

Travel Date: April 6, 2014      You have to see this ancient artwork!  The carvings that are believed to date back late Neolithic Age (6000 BC to 2000 BC) are engravings of animals, people, and other shapes.  It was the national artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco who discovered the engravings in 1965 while leading a boy scout troop on a hike.      If you are fond of history and know how to appreciate a high value treasure, it is a must that you visit this site.  Also, there is a small museum for artifacts and something to read about the discovery.      To protect the petroglyphs (scientific name for carvings), they installed a wooden view deck to prevent the visitors from touching it.  Some are hardly visible.  I think you really need to get really close to observe and identify some of the carvings.  How to get there?      The easiest and cheapest way to go there if you are com...

Travel Date: May 1-3, 2014      Perhaps you know how beautiful Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan.  But have you heard that there are amazing rock formations at Northern Samar?      Shaped and sculpted in million of years, these rock formations can be found in Biri Island.  The difficulty of travelling to this tiny island remains the province untouched and hidden from most tourists.  There are few hotels, guest houses, and restaurants.  Motorcycles and boats are the only means of transportation.  And the electricity supply is only available from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight.      Around the formations, you can see a great number of corals, mangroves, seaweeds, sea urchins, sponges, fishes, and natural water pools.  The natural water pools are crystal clear and shallow.  You can swim in one of the pools all by yourself.  Then imagine that you are in paradise while listening to the sound of w...

     Riding a bus on our way to Ifugao once again is not to see the famous Banaue Rice Terraces, but this time to see the Batad and Nagacadan Rice Terraces, both listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Batad Rice Terraces      Not knowing the difficulty of the hike can be of advantage somehow, because it gives you the courage to go on.  Well, the guide told us that it was 2.5 hours going down and another 2 hours to the falls.  And he said in a humorous way that after this trip we will curse Batad for the experience it gave us.  Oh yes, at first it was easy to go down which I can manage to walk for hours until we reached the restaurant with the magnificent view of Batad Rice Terraces.       After feeding ourselves with nutrition, we started our hike again, this time to the Tappiya Falls .  We traversed through the rice paddies of Batad and once we got to the middle, we were amazed with the stunnin...

Travel Date: February 14, 2014      It was Valentine’s.  That day most couples were celebrating in restaurants, hotels, and resorts.  But we want to spend our heart’s day in a different way, so we opted to climb Mount Batulao, a favorite day hike among adventure enthusiasts and mountaineers located in Nasugbu, Batangas.  Just 2 hours away from Manila and near to Tagaytay, we did this trail for only a day.      Mount Batulao has an elevation of 813 meters.  A good start for beginners, but not the easiest mountain to hike.  So a day trip can be really tiring.  You only have 15 to 30 minutes to rest, then it’s time again to move on.       It was my first time to hike a mountain, but not for my boyfriend.  Also, I don’t have a proper clothes and shoes.  My body was not prepared for this, but I’m determined to reach the highest peak.  There were times that I hold on to grasses an...

     Only 40 minutes away from Seoul, Jisan Forest Ski Resort is one of the nearest skiing place to go to.  We booked a day ahead to ride their free shuttle.  The resort is perfect for beginners, but it was still very hard to slide on the slope.  I kept falling and falling.  In the end, I gave up.  I think this sport is not really for me. :D How to get there? Bus: 1.The bus runs every 20 minutes from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. Take this bus and get off at Icheon coach bus terminal. Then take Bus No. 12 from Icheon and get off at Jisan Resort.(40 min ) 2.Take City Coach Bus No.9800 at Gangnam Station(exit No.7) or Yangjae Station(Yangjae bus station). (bus- 9:00~13:00 every hour/ 15:00/16:00/17:30/19:00/20:00)

     Everland is a Korean and smaller version of Disneyland.  They have rides for all ages, parade, stage performance, food court, souvenir stores, and heated post to warm during winter season.  Though it’s quite far from Seoul, we really enjoy our time here. Holland Village How to get there? Subway: Jeondae, Everland Station (Ever Line), Exit 3. Then, take a shuttle bus to Everland Bus: 1) Sinnonhyeon Station, Gangnam Station, Yangjae Station: Bus 5002 2) Pangyo, Segok-dong, Suseo Station, Songpa Station, Jamsil Station, Gangbyeon Station: Bus 5700 3) Sadang Station, Nambu Terminal (Bundang and Gwangju via): Bus 1500-2 4) Gangbyeon Station, Gangdong Station (via Gwangju): Bus 1113 Website: www.everland.com

     After Nami Island, we requested the Gapyeong Bus Tour to take us to Petit France.  It is a little French village on the hilly part of the province.       The Korean drama like Secret Garden and Running Man made it a popular tourist destination. The houses are painted in different pastel colours.  Here you can experience French food, clothing, and household culture.  There is also a gallery for paintings and sculptures.  The decorations around the garden are pretty too.  Good for taking photos!      If you want to stay for a night, they have accommodations for guests.  But you can finish exploring the park in an hour or two hours maximum.  You can skip this tour if you are not a fan of Korean drama.  Admission Fee: Adults: 8,000 Won Youths: 6,000 Won Children: 5,000 Won Souvenir Shops Gallery for paintings Inside the French house I ...

     I wish my boyfriend was with me when I visited this tiny island of Namiseom.  The park has a romantic settings and it was where the Winter Sonata has been filmed, thus making it a popular destination among lovers and Korean drama fans.      It was fun to walk or bike around with your partner, but I went there with a couple of friends on early winter.  Though, it could have been more colourful and vibrant in autumn or spring.       Towering Poplar and Chestnut trees were lined beautifully along the pathway.  The bridge on the small pond was designed with recycled green bottles.  There were restaurants, shops, accommodations, and art exhibits too.       For a bit of history, I also dropped by the grave of General Nami who fought and won against rebels in the 13 th century of the 7 th king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejo (1455-1468).   Admission Fee: 10,...

     One of the most popular attractions in Seoul is the N Seoul Tower located at Mt. Namsan.  At the observatory tower, you will enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view of the entire city.  During the night, the tower illumination changes its colour from time to time.  There’s also a fence covered with thousand of padlocks installed by young lovers.  If you are young at heart and a fan of teddy bears, you can also visit the Bear Museum.  And have a romantic lunch or dinner at the N Grill revolving restaurant. Admission Fee to N Seoul Observatory: Children (Ages 4-12) - 3,000 KRW Adults (Ages 13-64) - 7,000 KRW Senior (Ages 65+) - 5,000 KRW How to get there? Take a subway to Chungmuro Station (line 3 or 4), exit 2 to the right of Daehan Multiplex entrance.  Take the yellow bus 2 in front of the subway.  Then, get off at the N Seoul Tower bus stop. N Seoul Tower Pavilion next to N Seoul Tower Mongm...