elle's tinker toes ♥♥♥

It felt like we were on a show, the "Amazing Race", because we were constantly on a bus or van or tricycle moving from point A to point B. Creating an itinerary is highly recommended to maximize the places in a very limited time. Here's how we survived our so called Amazing Race Surigao! Day 1: Red line.  >> From Butuan City International Airport, we rented a van going to the Bus Terminal. Then rode a bus with a Tandag signage. Since we'll be visiting Britannia Islets, did not need to reach Tandag, instead we alighted in Salvacion Junction in San Agustin. This is also where we stayed for the night, at La Entrada Resort.

I knew in my gut that I should not miss this trip. I am glad I didn't. An experience I am so glad to have gone through but will never dare do again........ ever.

Why in the world I came to this place just now? I mean, Pinatubo is only around 2 hours away from our home and yet it took me 2 years to get here from the time I decided to want to be here. Funny that I went to farther places for the last two years not realizing one of the nicest is just around the corner. I decided to DIY this trip, meaning no contact person nor availed any package. By car, we left Bulacan at 3AM and set Waze to bring us to McDonalds Capas, Tarlac. We took NLEX, exited at Dau and drive onto McArthur Highway heading north. 

I first learned about Glamping from a blogger who has tried this in Sumilon Island, Cebu. I thought it is so cool to be having all the luxury inside a tent. I myself slept in a tent a few times but less the luxurious stuff. Those were when we went ovenight camping in Dampalitan Island in Quezon , in Palaui Island in Cagayan Valley , and in Bantayan Island in Cebu . It's always  fun sleeping close to nature. But while that is fun, it can also be a hassle. Carrying around a tent plus a sleeping bag can be a hassle. Or bags used as a pillow is not very comfortable to sleep in at all and can be a hassle.

We left the house in Marilao, Bulacan at 3:30 AM. It was already 5:30AM and we were still in the car rolling at Clark Free Port zone searching for the exact place of the event. Good thing it was still dark. The program hasn't started yet. There should be a skydiver with a Philippine flag signaling the start of the program. We were told the main gate is across Flying V gas station. We finally reached the gas station where we found at our right side. Now, we had to take a left turn to get to the event's entrance. Unfortunately, there was no Left turning. All cars need to take a U-turn at the farthest end.

I  started this tradition two years ago that every christmas eve we will spend it outside of our home. You see, we have a small family and the past years we always end up sleeping before midnight because of exhaustion preparing for Noche Buena. It was not  an ideal christmas feel that I want.  On our first year, 2013, we spent it in Intramuros. Then last year, 2014, we spent Christmas eve in Clark where we stayed at Grandview Tower Hotel.  This is one of the cheapest hotels near Clark. It is a pretty new condo-hotel building located at Don Juico Avenue, Angeles. It is just outside Clark FreePort Zone, very near SM Clark. 

Hailed as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, I can't think of any other reason more enticing enough to drag ourselves to Pampanga. Finding these talked about restaurants are just so easy. Thanks to some blogs for their recommendations and Waze for directions. Lol Now, this is not a one day tour. This is a compilation of the restaurants we've been to every time we were in Pampanga. Aling Lucy Sisig. Coming from Bulacan, we always take the fastest route, the NLEX. We followed where Waze directed us and after some series of stops and turns, we finally made it to Aling Lucing's.

January 11, 2014 Day 4 We checked out from Revlun Pensionne at 6AM and walked towards the market. We need to go to Hayanggabon Port where our boatman waits for us. There are vans/multicabs/bus going that way but don't know what time they'd pass. Since tricycle is always available, we hired one and paid 30 pesos each. The same fare had we chose to ride in multicab/van's.  Hayanggabon Port.

January 9, 2014 - Day 2 Woke up at 4AM inside our room in La Entrada resort. Last night went by quickly as we all slept early because of fatigue. We arranged a pick up from the tricycle driver who brought us to the resort yesterday. He picked us up at 5:30 and arrived at the highway 10 min before 6 am. Lucky for us, a bus bound for Butuan passed by. After paying 40 pesos and 30 minutes of travel, we arrived at Barobo terminal. Here in the terminal, we had a quick breakfast - coffee, bread, noodles, eggs bought from food stalls. We checked in our bags at The Point Inn located just across the terminal. This is so our only hand carry are the clothes we will use during the tour and leave important stuff in the Inn. For 300 pesos, we rented a room for 2 with electric fan and shared bathroom. Perfect! We left Barobo terminal at 7:15AM bound for Mangagoy via van. Fare is 90 pesos and travel took 2 hours. Upon alighting at Mangagoy, our contact person/tourguide we f...

January 8, 2014 Day 1 A reservation was made for island hopping from La Entrada Resort prior to coming. We started at 4pm. It was already late but had to push this through, after all this island hopping is the only purpose why we visited this place.  We were led to the drop off. Britania consists of 24 islets, five of which have white powdery sands. Among the five islets, one is privately owned. And so only four islets can be visited without a fee. Overnight staying is not allowed, the guide said.  I tell you, these islets are worth seeing. We were only able to see three islands. I was surprised and thrilled by their powdery white sand and pristine water. islets Hagonoy Island Boslon Island Hiyor-Hiyoran There is another one called Naked Island. This is their own version of a sandbar.We didn't visit this one because the tides were strong on this part.  After seeing several islands in this country, I thought I've already se...

January 10, 2014 Day 3 Because of the change of plans, the whole day of day 3 was spent travelling from Surigao del Sur to Surigao Del Norte.  We braced ourselves for a day of butt-numbing ride. At 10 AM we left Barobo terminal and headed to Tandag City via bus. We paid 50 pesos fare. Unfortunately, there is a bridge under construction that's temporarily closed for all types of vehicles. It can be crossed though by foot and at the other side of the bridge are vans/bus are waiting to take passengers to Tandag. We arrived in the bridge at 11 AM. After crossing, we rode in a van and continued our travel to Tandag City. We paid the driver 80 pesos each and waited for the next two hours til we arrive in Tandag bus terminal. At 2PM we arrived in Tandag bus terminal. We hopped in a bus bound for Surigao City but must alight in Claver, the drop off for Bucas Grande.  My friend asked the conductor what time we'll get to Claver, the conductor said something like "it ...

It was not easy planning this trip as the destinations we plan to visit like Britania Group of Islets, enchanted river, Tinuy-an falls and Bucas Grande - are far from each other. But hey, we were ready to do anything for this trip. After some researching, we were all set. Let's start!!! ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ January 8, 2014. Day 1 Our group seated at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 3 at 5:30 AM. My hunger, tiredness and sleeplessness were all rumbling into one crazy emotion that I couldn't force myself to eat or nap while waiting to board and depart at 6AM. Thank goodness the Philippine Airlines arrived on time but plane flew 12 minutes late. It was because of runway traffic, the announcer said.