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Travel my way |
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Road to Pitogo :Travelling to Pitogo with one hand carry bag is my best choices no hassles as you can just take it inside the bus. There are three places from Manila to get the buses . Cubao, Quezon city, Buendia,Manila and Metropolis,Alabang. This areas has buses terminals that goes to Bondoc Peninsula , The buses that goes to Bondoc Peninsula are Mulanay, San Narciso and San Andres. From Manila bus terminal it will cost you 300 pesos depending if you want air condition bus with wifi on board. Most buses has video for passengers entertainment. Ask the drivers to stop you to Pototanin then take a jeepney or tricycle to Pitogo. Beware of some tricycle will charge 100 pesos if they knew your never been to the town. Pitogo is a hidden place that is why its good to be away from the city and pressure. Another choices are finding bus that stop in Gumaca,Quezon most buses that goes to Bicol region, Visaya and Mindanao bound stopped in Gumaca, But the travelling time is more than Bondoc Peninsula bound but you can see the panoramic view of narrow winding road at Quezon National Park and Lamon Bay. Once the bus arrived in Gumaca ask the driver to stop in Gumaca public market there are jeepney’s bound for Pitogo every half an hour or less depending what time you arrive it will cost you 35 pesos for a trip its about half an hour ride. Last trip for Pitogo is about 8:30 pm you can also take a tricycle for 200 pesos but still be aware as travelling by night is quite dangerous as any other part of the world travelling by night always a problem. Another option will be a bus the goes to Lucena buses will stop at Lucena Grand terminal , there are buses goes to Mulanay, San Nacsico and San Andres, again you still need to stop at Pototain or take a jeepney that goes to SM Department store, there is a van terminal that goes direct to Pitogo. Gumaca: is only thirty minutes away from Pitogo, like Pitogo the town also situated near the sea facing Lamon Bay, town itself was flat but more busier than Pitogo it has three banks, hospitals , University and restaurant like Macdonalds and Chowking most people around the area including Pitogo come to shops . May was the best month to come and visit Gumaca they have a yearly event called “Baluarte” it was held on the day of San Isidro patron for farmers. Every barangay’s of Gumaca area have their own stall decorated by fruits and vegetables. Nearby towns like Pitogo and came and visit for the festivities. Macalelon: the town along side Pitogo. Unlike Pitogo the town is not facing toward the sea instead there was a river passage that connects to neighbouring barangay”s and also the sea . The town itself was flat but one particular area that their church was erected into a hills. Macalelon has more variety of products to offer because of their mountainous barangays that grows other craft like bananas, rice and vegetable. More populated than Pitogo and has new market which local harvester can participate to sell there produced craft. There was one particular area that I must admit during my youth days was magnificent as if I am in a unknown paradise. From Olong Tao its has a road going in to further in land about seven kilometres by walked , jeepney or tricycle you will be passing San Nicholas then end to San Vicente from here there was a river stream that leads towards Macalelon river. Farmers from San Jose and other Baranggays which are situated further up the mountain normally trade their harvest every Sunday in San Vicente traders from Macalelon as far as Gumaca came to buy the harvest as it more cheaper than the town. Some traders exchanged their goods like dried fish and other goods that needed in the mountain in return the farmers will be exchanging there harvest for example banana and other vegetables. San Jose has a natural water falls , the water flows over huge stone on top has elongated water basin deep enough to swim further up was a conjunction river that made this water basin flow over the stone, its about thirty minutes walked from San Vicente loading zone if you want to see this place and if you are not local it is advisable to know someone that lives in the area or familiar with it. Bondoc Peninsula is known for NPA and there no guaranty that San Jose are free from such personalities because of its mountainous environments. Catanuan: Forty eight years was the last time that I’ve been to this town in my interpretation then , that the town was flat as we travelled by boat to get in to this coastal town the shoreline area was different from Pitogo or Gumaca the sandy beach are more prominent during low tide, The town is also facing in between Tayabas Bay and Sibuyan Sea also more closer to get in to Marinduque Island from here there was a boat that will take you to Mompog and sandy beach of Maniuayan Island both islands are part of Marinduque also famous for their Moriones Festival during holy week . Crystal clear water of Mompog was one of my best experience as I could see the coral underneath . Maniuayan fine sandy beach was good for sun bathing as if you are in Boracay Island. Lucena : is the capital city of Quezon Province the city itself was flat but most public transport that goes as far as Mindanao has to pass through Lucena it has few shopping centres . Although, it’s a big city but the buildings are not high enough to compare to other modern city like Manila. But the city has banks, hospitals and other amenities Lifestyle are more modern than Gumaca . Lucban: another town of Quezon Province it was situated near the mountain of Banahaw climate was cooler. The town was also will known for their own San Isidro Festival like Gumaca. Lucban also will known its religious site called “Kamay ni Jesus” (hands of Jesus) it was erected on top the mountain like Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) although it was very small for a comparison, but it has a complete relics of the Passion of the Cross during Holy Season some people came for the belief that the site has a miraculous healing power. To get to Lucban town you need to get a jeepney from Lucena . Baguio : Summer is the best month to visit the Mountain Province up north of the Philippines and Baguio will be the place to visit. There are number of bus terminal that will take you there from Pasay City and Cubao travelling to the north will be hot so the best is to take an air conditioned bus. The city was situated on top of the mountain as you approaching the city you will be passing through narrow winding road going up to the city which if the bus drivers are not careful most likely accident will happen. The weather was nice and cool there are strawberry farm and everlasting flower . Pine trees grows around the area. There are numbers of accommodation hotels and local houses. Local offered their house to local visitors and foreigner will be hotels. There are some show around the park the major events will be the native dance and clothing. Native people which are originated from the area was Ifugao a tribe that normally called Igorots. During the events they will be wearing colourful outfit ,with men only covered their bottom wrapped around the waist . Women will be wearing an open vest covering their breast and wrap around skirt. Angeles City: was will known for clubs and prostitution but since American Air Base has been closed. Small aircraft coming from Asia started to divert to Angeles City and used the former Clark Air Base and became Macapagal International Airport. The only problem if your destination is Manila and you end up getting a plane that land to Macapagal International Airport you need to take a bus to Manila. To get back to your port of origin for instance Singapore then you need to stay overnight in Angeles City if you are a man single and looking of a side enjoyment it could be a good idea. Manila: is the major city of the Philippines traffic always congested .but over the years there was a lot of changes happening to the city. If you are traveller coming from other part of the world have your money change at the airport, There are few taxi rank but make sure the taxi that you will be getting is registered as most taxi drivers are crook. The best area to get a hotel are near Mall of Asia the surrounding are more spacious and close to the airport. There are three Casino’s around the area Solaire, City of Dreams and Okada, also some budget hotels are not that far either. I prefer to stay in this area because Baclaran Market is nearby, If you wanted to go to Divisoria there are jeepney’s that’s goes there, although it will take you two hours because of the traffic another option will be the monorail but stop only to Sta Cruz and a fair walk to Divisoria. What is Divisoria it was the huge market that most trader around the country buy their goods to sell. You can buy by bulk if you are a trader it is open to everyone but if you are foreigner it is not advisable to go by yourself as common theft are around you need a local guide. If one needs a cheap optical eye glass Raon will be the best place to get, it is also situated at Sta Cruz area there are number of Optical Clinics around the area the maximum waiting time will be a hour to hour in a half while waiting you could stroll around the area as it was full of stores that offered cheap prices. If you are a foreign visitors or local from the provinces the best scheme will be registered yourself to three major casinos as they offered free ride to Binondo, Asia Mall and other parts of the city to get more players. This scheme is only advisable if you are at the vicinity of Paranaque of course to get this privileges you have to go to the casino and play a bit if you have money. There are buses and mini buses service by the casino to take you to the destination, for me this is a good way to enjoy travelling with ease to congested area like Quaipo and Divisoria as Binondo has the terminal of these mini buses the area was a walking distance and as long as you provide your membership card the will have a free ride. Japan: Being a sales representative in one of the largest clothing company in Manila that export some of its product to different part of the world I have the privilege to promote it in Tokyo, Japanese like pilipino famous products like “Barong Tagalog” local embroidered shirt made from pineapple and other dresses like Batiks and some of handicraft made from abaca and wooden arts. It was my first time to travel outside the country. Tokyo was one of the expensive country to stay in Asia and one has to understand the language and make sure you have English/Japanese dictionary at hand. In my own opinion Japanese are typically shy particularly if you asked them if they speak English , children are somewhat different they smiled at you and greet their elders in respectable manner. If you do travel without guide the most important things was to learn the basic Japanese words like “ how much, where is the hotel, how to return and to go”. Utsunomiya city in the province Tochigi was the highlight of my journey as I visited Nikko National Park’ Kegon Waterfalls and Setoaikyo and one of their temple Futaarajama shrine. Cambodia: Holding none Pilipino passport was a bit disadvantage if you are travelling in certain part of Asia as you need a visa to get in to the country but you can still obtain it from the airport and it cost you only twenty US dollars the waiting is not necessarily long depending how many none Asian passport holder there is. Phnom Penh was the capital of Cambodia if you booked a cheap hotel at least they will provide you a tuktuk (local transport) The country has the same weather as Philippines. The Royal Palace, was in Chey Chumneas, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a complex of buildings which serves as the royal residence of the King of Cambodia. Its full name in the Khmer language is Preah Barom Reachaviang Chaktomuk Serei Mongkol. The Cambodian monarchs have occupied it since it was built in the 1860s, with a period of absence when the country came into turmoil during and after the reign of the Khmer Rouge. The palace also not far from it was river connected to Mekong river there was side walk along the river which very nice to walked around at night. From the hotel you can also hire a tuktuk that can take you to Killing field where there are lots of people died during Khmer war. Things you also need to know is if your have an intention to go to Vietnam and don’t have a visa you can also pay someone to obtain you visa arrange by the hotel. If you want to try some exotic foods Cambodia has it specialities if you have stomach for it .Their delicacies are like scorpion and other unusual foods. I must admit I prepared their normal foods preparation than Thailand or Malaysia. I you prepare to travel my way we took a bus from Phenom Penh to see Ankor Wat about four hours away from Bangkok its also the highlight of our journey, travelling by passenger bus was more exciting as you get to know the culture and its people . Hotel rates in Siem Reap are also varied you get as cheap as 15 US dollars per night and its clean and decent with internet and of course as high as 330 AUD if you want the best. (I preferred the cheapest one). Bus stations are not far from hotels and restaurants. Though if you are a foreigner locals preferred to be paid by American dollars. At the hotels there are tuk tuk or cars that can be hire to take you to the temples you desired to see like Ankor Wat, Bayon Temple, the ruin of Ta prohm their architecture are phenomenal and wonder how the Cambodian lives during the golden years then suddenly abandoned those temples. From Siem Reap you can also take a passenger bus to go to Vietnam.
Vietnam: the best time to leave from Siem Reap was midnight as it will take at least eight hours so you will arriving early in the morning at Ho chi minh city formerly Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City: the city of motorcycles
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