Travel without the "Ouch in the Pouch"...Thailand 2013

A friend was asking me last night about our itinerary in Thailand, when I went there last year. And though, this is waaaaaaay overdue, I still want to post this because:

a. I am proud that I've got to enjoy the trip with a budget of less than P20,000.00 (excluding airfare)

b. This is a DIY trip...

I booked a roundtrip tickets for two to Bangkok a few months before my birthday. This is the first time that I am going to travel with my cousin. And I'm pretty much excited about this.:)

And this time, I challenged myself... I am going to enjoy Thailand with a budget of less than P20,000.00.

Yes, less than Twenty Thousand bucks including hotels, tour, food, transpo for tours and shopping.

Here's the breakdown: per head basis





Airfare is not included in this costing because we purchased the tickets in advance.

Roundtrip airfare via Tiger Airways     P7,800.00

Tip:

* Instead of availing the Chao Phraya River Cruise with Buffet Dinner, why not buy a 1-day Ferry Pass? You can use your ticket until 9pm and they also offer a Chao Phraya River cruise minus the dinner. That's P1,725.00 cheaper but the view and experience are almost quite the same.:)

 

 

 

 

Chao Phraya River at night.

* Don't eat in a restaurant! We learned it the hard way!

 On our first night in BKK, we didn't know where to go and where to eat so we just went to the first restaurant that we saw and ordered food. And we paid like 4x the price of the food on the sidewalk! Plus the pad thai tastes much better in the street of Khao San road than what we ate at that restaurant.

Khao San Road

When you're in Thailand, don't starve yourself! Eat!

 

* Instead of riding in a Tuktuk, take a cab, BTS or ferry. It's waaaaaay much cheaper. Plus the traffic in Bangkok is really bad.


*  Shop at Chatuchak Market.

If you're in Bangkok on a weekend, then you're lucky enough to catch the weekend market. Just prepare your haggling skills and you're good to go!

Chatuchak Market

* If you want some authentic Thai Massage look for a massage place along the streets of Khao San, they offer better deals than the Spas in Thailand. Cheaper but still authentic!

Authentic Thai "foot massage" in one of the streets in Pattaya.

 

* Never underestimate the power of free entrance!

When we were in Pattaya, being a big fanatic of jewelry, my cousin and I decided to explore the Jewelry Gallery and alas! There's no entrance fee! Along with it they also offer free transportation going back to your hotel or anywhere you want.:) Isn't it amazing?

Some of the temples and tourist spots in Bangkok also have free entrances. You just have to check where and how to get there.

 * And lastly, research, research. There's no other way to know these things than to research and experience all of it.:)

 

Our Temple Hopping Adventures in Thailand.

 I promised myself that I'll come back to this place and experience once again the rich culture, great food, nice people and cheapest shopping haven!


Now, when's the next seat sale?:)

Honda Bay Islands

Our very last day in Puerto Princesa!

And again, to avoid the hassle we opted a package tour going to the Honda Bay Islands.:) We were a bit disappointed because this time, we were joined by a family. So we don't have all the time in the world by ourselves.

Our driver and tour guide fetched us at around 7:30am, but because we had to prepare our stuff we left the house a little bit before 8pm. Sorry that they (by they I mean the other tourists) had to wait for us. No wonder they're giving us the "face".Hihi.

Then our adventure began.

We stopped by at a rental place to get some snorkeling gears and aqua shoes which we didn't bother to rent because we have our own. Then continued our journey to the port area.

The tour guide got the permit while we waited inside the lobby. This time, we don't have much energy for some photo ops so we just sat down and wait...and watch the other tourists taking a picture of themselves. Sad.

Then off we start with our island hopping.

First Island: Starfish Island

The island got its name because obviously there are many starfishes in this island. And oh! The funny thing is,  there are statues for photo ops in this island. Want to see Michael Jordan?

Told you, he's here!

The long strip of sand.:)

If you're looking for fine white sand, then this one's not for you. The sand is made up of broken pieces of shells and corals that's why it's not fine at all.

I don't know if it's the sand or what but we didn't feel like swimming that time so we just stayed inside the cottage and just had some little girl's talk while the boys went out for a swim.

Then, or boatman's assistant came to us and asked us if we want to have some artistic shots.  And this is what happened...

A few moments later, "Kuya tour guide' approached us and told us to board the boat so we can go to the next island.

Luli Island

Or short for "Lulubog-Lilitaw", because during high tide you will no longer see the island.

We spent 30 minutes here swimming and feeding fishes. And just before we leave this island, I had to make a decision!

It's whether to jump off the diving plank or not.

See: Plank Diving at Luli Island

After that daring adventure (or so I guess), we left the island to have our lunch at...

Cowrie Island

Again, this package tour includes buffet lunch.

We arrived there a little past 11am, that's why there are only a handful of people occupying the dining area. The tour guide told us that during lunch time this is mostly packed with people availing the package tour at Honda Bay Islands. It's better early than sorry!


Food at the buffet table consists of meat, veggies, seafoods and pancit plus drinks and desserts (coffee jelly & fruits).

I don't know how many times we went to the buffet table but the seafoods are so good! Especially their calamari! Yum yum!


After the feast, we continued relaxing at a nearby cottage only to find out that staying there isn't for free, so again we had to move to a nearby table.

We spent a few minutes talking and cracking jokes at each other...and planning for another out of town getaway!


But of course! For the last time we, the girls decided to enjoy the beach for a couple of minutes before we had back to the real world.:)

 

The entire trip lasted until 3:00pm then we prepared or stuff for our flight that day.


This sums up our Puerto Princesa-El Nido Trip.:)

Puerto Princesa City Tour

This city tour is our last-minute-decision kind of thing.:) 

We were initially planning to just explore the city via DIY style but we didn't have enough time to research.:) So we just opted to add P2,000 to our van so we can have a private tour and  include the city tour in our itinerary for today!

See: Adventures and misadventues with Northern Hope Travel & Tours

After our trip to the Underground River, we went straight to the Crocodile  Farm & Nature Park!

Entrance fee: P40/head


They have schedules for guided tour, which I think is required when you visit the park.

We arrived there at around 2:45pm, our driver got out of the van to bought some tickets for us. When he came back he told us to wait at the entrance of the park fo our schedule at 3:00pm.

Before heading straight inside the park, we were asked to fill out a sheet of paper, to track the numbers of visitors per day.

Then our tour began.
 
As you enter the lobby of the park, you will see the preserved bones and skin of the largest crocodile captured in Palawan.



The preserved bones of the largest crocodile captured in Palawan.

This is not the one used for Hermes Bags...sorry.

A tour guide would make a biefing regarding the area and some "do's and don'ts" so pay attention!:)

After the briefing you will all go straight to the Hatchling area where you will see all the baby crocodiles! But never ever dare to put your fingers inside their tub or you will come home missing one.



Inside the "Hatchling area"...baby crocs!

 



 Then the tour will continue up to the area of the adult crocodile and it will also end there but if you want to tour the whole area, you are welcome. Just make sure you know how to find your way out!:)

Next stop, Mitra's Ranch

Entrance Fee: FREE

This used to be privately owned but is now open for PPS tourists and locals. Operating from 6am to 6pm.  And the best part is,the entrance here is absolutely FREE! (Fees apply when you do the activities there, such as horse-back riding, trampoline zipline, etc)

Overlooking the city of Puerto Princesa, this is the perfect place to relax, unwind and just be with nature! I love nature!

The perfect spot. See the house at the back? Too bad it's a private proper property. I'd love to have one like that someday.:) 

 

Our last stop is at Baker's Hill which is just a few meters away from Mitra's Ranch. We bought some pastries for pasalubongs. And of course, we didn't forget to have our photos taken at the infamous heart-shaped flower decor inside Baker's Hill garden. Another one for our bucket list...Check!

 

 

Will you?

 

 

Perfect place for pastries and romance!

 

 

Since we're all tired from our trip, we didn't stay much long here. But before going back to our place, we had to do some little "pasalubong shopping" and had a quick stop to buy some dinner and booze for our last day here in this island.:)

 

 

 



Exploring One of the "New Seven Wonders of the World"... Underground River Tour

Woke up from a few hours of sleep, we gathered all our energy to shower and fix ourselves because today, we are going to see one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World"--- the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

Last night's dilemma regarding this tour turned out fine, thanks to Ate Heidi and her "connections".:)

See  Adventures and misadventures with Northern Hope Travel

At around 8:00am, our van arrived and our trip to the Underground River began. We had a stop-over at a local eatery-slash-convenience store-slash pasalubong center where we bought some banana cues, water and stuff. Continued our journey until we reached Sabtang port, where our tour guide meets us for the permits and all.

Since it's a Saturday, there were many tourists at the port area, waiting for their turn to see one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World", so to avoid the hassle, you might want to consider booking a guided tour when going here, for your convenience.

After a few minutes we found ourselves on-board a boat going to the Underground River. It's a "sunny" Saturday morning! Perfect for our activity for the day! 

 

And alas! We're finally here!!!

 

Before heading to the docking area for the paddle boat, and while waiting for our tour guide, we had some photo ops at the entrance of the Underground River Park.

A few moments later, our tour guide came back and escorted us to the docking area. We waited for almost half an hour (since there were a lot of tourists that day) for our turn to ride the paddle boat (I think we were number 36...and it's still an hour before lunch time). So expect more number of tourists during Sundays, I guess?

 

 

 

 

 

Can't believe I was able to finally see this!

 

 

 

 

Normally, the paddle boat will load up to 10 passengers, so if you happen to be traveling with a group of 10, the boat will all be by yourselves. Luckily, though we were only six in the group, the (boat) dispatcher didn't include us with the other tourists, so we somehow had an "accidental" private tour! Horay!

 



Another one for the books!

 

 

Entering inside, there's total darkness, that's why one of our friends had to sit in front and hold the flashlight (through the entire tour).
 
*Note, if you happen to be the one that will hold the flashlight, you have to make sure you clearly know where is your left and right.:)


There we saw all the shapes and sizes of stalagmites and stalactites...it's like going to Science class, all over again!

*Thanks to my Physics professor last sem, I was able  to relate to what our boatman-slash-tour guide was talking about!

All in all the Underground River Tour took 45-minutes, with some constant "Hi" and "Hellos" to our fellow tourists inside the Underground River.:)

Then we immediately came back to the Port Area to had some lunch in one of the restaurants there.

*Usually, the Underground River Tour package includes buffet lunch!:)


Our Underground River Adventure is a wrap!:)

Off to our City Tour!

 

27 Sunkissed Years.♥

Excuse me for posting this. I know, this is not a part of my travel blog but I just want to share with you the lessons I've learned during the past years of traveling (mostly to celebrate my birthdays).

You see, I was never really a fan of "partying and stuff for birthday celebrations", but rather, I always choose to go some place I've never been to. To explore, to take some time off, to relax and just be with myself (and nature).

For me, there's no other way to celebrate another year but to enjoy what life has to offer.

At 27, I must say I'm still a work in progress, but I live one day at a time. I don't know how long it will take for me to be able to reach my goals. But I know I WILL GET THERE... somehow.

I live one day at a time. I would jump into the sea, I'll try to climb mountains, I would swim (and swam) until my arms and feet hurt, made new friends, removed all the negativities in life... and just go out there.




Live. Dream. Laugh.♥

Xoxo,


Pam

Adventures...and Misadventures with Northern Hope Travel & Tours

I just want to share with you our experience with Northern Hope Travel & Tours in El Nido.

You see, our trip in Palawan was just one of those "accidental trips". We were initially planned to go to CDO but since Air Asia decided to do some "re-alignment" we had no choice but to reroute our flights.

Lo and behold, we found ourselves booking a flight to Puerto Princesa, a month before our supposed CDO trip.

Since, we only had a few weeks to book everything----tour, transfers and accommodation, I had to bend my own set of rules when traveling...never ever book a package tour!

With the help of a friend, who stumbled upon Contradicting Harmony's Blog, we found Ate Neriza's Northern Hope Travel & Tours.

Ate Neriza, as the writer calls her, owns the travel agency, along with it, she also happens to own a cheap accommodation in El Nido. She gave me a very good deal among all the travel agencies I've inquired...and so we booked it. The package includes accommodation in El Nido & Puerto Princesa, Island Hopping in El Nido & Palawan, RT  Transfers, Underground River Tour.

Fast forward to our trip.

As we got out of the Puerto Princesa International Airport, we easily spotted our welcoming party, waving a signage that says "Pamela Ang & Company". He then, escorted us to a nearby restaurant that serves as "our" waiting area while he went back to the airport to fetch other guests.

After almost an hour (I guess) another guy approached us and asked "Northern Hope Inn?", we said yes then he told us to follow him to the van---- Eulen Joy Express.

We were six in the group, then along with us there were other passengers who will be joining us on our way to El Nido--- two foreigners, and some locals who were bound to go home from Puerto Princesa.

And then our six-hour journey began.

We stopped by at a local eatery to grab some lunch (forgot the name), and continued our journey.

See Puerto Princesa-El Nido via van blog post

Upon arriving at El Nido Town Market, we asked the driver how we can reach the Northern Hope Inn. He told us to ride a tricycle going there. (Costs P30-50 per way)

Since we're six in the group and a whole lot of luggages, we got two tricycle for us. We reached Northern Hope Inn after 3-5 minutes. Then one of our friend told us that there's some changes with our bookings, instead of staying at Northern Hope Inn, Ate Neriza rented rooms at Anang Balay Turista and Leah's Cottages (relatively new in the rows of inns and cottages near the beach) because according to her, they're fully-booked. ( I didn't bother to ask them since she gave us a decent place to stay---with a nice view of Bacuit Bay)

That's when I checked my phone and saw text from her that indeed there are "some" changes with our booking.

That "some" changes led one to another. Before we left El Nido, I talked to Rhea (One of Ate Neriza's staff) and confirmed our bookings in Puerto Princesa, then she told me "Ma'am ok na po yun, na-inform na po sila about your bookings." I double triple checked with her because I thought to myself, "Mahirap magkaroon ng problema sa Puerto Princesa kase wala kaming babalikan". 

We left El Nido at exactly 6:00pm and arrived at EJ Pension House (just as what is stated in our itinerary) by midnight. Expecting that the staff at EJ Pension house would welcome us, we were surprised to see all the lights were off and they're all sound asleep. Panicked that we might spend the night outside, I've decided to open my phone (which ran out of battery) and borrowed another friend's phone to call Ate Neriza. She then told me, there are AGAIN changes in our booking. 

Since EJ Pension House is already fully-booked, she booked us at another hotel J-Rhanz Transient Homes. Ate Neriza told me that she'll ask Ate Heidi (owner of J-Rhanz Travel & Tours) to call me.

After a minute or two, Ate Heidi called me up, and was surprised to know that we are at EJ Pension House. She asked if the van already left us, and when I said it did, she asked me if we can wait for a few more minutes because she will fetch us.

I want to thank the staff of EJ Pension House for being so accommodating. At 12 midnight we didn't expect them to open their doors for us while we waited for Ate Heidi to fetch us.

From EJ Pension's Website

A few minutes have passed, Ate Heidi finally came, she then explained to us what really happened. She told me she was texting me while we were on our way to Puerto Princesa to inform us about the changes, and even tried to call me but I was "out of coverage area". She then found out Ate Neriza gave her the wrong number.

Since it's already late in the evening, and her driver already went home, she asked her husband to get a tricycle for the six of us.

We said our "thank yous" to the staff of EJ Pension House and bid goodbye. Then off we went to J-Rhanz Pension House (a few minutes away from the airport).

After some mishaps and miscommunication, we arrived safe and sound at J-Rhanz. Went straight to our rooms, freshen up then slept. 

But wait! I didn't sleep! 

Before we went to our rooms, I asked Ate Heidi regarding our Underground River Tour the following day. We were both surprised because she didn't know anything about the tour. She then tried calling Ate Neriza for confirmation, but she's not picking up. 

Then she told me, she'll handle everything.

Morning came then I went outside the room to see Ate Heidi, then saw Ate Susan (the real owner of the pension house) and asked her if she knows anything about our Underground River Tour, she then told me with assurance, "Kayang gawan ng paraan ni Heidi yun, kain muna kayo ng breakfast."

While we were eating our breakfast we called up Ate Neriza and informed her about our situation, she then clarified that the tour were initially booked to other travel agencies, but since Ate Heidi is already accommodating us, she will transfer everything to Ate Heidi's care.

We then asked if we can get the private tour (for the UR Tour) instead so we can include the city tour as well. She agreed to do the private tour but we'll add P2,000 nett for the van. Fair enough!

The tours came as a breeze! Thanks to Ate Heidi for making sure that we were well-taken cared of!

Ate Susan and her daughter was such a blessing to us! She often remind us that her house is our house too, so we don't have to worry about anything. She is also very accommodating and even allowed us to have a drinking session (the night before we left for Manila) in the common area of her pension house.

Before we left for Manila, I had a brief talk with Ate Susan regarding her pension house. I promised to endorse her to my friends as a "thank you" gesture for her kindness.:)

If you happen to be in Puerto Princesa and will be needing a place to stay, I would be glad to recommend to you Sunglow Transient Home.:) 

Sunglow Transient Home-Puerto Princesa City
Ate Susan- 09394516715
Rate: (Direct)
P500/ room with breakfast
*  Ate Susan also has a van for rent and she can give you a very good deal.

J- Rhanz Travel & Tours
Ate Heidi- 09052777986

Northern Hope Travel & Tours
Ate Neriza Dado- 09277353221

Package Cost for El Nido-Puerto Princesa Tour 
(Per head, unless stated otherwise)

Accommodation (Northern Hope Inn & J-Rhanz)- P1,600 (for 4 nights)
Combination Tours A & C- 1,500.00
Tour B- 1,000
Environmental Fee- 200.00
Underground River Tour-1,300 (with Buffet Lunch)
Honda Bay Island Hopping- 1,100.00
RT Van Transfers-1,000.00

Total Amount: P7,700.00

Eat...Swim...Sleep...Repeat! El Nido Edition (Tour B)

Our last day in El Nido were spent doing (what else?) Island Hopping.

We got Tour B---- Pinagbuyutan Island/ Snake Island/ Cudognon Cave/ Cathedral Cave/ Entalula Island

Our first stop is at Pinagbuyutan Island. Again, "Kuya Tour Guide" gave us 20 minutes to swim/snorkel.

Nothing much special about the beach, but we saw many fishes here.:)

Pinagbuyutan Island

Fish-feeding at Pinagbuyutan Island

And then twenty minutes have passed, Kuya Tour Guide called us back to the boat, and off we went to Snake Island--- our lunch site!

I was so very excited to see this place! It's like Virgin Island (in Bohol) but longer, stretches from one island to another.:)

And it didn't fail me! This is awesome!!! Picture-perfect!

I literally did a few cart wheel on the sand.:) Need proof?

This island is also best for some yoga session!

And after a few more cart wheels and photo op, we decided to trek the view deck. (Rhyming?)

So, this is what you will see there...

View from the "View Deck" of Snake Island

We went down hungry starving, but Kuya Tour Guide is still not finished with his work of art.

And so we waited a few more minutes for lunch time. But Mother nature tested our patience, just before we started eating our lunch, the rain poured, so we had no choice but to move everything from the shore to the boat.

Feast at the boat...exciting! Everything is awesome except for the "soup" fresh from the rain.:)

But it didn't stop us from enjoying what our Tour Guide and boat man prepared for us. Simu't sarap!

The rain stopped as we were about to finish our lunch. Timing!

After the sumptuous feast, we swam for a few minutes then hopped to our boat for our next destination...The Cudognon Cave.

One must to pass through a hole by crawling...and it wasn't an easy task! It's so hard that everyone forgot to take a picture. (That hard!)

But as they say..."No pain, no gain...No guts, no glory!"

TRUE!

Inside Cudognon Cave.



Kuya Tour Guide that this cave used to be the hideout of the local during the war. Because the place is very strategic, with lots of secret passages.

Can you find the Hidden Mickey with Donald Duck?

(Please tell me when you do. Hehe)

We didn't stay that long, afraid that there's snakes and unknown creatures so we asked Kuya Tour Guide to bring us back to the boat.

Coming out of the cave is a different story. One had to pull himself up and roll to get out. Luckily! We all came out alive and kicking!

Off to our next destination!

Cathedral Cave, is called as such because the entrance looks like the entrance of the church. When you take a look on the inside, it's as if there's an altar.:)

 Entrance of the Cathedral Cave

It was still raining when we arrived there that's why as much as we all wanted to do snorkeling, we just opted to go to the final stop---- Entalula Island.

I noticed that there's a "Private sign" on the island but it's still open to tourists.

We later found out that our tour guide in Puerto Princesa owns the island. (There are some issues with the El Nido officials but we're all hoping that in the end, they can get their fair share of the island.)

Since it's our last day in El Nido and having been exploring a number of islands since yesterday, we, the girls just decided to do some "girl talk" while the boyfies went snorkeling.

A few minutes had passed and we were on our way back to our hotel to freshen up and prepare for a six-hour journey back to Puerto Princesa!

Goodbye, El Nido! Until next adventure!