Lake Balanan, Negros Oriental's Hidden Paradise

Many sights are available for you if you visit Negros Oriental. One of them is Lake Balanan.

Situated 10 kilometers from the town-proper of the municipality of Siaton, this beautiful natural haven is open for everyone who would like adventure, fun or just pure relaxation.

Surrounded by a rainforest, Lake Balanan provides a place to go hiking, swimming, kayaking, banca-riding, nature tripping and sight seeing. It offers a unique kind of experience for a short adventure trek, were you can try its natural muscle powered floating nipa hut and a walk in its established trail going to its beautiful waterfalls or you may also try to just rent a kayak or ride a banca going there.

Many more options is available for you here if you want to stay for a night or just have a picnic for a day. They have rooms available for rent which could be in a bungalow or in a tree house. They also have a restaurant that provide good food at a reasonable price which offers variety of dishes.

This place becomes more popular now to tourist because of its accessibility. It can easily be reach by any kind of vehicle, even an ordinary car, for most of its road is paved already and the slope or elevation of the roads are not so steep compared to other natural sights. That is why many just go there every now and then just to have a photography session or just pure wasting of time while breathing in lots of oxygen.

They also have a very nice swimming pool that you may want to have a dip when you visit the place. It is right down the area where the restaurant is and where cars can park.

Apo Island, A Beauty Within

If you love the sea, big corals, and colorful fishes then Apo Island is for you. You can dive or, if your new to it, you can just snorkel with no much needed effort to do so. Just few feet away from the beach, its marine sanctuary host lots of amazing corals that some can just be seen in the area. With it, it attracted thousands of colorful fishes of different varieties and sizes, such as clown fish, angel fish, jack fish, tuna and many more. It listed six-hundred-and-fifty documented fish species and four-hundred types of marine corals. There is even a part of the island where if you get lucky, you can swim with sea turtles bigger than you.

Apo Island is an example of environmental protection success story. It is now one of the top ten most beautiful dive site in the Philippines and probably the whole world. However, it was on the brink of destruction before. Because of man's selfishness, nature was being exploited without the thought of the consequences it brings. They used dynamites, cyanide, small-mesh nets and Muro-ami in fishing. These caused the destruction of the corals and the major decline in the number of fishes. Thanks to the effort of Silliman University, after few years, nature healed itself back and eventually gave more. Besides giving more fish for the fishermen to catch, it also gave tourism opportunity for the whole community.

From Dumaguete City, you can hire a taxi or take a bus going to Malatapay, Zamboaguita for 20-30 minutes only. In the Malatapay Ferry Terminal you can take a boat going to the island. A good for 5-pax boat is at P1700 and a good for 10-pax is at P2700. For solo traveler, you can negotiate to go along with others on a boat for only P300 for a one-way travel.

For your stay, there are many options for you in the island. But expect a very old-school lifestyle in there. Imagine a place that is surrounded by sea and don't have electricity, that is Apo Island. If you can't handle that, there are many good resorts in Dauin and Zamboanguita that you may choose.

South East Asia Jump Shot Project (Singapore, Bangkok, Vientiane, Hanoi, Hue & Saigon in 8 days)

We only had plane tickets from Singapore to Bangkok on our first day and Hue to Saigon and back to Singapore on our eight day, we should find our way by land from Bangkok to Hue without compromising the sights to see, adventures to experience and memories that last for a lifetime.

1st day (Singapore - Bangkok, Thailand):

Marble Temple

Bridge at the Marble Temple area

A small temple inside a park near the Chao Phraya River

We immediately toured the city of Bangkok which was arranged by the city tourism office in the airport. We visited many temples, parks and had a tour in Chao Phraya River after our tour guide dismissed us. On that night, our tour guide also arranged us to see some "Sex Tourism," where performers do stuff that you cannot even think possible. It was indeed very fascinating but I also pity the performers. I think they have superpowers in order to do that.

2nd day (Bangkok, Thailand):

Temple near the Floating Market

Kanchanaburi Bridge

We head to the popular floating market in Rachaburi where we seen many unique items and tasted many delicious food.  Then after, we went to the tiger temple in Kanchanaburi where we've seen and hugged large tigers whom are really cute in pictures and movies but are really scary when you see them personally.

We spent our night on the bus going to Vientiane, Laos after our day tour.

3rd day (Vientiane, Laos):

Temple near Pha Tat Luang

Pha Tat Luang

Patuxai Gate of Triumph

We rented bicycles, had lunch by the public market and visited the temples inside the small city of Vientiane. We had our dinner by the river bank of the great Mekong River and headed to the bus terminal to catch the bus going to Hanoi, Vietnam.

4th day (Bus [Vientiane, Laos - Hanoi, Vietnam]):

Nam Phao, Border of Laos and Vietnam

It took 26 hours for the bus to reach Hanoi. We literally spent our 4th day on the bus. During the trip we experience some ups and downs. We've been cheated, for we bought a sleeper tourist bus but eventually stuck up with an ordinary and very crowded bus with live animal and smoking passengers in it, ran out of local cash or US dollars which are the only accepted money on their restaurants and immigration office. However we also met some new friends like Xayfhong, who lent us some Lao money in order to buy lunch, and the siblings, Adam and Hannah, who gave us the inspiration to travel for more, they also were with us when we toured Hanoi and Halong City.

5th day (Hanoi and Halong City, Vietnam):

Here is where Hannah and Adam learned about the jump shot at a stop going to Halong City.

Halong City Beach near the boulevard.

At the boat which we thought that will bring us to Halong Bay.

We woke up early because everybody was excited to go to Halong Bay. When we tried to book for the tour, the agent said he was afraid there would be no tour on that day because there was a typhoon. After few calls he said he had arranged a boat in Halong City for us and minutes later the van who fetched us arrived on the hotel we've stayed in Hanoi. 

When we reached Halong City, it became obvious to us why the agent was afraid that we might not get a boat, it really looked like a typhoon was coming. We also just knew that time that what the agent had arranged for us was an illegal tour. We did not go to the authorized pier in the city but only on the boulevard. We immediately hopped on the boat when it reached the area but the police were also very fast to stop the boat from going anywhere. We only took some photos inside the boat and went back to Hanoi where we went for a night shopping instead.

6th day (Hanoi, Vietnam):

Hanoi National Museum

At the National Museum grounds.

The last jump shot before we part ways with Adam and Hannah at the hotel. Hope to see you soon guys.

We spent the whole day in Hanoi this day. We went to the National Museum and explored the culinary arts of Hanoi by trying their local street food were we've seen many locals are eating. Food are really good in there but the place could be very messy, so don't be fooled by the appearance of the place. I've noticed also, the messier the place, the nicer and cheaper it is also.

After the tour we spent our night on a sleeper bus going Hue, Vietnam.

7th day (Hue, Vietnam):

At the road going to the mountain resort.

Enjoying the water slides.

When reached the City of Hue, our original plan was to get a hotel room in the city and tour its cultural heritages, but when we took a taxi from bus terminal, the taxi driver insisted that there is a very nice mountain resort in the area, where he eventually brought us. It was a very silent place. In just few minutes we became bored already. However, it was very far from the city and the taxi who took us there was very fast in exiting the area. So we just took advantage of the place which we as if owned it by that time since we were the only guests. We used its water slides and spent the whole afternoon drinking beer while making fun on ourselves by playing cards and painting the face of the loser with lipstick and eyebrow pencil. And it became one of the most memorable time of the whole trip. Thanks to the liar driver, which who also fetched us the next morning.

8th day (Hue - Saigon, Vietnam - Singapore):

At Saigon City.

The taxi driver fetched us on that morning and sent us to the airport of Hue where we took a plane going Ho Chi Minh City or popularly known as the City of Saigon. There we took our plane back to Singapore after few hours of strolling on a mall near the airport.

Thanks to my cousins OG and Shoopy and Madam Kharla for this trip. If not because of you gals, that adventure could not have been a very wonderful journey. Lets do it again soon, I hope.

Joyous Moments with Butanding at Donsol, Sorsogon

Whale Sharks, Butanding in tagalog, are the largest fish on earth, with an average length of 40 feet. Imagine, having yourself a chance of a close encounter with these wild creatures, wouldn't it be nice? Thanks to our very generous friend, Ate Joy, we surely did have a very joyous moments with our friends, Butanding, at Donsol, Sorsogon.

Donsol is a quite town in the bottom part of south Luzon. It can be accessed by land from Manila. It's nearest port is at Pilar, Sorsogon, which has number of trips from Masbate everyday. So, if you come from the Visayas or Mindanao, you may pass by this port or through the port of Matnog, Sorsogon which is the usual route from Samar.

Of all the tourist destinations in the Philippines, Donsol is one of the most organized and systematic. They are highly regulated by the public officials which I highly appreciate. This in really needed in order to preserve the natural balance of things. Butandings are wild animals and just like others wild animals they are easily scared by drastic change of the environment they are living. In here, they limit the number of boats to interact with the whale sharks and number of persons per boat, which is only 6 persons per boat and only 30 boats per day and only 3 hours interaction per boat only. You may need to know this in planning your trip or you may have to leave some members of your group during the interaction, which could be very unpleasant.

The Butandings converted the town of Donsol into a tourism hub of the Philippines. It now hosts a number of resorts and other lodging houses in the area. Mostly, these resorts are crowded where the tourism office is located and where the jump off for Butanding interaction is. Since these resorts are near where the happening is, although they are pretty nice and friendly, they also charge more compared to those near the town area. So if you're on a tight budget, you may try some homestay at the town area however you need to take a motorcab.

For food, the resorts have their own restaurant or there are some eatery near the tourism office but they are a little bit pricey. You can visit Yshan's Eatery in the town area, owned by Red Millare, if you want a good deal. You can also arrange with them to deliver it to your place. Red even helped us buy tickets for our fastcraft-ride to Masbate in Pilar because we insisted to have another swim with the Butanding on our 3rd day even when were on a very tight schedule. Thanks man.

During the interaction, you must be ready at all times. As I have said above, Butandings are wild animals and just like other wild animals, they are fast. But if you are lucky, you may interact with friendly ones, just like in the video. It is also a plus that you know how to swim in order to have really good moments with them. You may also try practicing the use of fins during swimming for you may need one in there. And please listen to your guide at all times. Thanks to our guide, BIO (Butanding Interaction Officer) Joel Briones, we really had fun.

There are other site's to see in Donsol. You can also try the firefly sightseeing and waterfalls tour. These are all accessible through banca ride. But the motorcab drivers are offering services for these too at a cheaper price but we haven't tried it though. And on sunny days, the Mayon volcano is a really good sight on your banca ride during your Butanding interaction.

Just 2 hours from Donsol is Legaspi City. Minutes from the city is the Cagsawa Ruins which is also a popular destination for tourist. Here lies the ruins of the Cagsawa Church which was buried by rocks and lava during the eruption of the Mayon Volcano on 1 February 1814.

In the town of Daraga, the replica of the Cagsawa Church was built.

Historic Penang, Malaysia

One of the streets of Penang

Small island fully packed with history, that is how I remembered Penang Island. I recalled taking up the 8pm train from Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, and reach Butterworth at 3am, where I took the free boat ride to Penang. It was still dark when I reached the place so I stay a few more minutes in the port area but I was a bit scared because of the loneliness so when there was a taxi cab that came I told him to bring me somewhere where I can have my early breakfast. I stayed in the local restaurant for a while after I ate and when I saw the break of dawn I started my tour over the area.

Kapitan Kling Mosque

At first I was mesmerized by the sameness of the demography of the with my native place, Dumaguete City, in the Philippines. The weather, small streets, few traffic, and gentle people are almost exactly the same. But as I explore thoroughly, it became clear to me that it one most unique place in the world. I am a fan watching travel shows on TV or read travel books but I've never seen such a beautiful place like Penang.

at Kek Lok Si

As I walk the streets of Georgetown, Penang in the Sunday morning, I realized that the island is composed of many different cultures and tradition. It became known to me because of the number of temples, churches, mosques, museums and cultural heritage facilities available in such a small area. The popular sites are the Kapitan Kling Mosque, St. George Church, Assumption Church, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Fort Cornwallis, Kek Lok Si and Wat Chayamangalaram, where the 3rd largest Leaning Buddha in the world is kept. There are still many other temples you can visit within the city but I wasn't able to get there names, but I assure you they are also very worthy of your time.

3rd largest Leaning Buddha at Wat Chayamangalaram 

After the whole day of touring, I went to their boulevard (just like in Dumaguete), popularly known as the Gourney Drive, to have my early dinner before I take the boat back to Butterworth where I can take the train back to KL. There are lots of option for food here at a very reasonable price. This is were most of the hotels are located also and where the night life is usually spent by the tourists.

at Kek Lok Si

It was really a nice experience to visit such a beautiful place like Penang. But I would just like to suggest one thing, for this is one of the greatest lesson I learned when I traveled this place, never travel alone. There are places that are dull and ugly but seems to be nice when you travel with a good companion, how much more if you visit wonderful place. Plus, there more benefits you can get when you travel in group, such as lesser accommodation cost, travel package discounts, lesser boring moments (like queuing in lines or waiting for transportation) and the most important is its much safer, especially when you go to a place you've never been before.

Romantic Sugar Beach, Sipalay City

The sugar-like sands of Sugar Beach

If you want a real romantic getaway, Sugar Beach in Sipalay City is for you and your partner.

Located in a secluded part of the the city, can only be accessible by banca, this place is a haven for couples who wanted to experience serenity with nature, the sea and sunset.

You will have a different experience here unlike all other beach resort areas such as boracay, bantayan, or malapascua because of its peace and tranquility coupled by its perfect sunset and calm water.

Resorts here are offered a variety of options for your accommodation, from a simple nipa hut to themed accommodation, and food choices, from different international cuisines to simple Filipino food. You can also enjoy lots of adventure activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, island hopping, trekking or hiking and many more.

Beautiful sunset at Sugar Beach

Besides the sugar-like sand of Sugar Beach, the most anticipated sight in this place is the sunset. You may need to make yourself available during this time of the day in your trip in order to experience one of nature's most beautiful moments. Grab some beer and just sit back and relax and let God repaint the colors of the sky from blue to yellow to orange and then to red before the night would eventually swallow all the lights in the air. You may also try having a picnic for your dinner to experience this, as most of the tourist do.

Sipalay City is 200 kilometers away from Dumaguete City. When you reach the city proper of Sipalay, you may hire a pumpboat going to Sugar Beach or go to Brgy. Nauhang were you would only need a banca to pass by the river.