Magalawa Island

               I thought I have explored Zambales to its end but I thought wrong.  When I consulted Google about the list of the islands or a must-see in Zambales - one of the names on the list happened to be unfamiliar and eye-catching - Magalawa Island.

                 I have been to Zambales several times, I knew travelling at night is best - less passenger, no traffic (less travel time), you can sleep while travelling.  From Victory Liner Cubao, we took the 11:30pm schedule to Olongapo (the earliest trip from Cubao to Sta. Cruz is 6:30am).  It'll cost you P212/pax.  From Olongapo terminal, we took another bus going to Sta. cruz, only P130/pax  to Iba, Zambales Victory Liner Terminal.  Add P50/pax if you want to be drop at drop-off point - Brgy. Pangolinan, Paluig, Zambales. We chose to stay a little bit longer in Iba terminal because it was early when we arrived there - quarter to 4am.  Advised to tourist, seldom you can get a tricycle from Brgy. Pangolingan during this time of the morning.  You either need to wait until 6:30am at the waiting shed (its dark, no light post) or take the 30-45 minutes hike from the main highway to Brgy. Luan where the 'bangka-for-rent' are located. 

          We spent P167/pax (3 pax per tricycle) from Iba terminal straight to Armada OSLET fish-men compound where our bangka is waiting for us. From there, it'll take 30 minutes boat ride to the island.  The island may not be as developed as those in Subic, Pundaquit, Candelaria in Zambales but you will not regret having this an option to spend your summer vacation or weekend-away-from-the-city escapade.

              I have been to different beaches thus I can consider this small, underdeveloped and quiet, which are also the reasons why we chose to spend our 2 days off in this place.  

               Like I said, the place is not that developed so no luxurious spa, motorized and even non-motorized water activities, internet cafe or a 3-4 story building that house luxurious rooms/suites.  It has electricity, though, it'll only start at 8AM until 1PM and to be turn on again at 4PM until 8 or 9PM  if you request to prolong your charge-time for your electronic devices.  There's a mobile signal too for selected networks.  The absence of luxurious amenities are well-compensated by primitive way of enjoying this paradise.  Who needs a spa if you can bury your self in the sand while sand bathing - relaxing and free tan!  Who needs a court of some sort and a motorized water devices when you can tire yourselves running back and forth to this island's long shore, play Frisbee, beach volleyball (they have volleyball net), snorkeling (they have a balsa that can take their visitors for free at the middle of the sea), or simply have a chat with your close friends by the shore until the dusk settles in. 

                     The food! The food was great. This what they call: seafood galore!  I would say this is the main attraction.  Since there is not much to see in the island for it was surrounded by  mountains, all we did was chat by the shore, swim and eat.  The rate per person was P1,400.00 and it includes boat transfer from the mainland to Magalawa island (v.v), accommodations, full-board meals and water activities (mentioned above).  Some may find this expensive but if you have tried their seafood meals from breakfast of day one to lunch of day two, you would say - "Are they not in a disadvantage? This meals are worth more than what we have paid-for for the whole duration of the stay in some restaurants in Manila."

                  Filipino breakfast on our first day, the usual 'tapsilog', 'hotsilog', 'longsilog', etc. with a   hot coffee/milo or a cold juice.  Not to mention 'itlog-na-maalat' and fresh tomatoes with hot/fresh cooked rice and ;pritong tilapia' or 'bangus'.  Lunch was served and we had the taste of their sinigang, crabs and shrimp cooked in different style and passion of their smiling and accommodating chef. Dinner was served by 'hanging-lights' (as what I call it!lol) under the tree. So romantic!:D Crabs and lobster all over the table - took us couple of minuets to decide which one to pick first. Oh, the 2nd day breakfast was a blast.  All seafood meal we imagined and it was served to us on a 'balsa' (floating boat), a break-in-a-fast day life indeed!

                    There are several type of accommodations.  You may choose to stay in a tent (that we plan to do before arriving in the island). You may also stay in a nipa cottage, air-con rooms and tree-house.  Luckily for us, when we arrived - there are only a few visitors that we are provided a tree-house that we loved the first time we saw it.  It was big enough to accommodate six of us and our not-so-many-beach-stuff.  Though there's no private comfort room/shower room, if you choose to stay in a tree house or in a nipa cottage - you get to share common shower room which is located a little too far from the cottages.  You can either shower inside their common shower room/bath room or follow our lead who enjoyed bathing in the island 'poso' (water pump).

               A far cry from the luxurious haven but still a haven at its best!:)

Bicol: Misibis Bay Raintree Resort

                I've heard a lot about Bicol Region, about its famous volcano with a perfect-cone and the dare-devil adventure in Camsur Water-Sports Complex, the spectacular beauty of Caramoan Peninsula and the tongue-scorching cuisine.  Oh, must I mention that this is the home of our local barbie-doll Bb. Pilipinas winner and 1st runner up Ms. Universe 2010 Venus Raj?

                  The highlight of our second day trip in Bicol was in Misibis Bay Raintree Resort. I am sure, most of beach bummers and travelers like us have heard about this world class resort.  Who wouldn't when not just Kris Aquino and Manny 'Pacman' Paquiao who stayed here but Zac Efron too.  The place was huge you need an ATV, mountain bike, dune buggies, a kayak, jet-ski to explore it. the place less travelled and far from the city of Legazpi.    

                     It is not easy to reach this paradise, but hey! like what they always say - nicest places are not easy to access, right?  First thing we did is to get in touch with their Manila office, as normal procedure - they will be sending you email re method of payment and policy.  Once you have deposited the 50% reservation fee, they will now pencil book your names.  The introductions are clear, our only problem was to reach them. Unfortunately for us, the resort don't have a local office to call to when we were in Legazpi.  We need to go through Hotel Venezia's and Ellis Eco-tel reception officers (sister-companies of Misibis Bay) to finally speak with Misibis receptionist.  The procedure was worth it though - we are absolutely satisfied!

    On the day of the tour, we are fetched by the resort's private van. Offered some drinks and chocolate bars while on our way (sign of a good customer service!).  The travel time will take about 45 minutes to an hour but that day, the rain was so heavy and continues it took us more than an hour to reach the resort.  You may think it dampened our exciting mood but you are wrong. It excites us more to see how beautiful this paradise is despite the rain and heavy clouds blocking the view of rice fields and fish ponds we are passing by.

                 Upon arrival, we are greeted by a group of staff dancing to the tune of a native song I don't understand - complete with colorful costumes.:) I was grinning ear to ear. What a way to greet your guest, I am feeling like a royalty now.  We are ushered to the reception area where you can see the pool from the sliding door, the well-landscape gardens and the guests roaming around in their board shorts and bikinis. Forget about the rain, from the looks of it - we are going to enjoy this! Lockers and towels are free of charge for both day tour and overnight guest.  Anyone registered can also use the sauna, gym equipment, billiard, library and children's playground.  Did I mention its free even for day trip visitors? Cool, right? :D

               What we enjoyed a lot was their floating bar: Sula Bar and Spice Market.  We spent most of our stay swimming right next to this bar that serves us cocktail and drinks that can also be perfect for a night out with friends.  In our case, its an afternoon-swimming-even-its-raining with friends.  Ont he other hand, the Spice Market offers cuisine inspired by Southeast Asian herbs, flavor and spices.  I also notice another bar and grill site right next to the beach and found out it is the resort's DeLa Playa beach Grill and Tapas Bar.  It serves seafood and night entertainment - music and booze by the sea at sunset. Wooah, exactly what I wish to experience!

                When it comes to the rate, I will not sugar-coat it - it was expensive.  Spending a night is wallet-threatening but its well-compensated.  Even day tour is kind of high rate - P3,400.00 per person but its worth it. Overnight stay ranges from $470 - $1,489.  The rate includes several things though: luxurious accommodation, breakfast, airport transfer, non-motorized water-sports activities, use of resort's facilities and shower amenities and a superb customer service. They also cater weddings, team buildings, meetings and conferences  and special events.  

              From my point of view, a resort such as Misibis Bay has the right to charge the customer based on the quality of the place and the service they get.  It was simply superb!

           It was dusk and dark when we decided to go home and call it a night.  It was a trip worth remembering.  For inquiries and reservation, you may visit their website: www.misibisbay.com

Camarines Sur

                 I've heard a lot about Bicol Region, about its famous volcano with a perfect-cone and the dare-devil adventure in Camsur Water-Sports Complex, the spectacular beauty of Caramoan Peninsula and the tongue-scorching cuisine.  Oh, must I mention that this is the home of our local barbie-doll Bb. Pilipinas winner and 1st runner up Ms. Universe 2010 Venus Raj?

                Our main destination is Legazpi City but we are sad to leave without visiting the famous Camsur Water-Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, not to add, its only a three (3) hours or less from Legazpi.  So, having realized that, we hired a van from the Legazpi to visit Naga, CWC in Pili and Iriga.  It cost us P3,500 for the whole trip (10 hours usage including fuel, driver and local tour guide).  If you don't know anyone and you want to rent a car, you may ask the information booth inside the Legazpi City airport premises (right next to their canteen).  Or you may also ask your hotel receptionist, they normally have their preferred rent-a-car services/center.

We started our journey around 6:45am, dropped-by at 

Bicol: Legazpi City

                I've heard a lot about Bicol Region, about its famous volcano with a perfect-cone and the dare-devil adventure in Camsur Water-Sports Complex, the spectacular beauty of Caramoan Peninsula and the tongue-scorching cuisine.  Oh, must I mention that this is the home of our local barbie-doll Bb. Pilipinas winner and 1st runner up Ms. Universe 2010 Venus Raj?

                When my friend informed me that there's a Cebu Pacific for Legazpi City in Albay, I was ecstatic. " This is it!" - I said to myself.  I will now have a chance to see the mighty Mayon Volcano in a distance.

           Transportation from the airport is the least of your worry because there are several rent-a-car services inside the airport compound.  If your baggage is not that big and heavy, you may also wait for a tricycle beyond the "Welcome To Legazpi City" signage which is a 5 minutes walk from  departure area. It'll cost you P50/pax from airport to your chosen hotel. Lucky for us, one of the concern locals volunteered to take us to Twilight Zone where we stayed - for free! :)

               Where to stay is not going to be a problem for any local or international tourist.  There are several hotels, inns and resort within and a little outside of the city.  Accommodations are indicated at end of this blog.  There are three (3) of us int his trip.  Though we can spend extra money for the hotel but saving it for the tour is one of our best decision.  We are trying to save for accommodation - yes, but we also don't want to sacrifice a decent - comfortable bed to look forward to at the end of the day.  Its a unanimous decision to stay in Twilight Zone Hotel, Its only P500/pax for a night and facilities includes shower, TV, Air conditioned room, intercom and free use of telephone.  The place is located along Rizal St., the city's main thoroughfare, in the Legazpi Port District, the city's central business district.

               Our first day in the city was spent mostly by touring the city proper: Aquinas Church, located in front of Rizal Park; Daraga Church, Cagsawa Ruins, Embarcadero, Legazpi seaside, etc.

              Options for food are several. I highly recommend to try Biggs! This is not a fast food but a local resto Bicol people are so proud of.

Other accommodations are the following:

• CasaBlanca Hotel
• Ellis Ecotel
• Hotel St. Ellis
• Hotel Venezia
• La Roca Veranda Suites
• Pinehurst Suiets
• Tanchuling Hotel
• The Oriental Hotel
• Tyche Botique Hotel
• Vista Al Mayon

These are just a few of them.  There's a lot of Inns and dormitories and other accommodations within the city and in old Albay area.