Zamboanga City - You Were Unplanned

So it was not like I had dreamed it at all, well, to be honest, I thought I would just have to pass by the place.

I had one day to enjoy the place.

I left my province the night before via Lite Ferries, going to Cebu for four hours. This means that a comfortable sleep is never possible with this accommodation type.

Next, Cebu to Zamboanga City flight via Cebu Pacific.

Arrival at Zamboanga Airport was at 8:30 in the morning.

 At first, I thought that Bienvenidos means a name of a famous politician to which the airport was named after. Eventually, after seeing so many of the same word, I figure out, it means "WELCOME". Lol. :D

 I was at my couchsurfing host's place at 9:00am. I feel too tired, I feared that I will not even see anything on the place. I tried to drag myself after 3 hours of rest, to have lunch and to see some places. After waiting for the rain to stop, I took the risk and head to Downtown Zamboanga City for lunch. I tried at McDonalds for a quick and easy choices to fill my angry tummy

In the end I decided to see the Merloquet Falls. I took a van for two hours for P130.00. Then I took another ride of habal habal for P200. 

300+ steps await me :)

It is always worth it :D

And the climb back, it is always painful. But I am happy :)

Ended the night with a hearty dinner at Alavar from a friend's suggestion.

The goal was to make sure that I have tasted their famous CURACHA, but it was not solo traveler-friendly for a choice. It is on a per kilo basis per order. I cannot eat that much.
Another option was to order their best-seller that was a mixture of different dish that which includes Curacha or Crab choice but on that specific date, Curacha is not available for that menu but just crab.

Oh well, better luck next time.

At least, I am happy,satisfied of my day and full from my yummy dinner.

'Til next Zamboanga!

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” 

Anislag Boardwalk - Another Havenly Place for an Afternoon Stroll

Living in this island and I am not even aware that we have an abundant mangroves area to stop by and explore. 
The carataker of Anislag Boardwalk in Maribojoc, Bohol shared that this has been existing since before the earthquake. The tragedy mentioned happened in October 2013. 

She shared that they have the place repaired after. 

We arrived when it was still low tide and so the roots of the mangrove trees were visible :)

 What's convenient in this place is the availability of cottages that has a space to grill something like fish or meat to barbecue at an affordable price of P50 or P100.

Off we walk and walk. 

And one of my models doing her meditation. 

Until at the edge we check until we see more.

Exhilarating indeed!

These bamboo walkway adds to the thrill. Be careful some parts are slippery. 

Almost on the way back to the entrance.

Life is made of memories :)

This part was made sturdier after the earthquake. Cemented. 

Entrance Fees and Cottage Rental rates. 

I hope you will come and visit.

How to get there?

From Tagbilaran City downtown, take a tricycle to Cogon Terminal for  P10.00

Then a jeepney to Maribojoc. P15.00

Stop at Anislag, in front of Central school and walk a little to the left until you reach the place.

If you want you can also ask the locals near the school for the direction of the boardwalk and they will point you to it. 

Happy Travels :)

Carpe Diem :)

Ilo-ilo at Last ~

This time is not my first time for this province. I have been here last March 2012 but with no intention of stopping by to enjoy the place. I was only on my way to the famous Boracay and Ilo-ilo is a place to stop by first so I can get on a bus to get to the world-famous island BORACAY!

I sadly glimpsed on the places I passed in Iloilo and on my mind "I will have my chance for you too, soon" I convinced myself.

Come August 2014, its just plain EXCITEMENT when I was able to prepare for the next field work and see Ilo-ilo for the FIRST time :) No one can resist to have her picture taken at the place where "Ilo-ilo" text is just simply visible :)

Way back in Elementary years, I can only think of Ilo-ilo as a place with the colorful "vintas", well those colorful boats as shown on the History books back then.  But there is more to Ilo-ilo than just the boats that I have not even tried :D

To look forward to:

good food  - La Paz Batchoy
people - I like how they speak Ilonggo - sweet (do they ever get angry?)
the famous island next to it - Boracay!

As mentioned, going to Ilo-ilo is part of my work. As expected, there are many ways and reasons why I can look back and smile with the experience. Part of the trip was to visit our clients/clusters located in different islands of Iloilo. What the typhoon Haiyan left at the port. Heartbreaking though.

I have to be on this boat to reach the islands that I need to visit.

I met a friend: Tatay Pepito Ceriaco. He was humble and he happily shared how it is to live a life in an island when all your grown up children are already away and on their own (I can feel the loneliness in his voice - I guess he just missed them). He fumbled on his envelope with so many legal documents in it. And promised to him that I will send him a water-proof envelope or bag one day. I'm hoping to buy one online.

I can't just leave Ilo-ilo without checking on its famous church - Miag-ao. This church was completed in 1797.

Working in Luzon for many years allowed me to see rivers but not as beautiful and clean as that of River Esplanade.

Can't help but beam at the sight below, when five to six vehicles can pass by under the overpass near SM. From where I came from, only two tricycles can fit on our narrow highways, in the City.

At SM food court, At "Original Lapaz Batchoy", we had a great dinner with the best (so far in Visayas) sisig I have tasted.

And the place that we chose for the night was Ongbun Pension House for its AFFORDABILITY! :) at P700+ per night for a Standard Room (August 2014 rate).

I have to say goodbye to the place at dawn - heading back to Cebu in the morning!
Until we meet again Iloilo :)