I love Dumaguete along the baywalk.

One of the benefits of being a photographer is the opportunity to travel. It brings me places I never been into. This time, it brought to the beautifully City of Dumaguete.

@ San's Rival

Our First stop was in Lab-as Restaurant, a filipino seafood restaurant. As the name suggests, Lab-as Restaurant indeed offers fresh catch from the sea and land. Try their talaba and there fresh shakes. 

Address: Flores Ave. cor E.J. Blanco Dr. beside Hayahay, Dumaguete City

Don Roberto's Restaurant in Dumaguete

@Sans Rival Bistro

El Nido, Palawan is known for its pristine white beaches, beautiful islands, amazing rock formations and water adventure activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping and scuba diving. However, did you know that in El Nido, it is also nice to go trekking and mountaineering. And one of the ever famous peak for trekking in El Nido is the Taraw Peak.

Taraw Peak as seen from downtown of El Nido, Palawan

Taraw Peak is just 230 meters above sea level and it is not highest peak in El Nido, Palawan but many tourists who happened to visit El Nido will always try to reach the peak. Why? Because on top, you will get to see the nicest view of Bacuit Bay. Moreover, the route has amazing landscape nice for landscape photography and the sharp limestone path also gives thrill to adventurers.

It was my second day in El Nido when I planned to reach Taraw Peak. But before heading to the its summit, I loaded myself with indulgence foods from the 99 PHP breakfast buffet in Austrias Resort.

After breakfast, I started my adventure trek in Taraw Peak. I was just wearing slippers when I trekked because I wasn't able to prepare a shoes for the climb and the path was not that steep but the limestone path was so sharp that it keeps hurting your feet when you step.

Climbing my way to Taraw Peak

Along the way, my guide told me amazing facts about the peak. He said that the current route was discovered by the locals who takes birds nest for soup. Moreover, there was an instance when an tourist had an accident in there while reaching the peak because he uses a different path and he falls down. I noticed that there were plants holding the limestone he explained that those plants will help the limestone not to scramble because its roots are holding the the stones together. And many other facts I forgot. ^_^

On my way to Taraw Peak

Tour guide escorted me to the top of Taraw Peak

We had a very fast pacing that on our halfway there, we passed by another tourists having difficulties in the path to Taraw Peak. There were instances when slippers got stuck in the sharp limestone. I also hit my knee while climbing a steep path.When we reached the top, the view of Bacuit Bay was just amazing! As in amazing! It was the most picturesque place in there. I was hard to describe but it was a pure beauty.

View of Bacuit while on top of Taraw Peak in El Nido, Palawan

We stayed in Taraw Peak for around twenty minutes chilling and enjoying the view before we headed back downtown. It was a lot on our way back since I already know what to expect from the path and there was no more climbing. It was easier to descend.

All in all, trekking in Taraw Peak is another option for adventure in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

Lake Danao is one of the barangays in Ormoc City. It was named after its lake. Lake Danao is one of the three lakes in Ormoc City and it is part of a national park. The lake is located in the mountain areas of Ormoc and 18 km away from city proper. It is around 30 min to 1 hr drive from Ormoc Terminal.

MY TRAVEL ADVENTURES

It was our last day in Ormoc City when we went to Lake Danao. As we started our adventure by finding a jeep to ride, the weather was already not on our favor - it was raining. There were only few jeeps going to Lake Danao. We were able to find those jeep near in Ormoc Bus Terminal, beside Ormocs' Public Market. The fare was 35 pesos but we still have to wait until the jeep gets full. However, if you are in a hurry, you can negotiate with habal2x driver to bring you to the lake but with a higher fare.

As we arrived, we went to the registration area and pay for the 10 pesos entrance fee. There were few local tourists who were enjoying the lake. 

In Lake Danao, you can do fishing, trekking, swimming and boating. For boating, there will be 150 pesos rent for the bangka "a small boat". You can either hire a bangkero to maneuver the bangka for you or you just do it by yourself.

Ormoc City - Taking pictures in lake danao

Because of our limited time, we decided that we just go boating and went on without hiring a bangkero. At first, it was a challenge because we don't know how to maneuver the bangka. A few locals saw us having a hard time, so they help us by instructing us on how to use the paddle. Along the way we were able to learn on how to paddle. Then, we reached the other side of the lake where the viewing deck is located. The view from the viewing deck was just awesome.

There are no restaurants or carenderias around the lake. But there is another option though - look for Mylene who can cook tab "bland clamps from the lake" for you. Those clamps are taken from the bottom of Lake Danao. It is a must try food there. You can contact her at 0946-954-2172.

After Mylene finished preparing our lunch, we take-out the cooked foods and headed back to Ormoc Pier to catch-up with Oceanjet Fastcraft, our ride to Cebu.

Bedidas Coffee Bar in Ormoc City.

After a whole day wedding photo coverage in Sabin Resort in Ormoc City, the TeamLVP went on a ride to find a place where we can unwind and get plugged in to the online world. ^_^. We decided to go to the pastry shop who made the dessert buffet for the wedding but we didn't exactly know the address of the shop. We only knew that the shop is near the Ormoc City superdome. Moreover, there are lots of coffee shops around there. We made our best guess but went inside to the wrong shop. However, the place was so nice that we did not mind staying for long.

Our ordered Coffee and Lattes in Bebidas Coffee Bar

The shop have a free wifi, comfortable chairs and cool ambiance. Bebidas Coffee Bar also plays good music. However, not like any other coffee shops, it also offer alcoholic drinks to its costumers which is very rare, base from my experience. You know! Coffee shop is where you get a coffee to relieve yourself from hangover, while bar is a place to go when you want to get drunk. Get my point? You'll get All in One Package from Bebidas Coffee Bar. Hahaha!

Unwind in Bebidas Coffee Bar in Ormoc City

At first, we only ordered hot coffee, caramel mocha latte and rasp mocha latte. The prices were quiet affordable. It only ranges around 45 pesos to 100 pesos. But we got envied to the drinks from our next table. So we also ordered what they ordered and it was a pitcher of margarita ice for 200 pesos.

Chilling in Bebidas Coffee Bar

After we finished all our drinks, we then went back to our lodge, tipsy. :)

Oh yeah, It's summer time! It is time to enjoy the summer heat. So, what is the better way to enjoy it? Visit pristine white beaches around Cebu? Oh that's so common! ^_^. For our barkada adventure bonding, we decided to climb Osmeña Peak in Matalungon, Dalaguete, camp there and traverse to Kawasan Falls in Badian. Some readers might say "nay, boring! been there, done that". But for first timers like me, it will be a wonderful experience.

Trekking to Osmeña Peak Cebu

Mountains in Mantalungon, Dalaguete, Cebu

We ride a Ceres Bus from South Bus Terminal in Cebu to Dalaguete. However, Dalaguete town proper is still far from Barangay Mantalungon even though the barangay is part of  the municipality. So, we still have to ride habal2x from town proper to reach Matalungon.

bottom: while waiting for our ride in south bus terminal cebu - top: over occupied bus to dalaguete

habal2x or motorcyle ride from dalaguete town proper to mantalungon

On my way to Matalungon, being a "know nothing guy", I was really curious of the trucks passing us by fully loaded with containers. It did not just happen once but many times. I have so many questions in mind. So, when I arrived my questions were answered. Mantalungon is one of the biggest supplier of vegetables in Cebu City, mainly of Cabbage, Sayote, and Onions. They also supply flowers. They have this cold climate which is perfect for those type of vegetables to grow. Mantalungon is just like Baguio of Cebu.

Trucks fully loaded with vegetables from Mantalungon to Cebu City

Vegetable Products of Mantalungon locals

Back to the main topic, we arrived around 1pm in Mantalungon and we were all hungry from our long trip. So we decided to eat lunch in one of the Carenderias there.

On the way to Osmeña Peak from Mantalungon Market

Reaching Osmeña Peak as a Summer Adventure in Cebu

After eating our lunch, we then started our trek to Osmeña Peak. There are many beautiful scenery along the way. I've done trekking before, some are quite average in terms of difficulty, others are quite really difficult, but trekking to Osmeña Peak is one of easiest track I've tried so far.

Photoshoot while relaxing on our way Osmeña Peak Cebu

Many people also happen to be there as we we arrived at the camping site near the Peak. Just like us, seeking for adventure. While others were preparing our camp and cooking our food, I with few others, went to the summit. From there, the view is really amazing. I have a hard time finding the right words to describe the view. It's just totally amazing. So, just like normal and vain people do, we take pictures with a scenic background.

Our camping site in Osmeña Peak Cebu

Sunset Photoshoot with my buddies

Osmeña Peak is 1035 meters above sea level. Because of its high altitude, at night, the temperature sometimes around 15'C.

Fast forward... night time comes, so, we eat our dinner and slept early because we need reserve energies for our long trek tomorrow. Around 2am, I was awaken my cold weather and the noises outside my tent. When I say cold, It was really f***ing cold. Just like me, the others were also awaken by the low temperature. I was not able to sleep back then.

Fog during sun rise in Osmeña Peak

Morning Photo Opt with these lovebirds

As the sun rises, we then took our breakfast and prepare our stuff to get ready to traverse to Kawasan Falls. When I say long trek from previous paragraph, what I mean of it, is that, It will take around 6 hours for us to reached Kawasan Falls. So you do the math, Heavy bag + long route + summer heat = warak means exhausted. I'm not complaining though, it is part of the adventure and fun.

Ready for our 6 hours trekking to Kawasan Falls

After an hour of walking, one my friends gave-up because he was not feeling well. So, we just did what good friends do, we send him with our other friend  to ride habal2x to Kawasan. Hahaha. But, others stayed and continued the trek.

Along with the other trekkers in Osmeña Peak Cebu

The trek was a test of endurance. Almost everyone of us were already complaining. We were out of patience and our body already wanted to give up. However, we still continued... Fast forward again.. then, we reached our destination. and I feel like "Congratulations Survivors! Almost all of you made it here!". ^_^

At last, we finally arrived in Kawasan Falls Badian, Cebu

Just like normal people do, we relax our muscles for a few minutes before taking a dive, dip and swim into the fresh clean water of Kawasan Falls. 

It was a great experience even though it was tiring and energy draining - being able to be one with nature, being able to be away from the busy city life and being able to relieve the mental stress from work - what an amazing life I have.

101 PHP - Cebu City to Dalaguete bus fare

50 PHP - Dalaguete town proper to Mantalungon habal2x fare

200 PHP - foods

120 PHP - Badian to Cebu City bus fare.

"Efficiency and Effectiveness" are two words that are most important in the workplace. An efficient employer is one that does work in the quickest and fastest time possible. In other words, he/she has mastered the art of time management. An effective employer knows what he/she is doing given a certain circumstance. Well, I won't be talking about the dreaded world of "work" rather, let us try to connect these two E's to leisure and pleasure. 

So what am I talking here? That's efficient and effective travel. That feeling when you stepped on that place and you know exactly that maximizing your time, money, effort and satisfaction are all packed in one destination. That is absolutely what every traveler craves. Well, one explicit example of gratification with these two E's was my travel down south to Argao and the adventures I experienced in the land of sweet torta, biggest cave for spelunking in Cebu, and their great original cocoa!

It was that early Saturday morning when my friends and I decided to take a tour somewhere in the southern part of my province. No itinerary. No road maps. But plainly just our gist to travel somewhere. As soon as the car started its engine, we were heading for a road trip that defined loud speaker, babbling endlessly, stopping at every municipality that sells local delicacy, getting back in the car and munching vigorously and babbling again. 

We were entering another municipality which is 68km. away from the city with a lively welcome sign. With an hour or so of travel, we arrived in a first class municipality of Argao. The place is a fusion of contemporary and conventional living - there were infrastructures already built and restaurants mushrooming around the place especially kiosks that sell their native delicacies. On the other side of the road were areas of rice paddies with their cute scarecrows and the greenery of whatever sorts. This was also the place where we managed to spend our first devised-plan-on-the-road: Argao Nature Park.

From the name itself, Argao Nature Park offers a temporary escape from the urban jungle. Here is a place for people that coincide with nature and adventure. With a minimum admission fee of P5 pesos, you would enjoy the feeling of communing with the animals in their mini zoo, rocking yourself in a hammock, and simply, sitting around and tasting their sweet torta delicacy and drinking their natural hot chocolate or their refreshing fruit drinks while you get to know the town's legendary figure: Mangao. Adventure comes when you want to try wall climbing for P10 each climb, their zipline for around P20 and their boat ride for P5. You can also try your brain-smarts by playing their giant chess. Well, we did those activities but of course, with our individual preferences.

We had our stomach filled and it was just barely after lunch that we decided to brave the scorching heat to stroll around the municipal's center. The symbol of faith towered from the distance as we were approaching another century-old church - St. Michael Parish Church. Adjacent to it is also another stone-structured building which served as their municipal office while fronting the church was their famous, "Balwarte" or a bastion. It was interesting because before you could reach the top, you need to squeeze in a suffocating steep coral-stairs. Once at the top, you have a 360-view of the sea, the church, and the surrounding areas. 

"That moment when your face is against the lens"

See you to the next adventure, Kasakay Mo: Angel!

When I booked a flight to Puerto Princesa, Palawan in the Philippines, it never occurred in my mind that I will do solo travel. It just happened because my friends weren't able to book during the promo period, thus making the plane ticket expensive. The day before my flight, I got these cold feet whether or not I should proceed with my adventure. I had a hard time sleeping at night because of the fear of what might happen to me while travelling alone and also because of the excitement and adventure it may bring.

At first, El Nido was not part of the option when I decided to go to Palawan for an adventure. My entire itinerary was all centered in the city of Puerto Princesa; however, a friend suggested that I should I go to El Nido which led me to Heaven on Earth of the Philippines.

When I arrived in Puerto Princesa, I didn't really have any idea on how to get to El Nido, and where I supposed to stay. At the airport, a lady offered a v-hire ride to El Nido for 600 pesos. It was quite expensive for me, but I had no choice. I had no idea about the place. So, I took the offer and headed to El Nido.

On our way to El Nido, not all part of the trip was a smooth ride especially from Taytay. Most of the road in that area was still under construction. It took us around 6 to 8 hours to reach El Nido from Puerto.

El Nido was worth all my effort and patience I exerted to get there. I instantly fell in love with the place. The locals were very accommodating and hospitable. I even got a free breakfast from one of the families there. The view from the seashore was just amazing. It felt like heaven.

Our first stop: Helicopter Island. The name of the island comes from its shape; it looks like a helicopter from afar. The beach in the island is actually nice to sit back and relax. Recently, the island becomes the backdrop for the film "Bourne Legacy".

Next stop was Hidden Beach. It is very beautiful beach in Matinloc Island. Unlike the previous beach, the boat couldn’t dock on the beach. You needed to swim to get there and it would be crazy to carry a DSLR camera there unless it was waterproof.

Third stop would be where we would be eating lunch and that was in Matinloc Island Shrine. There is a viewing area on top of the rock where you can get a nice view of the place.

After lunch, we headed next to Secret Beach. Our tour guide said that this beach became the inspiration for the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo diCaprio. The rock formations in this beach are just totally amazing and it looked man-made because it was comparable to a perfect cut of a blade. No boat can access to the beach, so you have to swim to get there. Unfortunately, I didn't have pictures in the secret beach because I didn't have a waterproof camera.

If given a chance and resources, I will totally go right away to El Nido.

Edited by Anjville.