REALItrato didto ha Guimaras

 This is a little draw for side tripping in one of my flights. As I knew I will be having plenty of my time during my arrival, so I said to my self why not make the most out of my far far and away again.

It was only a 15 minutes boat ride anyway from the wharf  going to Guimaras' Jordan Port (P13). Early on I am welcomed by the morning breeze as I took the plunge of a boat ride inter-island crossing Guimaras, so I started enjoying the trip from there. Come 8:45AM I was already trolling out the pumboat and waited by my tour guide near the tourism help desk.

And this is Guimaras :)

Guimaras is located in Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros, Western Visayas region. To the northwest is the province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental. It is well-known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. The island is famous for producing the sweetest mangoes in the world, after Pakistan.

After a short while, Gerald come in appearance. Oh twas after some tricycle drivers negotiated the rides for me and I answer them with smile that I'm already waiting for Gerald my "sundo" and then they look for Gerald. This Gerald, is a little well known tourist guide/tricycle driver all-in-one in the world of travel blog sites. So upon some reads about him from multiple sites and getting good feedback I didn't wait for my second thoughts to come and eagerly phone him to arrange a trip before the day comes. So it was just day before my arrival and Gerald already compromise his service to another travelers. But he did not left me making it out my self, he recommended his brother instead to accompany me in the duration of my stay in Guimaras. So it's Charlie, his brother will be my official tour guide for the day plus tatay (pardon me, i forgot tatay's name) their father will be the one to drive for us.

We left Gerald at the port, he is expecting the other travelers to arrive soon.

In deed Charlie is already well verse in providing me historical and factual information about this island and the sites we had stopped. Gerald told me over the phone that this little Charlie is still getting a knock for a rookie tourist guide but he will surely not let me get lost of cultural interpretation. But certainly Charlie and tatay made a good tandem. Evidently it comes naturally from the bloodline. (Good job!).

First thing they do before we head off is asked me my cut off time of travel as they knew I was only side touring. Second, they introduced their itinerary. I'd already read a lot from Guimaras tourist destinations so I asked them if we could miss out some of those from their list as I am not fond of checking out plantations and fields. I already grew up in one :)

So head we start our day touring. Charlie and tatay didn't left me mumbling about the places. They always pinch in little facts before we head to each place after the other so i could already exclaim in excitement. I found my self felt more attached as they summarize what I need to know and understand about the culture, history and the passing of time in their home town. I love it, im happy with my decision on hiring a local to accompany my trip. As you know, I always end up travelling solo with only google to accommodate my need of informations. But this time, that has been the firs time I get one shot of a "feeling turista" and hired someone to be my tour guide and find it so rewarding that my trip turn out to be a one of a kind; informative-enjoyable-just so worth it of my leave from work ^_^

I might forgot to mention that Charlie also was my official photographer (c/o my xperia na nakabisado niya tlaga) the entire trip. And if I need a hand or his back to lift or support me on the rocky and high places I find him very initiative to do it. He even went to the top most of the lighthouse to capture a lot of photos in all angles as he could when I told them (charlie and the care taker) that Im not good in climbing down the heights. So Charlie volunteered to do the capturing. Well he's been holding my phone I guess the whole time as I entrust him my camphone to do the "kodakan" while I'm into mastering the poses subjected to his directives on where to stand and pose hahah I wanna take home this kid na.

 

Surely a very rewarding trip. I will definitely come back here with friends next time. I love wandering and getting lost and sometimes get lost of words because of language barriers but I enjoyed it at most. I love finding my self being one of them, and hearing my tone easily get much of their accent. But with the natives of Guimaras, they won't let you find your self different from them, they are so welcoming and kind and the word hospitable that was tagged in every filipino, well I find it in the people of Guimaras.

A one shot of a little heaven that was.

These were the list of where we headed.

Little Plaza

Guimaras Museum

Capitolyo

Overlooking Iloilo City

Trappist Abbey Monastery

Pasalubong House

Alfredo Camp

Guisi Light House

Guisi Beach

bye.. bye for now Guimaras (here's tatay in the drive seat :)

There's VagaBUNNZ in Cebu City

“The truth is that it is natural, as well as necessary, for every man to be a vagabond occasionally.”

This is during my short trip in Cebu City, my first time ever, as I promise my self to see some of the 7,100  islands of the Philippines one after the other. For the record this is only the 16th province that I will visit and the 9th in the list that I traveled solo (but today, I have a pretty companion with me). Meet Car. My occasional travel buddy. Okay, so off we sent our selves to the T4 NAIA Terminal

at 4.30AM from my place in Ortigas we asked the taxi driver to breeze up to the airport  yet I think his old cab cannot deliver what we asked for. The meter cost us P180.00 (we had used the long stretched of EDSA Ave instead of taking the C5 back road in Ortigas which is more advisable). So if you are planning to travel Cebu in a pocket friendly way, (voila!) you've come to the right place - I will tell you just how we made it like a DIY as how I always planned my trip.

T4: We are filling  the end of the line at the boarding pass counter and thankfully made it just on time. We paid P200 terminal fee and march to the departure waiting area Tip 1: Do not be late or your reserved seat will be cancelled and byebye to how much it cost you. The plane had its delayed take off due to runway use as always. Yet, we still make it on time. At 6:30 in the morning the plane dock in Mactan International Airport.

Touchdown CEBU. "Maayong Buntag, Cebuanos!"

Car and I walked our way out from the domestic exit. We didn't take the yellow or white metered cabs. Taxi cabs in Cebu are the same in NAIA terminals, yellow cab are commissioned and white cabs will only bill you by the meter.

• Where is the Mactan Airport Taxi Terminal located?

From Arrival Lobby, take the main exit to get outside, use the pedestrian crossing and walk across the road towards the Departure Lobby located at the second level of the building across Arrival Lobby building. Go up the second level via access ramp. As soon as you get to departure lobby, go outside via the first entrance/exit glass door. There you'll see other passengers in line while the white taxis are arriving one by one.

Okay so we didn't ride one. From the same direction where the taxis goes out the airport we walked for about 1.3 km to the Marina Mall at the end of the Airport Rd cr. Quezon National Highway. Just turn right after going out from the vicinity of the airport, follow the direction of all taxis leaving the airport and don't forget to soothe yourself with the morning breeze walk.

From the Mall complex walk across Quezon Hi-way to get to the Jeepney Terminal. Ride "MEPSA Lapu Lapu City Cebu City Vice Versa" jeepney P10ea. it's a green-colored jeepney with wordings on its both sides. The jeep is located at the rear end of the jeepney queue. Alight at SM City Cebu, go to the Jeepney Terminal at the frontage of the mall and ride a jeepney with "Private Colon SM" sign.  Alight at the corner of Osmena Blvd. Landmarks here are: Sogo Hotel, located to the left of Sanciangko before Osmena and G.V. Tower Hotel, the tall building located at the second left corner of Osmena.

In our case, it slipped my mind that we should cross the Quezon Hi-way. Instead we boarded a green jeepney at the lane going inside lapu-lapu. So we changed lane and rode another jeepney with "Hi-Way Park Mall" signage P10ea. The driver guided us that we should alight at the Park Mall and we will find the jeepney going to SM-Colon P7ea. from there. We didn't worry much since the lady passenger said it's the last stop so we will be guided all through out. So what I did is enjoyed the ride and took some photos with me while im boarded by the jeepney - so pardon me with blurry photos, the jeepney was speeding its way. When the jeepney turned right and passed the long stretched of the Mactan Bridge I almost marveled in awe. That was magnificently big and clean (no stinky smell). Can Pasig river turn out like this? I hope so.

After traversing our way to Colon and after the two rides of jeepneys including that of from our drop off in Park Mall. We are now in Colon Street the first and oldest national road of our country. Although a little bit run-down now, it's still the home of old and popular shopping malls such as the famous Gaisano Mall which has severally provincial branches, restaurants, old movie houses, public markets, cheap street foods at night, fashion shops, and most of all affordable hotels. Second Tip: There's a big food court serving a lot of cheap foods at the 6th floor of Metro Gaisano located at the corner of Colon and Osmena Blvd.

We took our "early" breakfast (as I am not a morning person) at the Jollibee fast food along Colon Street infront of an old theater. I opted to eat here so I can still feel at home (in my resting hours, as I want to consider eating that way). For a starter I started my laptitude Map (available in all android phones) and let our journey be guided ^__^

After a P58 peso chicken hotdog rice meal and hot chocolate I am all packed up and ready to get lost ^_^ we then proceeded to our first tour bumming..

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN!

We held a 02B jeepney P7ea. after consulting a standby policeman. We ask the driver to drop us at the Plaza Independencia. On our way we passed by a white painted church and I asked the manong driver which historic church was that, he said it was the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Along Legaspi Ext. we were alighted at the front gate of the Plaza. Under the oppressing humid weather were still able to start acting tourist / photographer and didn't mind if we really look like a bunch of alien (I'm always a whatever wannabe). Walking forward the plaza is the entrance to the Fort San Pedro,  we didn't get a closer and nice shot in front of the entrance since a food catering truck and its men were blocking the gate. Entrance here is P30, but never mind the shelling out of some penny you'll be seeing a lot of what we value from our historic past which is truly rewarding anyway.

Afterwards, we headed our way to Osmeña Blvd, that's across the plaza gate facing the Fort San Pedro entrance. We bought some refreshment along way P10 for a little bottle of soda. And continuously, we walked and turned left at P.Burgos in our right side was the very famous landmark of Cebu, the Magelan's Cross. Alas! I am unbelievably up close and personal with this legendary landmark. Admit it or not it was one of those things a grade schooler started to love, along with the Banaue Rice Terraces and the Chocolate Hills heheh. Before entering the house of the cross, we first took some shots of the City Hall just across the compound. Getting back on this infamous historic landmark, there are some what five old ladies dancing and holding different colored candles. One of them came in and invited us to let her dance for our prayers. She sold all the color of candles that she has for P50 and she danced for our prayers. While the lady  was busy dancing and chanting her prayers for us we never wasted time and again put our selves in character, "the tourist and the photographer" wannabes.

We preceded and enter the compund of the Sto. Niño and at the Side of the Collegio del Santo Niño is a long stretched candle stand where plenty burning candles were already standing. We help ourselves lit and stand our candle in the place where there are least of people doing the same business as we does. We say a minute of prayer and headed our way to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. I make sure to take the front seat in the center isle, knelt and out pour my highest faith to our Lord. Oh yes, the first ever Santo Niño, who we claim to be the first religious image in our country was now infront of me. I talked to Him like how we usually talked during midnight before bed but this time my heart is just full of contentment and gratitude for being infront of Him, for letting me get there with my determination  and the bravest heart that I can take with me every time I travel. You know I can be the weakest link most of the time, but my destination made me always a craving stranger, a wanderer, a local who's one of them, and a go getter. Sum up all the bravest little things that I got and that's all God's will. Glory be to God!

We didn't make it to the pile of devotees who were lined up to touch the image of Santo Niño. We might get our turn before the sunset and of course that would mean missing our next flight in the evening.

Outside the gate of the Basilica , along Osmeña Blvd. were a crowded vendors on their carts selling replicas of the image of Sto.Niño and other patron Saints, name it!.. I am still not in a shopping mood since I am set to visit some more places in my list. Yet, seeing some of the images fascinates me, being a shoppaholic everything that has tag price always glitter in my eyes. So, I can't help but start asking prices starting with the rosary which I got a turquoise one for P25, err same price with the small rosary which I bought for pasalubong at the next cart. But my biggest reward for setting put in Cebu ..a 15 inches tall image of Our Lady of Guadalupe for an amazing bargain of P200 from P700 original price. That I guess the thing that keeps me going the entire day. I take it as a gift from Sto.Niño.

So off we go and ride a 04L jeepney going Lahug. We're supposed to be going to Taoist Temple yet, we saw on our way the Crowne Regency and the Robinsons Fuente Mall. So I halt the jeepney paid a P7ea. due and exclaimed "sa lugar lang". Off we climbed the overpass to take a peak on how the Crowne Regency stands. I was planning to see the 4D mini movie  inside of the hotel, yet again it might run our day and forget to notice the time. So we just let our selves get contented in having to see the sky adventure on top face to face. We found our way out from Robinson's Fuente Mall exit to the other side (landmark: is Sterling Bank) and shoot ourselves to one of the Jeepney going the same way as the first jeepney heading earlier. (I forgot the body number but this is as well going to Lahug)..

We are now going to the Taoist Temple  P10ea. it is located inside the subdivision of Beverly Hills. If you are doing the same jeepney commuting as we does, might as well give you my Third Tip: watch for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Cebu Temple. this is a big white landmark building to appear to your right. When you see this, get off the jeepney after it passed by the building. Walk across the other side and ride a habal-habal and tell the driver that you're going to Taoist Temple. I read from a solo traveller blog that he paid P25, so before the driver commission a price to us I immediately offer him that we'll pay him P25 (for the two of us). And yes he agreed to that, he even left us his cellphone number in case we need a ride back after our temple tour. And that's what we made, after a tiring heights walking in the temple and picture taking while the weather is kind of changing every minute as far as I can observe it. And after more than thirty minutes of traversing the temple stairs and stairs and stairs again plus the long walk inside the posh Beverly Hills. We waited outside for our habal-habal sundo, the one who gave us his number. I got my self some refreshment and merienda, P10 for the smallest RC cola and one lumpiang ubod. Burp, ready to angkas again. I gave the driver p30 this time since I get a little mabait and he's affable and more than willing to play tour guide. Plus, we enjoyed our first ride of habal-habal and even took with me a couple of shots :)

Riding a Habal-habal (Cool)

Our next stop Ayala Center (Cebu version). Upon ejecting ourselves from the 04L jeepney that cost us P7ea. we had walked our way to the entrace of The Terraces. We let ourselves enjoyed the view of the Mall's exterior, it was really like just the other version of Greenbelt Malls, aside from it's round facade. And since we're not in Cebu for a  gastronomic expedition, we landed and soothe ourselves to whatever Starbuck's Cebu would cater us. We had a cordial set of merienda this time for around P415 (I chipped in a P212 something to my friend). It's a two bottle Tazo tea, Starbucks Via Crumb Cake and a Ratatouille & Mozzarella Cheese sandwich which I ordered the barista to split it in half for us to be able to taste both of these sumptuous sweeties that I still haven't tried back in Manila. Nammm..

I personally chose to docked our tiring temple in Starbucks Cafe since I am pretty sure that I can recharge my cellphone which I entirely use for taking pictures. Plus as I said earlier, eating time is the only time we can rest our selves and not marveled like tourist so kinda opted to take a feel-at-home cafe.

Before totally becoming a potato couch.. we decided to went out and take one more last shots inside the mall and headed back to Colon St. with the 01I jeepney P7ea. We hopped at the Metro Gaisano Mall and window shop for a little while. Now, that's from end-to-end mall hopping huh.

Crossing colon street from Metro Gaisano Mall

Clock strikes pass four (two hours before our airport check-in), finally we hail a cab that will take us to Lapu-lapu Shrine. Early on our ride, the driver asked me if I am an ilongga and I said "tagalog po". Maybe, my being sweet and makulit while speaking makes him think that I'm an ilongga. I actually tried my best to speak basic bisaya as much as I can. I guess hearing bisaya conversations on my childhood days helped a lot because it sort of comes naturally in my tongue as I spoke with the Cebuanos the entire day. I'll speak bisaya or we'll get lost!  Well it's sort of bisaya-tagalog mix but I believe they understand me so far.

Manong driver was so accommodating that he even made our stay inside his cab still worth the ride. He pointed and instructed us which side to look while he is telling us what place we're about to pass by.. places such as the Heritage of Cebu Monument, The two oldest house in Cebu: the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House and the Casa Gorordo. And the long stretched of Cebu Harbor. Aaamazing!


The Sun was already settling down when we reached the Lapu-lapu Shrine. We asked for Manong driver's number so he could pick us up when we're done touring the place. He was so kind and honest to bill us our first consumed meter rate of P280 and said that he'll  start to plug down again from P40 on our way to the airport instead of leaving the meter run while he waits for us. From here, we just made a quick capturing of  the Shrine and Lapu-Lapu's monument and afterwards headed our way to the shrine's souvenir area. I bought a green shirt with a statement  I ❤ CEBU. White tees are sold for only P100 but I didn't mind adding a P20 to get my fave color, so it can really be of use on me.

Last stop. Voila! to where we started the day in Cebu.

Back here in Mactan-Cebu International Airport. We paid our dearest taxi driver an amount of P150 as we are alighted exactly at the entrance way of the departing passengers.

Airport check-in is the same procedure as that in the morning, so please refer at the earlier note of this post.

Total summation of this trip from my pocket alone roughly cost 2,749.36. You can only gushed how cheap it is to travel, if only you read and read blogs and news articles and don't forget - plan it wisely.

bagong gising (@_@)

That's it Vagabonds. Daghang Salamat.

preview.tinyurl.com/ologuadalupe

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain, Author

Here is the rundown of the cost I spent and everything in between.

GREENTH

I suppose in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of LETTING GO, 

but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say GOODBYE. ~Life of Pi

_______________________________________________

taking sometime starring at my room
thinking am I really leaving “you” this soon.
my altar, my photos(our photos), or simply just this greenth
but as my heart honestly speak it’s phrases to survive.. I cant really move on if I’m not going to move out first.
this greenth walls had given me so much
      or maybe enough.
some yearnings, happiness, dreams,
those overnight tears and unconscious cuddling.
and if I may say this place has been a transformation nest to me,
it taught me to “grow up”, be strong, take a risk
      and even ..surrender.
there are nights when it reminds me to consider my own
      and take a little pride by tomorrow.
and if tomorrow never comes, I could almost say this place will never lost any details of my memoires for
      this is exactly who I was before
        and who I had become

every reflections spells my name clearly as it is
this is where I always say my last words
all my praises and glorifies to my lord
my renewal of faith has always been born every sun rise in this greenth
the tears that the night helps me to weep.
and finally, the inevitable strength that it furnished..
the strength to almost say it has come to “goodbye”.

THE STORY OF US

“ I always thought you were the BEST

I guess I'll always WILL."

It’s sad how it ended before I knew it. One day we were best friends and the next time i see, we’re merely two people rooming together. I remember how you were the scrawny freshman in the university who wore that huge clothing. 'You remember when I was the struggling yuppy who was enthusiast about getting a career and having it my own way and you supported it though. Before then we would indulge in each other’s company because you were that young brother I never had and I was the most loyal friend you’d ever find. One day we cant stop talking, I cant stop laughing, but the next thing I notice, I’m more of a sideshow than a main show. We walk in silence, live in silence, and have distrust between us. Can you remember when was the last time we talk  about "us"? Oh clearly we are OVER but the sad part is that I don’t really remember when it ended. All I know now is that it's time to LET YOU GO. Yes, I never leave you — I let you go instead. And it pains a lot knowing that if I turned my back from that very night on the park where we used to dream of visiting together there could never be another HELLO for the two of us. I loved you man and I know we’re both moving on to bigger and better things, but damn, I know I was silly contented on just being with you and just having you around me in those years that gone by.

"I finished crying in the instant that you left & I can't remember where or when or  how & I banished every memory you and I had ever made"

Even though everything had ended, I didn’t regret it. I never regretted it, not for one second. All the nitty gritty of our story, the promises, surprises, failure, acceptance, our strong faith, those weaving of dreams and that countless "starting all over again" yes. picking up where we left or whether we fell off our feet and all sort of silliness and simply that bumming inside our room the entire day. Everything means a lot in every ways that you will never know.

How do you regret one of the best days of your life?   
You don’t.   
You remember every word, every look, every inch of those moments. 
Even when it hurts,
you still remember.

"And now, the STORY of US Looks like a TRAGEDY Now."

The END.