Revisiting Puerto Galera

For the fourth time since 2012, I again experienced Puerto Galera in the most unexpected way. Let's just say it wasn't a planned trip but when you suddenly receive an invitation free of everything, it's definitely an offer that is hard to deny.

As a travel blogger, I mostly depend on sponsored trips :) and in return, I document it and share it with others for their future trip reference. This trip was ABSOLUTELY FREE! and thank you CHYMIST for accommodating yours truly in this one of a kind trip.

The boat ride that is meant for 50-60 people left the port with only 6 of us :D

View from our room

My previous trip to the place consists of commuting from Batangas port to Puerto Galera. This trip, however, offered absolute special trips to EVERYWHERE! Manila to the resort's private port, boat ride to Puerto Galera and the inspiring island hopping the next day.

The private port of Out of the Blue resort

Off to the islands! 

The rented Villa can accommodate15-20 guests. We were only 6. :D Imagine your quiet time at the Villa

Occupying a three-bedroom Villa with complete kitchen amenities, receiving area and the magnificent view of the ocean

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 4: Hanging Coffins of Sagada

Out of all the interesting places we visited in Sagada, the hanging coffins are the most popular and historical tourist place we've seen. They are part of Sagada's Eco Valley tour with a mild trek through a cemetery. 

The cemetery is not surprising given we're visting a unique burial place that said to have existed 2,000 years ago. 

The hanging coffins are privilege rather than a right. To the dead person and his family, acquiring a spot on the side of the cliff means you're a good person. Also, you must be a full blooded Igorot (an ethnic group living in the mountains of Luzon) in order to be eligible in time of death.

The chairs are used to sit the dead for 24-hours beside their coffin and before they are laid to rest. The tale of such ritual begins at home when the dead is carried to awaiting hanging coffin. People who carry the corpse (wrapped in cloth) are considered fortunate. The bodily fluids of the dead is believed to bring good luck to anyone who's able to catch it. 

The names written in the coffins are said to be the dead person's Igorot name. Apparently, Igorot's have their own unique and aboriginal names. These are subsequently changed after they are baptized to Christianity. Nevertheless, their death will bring back their original birth names.

Are you wondering about the smaller coffins? No, they're not babies. In fact, they're old people whom at their death were buried in a fetal a shape. They believe in returning to heaven the same way they were born here on earth.

So why do they hang the coffins? There's one particular reason why they do and it has nothing to do with setting a trend or being unique. According to the tribe's beliefs, they hang the coffins in order to be near to heaven. The higher the coffin is, the nearer it is to heaven and life after death.

The last practice of the hanging coffins was in 2008 when they buried Estefania Mayocyoc (brown coffin under SUMBAD's). Prior to that is Bomit-Og's burial in 2005 and Sumbad's in 2007. 

Our guide left us with one trivia and I will leave it to you to explore. There are 18 coffins hanging on the side of the cliff, but he insists there are 19. Find out where the 19th coffin is and let us know ;)

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 3: Conquering the beautiful Bomod-ok Falls

Sagada has three main waterfalls attractions and they consist of the Bomod-Ok Falls, Pongas Falls, and Bokong Falls. Our limited time on the other hand only allowed us to visit Bomod-ok, which is two kilometers away from the primary assembly place.

We were told that going to Bomod-ok Falls is very easy, but this is also accompanied by a fair warning that returning will be quite the challenge. As it turns out, going to Bomod-ok is literally all downhill; of course, expect to take the same route going back, which is all... uphill (you got that right 😀)

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

[BELOW] Our tour guide explained that this rustic bridge is not just there to cross the river. It's actually an access to another small community on the otherside of the mountain. 

Most of the hills and mountains in Sagada are utilized as agricultural land, hence the cultivation of crops in its rice terraces.

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Healthy suggestion:

No matter how hot the temperature is during your hike to Bomod-ok waterfalls, DO NOT immediately soak on the cold, chilly water. Allow yourself to cool down before taking the dip.

Photo Courtesy of Monette Anda

Even at high noon, the water's temperature is ridiculously cold. It's recommended to "test the waters" before indulging. (Don't say we didn't warn you). 

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 2: Kiltepan Peak

God's creation will always awe us humans. 

Appreciating the scenic rupture of sunrise in Sagada. What can I say? I'm speechless.

It wasn't love at first sight, but I fell in love as it starts to slowly impress with its soft, vibrant colors. The morning's relentless cold weather is a challenge we have to overcome in order to experience the sun rising over Sagada's sea of clouds. 

We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender. Each morning, we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world of time; each night, we surrender to the dark to be taken to play in the world of dreams where time is no more. - John O'Donohue

There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them. - Jo Walton

I love nature, I love watching the sun rise. I love my companions and I'm glad I get to share this experience with them.

Experience this majestic view at Sagada's Kiltepan Peak

Sagada, Mountain Province Part 1: Spelunking at Lumiang-Sumaguing Caves

Photos courtesy of Monette Anda, Jesz Dayapera, Owen Doctor

Club Balai Isabel is one of a kind and I'm not complaining

I wish I was able to take more pictures of the beautiful Club Balai Isabel in Talisay, Batangas but the experience was nevertheless beautiful.

I did not stay here, but an out of the blue offer of a day tour is something you can't say NO. 

A golf cart takes you around Club Balai Isabel where you can visit some of its beautiful amenities like the large infinity pool facing the Taal lake, The Kumintang Boardwalk and the Kumintang Grass Area.

The chapel located within Club Balai Isabel is a newly built structure that replaces a century old church ruins. The ruins, interestingly is located just beside the new Spousal or Joseph and Mary chapel.

Club Balai Isabel also features a pool bar overlooking of course, the pool and the lake itself. The open area is accesible to visitors strolling the skirts of Club Balai.

Club Balai Isabel's contribution in the ecotourism:

An Ecotourism Resort

Lush vegetation welcomes guests as soon as they enter Club Balai Isabel. The resort was built around a century-old coconut and mango plantation, a lot of which are still standing in the premises.

Within the resort are six varieties of mangoes, over a dozen varieties of bamboo, hardwood trees, several varieties of macopa, as well as cacao, mabolo, tiesa, chico, caimito, santol, duhat, pomelo, oranges, balimbing, langka, banana and papaya.

Club Balai Isabel is built along an ecological wonder, the famous Taal Lake and Volcano: an island within a lake within an island within a lake. The smallest volcano in volcano in the world is surrounded by a lake teeming with unique varieties of fish such as tawilis and maliputo.

The resort is the best jump-off point to get to the volcano island. With our accredited boatmen, guests are ensured that they are paying the right price for well-maintained boats with appropriate safety gear.

A night at the Solaire Hotel and Casino

August 4, 2017.

The week leading to the date, I was asked if I'd like to make use of a free, overnight accommodation at the Solaire Hotel and Casino. I was excited of course. The overnight stay was a mere offer so the free overnight accommodation will not go to waste.

I agreed. I said yes! No strings attached, I called a friend. We enjoyed the buffet dinner, we went to the Casino and watch players give away their money :D Yup! and danced away with their money :D  Free drinks were offered - trust me, I did not hesitate.

[Top Photo] Solaire Hotel and Casino's FRESH Buffet offers various international cuisines. The gastronomically prepared food was immaculate and yes... I was speechless. I've never been to a literally "Eat-all-you-can" place and so it was an experience.

Dessert consists of all sorts of fruits, caramel, chocolate fondue, etc.. 

Say cheeeese!!!!

Yes mama, I thought about you when I saw these.. :D

Steak! ALL-YOU-CAN

Salad, anyone? :D

Both sides are the Casinos. Unfortunately, we can't take a picture

Go Italian with your favorite pizza, pasta, and bread

Drinks anyone? :D

And that's just dinner. 

The DeLuxe room where we stayed is cozy and convenient. Better if I had an excellent view of the outside surroundings but I didn't, so I chose to keep the curtains down.

The Path leading to the pool (they say) and on the opposite to the room.

Not bad for a good night sleep

Serene most appreciated :D

Looking for this? Well, they didn't have a bubble soap :D or a rubber duck for my little one

Well stocked with different types of teas, coffee and yes, the free cake.

More space

[Above] A convenient workplace despite the large TV in front of me. The hote's excellent internet connection enabled me to do my writings for the day and prior to checkout.