My Trip Up North (last part)

Our drive back to Manila took roughly 12 hours.  Mama wanted to stop over somewhere like La Union of Pangasinan and stay the night so that the drive wouldn't be so tiring, but Joey insisted to going all the way in one go, because he had a meeting the next morning at 10:00am.  It was dark and we were hungry when we reached San Fernando, La Union and so we stopped by this unique-looking restaurant called Riverfarm, a fishpond complex turned restaurant, which served fresh seafood and vegetables.  The smaller kids liked it because there was a TV near the kitchen and Spongebob Squarepants was on.

After dinner, we all piled back into the car and continued on to Manila.  Needless to say, when we reached my brother's house in Marikina at around 5:30am, we were tired to the bone and had to take a couple of hours rest before proceeding to our hotel.

It was a loooong road trip, but I'd do it again if only to be able to visit new places with my family.

Mabuhay ang Turistang Pilipino!

My Trip Up North (3rd of 5 parts)

Vigan... The City That Time Forgot... but is catching up.

We arrived in the city center at around 3:00pm and found a quaint little inn that was a throwback to the early 1900s.  Grandpa's Inn & Restaurant was actually an ancestral home during the Spanish time until it was sold in the middle of the century.  As soon as you enter what looks like a small hallway, you are literally sucked into a world that screams HISTORY.  The inn owner kept everything -- from telephones, typewriters, pianos, furniture, to even the calesas that still plied the cobbled streets outside.

Outside, it was like the present had all but been absorbed by the past... there was nothing in between.  Old buildings were surrounded by electric wires and cable satellite dishes.  Monuments and houses, though preserved for their historical value, had been turned into money-making commercial spaces.  It was amusing to note that the new restaurants and hotels had been designed with cobblestones and bricks, but inside, it was all modern.

And of course, there was Calle Crisologo.  One of the few remaining cobbled streets in the country, where only bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are allowed to pass, Calle Crisologo shows signs of wear and tear but also of efforts to at least make it look inviting for tourists to visit.  Then again, tourists really go there to visit and to buy and to bargain and to buy.  For this street is where all the souvenir shops are found.

  

... to be continued...

My Trip Up North (first of 5 parts)

Last June 1, my mom and I flew to Manila to be with my brother and his kids.  We were in Luzon for 11 days.  Our activity there included a road trip to Vigan, Ilocos Sur (farthest point), a day trip to Bulacan to visit a soon-to-be resort which my brother was hired to develop, a day out with my best friend, Ning, at the SM Mall of Asia, and last but not least, a four-day stay at a new budget hotel called Go Hotels, in Mandaluyong City.

So where do I start?  At the beginning, of course!  The trip actually started at 3:00pm on June 2, so Mama and I had the whole day June 1 and the following morning to buy any last-minute necessities and to play with the kids.  As I browsed the aisles of snack food (however did 'junk food' become a nickname???), I discovered so many new manufacturers of local chichiria, like Marty's (by Oishi).  So I bought at least one big pack each to cover our long drive to the north.  Little did I know that my brother also picked up a load of chocolates and drinks that his children would really love as well.  In the end, we'd spent about P2,000 just on snacks.  Well, what would you expect with three adults (one senior citizen), one teenager and two growing children?

The trip to La Union took about seven hours.  My brother took care of all the room arrangements and we were finally sleeping in air-conditioned nipa houses at this resort called SeBay (pronounced sea bay).  The next morning, I found out why he had chosen this particular resort-- it was situated at the mouth of a popular surfing site and where he was like "The King" of surfing events organizers. 

We stayed there for two nights.  Supposedly only one night but the waves were really good (even to my untrained eye) and too good to miss, so my brother said.  We transferred to a hotel in San Fernando, La Union for the third night of our trip.

... to be continued...

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 7)

We left the boys (Joey, Chi and Maxie, Joey's friend) out on the waves and Father Cid brought us girls (Mama, Maite and me) and Ed to the Gold Bar Restaurant to have lunch.  Let's see, what did we have?  Binagoongang rice, fresh lumpia, tinolang malasugi, and tilapia.  And like any gracious host, he wouldn't let us pay... he wouldn't even let us see the chit, claiming all he had to do was sign it and we were done.

By this time, the beach house was ready and cleaned so Ed dropped us off there.  After that, he went about returning Father Cid to the convent and picking up the tired surfers and bringing them to the house.  It was easy to laze away the afternoon, with the cool ocean breeze and the sound of the surf in the distance.  As the sun was setting, we went out for a dip.  The water was amazing!  It was so calm, so clean and so clear!  That night, we had dinner on the beach (crabs, prawns, clams and chopsuey), courtesy again of our host and drinks (red wine) at the house of the Provincial Tourism Officer.  Unfortunately, we couldn't really keep up with the developments because we were all soooo sleeeeeepy.

The next morning, January 6, we were served breakfast again on the beach and then we had to say our sad goodbyes to Father Cid and Maxie, with the solemn promise that we would be returning soon.  Our trip was finally coming to an end and we would be on the road back to Bukidnon.  We took the shortcut at Lianga, through the mountains dividing Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and came out just outside Prosperidad.  We headed north until Butuan City where we had our lunch (at around 1:00pm) at a restaurant called Rosario's.  Then, with a short side trip to the new Suspension Bridge, we were on our way.  We made good time and arrived home at around 6:00pm.

Joey departed for Manila early the next morning...  And so another turning point in our lives as travel coordinators has developed, and so begins another chapter in our journey to know the Philippines!

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 6)

We were really leaving the next day, January 5.  It was raining and surfers were being discouraged to go out on the water.  So, off we went.  Our departure time was 6:45am.  By 7:45, we had entered the city limits of Tandag, and after correcting a wrong turn, we arrived at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Bishop Cid was ready and waiting with our smörgåsbord breakfast of scrambled egg, ginisang ampalaya, ham, bread, peanut butter, fried rice and our choice of coffee or chocolate.  Then, since we had a bit of time to spare, and Joey wanted to visit the owner of his outlet in the city, Father Cid graciously offered to be our guide.

First, we made a surprise (we were the ones who were surprised) courtesy call to the Provincial Capitol.  Father Cid directed us to the Tourism Office where we saw the many tourist sites of Surigao del Sur -- Casarica Island, Campamento Cave, Britania Island, Enchanted River, Iron Mountain, Mangkagangi Bat Island, Cagwait White Beach, and Tinuy-an Falls.  It did not look like we would be able to see any of them as our planned route would take us into Agusan del Sur via a shortcut, but at least we had an idea where to go for our next visit (very soon).  Then we went straight through to the Governor's Office, told him of our proposed tourism activities, had our picture taken, and out again.  One thing for sure, by the time we were back out into the sunshine, we had certainly made an impression of the Governor.  And, Father Cid had made a most favorable impression on us.

Then, we went to the best surfing spot in Tandag (in front of the Tandag Polytechnic School).  Joey was ready to go in and had already prepared his surfboard and bag for immediate use.  While we were watching his excitement, Father Cid asked why we weren't staying overnight, when there were many sights to see in the city? We were tempted; I was free until the 6th but I was concerned with Chi and Maite's daughter and business back in Malaybalay.  After a short conference, the couple decided that one more day wouldn't be too long for their daughter to wait.  So the priest directed us to a house along the beach which he said he was allowed to use whenever he has guests.  The house turned out to be the private beach house of the mayor of Tandag City.

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 5)

It's a good thing we decided to stay, for we still hadn't seen the surf shop that made bamboo surfboards, the Agsam handicraft shop, and the famous seafood restaurant near Carrascal.
 

Bamboo surfboards?  I couldn't imagine, but there it was, and true enough, there were surfboards made from bamboo weaving hung out to dry.  You can check out their website at www.bamboosurfing.com.  Then we drove to the shop of Norma Roz de Lara, maker of agsam novelties.  Agsam is the name of a tree found in the forests of Surigao which grows long, brown aerial vines, and these are what are used to make beautiful, organic jewelry such as necklaces, chokers, bracelets, anklets and earrings.  My mom bought a tissue holder while Joey put in an order and requested to have his logo woven into the items.  For orders, just email rosamaebautista@yahoo.com.  Well, it started to rain and it was getting dark, so we headed out to the restaurant we were told that we shouldn't miss eating at.  Turns out it was almost an hour's drive back the way we came (towards the Iron Mountain).  Mayor Geri and Joy arrived just after we had ordered and sat down. The food was delicious, freshest as usual -- fish tinola, adobong shell ('five fingers'), pinakbet and grilled fish.  Sorry I'm not good with names of fish and I have no pictures.  But the place was called JC2 Seafood Haus and it was a good send-off.

Incidentally, we mentioned to the mayor that we were passing through Tandag on our way home.  He said, "That's great!  I'll turn you over to my brother who is the Bishop there and he will take care of you."  He texted him and called him and no matter how we tried to decline, we now had a host for the next day.

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 4)

Because we were short of daylight, we weren't able to see the Lanuza Marine Park and Fish Sanctuary, however, our gracious hosts, Mayor Geri and his wife, Joy, invited us over for dinner at the View Deck.  Just our group and the couple, along with their little daughter, and our guide, Hannah.  Fare was simple -- native chicken tinola, kinilaw, steamed shrimps, steamed crabs, grilled bangus, boiled shell, and for dessert, their delicacy, gabi embotido... Everything was fresh and delicious.  Afterwards, drinks were brought out and talk turned to shop (plans to turn Lanuza into a tourist destination for both surfers and non-surfers - more later).

The next day, January 4, dawned bright and hot, and we got ready to leave.  To say we had heavy hearts was an understatement and Joey, especially, was trying to get as much time on the waves as he could.  Hannah and the other municipal guides came by to bring us to the White House.  Before I go into its description, let me explain something first.  Mayor Geri's family was one of the oldest in Lanuza and his mother had been the previous mayor for 9 consecutive years.  He, in turn, has been the mayor for 15 years -- two terms the first time, then now on his third term the second time.  Talk about doing a good job!  Anyway, so we were going to visit the White House, which turns out to be the ancestral home of Mayor Geri.  In fact, his great-aunts still live there and maintain it.  Many of the bric-a-brac and Filipino clothing had been arranged in glass cabinets to protect them from dust and weathering.  All the original rooms were clean and showed signs of loving care.  All their old-fashioned appliances (flat iron, rice and coffee grinders, lanterns, etc.) were grouped together in an attractive display and meticulously cleaned daily.  Wow!

It was after the tour of the house, as we were enjoying the snacks the Aunts served us, that they convinced us (as if we needed convincing) to stay one more day.  There was still so much for us to see, sayang lang daw because we were already there.  Predictably, as soon as Joey heard the news, he changed clothes and disappeared in the direction of the ocean.  =)

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 3)

Speaking of surprises, did I mention that I found a weak internet signal in the homestay?  I had brought along my laptop so my camera phone's memory card wouldn't fill up.  Well, after traveling seven hours over 'uncharted' territory, I had accumulated over 200 digital images (many of these images will find their way into my blog over the next few weeks) and we still had two more days to go.  So the next morning, January 3, I switched on my laptop and waited for it to be ready for loading.  After a few minutes, I noticed the icon for WLAN had lit up.  I gave in to curiosity and clicked on it.  It was an unknown signal and the status was 'very low', but it was steady and I was able to open my email and update my Facebook.  For free!  Cool!  (Should I have informed them that they might want to charge for the wifi?  Hehe)

Mayor Geri (of Lanuza) had arranged a guide for us so we could explore the surrounding tourist sites.  This gave Chi-Chi and Maite the idea that we could develop activities which non-surfers could do as well.  This morning, we went to Campamento Cave and Silop Spring.  The cave had been used as a hiding place during the second World War and was so well-preserved that I was glad I agreed to join the group.  One thing though, as is true for any cave I have entered, was the humidity.  Which was why, I was happy to note, that when we exited about an hour later and went directly to the spring, the fresh, fresh, and clear water was a welcoming sight!  Even the carabaos thought so, I think!

In the afternoon there was a little delay in schedule because we had to wait for the surfers to return.  We now had two of them -- Joey and Chi-Chi, who, after his first lesson yesterday, became almost as enthusiastic as my brother.  So we were able go to Magkawas Falls at about 5:00 already.  The bright side was, we didn't make the trek under the hot sun and my mom was able to walk the whole distance AND BACK with minimal assistance.  How's that for a 78-year-old Lola?

I shall let the pictures do the talking, shall I?

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 2)

When we arrived in Lanuza a little after noon, several things struck me as odd.  First was that we had been cruising at a reasonable speed along the highway and had to stop suddenly because it appeared we had just entered a subdivision.  We were about to backtrack when Joey turned the van onto a road that led to the ocean, which was only meters away from where we were.  Of course, Joey got out immediately to check out the waves and we (Ed, Chi-Chi and I) got out to take pictures.  My brother then communicated with his friend, who was the Mayor of the town, and we were instructed to go to a certain house.  When we got there, I got my second and third surprises.  One, the mayor was a young man (I guess my image of "mayor" is a tad old-fashioned, that he/she must be older) and two, the house he was directing us to was to be our 'hotel' or homestay.

What is a homestay?  Instead of looking for capital and constructing new buildings, the local government unit decided to convert their old houses into vacation homes, much like in the US.  They are actually fully-furnished houses whose occupants find the space too big for their own use, so they let out rooms to travelers, or surfers, in this case.  How much is the rent?  Oh, just the minimal fee of P200/head/night.  It's a municipal ordinance; we were impressed.  The house we were given was owned by the mayor's aunt.  So we chose our rooms, brought in our bags and settled in... at least the rest of us did.  Joey disappeared immediately.  Hehe, well, it was to be expected.  After all, we did come to this far place because he wanted to chase some waves.

Anyway, later in the afternoon, when the sun wasn't too hot, Ed and I decided to explore.  The town proper wasn't very big and you could walk right around it in just a few minutes.  There was a small plaza, with a basketball court and the municipal hall, a small market and an eatery right next to it.  Then I got my fourth surprise.  The main highway tapered to a narrow two-lane road and appeared to end just a couple of blocks from our homestay.  When we walked over to the corner, the road turned to the right and widened again as it flowed on out of the town.

All in all, it is a quaint place to be.  Everybody knows everybody, even the bus drivers and jeepney drivers.  Everyone had a smile even for visitors like us.  It was pleasant to see a family set up a banana cue stand just around the corner from our homestay and as the afternoon became evening, all their bananas were bought by none other than their neighbors.  We ate dinner at the small eatery.  At around 6:48 pm, there was an earthquake.  The ground shook, the eatery shook and we could hear the stones from the beach shaking.  We were looking for something sturdy to hide under, yet, the people sitting at the next table didn't even react.  So we asked them if earthquakes were a common occurrence...  They said yes.  Okay, no worries.