6 Steps to Responsible Travel

1) Research your destination.

Have you thought of a place to visit soon? If yes, start off by over planning. Find the time to read, ask, and write about the place. Read travel blogs and reviews online, this will provide you factual information through shared experiences. Most blogs offer detailed info like how to get there, best time to travel, things to prepare, activities to do, budget or expenses, food to try and affordable tour packages that include itineraries and accommodation. What to expect, read up more! Next, ask around. Friends who uploaded their travel photos on social networking sites, friends who own travel agencies, colleagues who brought souvenir items are reliable people to ask. Finally, write it! Jot down notes so you can review, shop around and confirm the travel.

2) Recognize rules.

As we know, laws, traditions, customs, and rules govern us wherever we set our feet on. In Guimaras, bringing of a mango plant, seed or fruit is prohibited. In places with white sand beaches, packing of sand is a no-no. Urinating in Kayangan Lake in Coron, Palawan is not allowed. Silence is observed in sacred places like churches, grotto, and monastery. In temples, removing of shoes in Thailand and wearing of wrap-around skirt in Myanmar are encouraged. Spitting and littering in Singapore carry heavy fines. The "no plastic" ordinance has just passed in the city of Las Pinas. These are just some to abide. “Ignorance of the law is not an excuse” and “You are in my place so follow my rules.” These lines remind me that I am in a different place, away from my comfort zone. On such event, I tend to be cautious and observant. So, before you set off, do the RAW steps. Once you land on your desired destination, recall and act on. If you forgot, then ask. Read-Ask-Write, this will bail you out from inconvenience and embarrassment. Update yourself!

3) Reduce waste.

I love this part! Why? We are always on a budget mode when we travel. So, we prefer cooking than eating in a fast food chain we come across when our tummies are rumbling. At the store, when it’s time to pay and pack our groceries, we recite our famous line, “Huwag mo na i-plastic, I love Mother Earth eh!” We count down on plastic bags. If other items can still fit in one plastic bag then better. Sometimes we can carry stuff with our bare hands or place in our hand-carried bags. I remember using “bayong” thrice in our travels. We also use food containers that can be reused instead of foil or styrofoam. The same strategy applies when we scout for souvenirs. The more you buy the more waste you produce. So, we share too especially if we are in the same workplace. We saved not just money but our Mother Earth as well (small thing still matters). While on vacation, observe proper garbage disposal and separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable. If you can’t find one, bring it with you and dispose properly. Free our environment of throwaway that can lead to a major problem in the future. Check your travel stuff to be reduced, recycled and reused. Bear in mind the three R's!

4) Respect wildlife.

Are you breathing?! Are you alive? Yes, because you are one of those living things that God created! When we were still young we were taught to respect someone's personal things more so with things with life! May it be wild or not...still, they have their own cosmic task like you!

5) Report illegal activities.

Do you have a soft heart? Then, do what is right. 

6) Repost/retweet.

If this blog is helpful, you may share :) Thanks!

Caramoan: Let's Go Around The Town

Town Proper

The 15-minute away town from Guijalo Port can be reached via tricycle or "habal-habal. This famous mode of transportation will give you an easy view of the so-called "somnolent" town. Along the way are view of mountains, rice fields, plains with flock of birds. At town's center, cafeterias, shops, lodges, and home stay are lined up.

heavy loader tricycle that can carry 8 passengers

Across this tricycle is an ATM. Yes, not just one but two machines! If you don't have enough cash, prepare to be charged P99 per transaction :D

Rizal Monument

Manapot River

St. Michael Parish: 18th Century Church

After two centuries, from nipa, bamboo and wood, this church was constructed out of adobe, local stone and clay materials. The Caramoans were obliged to render free labor during its construction under the direction of well-known artisans and masons.  The building will stand in spite of the ravages of time and natural calamities.

This church, together with all houses in the poblacion and adjoining barrios were burned during the last Japanese-American war. Again, the people voluntarily worked together to make proper repair and improvement to restore and preserve the historic edifice.

Lourdes Grotto: One of the historical, religious and structural landmarks along the 10-km route from Guigalo Port to Bikal Port.

This concrete statue of Our Lady of Peace, is the first, the biggest, the tallest religious image ever built in the province of CamSur.

Spotted a white oak tree that reminds me of the trending "Vampire Diaries".

One of the few souvenir shops in town. There are no souvenir items in Naga, so grab whatever item that catches your eye like Caramoan shirts and pay of course!

The Port of Bikal is 10-km away from Guijalo on the side of the Caramoan Peninsula. It is only 15 to 20 minutes by jeep or trimobile from Guijalo Port and serves as the access or entry point to some islands and barangays on the northern corridor of the Peninsula.

....and there you go, let all your senses explore the captivating place!

Next post> Caramoan: Exploring the Islands! soon :)

Caramoan: Getting Here and There

Caramoan is one of the thirty-five municipalities of Camarines Sur located at the tip of Caramoan Peninsula. This small town came to be called “Carahan” for the sea turtle, which were visible along the shores during the Spanish Era. Caramoan Peninsula has been an unexplored paradise not until the franchising and filming of Survivor International. When featured in the local news and social networking sites, travelers just come and go! This made Caramoan as one of the popular tourist destinations nowadays!

Matukad Island

How to get there?

From Manila to Naga City

By Air

The Manila to Naga air route is served by Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific Air, and Philippine Airlines. Travel time is 45 minutes to one hour. From the airport in Pili town, one can hail a taxi to Naga City. 

Tip: Watch out for seat sales or promo fares. Airlines offer P0, P1, 50%, 90% fares! These usually happen during holidays, pay days for AirPhil and CebuPac, Saturdays' Midnight Sale for Philippine Airlines.

By Bus

You can take a bus in Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City, EDSA in Pasay City and Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Bus companies have daily trips as early as 4:30 A.M. and last trips at 10 o’clock in the evening. The estimated travel time from Manila to Naga City is about eight hours including stopovers and passengers’ meal time in terminals. AC bus fare ranges from P700 to P900.

Tip: Since the travel time is quite long, you may choose a comfy bus. There are buses with toilet, Wi-Fi, 32-inch TV, mini screen, audio jack/plug per seat. Online booking is also available.

PHBus Online Booking: http://www.phbus.com/fares-and-schedules/

By Train

Yes, you can also get to Naga City by Bicol Express train. The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is now back on track and have two night trips to Naga City leaving at 6:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M. The train comes in different types: economy, reclining air-con, family sleeper and executive sleeper. Estimated travel time from Tutuban/Manila to Naga City is ten hours. 

For Bicol Express reservations & inquiries, call:
Manila/Tutuban: (02) 319-0048, Lucena: (042) 661-2990, Naga: (054) 698-2123

Tips:

• Reserve the ticket/s one week before and pay two days before the travel date to confirm your seat/s.
• No stopover, no canteen or food to buy from. Bring your own not so-smelly food and room spray to deodorize the room after meal. 
• Train’s lights go dim at 11:00 P.M. There is a thick curtain to cover the sleeper couch for your privacy. 
• Air-con is set to high temperature so pack some warming garments like towel, sweat shirt, jacket, shawl or malong. 
• Train's toilet is satisfactory; sink has water. Bring your complete toiletries plus perfume, cologne or room spray during your necessity. Check everything for the benefit of the next user. :)

family sleeper

From Naga City to Sabang Port

1.5-hour Travel Options: 

1. At the airport, take a taxi (P1200-P1500) directly to Sabang Port.
2. At the airport, take a taxi (P150) going to Sabang Van Terminal located across SM Naga. From there, take a van (P100) bound to Sabang Port. 
3. At the bus terminal, walk/ride a trike going to Sabang Van Terminal. From there, take a van (P100) bound to Sabang Port. 
4. At the bus terminal, walk and take a taxi near SM Naga going to Sabang Port. 
5. At the train station, take a taxi (P1200-P1500) directly to Sabang Port. 
6. At the train station, ride a trike (P10) to Sabang Van Terminal (across SM Naga). From there, take a van (P100) bound to Sabang Port. 

Tip: If you are on a budget, take the van. The taxi charges twice the metered fare due to empty seats back to Naga from Sabang Port.

Sabang Port

From Sabang Port to Guijalo Port

At Sabang, board a passenger boat at P120 each. A group of porters help you board through a man-made wooden bridge at P10 per pax. Boat leaves every hour depending on the volume of passenger. Sometimes with intent delayed for 30 minutes to an hour to fill its capacity. First trip starts at 5:30 A.M, ends at 11:00 A.M., and extends at 1:00 P.M. Estimated travel time is 1.5 to 2 hours. Tourists are to be fetched at Guijalo Port by a staff/tour guide of the chosen package tour. 

one of the breathtaking views along the way

Guijalo Port

Tip: If you are a solo backpacker, take a tricycle or “habal-habal” at P20 each or pay its full capacity (P200). 

register and pay the terminal fee at P5

....home stay accommodation will help you appreciate the remoteness of the town and its culture

Next post> Caramoan: Exploring the Islands! soon :)

Caramoan: Food and Accommodation

Why Residencia de Salvacion and what made it exceptional?

I’ve been scouting for a Caramoan tour package that offers a reasonable price and an evenhanded service for our summer escapade. A good friend of mine recommended RDS a year ago, however, my quest on finding a nice place to stay in Caramoan didn’t stop. Through reading blogs and reviews I was able to list down three types of tour packages: a bit expensive, the cheaper, and the cheapest! Which of these made me choose Residencia de Salvacion and why? 

Since I have 3 on my list, I started to compare the price, place, food, itinerary and inclusion. Let me start with the inclusion, RDS offers free use of snorkeling equipment and Wi-Fi; breakfast when you arrive before 10 am; unlimited coffee, choco drink, tea and free packed lunch on the last day. So, I marked RDS for the two free meals and unlimited drinks which the others don’t have. As for the itinerary, the three offer the same islands and churches to visit. What about the food? 

eat-all-you-can-meals

Only RDS offers eat-all-you-can meals (not rationed) with snack in between meals. Now, let us go down to the price…our rule, we don’t mind the amount as long as it's worth the price...RDS is a bit expensive yet it offered more than what we’ve expected. 

unlimited coffee, choco drink and tea

True enough, the air-conditioned rooms are clean with a 32-inch TV, the beddings are just like in the hotel, the toilet with hot and cold shower are satisfactory, the air-conditioned dining and living area with videoke is simple yet elegant. 

entrance to room 3 and 4

They served not just eat-all-you-can food but scrumptious meals! Our tummies were always full of delectable dishes of squid, shrimp, and fish of expensive type, veggies, meat and mouthwatering fruits, as well as yummy snacks! We missed the crabs due to unavailability.  The staff served us warmly and treated us like a family. Ate Gina gave us another free snack aside from the free packed lunch on our last day!  So sweet gesture of her! They are highly commendable! So when our tour was finally over, the “a bit expensive” became “the cheapest or affordable” tour package! Kudos to Residencia de Salvacion!