Batad, Where our Journeys Began

We wanderlust friends started late in traveling around the Philippines. It was after a day trip trek at Mt. Batulao that we all decided to explore our wonderful country and we were already pushing 40. So it was decided that our first official wanderlust destination would be Batad.

I was ignorant of Batad, of where it was and what it looked like. When asked about the Ifugao Rice Terraces, the idea that comes to my mind is the often pictured rice terraces of Banaue. My friends sent me the itinerary with instructions to pack light. We searched the various bus companies that supposedly plied the Mountain Province route, but only found one that really operates which is Ohayami in Sampaloc, Manila.

It was raining the night we were to go up Banaue, and we learned that the bus leaves at 10PM and takes only one trip daily. The rain in Manila we later realized would be the least of our worries once we started our trek to Batad.

Our friend who got the tickets just texted us what bus number we would be taking. As my other friend and I stepped inside the bus, I had that sudden urge to step out and run. We were literally shocked to find that every seat on the bus was taken up by western foreign tourists and the only Asian and familiar face that we could see was that of our friend on the back of the bus. It took a while for my friend and I to move to take our seats at the back.

The trip to Banaue takes about 10hours from Manila. Even though we were seated at the back, it was comfy and cold enough that we had to bring out a blanket for us to be able to sleep. By around 6AM, passengers started to get excited and brought out cameras and cellphones to take pictures of the view outside our bus. Unfortunately for me and my friends, we could only stare in utmost envy at them because we could not see anything from our seats and the lady in front of us closed the curtains and peeked the view from behind it.

We got off the main town in Banaue. Unlike most of the bus crowd, we opted to have breakfast first and try to find transportation to Batad Saddle. Luck was with us because a resident of Batad was also at the restaurant eating breakfast and was in town to pick up supplies. Thus, instead of the uber-expensive fee the tourist office was quoting us, we only paid P150 each for the trip.

From Banaue, it will take another two hours to get to Batad Saddle. The Saddle is the jump off point to Batad proper. The trip to the Saddle in itself is an adventure and we admire those brave enough to do toploading to get to Batad.

At the Saddle, my friends had to employ two local kids to porter or carry their things. They, who reminded me to pack light did not heed their own advice. We rented walking sticks and started our 6km trek to Batad.

You will know that you are near the village once you get to a cement path. And when you turn, the magnificent view of Batad will be in front of you.

We stayed at the Hillside Inn for P200 a night per person. The room is clean and comfy enough, but the best part is that you have a great view of the rice terraces from your room and from the veranda where they serve meals.

After lunch and a short siesta, we explored the village. We were able to get to the rice terraces, but it is a slippery trek (for me at least). We did not go to Tappiya falls, since my friend and I get dizzy with heights and I was scared of either breaking my neck, or being chased out of the village if I fall in the newly planted rice shoots.

By evening we slept early since we were told that the jeeps to Banaue leave at 9AM. Traveller tip: if you are like us who are city dwellers not used to physical activity, eat something first before leaving the inn. It is a 6km uphill climb and I brought a friend last year who hooted with laughter as I told him how we found the climb difficult, he called us fat. When his time came, he understood how difficult the trail was.

If asked if I would go back again, I certainly would. While the terraces are still there. This UNESCO heritage site is slowly dying because the younger generation no longer want to farm. The village now relies on tourists who do volunteer work on the terraces in order to maintain it. The trip in itself is an adventure, the destination a wonder to behold.

Historic and Romantic Corregidor

Corregidor is a small island situated strategically between Cavite, Bataan and Manila. Even before World War II, the island played an important part in Philippine history as the island became sort of a customs clearing place before ships could proceed to Manila. The island became well known for the part it played during World War II both for American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers.

The island can be reached via ferry. The airstrip is still functional but rarely if ever used nowadays. Sun Cruises offer ferry services and day tours, plus an option to stay at the island overnight at the only hotel in Corregidor. Their published rates are posted at their website. The ferry leaves at 8AM but you need to get to the dock at the back of PICC at least an hour before to get your boarding pass.The trip takes an hour and a half to two depending on how calm or rough the waters are.

For our Corregidor trip, we took the day tour and opted to stay overnight. We arrived at the island at around 9:30AM and proceeded to our assigned tramvias. Each tramvia has an assigned tour guide and I can say that they are really good,it's like listening to your history book about World War II accompanied by the beautiful scenery around the island.

Even though the buildings are like concrete skeletons with walls, doors and windows blasted off, one can still marvel at the engineering marvel at how sturdy the building foundations were made. We even visited one site where there was a big pockmark on where a bomb fell but the structure was still intact.

The lunch buffet served at the restaurant was good. I wasn't able to take pictures, but the spread had good choices from fish to beef. For dessert, there was traditional kakanin or sweet rice cakes.

The finale of our day tour was a trip to Malinta tunnel with it's Lights and sound show.

Since we opted to stay overnight, we were shuttled back to the hotel while the day tour guests were brought back to the North dock to be ferried back to Manila. This gave us time to freshen up and rest a bit before heading out to explore the island.

One thing I love about Corregidor is that after the day tour crowd is gone, the island is literally quiet. It's like deserted since the only hotel there can only accommodate a few guests so we had the entire island to ourselves.  I wanted to wade at the beach but the waves were too rough so we contented ourselves to just taking in the peace brought by the serene surroundings. The only sound that we could hear was the crash of waves and the chirping of birds.

Around 5PM we headed back to the hotel for the sunset viewing and Night Lateral tour. Since it was raining, we weren't able to view the sunset. Also, none of us were brave enough to explore the hospital ruins which is said to be the most haunted building in Corregidor. The Night Lateral tour is also an experience to remember since we were brought inside Malinta tunnel again and brought to places where a lot of soldiers perished.

We had dinner at the hotel's restaurant, La Playa. The menu is a bit pricey, but the servings are generous. You can actually bring food and drinks to the island. Bear in mind that this is an island and there are no convenience stores, so if you are like us wanderlust friends who are scared of going hungry, better to bring extra food.

We started early the next day for the sunrise viewing and Japanese tunnel tour. Again, like our sunset there was no sunrise because of the clouds. The Japanese tunnel tour is a little physical since one has to climb steep stairs and crawl low tunnels.

For the remainder of our trip, we hung out at the beach after breakfast while waiting for the day tour to end for our ferry ride back to Manila. I'd definitely go back again. Corregidor is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression on you.It's a nice place to relax and relive our history.

Dalitiwan Resort in Majayjay, Laguna

I had accidentally deleted my original post and review of the resort yesterday, so I am rewriting this again. We had a chance to visit Dalitiwan Resort in Majayjay, Laguna this April after the Holy Week and there were quite a few changes from the first time we visited the place which was February of this year.

First was the area near the man made waterfalls. Back in February it was only like knee deep in water, now the basin surrounding this waterfall is up to my waist, and I am a tall lady. It's not really a problem if you can swim, or if you are an adult but I wouldn't suggest leaving kids or even teenagers unsupervised near the falls since the concrete base is mossy and there is a big chance of slipping and either hitting the concrete or the big rocks near the falls.

The pool was the same and in spite of the big groups that were also there during our stay, this pool was able to accommodate us. I guess this comes from the fact that the water in the pool comes from the stream that flows out from Mt. Banahaw and is really, really cold. And I mean ice cold. I could only stand to be in the pool for about half an hour tops and the heat of the summer day was a welcome relief once I got out of the pool.

Their rates are still the same as seen on their Facebook page. And as I mentioned on my original post that got deleted, you can try to call or send a text message on the contact number provided. It just takes some time for them to answer because cellphone signals in the area aren't that great.



To get to the resort coming from Manila, the fastest and easiest way I can suggest is to ride the provincial bound Sta. Cruz, Laguna buses. Just tell the driver to drop you off Pagsawitan which is the intersection that goes straight to Sta. Cruz's public Market.Jeeps bound for Majayjay can be found at the end of the public market near a buy one, take one burger joint. Now if in case you get lost (which we did our first time in Sta. Cruz), if in case you reach the archway of Pagsanjan, just ride a jeep going in Sta. Cruz town proper and get off at the public Market. Once you get to Majayjay which is a 45minute jeep ride, you can either take another jeep bound for Luisiana or take a tricycle at P25 a head. I suggest the trike, since the resort is downhill and probably won't be a problem when you get there. But imagine an uphill climb on going home plus I cannot vouch for the frequency of the jeeps plying the road.


You can bring your own food, and I suggest bring it or buy it from Manila or wherever you may be coming from since there is only one grocery in Majayjay and the prices may be a bit more expensive.

Touring Manila for Free

Yes, you read the title right. A lot of people complain that in order to enjoy Manila, one has to shell out a lot of money. But there are things that you can do for free and you can bring your family and friends along too! No, this doesn't include you just gawking in the summer heat under a tree in Luneta (but that can be fun too!). There are some attractions around Manila that give free entrance (yes, FREE) especially if it's a Sunday.

First on my list would be visiting the National Museum. For those who don't know, entrance to the Museum is free on Sundays. I have visited the museum on numerous occasions and find that very few people do come even though it's free. It's a wonderful way of exploring our cultural past and enriching our knowledge of our cultural heritage. The National Museum is located beside Luneta and fronting Intramuros on Burgos drive. They allow you to take pictures, as long as you disable the flash from your camera. You can visit both the National Art Gallery which house Juan Luna's famous Spolarium painting, and the Museum of the Filipino People which is just adjacent to the National Art Gallery on a Sunday and entrance is for free.

My second stop would be San Agustin church in Intramuros. Just cross the street from the National Museum and just a few blocks from the main entrance of Intramuros, you would find the courtyard of this UNESCO World heritage site. Going inside the church is free, but entrance to museum isn't. It's P100 for adults and P40 for kids.

If you still have a few hours to spare and your legs aren't giving out yet, then you can climb the walls of Intramuros. A few years back when Fort Santiago was still open to the public, I would spend afternoons circling the whole wall fortress. Now, the accessible ones are the ones near the Universities within Intramuros and the view from here is quite nice because you get to see Manila City hall from the distance, the National museum and the traffic as it eases along the roads circling Intramuros.