Everybody is out for vacation this holy week. But me, I just stayed home. Well not exactly at home. Haha.  Even before, we always stay at home to observe the Holy Week, I remembered when I was a child, we always go to my grandparents to sing “Pabasa” (a traditional singing of how Jesus has been put to death) and since they are already dead, no more of those singing stuff,  it’s just me, the tv, Dvds and my bed. A weekend of   movies and pigging out (we were supposed to be fasting).

I’m glad we still have one tradition. Bisita Iglesia. It is a Filipino custom to go to at least 12 churches and pray on each stations of the cross. At least I was able to get out. Argh!

Catholicism is one of the main contributions of the Spanish Occupation here in the Philippines. Because of these, churches here in Manila can be considered places of interests because its architecture has Classic European Influence.  Many of the Church were built hundreds of years ago but still looked magnificent.

Then just this last Saturday, I was supposed to do some bicycle exercise as part of my therapy. My bf and I went to CCP Complex in Roxas Blvd to go biking. But there were no bike rentals there anymore. So we decided to just walk around the area and took some photos.

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and belonged to NCR or National Capital Region which serves as the center of industrialization of our country. There are lots of interesting places that you can actually see here.

Before we go downtown, let’s start somewhere near out place, UST. The oldest, royal and pontifical University of Santo Tomas. I studied here in highschool and I would say,  the prettiest campus in town.

The Kilometer zero. Bagumbayan, now known as Rizal Park, where our National Hero Jose Rizal was shot to death.  Rizal Park has been a place for people who likes picnic. It is the prime park here in Manila. Aside from Jose Rizal, Lapu Lapu’s statue was also placed here donated by Koreans it is also the spot where the Gomburza was punished to death.

Intramuros or the walled city and what I considered closest to the beauty Vigan because of its Hispanic feel. I just love walking around here. Around the area is Fort Santiago, and of course my Alma Mater Mapua Institute of Technology along with other colleges. You can actually go up the wall and relax, watch golf and study (yeah right) oh well just bum around.

Fort Santiago is where Jose Rizal was detained before he was shot at Bagumbayan.

CCP Complex Harbor Square is a very silent area where you can jog, play badminton, do some yoga and whatnot. I was surprised that you could actually find something not so busy here in the city. You can see here the Manila Skyline. You can also do some cruisin around Manila Bay. 250.00/pax for a cruise, add another 250.00 for dinner. What a romantic way to spend your sunset with someone. Yay.

Even Before, Manila City Baywalk is famous for it’s beatiful sunset. It was a very long time since I last saw it there. Oh gosh it still awed me.

Even though I wasn’t able to go far this holy week I could still say that I had blast.

more photos at http://carlakatipunan.multiply.com/photos/album/139

Mindoro or Mina de Oro literally means mine of gold. Well, i wasn’t sure of that. but I am positive that Mindoro has one priceless treasure – Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera a province in Oriental Mindoro is considered to be one of the hottest summer destinations here in the Philippines. It was my first time this year to come to this well-known place to relax from all the day’s work and of course to satisfy my itching-for-vacay feet.

There are a lot of Beaches here in Puerto Galera. Sabang, Tamaraw, White and the infamous Talipanan Beach. I think it was the last stop of the ferry boat and well-known among bloggers. I actually googled about Puerto Galera and I saw on pinoytravelblog about Talipanan. Right there and then I decided to go to that place and I was happy about my decision.  My company doesn’t seem so (most of them are boys so normally they would want to go where the chics are.). What I love about this beach is that you can relax, unwind almost as if the island is yours. Very few people  go here, most of them are foreigners and peeps who just want a peaceful environment.

We went snorkeling at a dive site where the boat man brought us. I was so excited! I put my snorkel gadgets on, then I dived and saw these cute school of fish and the colorful corals alive and pretty! Because of that spectacular beauty, I forgot that I was breathing with my mouth,  I said “WOW” out loud! Sheesh I drank a lot of sea water. I have to remember shutting up even just for swimming. Haha

after snorkeling, we asked the bangkero to drop us inWhite Beach. it is perfect for those who love the crowd and nightlife. The probability to see someone you knew was indeed a fat chance.  Another good thing about White beach is that there are a lot of  restaurants to choose from. It’s like a small city in there.

We weren’t able to try the hike so we just stayed there and enjoyed the beach. Just near our place, we found a beautiful semi-lagoon where you can swim.  There were naturally hewn rocks, oh ith was so beautiful! it  has an amazing formation. I dunno why but I do love rocks. I remembered when I was like around 14 when we went to Calapan, Mindoro. I swear I brought home about 20 hand-sized stones. Haha my mother went ballistic.

The beaches in Puerto for me were just fair, not like the other beaches I have been to. But what is superb about the place is the dive site. It was very splendid. Fish of different sizes and colors, corals that are darn pretty! That underwater beauty on your very own eyes you could almost touch it (be wary though some of them stings).  It was really a wonderful experience.

Activities

Banana Boat Ride – Php 200.00 /pax
Island Hopping / Snorkeling -  Php 1500.00 – 2000.00 boat rental add Php50.00 for  snorkel set
Parasailing – Php 1500.00 – 2000.00 – 1-2 persons

Night Life – Taste the famous Mindoro Sling (I love that drink) available in Tanduay or Bacardi 250.00 – 450.00 per pitcher.
Massage – around Php 200.00
Jet Ski – I wasn’t able to get the rates for these. Sorry
Trekking  to the falls – 150.00 – 400.00

How to get there

Estimated time of travel – 3-4 hours

You can ride a bus going to Batangas Pier in Buendia or Cubao. You can also rent a van. We ride at Buendia which costs Php 166.50 one way.

From Batangas Pier, you can chose from different ferry boats. In our case we ride at Commandos. One way ticket costs Php 250.00 but you can buy a round trip ticket for Php450.00.

You have to pay Php50.00 for Environmental Fee (I dunno maybe for some preservation fund or something) and another Php10.00 for the Terminal fee.

Where to Eat.

Urgh! This was our dilemma during the trip. What I don’t like about Talipanan is that you can’t get a decent meal despite the fact that the prices are doubled save for Luca’s Italian Restaurant.yum!

We had to pay 100.00 for a breakfast meal and there servings are very small. Luca’s is quite pricey but the servings WOW! Big enough for 2. Plus it was very Italian. Tomatoes, basil, olive! Mmmm! I love! At Luca’s prices ranges from 140 – 200 for pasta dishes and 350-500 for pizzas around  14-16inches in diameter

Where to stay:

If you are to stay in White beach you need not to worry about reservations because there are a lot of hotels and rooms that are for rent  ranges from Php800 – Php2500 per night but during peak seasons the prices goes way way highter.

At Talipanan, we stayed at El Canoneros – fairly nice. The toilet is clean. Our room cost about 4000.00 for 10pax add 100.00 for additional person. Aircon and has five double-size beds.
Contact Miss Sally – 09164322430

Bamboo Beach House is pretty much more decent though but has a bit higher price.  Around 2500.00 for 4pax.
Contact Miss Juvie – 09175620992

Lakwatsera Tips:

If you are on a tight budget, bring your food and drinks. It is really expensive there. Prices here in Manila are usually doubled. like a 1.5liters of cola in Puerto costs Php 75.00 – 80.00.  a lot of restos there allows packed meal and they also have cooking services so no worries.

Bring underwater camera if you can. I really wished I should have brought one so that i could show you Puerto Galera’s underwater beauty.