Tra-Abel’s Top Things to Do at Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Sur is home to the recently named "New7Wonders Cities of the World" - Vigan City. That's enough reason for me to visit the province. A little surprise during my trip was the celebration of Vigan of its Longganisa Festival, which made my visit there more colorful! So without further ado, here are the Top Things to Do that I recommend to everyone planning to go to Ilocos Sur, Philippines!  

Immerse in Philippine History while walking around Calle Crisologo

Entrance Fee: Free

Tour Guide Fee:Not Required

Address:Crisologo St., Mestizo District, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Personal Rating: «««««

The biggest selling point of Ilocos Sur tourism is its heritage village with its center located at Calle Crisologo. It is a cobble-stoned street, lined with Spanish Era ancestral houses (with ancient tile roofs, massive hardwood floorings, balustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish, Mexican, and Chinese architectural styles), which led to Vigan's inscription in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tra-Abel’s Top 10 Things to Do at Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte has always been part of my family’s list of places to go. We occasionally visit our relatives in Pasuquin and on top of that, some of the seminars and conventions I attended were held in Ilocos (Batac and Paoay). But that was 10 years ago. So when my high school friends came up with an idea to visit Ilocos Region in 2014, I immediately agreed.

Ilocos Norte is a province on the northern most part of the Philippines. It is famous as a local tourist destination where you can find a variety of tourist spots that offers different travel experiences.

Here are Tra-Abel’s top 10 things to do in Ilocos Norte:

1. Trek to the Refreshing Kabigan Falls

Entrance Fee: 20 per head

Tour Guide Fee: 100/group

Address: Barangay Balaoi, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Personal Rating: ««««¶

Kabigan Falls is an 87-feet tall waterfalls located in Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte. Having been to plenty of waterfalls in the Philippines, the main highlight is the scenery that greets every tourists on their way to the waterfalls. One has to cross a small river (or is it a creek?), walk along the side of green rice fields and trek through a lush virgin rainforest. Another exciting thing about the trek are the FOOD stalls selling varieties of local delicacies such as tupig, empanada, kakanin and other mouthwatering merienda. The food stalls are situated 500 meters apart, in such a way that they serve as a pit stop to catch your breath and replenish your energy. 

Tra-Abel Cambodia Trip: Pub Street and Night Market

I arrived at Cambodia late in the afternoon, so my first day in Siem Reap was spent checking in my hotel and checking out the town. During my 4 days 3 nights stay at Cambodia, I stayed at Mandalay Inn. It was an old budget hotel located in Psar Chaa Area near the Pub Street and Night Market where all the fun is.

After depositing my things at the hotel, I immediately went out to walk around the area and look for a place to eat dinner (this is my usual routine whenever I get to a new place). Some few turns and blocks away, I found myself in Pub Street and Night Market. 

It was a comprehensive collection of stalls and stores selling everything from handicrafts to gadgets, from fresh produce to authentic Khmer cuisines and other things a traveler needs. I made some few notes and memorized store names on which I would be going back to on my last day at Siem Reap to buy souvenir items.

Chasing Sunset at Phnom Krom Hilltop Temple

After a whole day tour of the outer circuit of Angkor Wat, I still have enough energy for a Cambodian sunset adventure. The famous locations for sunset viewing are Pre Rup and Angkor Wat. Since I just got back from Pre Rup, I decided to go to Angkor Wat to experience the sunset on this side of the planet. I hired a tuktuk to take me to Angkor Wat who is willing to wait for me and bring be back after dark or after the sun has completely set. We were a few meters away from the temple when I noticed the massive crowd in front of the temple. The driver told me that this was normal and he suggested if I want to try another site. At first, I was hesitant since I was alone and I don’t normally trust strangers (that’s what my mom taught me LOL). But without much of a choice, rather than squeezing my way through the crowd, I just agreed to the recommendation given by the tuktuk driver.

So off we went to this unheard name of the temple at the top of the hill. We drove past the pub street and night market, along the green rice fields until we reached the foot of a hill where a stairway can be found. It took us around 20 minutes and around 10 kilometers to get there. I was a little worried when we got there, since there were no traces of tourists in the area but mostly locals. The place reminded me of a secluded sitio or barangay in one of the remote provinces in the Philippines. The driver then told me to climb the stairway and follow the path to the hilltop where the temple is located.

Night Food Trip in Chinatown, Hua Lamphong

Chinatown is a famous location for a walk tour! Aside from the mouthwatering dimsums and Chinese cuisine there are lots of things to do there!

How to get there:

The easiest way to get to Chinatown is to take the MRT to Hua Lamphong Station - the last station for MRT from Bang Sue. Alternatively you can take bus number 113 or 99 from Siam Area, MBK and Pratunam. You can also try the Chao Phraya Express boat (stop at Ratchawong Pier and walk to Sampeng Lane or Yaowarat Road). Or If you are coming from other city, the train will be the perfect way to get to Chinatown (Stop at Hua Lamphong Train Station and cross the bridge to reach Chinatown). If all else fail, take a Taxi, or Tuk-Tuk, but do some calculation first and make sure to agree with a fixed price first, before boarding the tuktuk.

My trip to Chinatown happened on my 3rd night at Bangkok. I fetch my friend Ate Nika from her hotel near BTS Nana Station before going to Chinatown. I accidentally found her check-in status at facebook and offered to meet her for dinner. She’s with Agoda and currently attending seminar training from Agoda Head Office at Bangkok. 

Samphran Crocodile Farm and Elephant Show

Tour Fee:                      750 Baht (500 for the Crocodile Farm + 250 Baht for the Floating Market)

Duration:                       Full Day Tour

Attraction & Sites:         Damuern Saduak Floating Market, Free Lunch at a Floating Restaurant and Samphran Elephant Grounds and Crocodile Farm.

Like my tour at the Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-InSummer Palace the other day, I was directed by our guide at the floating market to another vehicle – a Nissan Sentra latest model. There were 5 of us inside the car including the driver, a mother and daughter from Korea and Emily from Czech Republic. And Yes, I instantly became friends with Emily since we have a lot in common. By a lot, I mean – we have the same waist line and she was fun to talk with.

Before going to Samphran Elephant Grounds and Crocodile Farm, our driver took us first to a floating restaurant (too much floating for the day, LOL) somewhere around Bangkok. The ambience was good and the food was satisfying. But the conversation with Emily was the most memorable during that lunch. She was a college student at Czech and currently on break to tour around Thailand for a month.

A Unique Shopping Experience at Damuern Saduak Floating Market

Located 104 kilometers southwest of Bangkok between Nakhon Pathom and Samut Songkram is where you can find Damuern Saduak Floating Market. It is one of the most heavily promoted floating markets at Thailand.

Tour Fee:                      750 Baht (500 for the Crocodile Farm + 250 Baht for the Floating Market)

Duration:                       Full Day Tour

Attraction & Sites:         Damuern Saduak Floating Market, Free Lunch at a Floating Restaurant and Samphran Elephant Ground and Crocodile Farm.

The main attraction at the floating market is the wooden canoes laden with multi-colored fruits and vegetables, paddled by women wearing wide brimmed straw hats. It has become an iconic and alluring image for Thailand tourism.

Like my Full Day Tour to Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-InSummer Palace, I also availed my tour to Damuern Saduak Floating Market at Canary Travel and Tour Agency. The van picked me up at NapPark hostel at around 7:30 in the morning.

Tra-Abel Guide on Getting Around Bangkok, Thailand

Finding Your Way From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao San Road

I arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport with little knowledge about the transportation system of Bangkok. Based from the information I gathered from reading different travel blogs and sites, I only had a rough imagination of how I can get to my reserved accommodation near Khao San Road and it goes this way: Airport Rail Link-BTS Sukhumvit Line-BTS Silom Line-Chao Phraya River Express.

Just follow the signs and don't be afraid to ask and ask more!

Finding the Airport Rail Link was easy, there are signboards everywhere leading you to it. It was located two floors down from the arrival floor. Near the entrance of the rail link, there was a Kasikorn Money Changer which rate was a little bit higher than those located elsewhere in the airport (for the complete guide on money changers at Bangkok, click here)

The airport rail link looks deserted early in the morning, but don’t worry because there are guards and personnel roving around the station. I bought a ticket from Airport to Phaya Thai, the trip was really fast and stress free. The BTS Sukhumvit Line was a few walk away from the Phaya Thai Station of Airport Rail Link. I bought a ticket at a vending machine located at the entrance of BTS Phaya Thai Station. I rode the BTS Sukhumvit Line from Phaya Thai Station to Siam. There is an interchange at this station from BTS Sukhumvit line to  BTS Silom Line. From the Siam Station of BTS Silom Line, I bought a ticket to Saphan Taksin Station where the Chao Phraya River Express is located. Using the Chao Phraya River Express, I bought a ticket for the Tourist Boat going to N13 or Phra Arthit Pier where Khao San Area is just a walking distance.

If ever you find yourself lost, don’t hesitate to ask questions. The BTS personnel were really helpful as well as those personnel of Chao Phrya River Express.

Getting around

Bangkok, Thailand is notorious for its traffic especially during rush hours, but fear not because there are different modes of transportation available that can help you get around and visit popular tourist sites in Bangkok without getting stuck in middle of the traffic. 

CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao – Surigao City: City of Island Adventure

For the second part of my CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao Tra-Abel trip, I visited Surigao City and Siargao Island, both are part of Surigao del Norte.  Surigao City is located at the Northeastern Tip of Mindanao and dubbed as the 'City of Island Adventures'. 

How to Get There:

By Land – Buses from Pasay City, Metro Manila have trips going to Surigao several times a week via Lipata Ferry Terminal. Daily bus trips from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City or Davao City to Surigao City are also available at regular intervals.

By Sea – Passenger boats are available every day except Sundays from Cebu. Boats from Manila also have regular trips to Surigao.

By Air – Cebu Pacific Air flies daily from Cebu to Surigao every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday & vice versa. PALExpress (Philippine Airlines) likewise flies from Manila to Surigao every day except Wednesday and vice versa. Skyjet flies to Surigao from Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and vice versa.  For more regular trips, you can fly to Butuan City or Davao City and from there take a bus to Surigao City.

Where to Stay:

CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao – Surigao del Sur (Day 1): A Roadtrip to the Unknown

Mindanao has always been perceived as a dangerous location for tourist. However, not all the provinces of Mindanao are code red (tourist unfriendly zone), in fact only a few provinces are considered dangerous. According to the latest advisory dated January 2014, tourists are advised against all travel only to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (consisting of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao). So if you are planning to visit Mindanao, do not worry, just exercise normal security precautions, avoid the provinces enumerated above and be sure to enjoy your stay there!

My first stop for the Caraga Northeastern Mindanao series of Tra-Abel was Bislig City, Surigao del Sur with a short-side-trip to Butuan City of Agusan del Norte. Bislig is the charming city on the eastern coast of Mindanao, facing the Pacific Ocean. According to oral tradition, the city was named after a forest vine of the rattan family which grew in abundance along the river banks. This vine was noted for its strength and was credited for saving a royal couple from drowning when they once crossed the river (Source: Tourism Leaflet of Bislig City).

How to get there:

From Butuan City

From the Bancasi (Butuan) Airport, take a trike/jeepney to the City Bus Terminal where air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 3-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates (a bit more expensive than bus). Regular trips of Bachelor Express (non-aircon buses) also ply the Butuan-Bislig route as early as 2:00AM daily. (Note that “Mangagoy” is the placard used by the buses instead of Bislig)

Super comfy buses of Bachelor Express

From Davao City

From Davao airport, take a taxi to the Ecoland Bus Terminal where air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 5-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates (a bit more expensive than bus). Regular trips of Bachelor Express (aircon and non-aircon buses) also ply the Davao-Bislig route as early as 2:00AM daily.

From Surigao City 

There is no direct bus going to Bislig. Either you take a bus to Butuan or take a bus going to Tandag. If you opted for the Butuan Bus refer to the directions above. Meanwhile, if you chose the Tandag bound bus, you can either take a jeepney, a van or a bus from Tandag Terminal to Bislig. (According to the locals, the route Surigao-Butuan-Bislig is more comfortable since the roads on this route are more concrete and polished(?))

With little knowledge about the place I was about to go, I departed Placer, Surigao del Norte at 4:00 in the afternoon. I boarded a jeepney going to Surigao City Integrated Bus Terminal. From there I immediately took the Butuan bus (lucky for me, the bus did not take long before it departed) and enjoyed the 2-hour trip.

Palawan Day 1: Puerto Princesa City Tour

July 20, 2013

30 minutes after 8 in the morning, the flight attendant of PAL Express Flight 2P 941 announced our arrival at Puerto Princesa City airport. I was excited and at the same time nervous, for I have no idea what adventures await me for my first Tra-Abel Trip!

Upon alighting the aircraft, I immediately texted Manong Rommel, my contact person for the Puerto Princesa City day tour. It really saves you time if you arrange your tour/itinerary in advance. A lot of information is available online, so have the patience to look for one, it really pays off. Anyhow, here is the contact number of our Tricycle Driver cum Tour Guide for the Puerto Princessa City Tour:

PPS City Tour Trike Contact Info

Manong Rommel - 0919 879 9501

PPS City Tour - Php600 for 2 persons (300 each)/ Php500 if you're alone

*The rate is standard for all the PPS Department of Tourism accredited trikes but you can always try to ask for discounts.

Manong Rommel was very helpful in a lot of ways, he's very knowledgeable and friendly, so don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions and trivia about the places/spots you're going.

Manong Rommel's Trike