Capiz-Iloilo Trip Part 2: Gigantes Island Hopping

We're already waiting at the lobby at around 6:15 and Kuya Mol arrived at 6:20, earlier than the agreed time. He picked up or stuffs then led us to the seats he saved for us. We're so impressed with his service. He treated us as if we paid an exclusive tour even though we're just joiners. A few minutes past 8 and we're already at Bangcal Port. Kuya Mol introduced us to Angelo, our tour coordinator, who was waiting for the other joiners of Gigantes Island Tours and Services. At about 9:30 we're already leaving the port and heading off to our first destination, Pulupandan Islet. There's not much to see in Pulupandan. 15mins is enough to see the whole islet. After our boatman took some photos of us, he took us to our next destination.

Taken at Pulupandan Islet

Cabugao Gamay, or second destination, is one of the highlights of the island hopping. We spent 30mins here just chilling and taking more photos.

Stones at Cabugao Gamay

Our third destination is our second favorite, Tangke. Our boatman told us that we're lucky since it's been 3 mos since they're allowed to visit the island because the weather didn't permit. We stayed for barely 30mins but atleast we're able to swim even for a bit.

We were taken to our accomodation to have our lunch. It's already 12:30 and we're all hungry especially when we saw loads of scallops on the table. After our lunch, we were given the key to our room where we unpacked our things. Our fourth destination is my favorite which is Antonia Beach. We spent a couple of hours here swimming and looking at different fishes. The sand is similar to that of Puerto Galera. The place is ideal for those who wants to just relax by the beach.

Bantigue Sandbar, our last destination, is similar to that of Kalanggaman. We already far from the sandbar but the water is still shallow which makes it enjoyable to kids.

Back at our accommodation, we're served crabs and fried fish for dinner to cap off our day.

The following day, most of the joiners already left after breakfast and only two groups remained, our group and a family who came all the way from Cebu.

We didn't go on spelunking since the cave is not suitable for kids and seniors so, our tour guide took us hiking to visit the Dragonfruit Farm.

He said it was just a 15-min easy walk but it took us almost 40 minutes of steep uphill and downhill to get to the entrance but anyway, the view is all worth it.

The view is reminiscent of Batanes. And that shoreline over there is where our guesthouse is.

By 11AM, we're already back at our guesthouse and waiting for our lunch before they send us back to Balasan.

Here's what the three of us had for lunch

Yep, one whole Chicken to be devoured by us three and to think our son is just 6.

Anyway, I let them have the Chicken to themselves and I feasted over Wasay-Wasay.

Overall, it was an unexpected and unforgettable experience. It's nice to live like a local and be treated like family. We'll definitely be back in Gigantes Island.

For affordable Gigantes Island Packages, you may contact

Paul of Gigantes Island Tours and Services @ 09989816812

For Van transfer (Roxas-Carles vv), you may contact

Kuya Mol @ 09956246273

Capiz-Iloilo Trip Part 1: Roxas City Tour

We arrived at the Roxas Airport at around 5 in the afternoon so we decided to rest for the rest of the day and then just start our exploration the ff day. So, upon arriving, we walk a few meters outside the airport and hailed a tricycle to take us to our hotel, Islands Hotel in Lawa-an. It's 4kms away from the airport and the driver charged us 150.

After we unpacked our stuffs we decided to have our dinner at the hotel's restaurant. I've read in a blog that they serve good food so I opted to try it and we're not disappointed. The food is fairly priced for the taste. After dinner, we walked along the main road to buy ourselves some midnight snacks.

We're all awake before 6 and just in time for our breakfast in Cafe Terraza which is located in Circulo. It's 1km away from our hotel and we paid 40 to the tricycle driver to take us there. After taking a few photos of the place, we ordered breakfast. They already serve seafood that time but the staff told us it might take longer to prepare so we just went with their breakfast meals. Set meals are priced at 250-300 but the servings are enormous. I tried their Cafe Latte and was satisfied with my morning coffee.

Food was served after 30mins but we didn't mind since we enjoyed the view of the place plus the staff who waited our table was excellent he even arranged for the shrine's service van to pick us up and take us to the shrine and we only paid 90 for the transfer.

So, after the sumptous breakfast, we went to the shrine to pray and take IG-worthy photos. The place is quiet and solemn. We stayed there for an hour before the van took us back to our hotel for another 90.

Back at the hotel, we rest for a bit before starting our heritage walk. In a few minutes, we're already waiting to ride a jeep headed to the city proper. We paid 8 per head and we're dropped off near Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral which is our first destination. After taking some photos and lighting some candles in the church, we walked a few meters to the Capitol, then Rizal's Monument, then Roxas' Monument, then walked a few meters to the bandstand where it has the huge Heart Roxas, then off to the historical Roxas bridge.

The walking tour was over in just an hour and we found ourselves buying snacks again in a nearby Pure Gold. From Pure Gold, we hailed a tricycle and paid 30 to take us back to our hotel.

After our lunch at the hotel, we hired a tricycle to take us to Pan-ay Church.We paid 300 for roundtrip. The church has a daily scheduled tour, Mon-Sat 8am to 11am and another in the afternoon 1pm-4pm, and every Sundays 10am-12nn and 1pm-4pm. There's a lot to see at the church but the highlight is the largest Catholic Bell that can be found here. We spent 30mins roaming around the place and another 20mins was spent travelling back to our hotel.

I spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV in our room while my hubby and our son went swimming. We had our dinner in the hotel and before we went to sleep, Kuya Mol texted us and asked if we needed to travel to Bangcal Port the next morning. He offered us his service for just 200/head and he only charged half for our son. He said he'll be picking us up in the morning at around 6:30 which saves us a trip to the van terminal.

Our second day of vacation was definitely tiring since we spent most of our afternoon walking and strolling but there's still a lot to visit in Roxas City.

A Day in Zoocobia

Last January 16, we had a really tiring but fun experience at Zoocobia in Clark. It was an impromptu trip but luckily, everything turned out well.

They picked me up outside my office and in less than 2 hours, we're already at the gates of Clark Freeport Zone. While on our way, I bought our tickets online. I immediately received the confirmation number without any hassle. The ticket costed P295 per head.

Since we'll be spending the day at the zoo, we dropped by Pure Gold first and bought some snacks and drinks, then we had an early Lunch at McDo.

At around 1pm, we're already at Zoocobia. They offer several activity packages at the Main Entrance like Horseback Riding, Camelback Riding, Zooc Gravity Ride.

After they gave us the map, we went to see the birds first. We were given the chance to feed the love birds and it's a wonderful experience. After that, we went to feed the Ostrich and the Turkeys. We roam around the zoo and saw different kinds of eagles, constrictors, deers, camels, and other animals from other parts of Asia.

We were able to tour around the whole zoo in an hour and a half and our feet were so tired from all the walking but it's really worth it.

Zooc Gravity Car Ride

The zoo is worth the visit. For a cheap price, you'll get the chance to see a bunch of different animals upclose and kids will really enjoy the place. 

The zoo opens from 8am-5pm daily.

A Piece of South Korea in Bulacan

My mom messaged me that they're going to visit and asked me if there's a park near our house. The nearest in our place is Ecopark but they've been there a couple of times and I think she wants a place she haven't been to yet. Then I remembered I saw on the internet this Korean Temple in Bocaue. It's actually an hour drive from our place but it's the nearest I can think of so I showed her the photos and she said she's good with that.

The following day, we left our house at almost 1PM. We arrived there at 2:10PM. We parked at The Parish of Sto. Cristo. It's still a 5-minute walk to the Shrine of St. Andrew Kim but there are trikes lined up at the parking area that could take you to the shrine if you don't want to walk 400 meters. They charge P10/head.

Going to the shrine itself was a challenge for me because of my knee surgery. I didn't expect that we have to take a trike then walk a narrow street just to get to it. But I think it's worth visiting this place once to relax, meditate, and have cool selfies. You'll indeed get a taste of Korea in this hidden part of Bocaue.

The Shrine is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10-12in the morning and 2-4 in the afternoon.
We were able to get to the place through Waze, but the route is easy if you're coming from Manila. You can just take McArthur Highway or NLEX Marilao Exit.