Polilio Island Bike Tour

[This post was published 6/05/09]

Pililio Island is very much like any place in the Philippines I haven't heard of. Having been invited by friends for an explore ride gave me the idea of appreciating a paradise. Like it was said on wikipedia I learned that the Polilio boasts' the Chinese word "Pulilu" meaning beautiful island with plenty of food.

AT THE PORT: I arrived there at the dawn of May 22, 2009 at the Real port along with my bike buddies who were greeted by a beautiful sunrise perfect for an adventure. The port, like anything else was busy; ordinary passengers, tradesmen, and fisherman were all busy as they pass by. We decided to take in some energy to store while waiting for a vessel to welcome us aboard.

WAITING FOR THE VESSEL: It took us three hours to be welcomed aboard vessel which will eventually take us to our destination. It seemed like you have to wait until one vessel gets full passenger manifest before it leaves, we waited there for another three hours so I took the chance of taking some photos. 

There were all kinds of boats in the area. Navy ships, fishing banka's, and ferries. I have this fascination if I could command ships someday.

ENROUTE:  The days are always new when I get to travel to places with my bike, especially having to be onboard a small vessel where I'm eager to see land and then go bike at it again. Friends are there to strengthen the bond while adventures sets out a new experience to learn the culture and tradition of our land.  

ARRIVED AT LAST: It was quite a long journey on sea, three hours exactly. We arrived at the port of the municipality of Polilio where we had to eat lunch again. It's quite frustrating having to spend your time mostly waiting and less time going somewhere on a bike but things are going to change...

While waiting for everybody to prepare the bikes, I couldn't think what was this place like under leadership of Padre Domingo, a Spanish friar during the 1500's. Marks of old Spanish architecture was to be found in the area but not much old Spanish churches or the concrete wall called "pueblo" to protect against, ahem, foreign invaders. 

Setting off towards Barangay Burdeos, we spent another three hours on the saddle of our bikes with hiking packs containing the usual three day ration and my photography gear plus tripod. We rode along the agriculture vastness of the island and yes indeed the name holds true, 'a beautiful island with a lot of food', and cheap food there was!

The scenery in the road came in spectacular as every angle speaks of beauty and wealth. Riding along the coast, the shade from tall trees and breathable temperature gave us the feeling of summer. 

Half-way from our destination, the rain poured down and the road turned a messy grime. Thankful that I installed Maxxis Calibos on my bike in time for the changing weather. 

Thankfully the rain didn't came in pouring too long, we entered a shotgun of a hill inside a mountain pass just in time to give us another moment to see the horizon.

About 5:00 p.m. when we arrived at a little town called Burdeos. It somehow made me recollect my life in the province; simple, easy, and free while far distinguishable to compare with the busy Manila. Burdeos just fell into silence as the sun began to fade. 

ISLAND HOPPING: The next morning, my pals are still struggling to lift their heads off the bed feeling hangover-ish from the fiesta we attended yesterday evening. Feeling just about perfect to welcome the sun, I decided to take a sip of coffee and do a little bit of talk around the community. It was just a perfect day to set off our planned itinerary where we set sail again towards the infamous islands floating along the Pacific ocean. 

The fine white sand on this island is particularly amazing. Marked as world class but fearful for the possibility of mass tourism. 

Giving myself a tan. I should go out more often. 

On the far straight towards the horizon is the great and famous Pacific ocean. Polilio island gets hit by an abrupt weather change. Despite having to intentionally plan out a summer to be here, this is as rewarding as it can be. It is a great escape for those wanting naturally seclusive place, even on a budget. 

2-Day ITINERARY: For the information, I spent 1,500 per head on this trip.
Day 1
3-5 a.m. Manila to Real Port via Private Vehicle
9-11a.m. Real Port to Polilio port via ferry
12-5p.m. Bike Ride to Burdeos

Day 2
6-12p.m. Island hopping
12-3p.m. Bike ride to Polilio port
3-6p.m. Polilio port to Real port via ferry
6p.m. Home bound

Polilio is undoubtedly one of my best escapes. Not that I have been to a lot of places but to say this “I biked for 30 kilometers, in an island for three days, swam beside three islands’ beaches; all that then God filled me.” is epic. Short rides are a thing of a past for me, the ability to travel by bike expands your perspective in life, the luxury of being able to see places in the most basic way gives you just the right time to appreciate the beauty of the country. Experiences can only be explained to each his own, some people won't understand until they tried it with themselves. 

Until soon Polilio. Welcome me back with your islands' glamour.

© pagduaw.blogspot.com

SNAPSHOTS | Manila Bay Sunset

How often do you see yourself standing in sunsets? It was yesterday when somehow I was riding along the coast line near Macapagal Avenue when I saw the open sea with skies forming it's glory. The round golden sun we all treasure faded in that moment, hiding itself behind the clouds, my soul expands... Realizing I am that puny little boat floating by the waves, I need to thank thee. Oh how short travel changes me.

Nagduaw ako sa Manila Bay.

Riding Fort Bonifacio Mountain Bike Trail at Night, Possible?

When it comes to trail biking in Manila, you either have three options to go for a bike ride. Camp Aguinaldo, Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroe's Cemetery), and the famous Fort Bonifacio MTB trail. But the big question is... Can you possibly ride them at night? 

The closest bike trail in my place is undoubtedly the one located in the Army Headquarters (Fort Bonifacio), so I decided to try and find out. 

Since the trail is only open from 6AM - 6PM, I decided to stay until sun down. I learned that because the trail is heavily covered by vegetation, the it will already dark enough to turn on my bicycle headlight at 5:30 PM in the afternoon. 

Here's a photo of the bike trail at around 5:30 PM.

Like what I said in my older post, the trail extends 5.8 kilometers in length consisting of technical turns. With the moon above me, night riding can be serious fun if your know what you're doing. The air is significantly cooler, easier to breathe, and the sense of danger wrapped by silence is just part of the package. Awesome?! Of course!

I was able to finish one round until the trail master closed the gate and calling it a day. 

Though I recommend night riding for everyone, here are some tips I can share.

1) Gear Basics - Helmet, Shoes, Proper Clothing (Dry Fit upper and baggy shorts)

2) Check weather. I used Google Now to update me most of the time.

3) Check your lights. Always have the right equipment for the job. If you don't have a good light, better not go into riding at night. The trick here is being visible at the same time your ability to see the road clearly ahead.

4) Know the Trail First. Ah, before I forget. One should ride the trail on daytime first before he gets himself into riding at night. Using this approach, you are more aware of the sudden turns and bumps in the route. It'll be a safer ride.

Again, ride safe. 

Bike Trails: Fort Bonifacio Bike Trail

Mountain Biking in the heart of the city means that you'll go well with what Fort Bonifacio Bike Trail has to offer. It has been a constant love affair with me and my bike every weekend whenever I am in Makati. After all, this man-made bike trail is just 30 minutes away from my place using pedal power.

 So what does this bike trail has to offer as opposed to the one in Camp Aguinaldo?

For a start, it does have two options for difficulty presented in either Blue or Red flags. Blue flags are actually the easy part of the trail. This route is best for beginners who wanted to try dirt cycling or mountain biking for the first time. It is relatively short at around 3.8 kilometers. 

While the red flag offers five-something kilometers and a lot of technical portions such as steep descents, and hill climbs. The red route will surely reward yourself into a bliss of adrenaline inside the city. I highly recommend this one for novice riders who wanted to test their handling and balance skills.

Now for what cost you ask? A whole day unlimited ride will set you back 50 pesos. Not bad considering how the trail has progressed to a more exciting getaway since the first route was established almost five years ago.

Other services you can avail inside the camp is their Bayanihan or Kamayan Hall where good food are being prepared by the enlisted personnel themselves. Don't fret when an officer stops by to ride, they're as harmless as you are... and would be happy to entertain visitors and make new friends.

Philippine Army Band practicing at Bayanihan Hall

What can I probably ask for more in this humble yet impressive little bike trail? Well, I always wanted to try out night riding inside the mini forest. I just wish they would extend the biking hours to 8pm. Just two hours more from the usual 0600-1800H time. Oh well, I just think they'll only be going to consider that when there's someone willing to post on duty for the extra hours. 

For now I'm just enjoying the privilege. 

What should you prepare before entering the trail?

1) Wear your helmet.

2) Wear closed shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed.

3) Bring your patch kits or extra tubes.

4) Bring your air pump.

5) Don't forget to pay and ask for receipts. It helps the trail master on duty, a lot!

Update: As of November 2012, there's a new dressing cottage for a quick shower. No details as to how much it will cost you to use the facility. 

Bike Trails: Camp Aguinaldo Bike Trail

Did you know that there's a bike trail that lies in the heart of the city?

Well, Inside Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, a relatively a short course bike trail of about 3.2 kilometers features a good set of tight corners and but nothing too technical. 

This short wonder can be your getaway whenever you find yourself looking for taste of adrenaline to pump up that heart beat and some mud in your bike. 

To get here, enter Gate 6 along Boni Serrano up until you reach the trail head. 



View Camp Aguinaldo Bike Trail in a larger map

Find the trail master and log-in by paying 50 PHP. The fee is for the use and the maintenance of the bike. Quick refreshments can be bought in the trail entrance, just ask the trail master. If you wish to grab some breakfast or lunch, go to Soldier's Mall.

Tips:
Check out Pan de Campo. When their bread are still hot, it's really really good! 


© iam3739

WAT Day 2 | Mimbalot Falls

The next waterfall in our trip is Mimbalot Falls situated at Brgy. Buruun, Iligan City, Mindanao, Philippines. This waterfall takes just a few minutes out from the city. 

As you can see, you can visit three waterfalls in Iligan in just one day. From my former post, you can visit Maria Cristina Falls, Tinago Falls, and this Mimbalot Falls without having to stay overnight in the city. 

So what does Mimbalot Falls has to offer? 
Well for a start, Mimbalot offers a great opportunity to see Iligan as the city of waterfalls. It features a 90 ft. water drop and 18 ft. wide facade (as Pinay Travelista says it). It also gives you the benefit of communing with nature without having to travel far from the city. Being developed by an entrepreneur, the place will gradually be known as adventure park offering zipline and cable car services. 

We didn't have the chance to swim its nature-made pool basins' because we arrived too late. We probably enjoyed Tinago Falls and stayed too long for lunch at Maria Cristina Falls. 

To get here requires a jeepney, about 15 php per head to Brgy. Buru-un and stop at the Iligan City National School of Fisheries. An off-road trail will lead you to Mimbalot Falls around 10-15 minutes.

WAT Day 2: Hello Again, Tinago Falls!

After being able to satisfy ourselves with our Maria Cristina falls tour, the group proceeded to the second waterfall in our itinerary, this enabled me to say another hello to the enchanting Tinago falls. Probably the second most famous waterfall Iligan is known for.

I can still recall all those details when I was a kid where Tinago Falls was the first waterfall I was able to swim along its waters. It was so cold that I couldn't manage staying afloat even for a minute. I would stay on a nearby pool situated beside the gushing stream.

Pool Beside the Stream

Wait, pool? Yup! I said that right. Actually, in the past, my Tinago falls experience was accompanied by a beautiful zoo-resort situated in the entrance of the said waterfall, of which is located 450 steps higher in elevation. While at present, the resort is nothing but ruins.

The Ruins of Tinago Resort

It may seem like I had some pity upon hearing the fate of the rundown resort, but not the waterfall. Tinago falls remained a beautiful family runabout about 13 kilometers off the city. With a height drop of 240 feet while covered with trees, Tinago, in English means, hidden.

To get here requires a habal-habal, about 30 php. Or a jeepney thru Brgy. Buru-un line, about 14php. Taxi's in Iligan normally goes for an agreed flat-rate price. So I don't usually recommend them.

Waterfalling Adventure Tour participants!

Ten Minute Hike Starts Here

Upon arriving at the old resort entrance. It takes another 10 minutes to trek down. Children are advised to stay with their parents mainly because some steps are too steep for their stride.

Bamboo Raft

There are no known food stalls in the area so make sure you're packing enough for the planned day. Life vests can be rented out at a minimal fee. While cottages are also present, I didn't bother asking since we didn't need one. There's also a bamboo raft ride which costs' 20php per head allowin you to get near the waterfall.

Tips:
- Prior to leaving the hotel, apply mosquito lotion since there are some mosquitoes flying over at the old resort ruins.
- Bring a lot big towels for changing clothes, there's no dressing room there.
- Empty your bowel beforehand. No toilets or portalets are available.

SNAPSHOTS | A ride to Lake Manlamonay, Don Carlos, Bukidnon

Lake Manlamonoy

Lake Manlamonay is an infamous lake located at about seven kilometers away from the Sayre Highway, Don Carlos, Bukidnon. While being surrounded by coconut trees and a sugarcane field, it is actually a lake that provides agri-fishing for the people living nearby.

The moment I had the chance to see this lake upclose and personal. It was soul-inviting as the sun was setting down. It threw away my exhaustion, delivering me towards serenity even for just a moment.

My bike resting beside the lake.

Getting here can be done in the form of habal-habal. But since this is me, I opted to travel short distances on my mountain bike leaving Maramag at around 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I was able to reach home by six - contented with the picture I got.

If anyone wishes to visit the small lake, please bear in mind that, like its Lake Pinamaloy brother, this one isn't suitable for swimming. Picnic is also not advisable since farm animals' are common within the premises.

Acknowledgement:
Thanks to blogger Earl Bolivar of Bukidnon Photo Journal. His Lake Manlamonay article actually informed me of its existence. Read his article here.

SNAPSHOTS | Resting My Weary Soul in Mt. Apo

It has been two days of hiking and climbing the highest mountain in the Philippines - Mt. Apo, situated in Kidapawan City and Magpet, North Cotabato. The itch and the excitement was all part of the activity amongst friends in the mountaineering circle. But of course, the exhaustion was a constant battle to climb up here but Lord knows this was worth it.

You never know what's up there until you see it. But only when you're up there that you get to know yourself fully well. I'm resting a weary soul that is... Thanks to Mt. Apo for helping me zip things up.

I am the probably in the highest place in the Philippines, yet in this very moment, I am a nobody.

Stay tuned for my Mt. Apo series!

Jacko's Kan-anan: Delightfully Tasty Krispy Squid

The mouth watering Krispy Squid.

One great dinner along with Iligan Bloggers Society happened at Jacko's Kan-anan to welcome the participants of the Waterfalling Adventure Tour held here at Iligan City.

Started in 2009, this great dining place actually started as a car wash shop with mini snackbar. Sadly, the place was washed away when tropical storm Sendong came. After some renovations, the owners had decided to put up a place to find good food starting with their own home-made recipe - the Krispy Squid.

150? 130? Nope, it's actually just under that - 120 pesos. Good for two. It can melt the heart of food lovers as the flavor of the squid settles in the tongue. Like any other recipe I have found in other places, this is one of the best recipe's I can vouch for.

Krispy Tuna Belly

Jacko's are also known for their Krispy Tuna Belly and Krispy Tuna Buntot. Two of these dishes fetch at 120 and 250 pesos respectively. The place offer small-run functions and catering services.

Jacko's Kan-anan is located at Hinaplanon - National Highway (Near Phoenix Gas Station), Iligan City.

@iam3739

Day 1: Waterfalling Adventure Tour in Iligan

I am at Iligan City, finally!

I had to travel five hours by bus from my hometown to Cagayan de Oro then had dinner with a good friend who was now based in Surigao. After a few chit-chats, I was set to leave for another two hours ride to Iligan.

Woman Conductor at West Bound Terminal, Cagayan de Oro

This is my first time traveling alone west. Much has changed I can say, I was surprised to see bus companies such as the Rural Transit Bus Lines got away with gender-specific mentality as to jobs concerned, it was nice to see girls having to hold and provide tickets to their customers.

Two hours of glancing through the watch, I can finally see Iligan the way I saw it before, as an industrial town.

I never once imagined that the city is rich with quite a number of waterfalls. It was claimed that numbers went as high as 39, but only 23 was yet recognized as naturally-made. Hence, Iligan is also known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls".

When I got to the busy part of the city, I began asking for questions from the people boarding the same bus. I asked for directions as to where the bus stop is, but to my dismay, the local-pretending lady failed to grasp my question, thus, leaving me hopeless in the city bus terminal.

Thankfully, after some few inquiries with the tourism police force, a cute police girl with a short hair pointed me to the right direction. I wished I had asked her name so that I won't call her maybe...

But now I am in Iligan, having some great food and fellowship with other bloggers at Jacko's Kan-anan to try out three great dishes!

@iam3739

I'm going to The Waterfalling Adventure Tour in Iligan City!

Okay. So I am finally done with my weekend at Davao for a blogging seminar when a friend at Bukidnon Bloggers asked me if I could present as a guest blogger in Iligan City for the first Waterfalling Adventure Tour hosted by the Iligan Bloggers Society in celebration as well with the Diyandi Festival 2012.

My thoughts were nothing but excited. Okay, a bit vague there, but I have to say that I am excited because I want to relive my experience with a city I am lost to explain. I have been in Iligan twice my life; the first visit was when I was around 10 years old and the second time was when I visited Maria Cristina Falls on a field trip. During those two visits, my travel itch wasn't mature enough to make an archive of been there - done that. Thankfully, in a few days, I am happy to be part of an event which I am surely secured to know Iligan far better.

It is said in the newsletter that fifteen bloggers will be joining an adrenaline-pumping event filled with mouth watering food and heart thumping celebration of the Diyandi Festival. Additionally, IBS noted that there will be a good worth of two-day physical-related activites for the adventurous spirit - this actually sold me to come.

The whole event is a 5 day invitational tour hosted by the Iligan Bloggers Society and made possible with the full support of the event sponsors: Tita Fannies, Red Planet / Calda Pizza, El Canto / Macki's, Iligan City Government, UNILAB, NPC Natures Park, Third Team Media, TravelJams, PurpleSlipperz, and Pinay Travelista.

Oh... can't wait!

@iam3739