Saturday, June 1, 2013

Banaue Rice Terraces ifugao

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Get around

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces)


Get in

By bus

Getting to Banaue directly might take a lot of effort if you're not taking a direct route from Manila or if you don't have a tour agency to help you. Here are a few possible ways to get to Banaue:



Manila - Banaue (direct)                                                                                                      

  • Ohayami Trans, Lacson Ave. cor. Fajardo St., Sampaloc, Manila (Just near University of Sto. Tomas or take the train from the Legarda Station then just take a trickshaw to the terminal), ☎ +63 927 649 3055, +63 917 561 7344, +63 2 516-0501,.Provides trips directly to Banaue. They have three daily trips - 21:00, 21:45 and 22:00 leaving their terminal in Manila and taking 9-10 hrs ₱450.  


Manila - Baguio - Banaue

  • Ohayami Trans, Otek St., Burnham Park, Baguio City (within Chowking area), [8 hrs. Provides trips from Baguio to Banaue. They have two daily trips - 20:00, 21:00 ₱360.  
  • KMS, Near Rizal Park, Baguio City. 7 hr. Provides a mini-bus trip from Baguio to Banaue. They have two daily trips: 08:00 and 21:30. ₱400.  
The first option may be a good choice if you don't like overnight buses or want to enjoy the very scenic drive during the day.


Manila - Baguio - Bontoc - Banaue

There are jeepneys going from Bontoc to Banaue and even Sagada to Banaue during peak season or holidays.


Manila - Solano - Nueva Vizcaya - Banaue ifugao

Buses heading to Tuguegarao (e.g. Baliwag transit, Victory,Florida transport inc., etc.) pass by the town of Solano. Several jeepneys ply the Solano-Banaue route or the Solano-Lagawe, Ifugao route. From Lagawe, one can then take another jeepney to Banaue.


Manila - Tarlac - Solano - Banaue

Buses heading for Baguio pass by Tarlac. Vizcaya liner plies the Tarlac-Solano route at 05:00.


By car

The distance between the Balintawak Cloverleaf, in north Manila at the beginning of the North Luzon Expressway and the Welcome to Banaue sign, is about 332 km. The road is paved all the way to Banaue. Travel time can be as long as 9 hr due to the several blind curves through the mountains.
Best day to travel is on Easter Good Friday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. It will take about 7 hr by car with a reliable driver from Manila.


Get around

Jeepneys (converted jeeps/bus) and tricycles (trikes) (little motorcycles with side cars) are easily available around Banaue. Vans can be hired with driver/guide. Expect to hike some to great places to see that are not on the roads.
There is a public jeepney plying the Banaue-Batad (Saddle-point) (start of trek to Batad village) route daily. See Get Out, below for more info.



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I’ve been to Banaue Rice Terraces  also called musuan peak, are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the “Eighth Wonder of the World“.The adventure would not be complete if you wouldn’t experience walking on the paddies. So, i put my hiking shoes on and walked down towards the bottom of the terraces. Going down is easy. Going up is another story. Ive been too Chapa Falls. 45-minute hike from downtown. It was nice there.. and there are few tourist go there unlike Batad. But Batad is also beautiful place.The Ifugao are almost as famous for carving wood as they are for carving earth into green, fuzzy, rice-bearing steps. You’ll find myriad locally made carvings and other crafts in the shops surrounding the main plaza. Two kilometres north of town you can ogle rice terraces to your heart’s content at the viewpoint; a tricycle there and back costs P200. If 
your heart’s still not content, there are similarly impressive specimens lurking in nearby Hapao 

and Kiangan, as well as around Bontoc and in Kalinga Province to the north.


What to see in banaue ?
The Museum of Cordillera Sculpture, located next to Spring Village Inn, has a fabulous collection of bulol and other Ifugao woodcarvings, including some rare originals. There are also some fascinating old books that you can read, including a 1912 National Geographic on Ifugao head-hunters.




The Banaue Rice Terraces have often been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" due to the extent and height of these gigantic stairways. They soar for several thousand feet upwards and extend for miles. Standing at the terrace viewpoint, the green steps extend for as far as the eye can see.



The first question to ask in deciding where to stay is do you want to have electricity at night or do you want to experience living in the Batad Village with no electricity?  There are five inns located on the hill overlooking the Batad Village. They are Rita's, Hillside Inn, Simon's, Batad Pension and Ramon's Homestay. All of them have electricity but the biggest inns are Hillside Inn and Simon's Inn. Both of them can accommodate 50 guests at any time and they have a fantastic view of the Batad Village.
We stayed in Hillside Inn and I would recommend it because of the good service and good kitchen. The rooms in Batad would costs P150-P200 per person per night. 
Saying Goodbye to Batad-11
Hillside Inn and Restaurant
Contact Person: Maya Addug
Mobile Number: +63 919-379 9599
Mobile Number: +63 905-769-9796
17 rooms.
Maximum of 50+ people.
Has electricity and good kitchen.
Common Bathrooms -- separate toilet and bath rooms.
Has great and unobstructed view of Batad Village.
Saying Goodbye to Batad-15
Rita's Mount View Inn and Restaurant 
with Special Pizza and Chapati Bread
Mr. and Mrs. Romeo Nabannal
Batad, Banaue 3601 Ifugao, Philippines
Mobile Number: +63 910 842 3076
6 rooms
12 people maximum
Has a nice ifugao hut with ifugao antique collection

Exploring Batad-16
Ramon's Homestay
Contact Number: +63 927 678 3932
Contact Number: +63 918 243 9827
You can stay in traditional Ifugao huts and learn about Ifugao Culture
Saying Goodbye to Batad-14
Simon's Inn
Contact Person: Simon Illag
Mobile Number: +63 919 261-9566
16 rooms
48 people maximum.
Has a fantastic view of Batad Village.
Exploring Batad-10
Batad Pension and Restaurant
Contact Person: Gina or Florence
Mobile: +63 921 737 1745
8 rooms.
Maximum of 22 people.
The Village of Batad-14

Samson's Homestay.
Inside the Batad Village.
Reserve via Batad Tourist Info
Mobile Number: +63 905 397 2317
The Village of Batad-13
Cristina Inn
Contact Person: John Amehna +63 906 977 3771
3 rooms.
12 people Maximum
In Batad Village.
No Electricity Available at night.
The Village of Batad-12
Foreigner's Inn
Contact Person: David Chuccar
Reserve via Batad Tourist Info
Mobile Number: +63 905 397 2317
7 rooms
14 people maximum
In the middle of Batad Village.
No Electricity available at night.
The original inn popular to foreigners inside the village.

The Village of Batad-29
Waterfall Side Inn
Contact: Charlie Ognayon
via Batad Tourist Info
Mobile Number: +63 905 926 5423
3 rooms.
10 people maximum.
Near the Tapiya Falls.
No Electricity.


Where to eat? 

Eating & Drinking Banaue

Most of the best lodges in Banaue also have the best restaurants in town and so this chapter will help you decide where to eat and drink in this quiet town. It is also advised to have your dinner before 9pm as most kitchens and cafes close by 9pm.
Sanafe Lodge and Restaurant - Among all the restaurants in Banaue, Sanafe's is the best-looking although some people might not find it the best tasting in town. Although the food is a bit disappointing, this is the best place for drinking because of their big viewing deck and bar stools facing straight at the terraces. Recommended is their selection of pasta.
People's Lodge and Restaurant - For your eating and viewing pleasure, this place is highly recommended. Not only do they provide great views of the terraces for their diners but also great food. They have a wide variety of food available for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as light sandwiches and snacks. For breakfast, try their banana-filled pancakes which are reasonably priced at 60php. Sandwiches cost 45php and must-try is their People's Rice which consists of asparagus soup, brown rice, chopsuey, a slice of chicken plus a banana for dessert and costs 100php. 
Uyami's Green View Lodge - Aside from being the most popular lodge in town, Uyami's onsite restaurant if often bustling with customers because of its good food and excellent service. Unlike Sanafe and People's Lodge, Uyami's Restaurant doesn't have a straight view of the terraces because there is no verandah so guests can just enjoy the view by looking through the window. For 50php you can have a sauteed leafy vegetable dish and for 110php you can have a meal consisting of a rice and a local dish called Tinolang Manok, which is basically a chicken with green vegetables in a ginger soup.
Banaue Hotel Restaurant - Banaue Hotel offers its guest complimentary buffet breakfast that can be taken at their restaurant and with great views of the terraces. They also serve decent wines, steaks and a variety of continental dishes. Cultural shows are also held depending on the schedule. 
 Las Vegas - Located just a few meters away from the Banaue Tourist Center is Las Vegas Cafe, which is also one of the very few restaurants in town which stays open later than 9pm. Family-owned and operated, this restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and also has local beer available. Must-try is their version of Pork and Chicken Adobo and Fruit Pancakes.
Friends Country Music Bar - Located on the ridge north of Banaue Hotel, Friends Country Music Bar is  a favorite local hang-out which features live acoustic performances from local bands and best enjoyed with a cold bottle of beer. Like other bar and restaurants within the town, this bar is only open until 10pm.

Puerto Prinseca Palawan



Getting there & away

Despite its 'last frontier' reputation, Palawan is easily accessible from Manila and a few other parts of the Philippines. Indeed, with enough planning and good timing, you might even be able to arrive in Manila, change planes, and arrive at your destination in Palawan the same day (flights to Palawan from Manila take just over an hour). More likely, you could fly into Manila, spend a night in the city, then hop on a plane or boat to Palawan the following day. Either way, the delights of Palawan are within easy reach of the traveller.
Contents

Boat

Palawan has boat connections to and from Manila, Iloilo (on Panay), and San José (on Mindoro).

Manila

A SuperFerry(02-528 7000 in Manila, 048-434 5734 in Puerto Princesa; www.superferry.com.ph) liner sails once a week from Manila to Puerto Princesa via Coron and back again (P1852 Super Value ticket with meals, 28 hours). It departs Manila on Friday, arrives in Coron on Saturday and then in Puerto Princesa later that same day; it departs Puerto Princesa on Sunday, arrives in Coron on that same day and then in Manila on Monday.
Negros Navigation (www.negrosnavigation.ph; 02-244 0408 in Manila, 048-434 4735 in Puerto Princesa) has a ferry that sails once a week between Manila and Puerto Princesa (P1835 economy class with meals, 23 hours). It departs from Manila on Thursday and arrives in Puerto Princesa on Friday; it departs from Puerto Princesa on Saturday and arrives in Manila on Sunday.
San Nicolas Shipping (02-243 4595 in Manila, 0918 216 1764 in Coron) operates three trips weekly between Manila and Coron (P800, meals included). All trips leave Manila at 4pm (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) and arrive in Coron at 5pm the following day. Coron-Manila trips sail Monday, Wednesday and Friday, leaving Coron at 4pm and docking in Manila at 5pm the next day.
Atienza Shipping Lines (02-243 8845 in Ma- nila, 0927 406 6036 in Coron, 0918 566 6786 in El Nido, 0919 257 4455 in Liminancong) operates a Liminancong- El Nido-Coron-Manila route, leaving Liminancong at 7pm Saturday and arriving in Manila at noon on Monday. The reverse journey leaves Manila at 6pm Wednesday and arrives at its final destination at noon on Friday. The Manila-Liminancong fare is P940, with meals included.

Iloilo (panay)

Milagrosa Shipping (033-335 0955 in Iloilo, 048-433 4806 in Puerto Princesa) has a ferry that sails once a week between Iloilo and Puerto Princesa, stopping in the Cuyo Islands en route (P800 economy, 26 hours). The ferry departs Iloilo at 7pm on Monday and Thursday and arrives in Puerto Princesa at 9pm on the following day; it leaves Puerto Princesa, headed in the opposite direction, at 3pm on Sunday and Wednesday, arriving in Iloilo at 5pm the following day.

San josé (mindoro)

San Nicolas Shipping (0918 216 1764 in Coron) does a weekly Coron-San José trip, departing at 10am Tuesday and arriving at San José about six hours later. The return journey leaves San José at 10pm on Saturday and arrives in Coron at around 4am the following morning.

Air

Palawan's main airport is in Puerto Princesa, but there are two smaller airports further north in Palawan and one on the island of Busuanga. El Nido and the Bacuit Archipelago are served by small El Nido Airport. Sandoval Airport, about 30km north of Taytay, serves as an alternate entry point for northern Palawan and places like Flower Island and Club Noah Isabelle. On Busuanga Island, there's the YKR Airport, which servesCoron Town and the resorts of the Calamian Archipelago.
The following airlines offer flights between Manila and Puerto Princesa; all except Cebu Pacific fly daily.
Air Philippines (02-851 7181 in Manila, 048-433 7003 in Puerto Princesa; www.airphils.com)
Asian Spirit (02-855 3333 in Manila, 048-434 4344 in Puerto Princesa; www.asianspirit.com)
Cebu Pacific (02-551 6250 in Manila; www.cebupacificair.com) Flights on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
PAL (02-855 8888 in Manila, 048-433 4565 in Puerto Princesa; www.philippineairlines.com)
In addition, SEAIR (02-884 1521 in Manila, 048-434 5272 in Puerto Princesa, 0919 467 4616 in Coron, 0916 628 6665 in El Nido; www.flyseair.com) has a number of flights from Manila to various airports in Palawan, including: Manila-Busuanga (one on Tuesday and Saturday, two on Thurs- day, three on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday); Manila-Busuanga-El Nido-Puerto Princesa (one on Tuesday and Saturday); andManila-Busuanga-El Nido-Puerto Princesa-Cuyo (one on Tuesday). These all operate in both directions on the days listed here.
Asian Spirit (055-209 1189 in Busuanga) has a flight daily to Busuanga but that can be reduced during the low season. It flies to Taytay's Sandoval Airport (0916 452 8197 in Taytay) daily.
Finally, ITI (02-815 5674 in Manila, 0920 908 1025 in El Nido) offers two direct flights daily between Manila (Soriano Hangar) and El Nido.
You would be well advised to keep in mind that the timetables (as well as the routes and fares) of the different airlines, particularly Asian Spirit and SEAIR, are subject to frequent change, so it's best to check with the airline for the latest update.





-> http://www.visitpuertoprincesa.com/








Together with my friends Liana and Marck, we visited Puerto Prinsesa on the first week of March. HAving booked ahead of time under the Air Philippines promo, we were able to get a cheap fare. We arrived at the city at around 3:00pm.

iwahig firefly watching tour in Palawan . iT was night after city tour , the fireflies are so beautiful .the water in river is so clean its like in the life of pi. there is like firefly to in the water. you must see it. 
I  
I also highly recommend that you try going inside Ugong Rock and break a little sweat as you push yourself upward to a cave.Definitely! But to make sure that you are healthy when you climb they now require that your Blood Pressure be taken before you can go up.

r watch my video in facebook:) zipline adventure after going up in ugong cave.
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, you can see lot of crocodiles here from smallest to bigs and another creatures .really nice …

and you can experience to hold a real crocodile.. can you do it?



Undergound River

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The river is also called Puerto Princesa Underground River. The national park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. The park is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most distinguished protected areas of the Philippines. It is located some 360 miles southwest of Manila, the country’s political and economic capital. It was established as a National Park in 1971primarily to protect and preserve the intact old growth forest, interesting wildlife, pristine white sand beaches, unspoiled natural beauty and one of the most impressive caves systems in the world.





Pandan Island
This is one of the best island I have seen in Palawan this was called Pandan island because you will see lots of Pandan tree here. It is also nice place for snorkeling we have our lunch here the food is great specially the rock lobsters.

Bakers Hill in Palawan is part of the City Tour. Here you can enjoy a small theme-park type environment while snacking on delicious baked goods.







Karst Mountains of Guilin – Looking Through the Eyes of an Elephant

Just a few minutes north of the city proper, hop onto a boat and go island hopping at Honda Bay located in the mid-eastern coast of the city. With visits to three stunning islands with white sand beaches.




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must see in palawan
Amazing biker
must try
Fear factor tamilok

Tamilok
souvenirs in palawan 
Our first stay was spent on the city tour, the second day at the Underground River and the 3rd day at Honda Bay. Our last day of our four day stay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan was spent at the market. Our flight would leave late in the afternoon and we had lots to time to look for pasalubongs. There were so many choices like these key chains and ref magnets. And they were very cheap!
While you are enjoying Philippines Vacation, be sure to leave some comments!if you have question , cheap hotel, accommodation ,travel guide ? Just leave a comment. I enjoy comments from my readers. Don’t be shy. Thank You for enjoying Philippines Vacation.