Philippines: 25 Best New Trips of 2010

The Philippines is included in the 25 Best New Trips of 2010, published in the November 2009 issue of National Geographic's Adventure magazine.

Summit to Sea

The Philippines has a PR problem. While it harbors as many islands as the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet, the nation sees only a fraction of the visitors of nearby Thailand. Even travel companies, it seems, have bought the bad rap: Other than the occasional sea kayaking trip, U.S. guides have largely avoided the archipelago.

But Wilderness Travel has finally gotten wise. This May the outfit will lead clients high into the 4,000-foot Cordillera Central, then deep into the world’s most biodiverse marine environment.

The trip begins in Banaue, where travelers spend days hiking into terraced mountains and nights back at the town’s namesake hotel (pine cabins, private balconies, killer views). Then it’s down to the island of Cabilao, trading butterflies for fish� species of them. For the next five days, you’ll bob around reefs, scanning the area’s 350 varieties of coral (including table coral that’s a whopping nine feet wide).

But don’t forget: The best snorkeling starts at dusk. “It’s like being in a train station during commuting hours,” says Barbara Banks, Wilderness Travel’s director of new trip development. “The day fish are moving out and the night creatures like octopuses and eels are moving in.”

Links:
25 Best New Trips in 2010
Philippines – RP in National Geographic’s 25 Best New Travel Destinations in the World for 2010; Ancient Cultures, Structures and Biodiversity Cited

Time to shine folks!

Cross-posted: Zambales blog

Victory Liner fare hike

I just called Victory Liner Caloocan and confirmed the fare increase. Trips to Sta. Cruz from Caloocan now costs P437, from the previous price of P385.

Fare from Caloocan to Candelaria is now P409 from P335. I don't know if that includes insurance.

For more information on the rates to specific towns, you can call the Caloocan station at 361-1506 to 10.

Cross posted at: Zambales

How to get there

Commuting
Getting to Candelaria via bus is fairly easy. As of now, there's only one major bus line that travels from Manila to Zambales, and that's the Victory Liner. Most of the trips are from their Caloocan station.

Here's the schedule of trips, and the cost. I would, however, suggest that you call them to confirm. From experience, the schedule can be re-arranged, especially if you'll be travelling during peak season (summer, Holy Week, Christmas, New Year, All Saints Day, etc.)

Please note: When buying your ticket, say that you'll be going up to Candelaria only. It will cost less, of course (Php335, I think). The conductor will ask you where you'll be getting off, but you can just say "Bayan". The bus will stop in front of the munisipio (town hall), where tricycle that can take you around town are available.

From Caloocan to Zambales(Sta. Cruz)

* 5:30AM -------------- Php384.00 (one-way only)
* 7:30AM
* 8:30AM
* 9:30AM
* 10:30AM
* 12:30NN
* 3:00PM
* 8:00PM
* 12:00MN

On that note, I would also recommend that you get detailed instructions from the resort/place you'll be staying. Again, I'm used to traveling by car or by bus... and my stop is usually along the road.

Edit: As of October 31, 2007, trips to Candelaria via Victory Liner is Php335 plus Php5 insurance per person.

Driving
As I mostly commute, or someone else does the driving (while I'm asleep, hehe), I'll refer you to this article on Waypoints.ph for instructions on how to get to Candelaria, Zamables, if you're bringing your own vehicle.

From Manila, take the North Expressway and exit at San Fernando. From San Fernando, head southwestward all the way toward Olongapo City. Right before the city boundary of Olongapo, there is a bypass way via the Subic Base Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) which you may want to take to avoid passing through the city. Take this bypass road through SBMA and exit at its Kalaklan gate then head northwestward to Subic town, Castillejos, Sn Marcelino, up to the T-junction near San Narciso.

At the T-junction near San Narciso, turn right and head north through the towns of San Narciso, San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, up to Iba. From Iba, head for Masinloc then towards Candelaria.

Source: Waypoints.ph