Exploring Tinago Falls, Iligan City: Easy and Budget Friendly

It was really a loss not exploring Tinago Falls when I was yet a student. How could I miss that unfathomable cold

blue water that is one of the most visited places in Iligan City when I was just more than an hour away from it? Nevertheless, I had an awesome date with my mudra and bro there just  months ago. The day after my bro's grad we decided to have an instant picnic and it was one of the best getways I ever had. Iba talaga pag pamilya kasama!

All About Food

If you are just from the area and want a quick plunge, I think grabbing few chichirias and soda will do. However, since I am a glutton (sometimes) and I did not want to starve my family, my brother and I went to the city market for ready-to-eat foods. I was very happy about the fresh fruits at very affordable prices. I bought a large slice of jackfruit for just P20! For those who want to do some hardwork, you can buy fish and meat and grill them at the area.

The Transportation

From Iligan City, you can hop on a jeep going to Buru-un. Fare is just P15. Ask the driver to drop you at the junction going to Tinago Falls. From there, you can take a motorcylce for P25. For convenience, we hailed a cab that brought us to where we needed to start walking down to the falls. We only paid P250 and I thought that was fair enough. Be sure to talk to your driver for the fare before jumping in.

The Experience

The majestic Tinago Falls is tucked in a deep ravine. On the way down the 600 steps, I took
note of not getting too drunk because I wanted to get home with intact ribs. It is steep. I had difficulty going down. I could not imagine going back up.

I am not fan of swimming but this one inflicted me with very swollen arms because my brother and I keep on wading for the rest of the afternoon. I don't know how to swim so the I guess it must be life jacket that gave me so much confidence. We also tried riding the balsa and it literally had stopped my breathing. I was overwhelmed by the water falling down with such intensity and it drove me crazy how to get away from it. I've almost drowned twice and it drew that feeling back.

The Disadvantage

First thing that really turned me off is the unpleasant smell of the water. I do not know how to put it but it smells malangsa sometimes especially if you stay just on the rocks. Second thing is the comfort room. I wish that some of fees collected will go to the construction of a better rest room. I mean, you have to pay P5 everytime you use it but you have to make do of a cubicle that has overflowing water and a door that threatens to fall on you any minute because it is damaged. Most of the cottages had no roof as well so it is really hard to keep your things dry if it rains.

Budget

Guide  - P150 (My brother is frequent to this place so we really didn't need any tour guide. However, people insisted and mudra favored for it because we will have someone to watch for our things and take our photos) 
If you are on a budget

Cab Fare (Iligan City - Tinago) - P250
Motorfare (Tinago - Junction) - P25
Jeep Fare (Junction - Iligan City) - P15
Environmental fee - P70
Life jacket - P30
Food - Depends on you

Must Check in Dipolog and Dapitan, Zamboanga Del Norte

Bored waiting for my flight back to Manila so might as well use it storytelling…

Once upon a time… Geez lame! Crap that because I’m still pretty nostalgic on my quickie with Dipolog City. Stayed here for 3 days now and yet there is too little time for leisure. Well after all, I came here for business.

As a budget solo backpacker, I find this place really, really interesting and worth coming back for more. It’s laid back yet teeming with life powered by nature, people, and culture.

Hotels

Dipolog and its nearby city, Dapitan (just 15 mins away) has a lot of budget hotels, inns, and suites to entertain travelers of all sorts.

Mibang Hotel is on my checklist for its pool and food. It is just 12-minute ride from the airport and less half an hour from the port.  It is also affordable.

D’Hotel with their ‘We make people happy’ battlecry really live up to it. In fact D’Hotel is awarded as the No. 1 Hotel in Dipolog City by Trip Advisor for its excellence. Great ambience, service, and food maybe were their tickets in winning the traveler’s heart.

Royal Farm Resort, Gulayon Dipolog City

Royal Farm is a good option if you are up for budget rooms with free swimming pools.  Room rates start at 700-3000 pesos. This is surely a love for kids because they have a clean, wide kiddie pool. Food here is very affordable too though you have to be patient waiting for it as it takes a million years to be served.  

Food & Recreation

If are you are craving for pizza and want to lavish a bit, diss out the usual pizza chains and try UrChoice Bistro Café Restaurant.  They have the best pepperoni pizza that goes best with wine. Ahhh, I can’t resist the cheese sending heaven to my mouth. Don’t miss their buffalo wings and steak boasting imported herbs and spices as well. The owner, a foreigner, is very accommodating and attends to customer first hand. Thanks for bringing Italy in Dapitan man!

Dipolog City Boulevard

Sound Central KTV Lounge, Dipolog City

Now if your appetite demands for street foods, I guess there no other place to go but the Boulevard. The place for loners and lovers and joggers, and eaters (haha), and anyone. Here you can find balut, isaw, betamax, etc, that you can devour while watching the dancing light from homes across the shore. Cafés also abound here. Best of two worlds I would say. Because a few meters away from the mouthwatering grills are coffee shops and restaurants. It’s very cool to jog here to fill your lungs with fresh sea air. And if you are lucky, you can join Zumba sessions to burn the calories of the sumptuous meal you had.

For groups on a budget who want a room for themselves to rip their vocal chords and drink like hell, I would suggest Sound Central KTV Lounge. At 450php in two hours you can have a big place to rock on and get wasted. It is just very close to the Boulevard. Okay here’s what you really want to know. They have thousands to choose from on the songbook (though not really all of the song I fancy is there) and screaming sound system. 

Oopsie! I hope to end here but the most awaited announcement on airports has just been said: “Guest of____ we regret to inform that your flight has been delayed….”

What the!

Others

Best to Enjoy by Day

Fifteen minutes away from Diplog is Dapitan where the Phil National Hero was exiled. Oh! history rant detected. Anyway, for a day visit, a historical tour to Rizal Heritage Site must be on the checklist just like any History classes. Hehe.. It is just cool to catch a glimpse of the past in a confused present…

If Bohol has their river cruise, Dapitan has cruise boating too. Allowing guests to enjoy not only foods that wakes hypertension but the pristine water and breathtaking splendor of the island while the fresh breeze brushed your face.

For island hoppers, skip not Buay Island trips. You will surely be amazed of the corals and the sea life in general. Go snorkeling! Go diving!

Night or day Dakak Beach Resort has made it to tourister’s list since a long time ago.

Best at Night

Gloria de Dapitan is not a strange place in Dapitan. It’s actually one of its main attractions. Fun and spooky rides at Fantasy Land is a love by children and children at heart alike. If you are into art and enjoys theatre presentations Gloria de Dapitan has it as well.

Finally, if you are a coffeeholic like me, then you might also fancy visiting the hub for Italy’s best Coffee, Lavazza!


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Your Quick Guide to Mindanao State University, Marawi City

Your Quick Guide to Mindanao State University-Marawi

MSU Golf Course fronting Lake Lanao and the mysterious Sleeping Lady.

MSU had been my home for four years and I can’t simply get over it. The breathtaking scenery, the varying culture, the freezing December nights—nostalgia is an understatement. So when I had a business affair to CDO, I sneaked out for a quick trip to the so called Melting Pot of the South.

It is only barely two years since I stepped out from the campus’ premise and yet I already encountered a problem of where to pass the night. I surely have few acquaintances left but I decided to not inform them anyway. It’s difficult and I ponder it is even harder for first timers. So here goes my quick tour to you.

Transportation

From Iligan City Camague Terminal, ride a jeepney going to MSU. Fare is only P50. It will take you inside the campus. The last stop will be at the Commercial Center (ComCent). If you are not sure where to get off, this is the safest way to do so and from there ride a tricycle (P10 minimum) going to your specific destination.

Where to Stay

This has been my ultimate problem when I got there. Unlike metro areas where bars and inns are ubiquitous to accommodate you, MSU has none or if not have very few of it. The place is already quiet at around 8pm. If you know someone where you could stay with then better. But if none, you may consider passing the night at Yuri’s Inn. It is located at the Commercial Center just above Land Bank. It offers room accommodation from P300-P500/night with Wi-Fi, bathroom and air-condition. Just don’t expect a lot. Rooms are poorly designed but fair enough than passing the night on the streets. Nyay!

If you have extra bucks, you might want to stay at Marawi Resort Hotel. It is just a leap away from the Commercial Center and offers better accommodation.

Torogans at the Marawi Resort Hotel.

Where to Eat

When it comes to food, MSU has a lot to offer that will surely fit your budget. The best for me is still Jeco (located at the Commercial Center). Aside from their spicy fried chicken and onion beef that are way better than the others, you will also be treated with an array of abstract paintings.

The Dining Room is a quick option as well if Jeco is full (as always). For shake and café-like ambience, go to Rhatsuos Capade (if I spelled it right).

For more affordable food, you might try Mishka’s fried chicken. At less than P50, you could devour newly fried chicken wings that is perfect with palapa (a native Meranao condiment) served with yellow rice. Along the ComCent is Triple J where you could lavish to vegetables, meat, fish, and many others at a price that won’t torn your wallet.

And dare I forget not, the Fifth Street is the epitome of food in MSU.

Yours truly having a good time at the MSU Grandstand.

What to Visit

Aga Khan Museum

The Golf Course

MSU Botanical Garden

MSU Grandstand

Marawi Resort Hotel

Nearby Mosques

Quick Notes

Speak Filipino to be surely understood (Not always necessary though).

Wear wardrobes with sleeves and as much as possible refrain from short shorts (especially to girls when strolling)

Just be open-minded. MSU is not chaotic as it seems. 

Photos from

http://www.mytravel-asia.com/pois/101503-Msu-Golf-Course

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eazy360/7362286306/

Experiencing Samal Summer Quickie

You can ride a boat directly to the resort of your option to easily get there.
Fare is only Php15 gainst RoRo's Php10.

Better late than never. The adage is effin’ shibboleth but the last week of May is indeed not too late to catch-up dating the splendid sea, sun, and sand! Besides, what are you gonna do to spare yourself from boredom while waiting for your flight?

My business trip to Tagum, Davao del Norte allowed me more or less 19 hours to visit and savour the pristine and crystal clear waters of Samal Island.

Right after our training my workmate, college friend, and I had a working snack at around 2 pm. It took us more than an hour to decide if we were to stay at Villa Amparo, Bluejaz, Bluewaters, Paradise Island, or Isla Reta. We were looking for a decent place without harassing our pockets. Our first choice was Isla Reta but given the time and budget we opted for Paradise Island.

Transportation

Tagum to Panacan Port – approx. 1.5 hours-  Bus fare Php90

Panacan to Samal Island –approx. 10 mins- RoRo fare Php10

Samal Port –Paradise Island – 3-5 min – Motorcycle fare Php30

Panacan Port I guess is just 10-15minutes away from the Airport.

Standard room accommodation.

Honestly, I preferred sleeping somewhere under the nipa hut with just a foam on together with fellow travelistas (fun way of meeting people) but we have our gadgets and   bathroom concerns to consider. What we got was the only standard room in the vicinity. In fact it is not even mentioned to be available. Deluxe and premiers range from Php3, 500- Php3, 900 with air conditioner and television of which I think were not essentials in our case.

Accommodation

Standard Room – overnight stay is Php2, 500 (good for two but you could get additional)

Food – dishes ranges from Php150-Php 300

We finally settled at around 5 pm. We agreed to visit the Bat Cave and Hagimit Falls but the three of us were quite drained from the morning activities so we slept for about 30 minutes instead. Our starving tummies dragged us to the restau hall and before we knew it we have devoured curry, ramyeon and gulped smoothies.

There were live acoustic band and fire dancing which I thought to be cool enough. We wished we still had energies to invade the nearby infinity pool (Bluejaz is just a few steps away). I and my friend tripped to the bar for a drink or two while my workmate chose to succumb in slumber.

Morning came and everyone seemed to be oblivious of the white sand outside because the bed wasjust too tempting to let go. If there are schools conducive for learning, this place must be conducive for sleeping. Nevertheless, I got up to catch the sunrise (crossed fingers because it was already 7 am) while both were at the dream land.

After a sumptuous breakfast (their buko juice fresh from the shell is heavenly thirst quenching), the clock began to tick. Oops! We barely had an hour and a half left to wander lust. Kayaking erased. Snorkeling too and all in the list! Time to dive and let our skin taste the salt water.

Lost in water.

I am a bit picky when it comes to beaches. The last time I had a plunged was four years ago. I hate the waves banging my body. More to the sea grasses and shrewd corals that hurt my feet. Thanks to the universe that the beach at that time had less of it. The water was as calm as the pool nestled in ivory ash. It was absolutely a spur of the moment idea. We came just for business and yet despite the limited time we still manage to escape. Never underestimate where boredom leads you!