Rubel and I were already searching for affordable hotels in Tagaytay for weeks before settling for Tagaytay Haven Hotel in Mendez. We needed an accommodation in the city in time for his friends wedding (last November 2013) --- somewhere near the church and Sonya's Garden. And since I loved Tagaytay Haven's other hotel by Ulat, I assumed that their Mendez branch would be as pleasant. I mean, their photos online (rooms and facilities) looked impressive. Then again, the actual thing disappointed us.
Rubel already went ahead of me since he was part of the wedding entourage. I, on the otherhand, came the day after. The driver had a hard time locating the hotel. So we got lost a few times. It was true when my beau said that the hotel was a bit hard to locate.
I didn't have a hard time searching for a lodging in Biliran Island, especially one that's located by the beach. So when AGTA BEACH RESORT popped into the search engine, I knew it was what I was looking for.
It was the first week of November when my friend and I traveled in some areas of Eastern Visayas. I flew to Tacloban via PAL Express, and went straight to Biliran Island with Coreene. Her father drove us to the Van-Van Tours terminal (straight from the airport), where a shuttle van took us directly to the Municipality of Naval. It took us around 2 1/2 hours on the road before reaching Biliran's capital.
Coreene and I woke up early so that we could get a head start in touring Tacloban City. I still had a lot on my list that I wanted to see, so we went shortly after breakfast. And by 7 AM we were already off to see the Boyscout Monument and MacArthur Park (did a commute via tricycle). Coreene's dad fetched us at McDonalds Downtown a few hours later, to drive us to several more tourist spots.
1) The BOYSCOUNT MONUMENT in Palo was the first ever Boyscout monument that was created in human form. It was put up in 1941. [Read more about it HERE.]
Biliran and Ormoc are amazing places. As both areas made me fall more in love with my country. The waterfalls and the rice terraces in Biliran were remarkable. And the historical structures in Ormoc made me appreciate more of the Philippines' past hardships and achievements. So if you've already explored much of Visayas (or any part of the archipelago for that matter), then you will surely agree that "It's More Fun In The Philippines."
But my 4-day backpacking trip in Eastern Visayas didn't end in Biliran and Ormoc City. I continued to wander through Region VIII, and spent my last two days in Tacloban City --- Coreene's hometown. Cuks randomly asked me about plans on visiting her there. We haven't seen each other for so long since she worked abroad. So I decided to book a plane ticket without hesitation. I did it not just for the sake of traveling to a new Philippine destination, but to also spend time with a friend that I missed dearly. I actually thought that I wouldn't be able to make the trip since I broke my 5th metatarsal 3 weeks before the actual departure. But when I had the chance to rebook my plane ticket without being charged, I moved the trip to November. And in the most inopportune time, I left Tacloban a day before Super Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines. [You can read my short tribute HERE].
Super Typhoon Yolanda destroyed several areas in Tacloban --- a few of the sites that I will write about here. So allow me to pay tribute to this wonderful place by showing you its beauty before it was ruined by the storm.
Every now and then, Rubel and I would treat each other to a nice food sesh, a spa date or to a hotel staycation (if time and budget permits) whenever we would feel stressed from work, which he has been experiencing more intensely these days. So we decided to make time to reenergize, and booked a weekend stay at the Exchange Regency Residences Hotel in Ortigas.
Every now and then, Rubel and I would treat each other to a nice food sesh, a spa date or to a hotel staycation (if time and budget permits) whenever we would feel stressed from work, which he has been experiencing more intensely these days. So we decided to make time to reenergize, and booked a weekend stay at the Exchange Regency Residences Hotel in Ortigas.
I was never a fan of camping outdoors, so my initial response when my friends invited me to go to Calaguas was, “let me check my schedule first.” I wasn’t too keen on the idea of doing a long road trip, let alone sleep by the beach – devoid of all basic necessities. I've always been the type of traveler who likes comfy accommodations. But my love for my friends was far too great to decline an adventure-packed weekend away from the city. And I’m glad that Calaguas didn’t disappoint.
Budget Biyahera is about finding fun and distinct food and destinations, accommodations, products/gears and activities that people can enjoy on a ‘regular’ person’s budget and schedule.
