Umaura sa Aurora | iamjoyceyvonne

"TRAVELLING. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller."

We went to Aurora last Thursday, May 10, 2018 for our research. We left Manila by five o'clock in the morning. When we reached Pantabangan Road by ten o'clock, we stopped for a while and took pictures of ourselves.

the beautiful Pantabangan Dam

Six to seven hours travel time will not bore you because of the beautiful views that Nueva Ecija and Aurora have.

Maria Aurora, Aurora

what a beautiful view!!

After two hours of long drive from Pantabangan Dam, we arrived at our lodging house, the Brown Epitome Lodge. We got excited because the house was so beautiful. We arranged our things inside the room then prepared our lunch.

our room

Every room is for only two pax, so pag sumobra magdadagdag nalang sila ng extra bed for every person.

hot and cold shower

kitchen and dining room for everybody!! XD

After naming kumain, inumpisahan na namin magsurvey. Gusto naming matapos agad ng one day ‘yung pag susurvey para puro gala nalang kami sa mga susunod na araw haha! So we went to Sabang beach, the travel time through car was seven minutes, but if you’re going to walk, it takes eighteen minutes to reach the beach from the lodging house. Nagpunta kami ‘dun para mag survey but we got too excited because we saw the waves splashing on the shore at gusto na talaga naming matapos para maka langoy na at makapag surf !!!!!

We fought the urge to do those things, so we went to residential houses near Sabang beach to start our “real” agenda why we were on Aurora in the first place. Nagpunta 'din kaming bayan para magsurvey. We did that for the whole day and completed the one hundred questionnaires. Desidido gumala kaya tinapos ng isang araw hahaha! Hey, we need a break because we didn’t have summer  vacation! L



On our second day, we went to Hanging Bridge, it took only few minutes to reach it.

the view from the parking lot

While we were crossing the bridge, some bangkero shouted on us asking if we wanted to try boating for only twenty pesos per pax. We just finished our picture taking and crossing the bridge then we went to kuya.

sulit na sulit ang twenty pesos dahil matagal tagal din 'yung ride.

After the Hanging Bridge, we went to Diguisit Rock Formations. We passed by this beautiful scenery. Ang nakaka-excite pa eh pwedeng pumasok 'yung sasakyan malapit sa dagat without paying fee.

how far i'll go? ang peg

After forty minutes travel time and picture taking, we reached the Diguisit Rock Formations. We were the only people that time so it was like we rent the whole place.

We rented a kubo malapit sa isla then we prepared and ate our lunch.

After that we went to Sabang beach again to surf and swim.

When we got there, pumunta na kami sa nakausap naming may-ari ng surfing boards. Pinapirma kami sa paper na sinasabing hindi nila kami sagutin kapag may nangyaring masama sa amin. Katakot! So ayun na nga, tinuruan kami ng parts ng surfboard and 'yung mga gagawin namin kapag nasa dagat na kami. After ng lesson, nagpunta na kami sa dagat, habang papunta na kami sa medyo malayo, sinasalubong na kami ng malalaking waves, ang turo ng instructor, yuyuko lang kapag may masasalubong kaming mga waves. After three tries of surfing, I'm already tired. Nakakainis kasi kapag tinulak ka na nila tapos nagbigay na sila ng signal na tumayo ka na sa surfboard malalaglag ka tapos pupunta nanaman kayo sa malayo tapos ganun ulit, paulit ulit lang HAHAHAH! Siguro nakatayo ako ng maayos mga tatlong o apat na beses lang XD pero worth it yung pagod at sakit ng katawan.

Our first trip for the 3rd day was Balete Tree or known as Millennium Tree in Maria Aurora, Aurora.

amazing facts!

Before you enter the park, you will pay P15 pesos, then before you enter inside the Balete tree, P10 naman ang ibabayad.

inside of Balete tree

Balete tree on the inside, amazing!!

 There are many stores inside the park, the ice candy buko flavored was delicious! :P



The second stop was Ditumabo Falls or known as Mother Falls in San Luis, Aurora. We walked for ten minutes from the parking lot to the entrance where will you pay P30 for the environmental fee. They required tourists to have tour guide going to Mother Falls. You need to trek for forty-five minutes to reach the falls.

You will see this "palatandaan" on the right side, this will serves you kung malapit na ba sa falls. From 120, pababa ng pababa 'yung number habang palayo ka na ng palayo. Hindi biro 'yung mga daanan, there are times na dadaan ka sa river.

mother falls !!!!

Kung gaano kainit habang nag te-trekking kami, sobrang lamig naman sa falls.

Our tour guide said that there is also Father Falls, but you need to trek for six hours to reach it. After thirty minutes of rest and picture taking, bumalik na kami sa sasakyan para puntahan ang last trip namin before we go back to Manila.

The third and last trip --- Dinidiawan Beach in Dipaculao, Aurora. This was the farthest in all our trips. It took us two hours to reach this beautiful paradise. We thought na baka Sagada na 'yung labas namin dahil sa daan, paakyat siya ng bundok. The view was amazing, if Banaue has Rice Terraces, Dipaculao has Coconut Terraces, lol. Seeing those mountains made us think that we're on the background of Highlands Corned Beef.

After hours of being excited, we reached our destination. But before that, we searched for cottage because most cottages we passed-by are fully-accommodated.

Nung may nakita kaming parang vacant, we asked the staff kung puwede ba at magkano. He said puno na daw pero puwede namang maglatag nalang kami tapos ang babayaran nalang namin ay 'yung rent sa CR which is P50. We agreed, but later on, he said umalis na daw 'yung asa kubo so pinayagan kami na magstay sa kubo for free.

white sand beach

Dinidiawan Beach

We fixed our things in the kubo then ate our late late lunch because of the long travel time, then nagswimming na kami. By six thirty in the evening, umahon na kami at nagbanlaw na. We finished by seven twenty then go back to Manila.

Aurora is rich in nature, but I think the government is not yet ready for the influx of tourists.

• There's no signage of tourist attractions, so you need to ask the residents on how to get there.
• There's no street lights in some places.
• It is hard to commute there. In our 3 days in Aurora, I didn't see any jeepyneys, only tricycles.

But the overall experience was great. I really enjoyed Aurora. Buti nalang talaga may sasakyan 'yung kagrupo ko, hahaha!

Expenses:

• Gas -                                                        P2700 -  P385/5pax
• Toll fee -                                                  P740 - P105/5pax
• Foods -                                                    P300/pax
• Lodging House -                                     P900/2pax, add P200 for extra person - P600/pax
• Surfing -                                                  P350/pax
• Cottage near Diguisit Rock Formations P200 - P40/pax
• Entrance Fee at Millennium Tree -         P15/pax
• Entrance Fee inside the Millennium Tree P10/pax
• Environmental Fee at Mother Falls -      P30/pax
• Tour Guide at Mother Falls -                  P200 - P40/pax
• CR at Dinidiawan Beach -                      P50/pax

TOTAL = P1925 FOR 3 DAYS AND 2 NIGHTS IN AURORA

"I don't care how long it takes me, but I'm going somewhere beautiful."

Thank you to my summer class, Tourism Development Plan and to my professor for this opportunity. Hindi lang ako nakapunta ng Aurora, but I also learn something while travelling and asking questions to the residents about tourism in Aurora.

(THANKS TO WAZE, WE REACHED OUR DESTINATIONS WITHOUT GETTING LOST, AND TO THE RESIDENTS *IF THE WAZE WAS NOT WORKING*, WHO HELPED US ON GETTING THERE. GOD BLESS PEOPLE OF AURORA.)

Thank you for reading!!! :) 

Affordable Accommodation in Baguio City | iamjoyceyvonne

felt like home ❤️❤️

*Tagalog*

Last December 18, nagpunta kami ng Baguio City para sa aming thesis. Nag conduct kami ng survey sa mga residente doon. Di namin maeenjoy ang 4 days 3 nights namin kung hindi maganda ang accommodation. Buti nalang talaga, maganda! Hahaha! Yung feeling na pagod na pagod ka maghapon tas pagdating sa transient, parang bahay pa kaya ang sarap magpahinga? Nakaka feel at home ang vibe ng transient.

Andito ulit ako para ishare sa inyo ang napakamura pero napakalinis at gandang transient sa Baguio.

PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL --- isang festival na ginaganap sa Baguio City tuwing Pebrero. Dumadagsa ang libo libong turista sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Pilipinas… isama na rito ang mga dayuhan para mapanood ang napakakulay at napakagandang mga float ng bulaklak na pumaparada sa kahabaan ng Session Road.

Dahil dito fully-booked na ang mga hotels o ano mang tuluyan malapit sa town.

Karamihan sa mga accomodations ‘pag gantong may occasion o peak season.. nagtataas ng presyo, pero ibahin niyo sa transient na to! Mura na mafifeel at home ka pa dito, bes! XD

Kung may sasakyan kayo at ang daan niyo ay Kennon Road patungong Baguio City, madadaanan niyo itong transient na ‘to! Paglagpas ng palengke at ng tulay sa may Camp 7, sa may kaliwa makikita niyo ang Dicman’s Water Station or Aquatranz and voila! Andun na kayo! (or use waze hihi)

(these pictures are taken by me during our stay there)

room 1

room 2

hot and cold shower

Dicman’s Transient House (wala po silang name, ginawa ko lang yan hahaha)

• 10 minutes papuntang town (iwas sa madaming tao. probinsya feels talaga)
• safe (w/ cctv and parking)
• may malapit na palengke
• may malapit na sakayan papuntang town (taxi and jeepneys)
• mababait ang mga tao lalo na yung may-ari
• pwede magluto, plus 100 para sa gas, WHOLE STAY na yun! ;)
• may hot and cold shower
• kumpleto na yung gamit pang kain, pang luto, pang hugas (sponge and dishwashing liquid), at pang ligo (shampoo at sabon) XD (oo bes prinovide na nila lahat!! XD toothbrush nalang dalhin mo)
• may drinking water na din
• may tv, wifi, initan ng tubig
• solo niyo yung bahay (2 rooms)
•  at higit sa lahat P250/night/pax lang!!!

Complete list:

P350 for 2pax | P300 for 3pax upto 5pax | P250 for 6pax and up

Mag hohotel ka pa ba na mahal, kung dito lang sobrang mura na?? Ipangbili mo nalang ng Strawberry Taho at ipang Night Market yung sukli sa budget mo para sa accommodation! XD

Address: Camp 7, Monticello Road, Baguio City

Number: 09219800367

Contact Person: Mrs. Remedios Dicman

/// IM POSTING THIS BECAUSE WE WERE SATISFIED ON THEIR SERVICES WHEN WE WERE ON BAGUIO FOR OUR THESIS SURVEY LAST DECEMBER 18 (4D3N). THANK YOU MR. AND MRS. DICMAN FOR YOUR KINDNESS.

Thank you for reading!! :) 

Romantic Tagaytay Getaway: A Couple On Budget | iamjoyceyvonne

What we all want in life ... to travel, fall in love and be happy.☻

Tagaytay is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations because of its outstanding scenery and cooler climate provided by its high altitude. Tagaytay overlooks Taal Lake in Batangas and provides views of Taal Volcano Island in the middle of the lake. Tagaytay is considered to be the second Summer Capital of the Philippines with the first being Baguio due to its cool climate thus is a favored destination from those relatively more humid areas of the Philippines. Tagaytay is also a popular destination for tourists seeking a panoramic view of Taal Volcano and the surrounding lake.

307 pictures. 3 attractions. 2 people. 1 heart.

My boyfriend and I celebrated our 25th monthsary in Tagaytay last November 8. The day before we went to Tagaytay, we already planned things (NO. I planned all the things! XD) and bought our foods in the grocery near in my house (para mas mura! hehe) We bought tasty bread, 1 pack of hotdog, toothbrush, deo, canned foods, junk foods and such. We got the total of almost P500. Dun palang nakapaghati agad kami ng almost P250, haha tsktsk!

On that day (of our monthsary), we met in Doroteo Jose Station at 8:30am. Nag LRT kami going to Buendia or Gil Puyat. Pangatlong train na yung nasakyan namin kasi punuan. Nung makarating kami sa DLTB, wala pang bus na may sign ng 'Nasugbu', so kumain muna kami sa Mcdonald's Gil Puyat. At 9:30 am, 'dun lang kami nakasakay ng bus. Mabilis lang napuno 'yun dahil madami nadin nag aantay before pa dumating yung bus. We told the conductor that we're student, he asked for our IDs, so we showed our IDs to him and got the student discount.

After 3 hours of travelling.... The bus stopped in Olivarez Bus Stop and the conductor told us that we're already there and just need to take a few minute walk going to Tagaytay Rotunda. Pagkababa ng bus, ramdam agad namin nasa Tagaytay kami because of the weather. Mainit siya pero hindi yung init na katulad sa Manila. 'Tas pag humahangin, kakaiba yung ihip parang de aircon, hehe. While walking going to Rotunda, we checked if there's an inn or room for rent for us to stay overnight. Unluckily, we didn't see anything that would pass on our budget. We decided to check accomodations near Picnic Grove so we waited for jeep in Rotunda that would pass by in that place. While waiting, a tricycle driver approached us, and saying he could bring us in affordable rooms for rent, he asked how much is our budget, and I answered P800. We agreed on his deal, so he brought us in front of Picnic Grove, kung saan kabikabila ang mga room for rent. He stopped in front of a house named JJPP Room for Rent. Next thing I know, we were already climbing the stairs going to the rooms. The first room that the caretaker showed us was a room with airconditioner, the room was worth P1,500. Too much for our budget, and since we were on Tagaytay, we didn't need aircon. The second room just had electric fan and good for P1,200. The room was simple. It has queen-size bed, TV with cable, table and own cr, mayron din silang wifi. It already had towel, slippers, and blanket. Since we were on  a budget (lagi naman eh! haha) we refused the offer, the caretaker lower the price from P1,200 to P1,000, medyo alanganin pa din kami haha so he asked what time was our check out, we said "kahit hanggang 8:00am lang po", so he gave the room for P800, bali 1:00pm to 8:00am ang stay namin 'dun. O diba from P1,200 naging P800 nalang hahahah! Meron din silang terrace, tas may upuan saka lamesa na 'dun. Meron ding mineral water. You could also use their utensils. The downside of their place, they didn't have hot shower, and the smell of their room was smell of newly paint room. I suggest, guys na hanap kayo ng room na iba especially if you have budget. Madami na dyan, ranging P1,500-P2,000 na maganda na talaga.

Our room. Sorry kung walang maayos na picture XD The CR is on the right side of the room if you're facing the TV.

Binalikan namin si kuyang tricycle driver para magbayad tas umakyat na ulit kami para ayusin yung mga gamit. After mag ayos ng gamit, nagpaalam kami kay Kuyang caretaker na papasyal muna, Nilakad lang namin yung pinag stayan namin going to Picnic Grove dahil sobrang lapit lang. We brought foods along us because we were still not eating lunch that time. We stopped at the front gate or entrance to pay fees.

Time for picture picture!! ☺

Medyo mahaba yung lalakarin pero okay lang, hindi naman mainit at ang ganda ng view. That time, there was no fee for cottage, kaya naka minus kami sa cottage. Pagkadating sa cottage, kumain muna kami at kwentuhan. Then there was a vendor selling macapuno, ube, and espasol. We bought those, three for P100 but Ate added another espasol for free.

Besides on walking, eating on the cottage while staring at the beautiful Taal, there were others activities that you could do like Zipline, Horseback riding, cable car, and you could have a picture taking while riding on a horse for just P20!

We stayed in Picnic Grove until 3:00pm, then we decided to went to People's Park naman. Binaba namin yung mga gamit sa room dahil naubos na namin yung tasty at hotdog at yung ibang pagkain naming dala. Nagdala naman kami ng junk foods at nirefill yung water para sa People's Park. Then we waited for jeepney going to People's Park. Nakalagay na sa signage na People's Park and 'yun na din kasi 'yung pinaka dulo. Nagbayad ulit ng fee pagkadating sa Park, merong jeepney paakyat but we chose to walk at 'di naman kami nagsisi dahil malapit lang, 'yun lang mahirap kasi paakyat 'yung way niya.

Nung bandang 5:00pm or 5:30 ata nun, kumakapal na yung fog at lumalamig nadin..

The two parks are open until 6:00pm only. So, nung 5:50 bumaba na kami. Madami nang tricycle drivers ang nag aapproach samin pero we refused. Kaso wala ng jeep. Kaya binalikan namin si kuyang driver. Nung una, terminal ng jeep lang for P40, we asked how about if Picnic Grove na ang baba, he said P70 so P30 lang dagdag sa may malapit na sa room namin so nagpahatid na kami hanggang doon.

Pagkababa ng tricycle, bumili kami ng rice sa may carinderia 'don for our dinner. Tas kumain na kami ng dinner sa room. Tas pahinga na. Nung 10:00pm, we decided to drink coffee and milo and eat noodles. Meron namang tindahan sa baba lang ng room kapag wala kayong dalang baon, so 'di na lalayo pa. Since we own the noodles, only the coffee and milo yung binili namin sa store. After eating, we watched movie "500 Days of Summer" then we decided to sleep na because 6:00 am pa gigising bukas, dahil 8:00am ang check out.

Our food for 2 days and 1 night! XD

Midnight snack :)

*Lights out*

We woke up at 6:00 am, tas inayos na yung breakfast namin. After that, naligo na at inayos ung mga gamit. Exact 8:00am nakapagcheck out kami. Andun sa baba yung may ari and he said na ilapag nalang sa table sa terrace ung key. We asked him how to go to Caleruega Church and he answered, so we said our thankyous and went to highway to wait for jeepney going to Olivarez.

Pagkababa ng Olivarez, we waited for jeep with a signage "Nasugbu", pagkasakay ng jeep, we told the driver to drop us in Caleruega Church. Medyo matagal din ang byahe, sulit ang P25 na pamasahe hahaha! Nakatulog na kami sa jeep, paggising ko, I saw outside that we're on Twin Lakes Tagaytay, so hindi na ako natulog ulit kasi baka lumagpas na kami, while my boyfriend was sleeping well, hehe. The driver said that we're already there and we're going to ride a tricycle going to Caleruega Church, ginising ko na yung boyfriend ko and bumaba na kami ng jeep. Sumakay na kami ng tric, pagkasakay, manong said we should get his phone number so we could text him if we're done para masundo niya kami. Pagkadating sa Caleruega, nagbayad ng entrance and it came along with map and brochures. Caleruega is pretty big, so thanks to the map XD

hanging bridge

I could say that I'm already in love to this place!!!!! Love at first sight!!!! I already know why this place is famous for wedding!!! Go see for yourself!! ;)

Anyway, we got there at 9:20am, and we texted manong to fetch us by 11:00am. Pagkabalik sa highway, kumain muna kami sa may carinderia dun for our lunch before heading back to Manila. So 'dun na 'din kami sa daan nag antay ng bus. Medyo madalang ung bus so the first bus, kahit hindi Buendia, kahit Pasay lang siya, G na. XD

OUR 2 DAYS AND 1 NIGHT STAY WERE SO I-DON'T-KNOW-WHAT-WORD-SHOULD-I-USE!!!! XD

I was on the one of the most romantic places in the country with the one I love, and it was just amazing.

Here are the expenses:

Doroteo Jose Station  -> Buendia or Gil Puyat - P20

Buendia to Olivarez (DLTB) (signage: Nasugbu) - P86 normal fare, P66 student discount

Tagaytay Rotunda (tricycle) -> JJPP Room for Rent - P60 / P30 each for 2pax

JJPP Room for Rent - P800 / P400 each for 2pax

Picnic Grove Entrance Fee - P50

Picnic Grove (jeep) -> People's Park (signage: People's Park) - P11

People's Park Entrance Fee - P30

People's Park (tricycle) -> JJPP Room for Rent - P70 / P35 each for 2 pax

Food (total!!) - P630 / P315 each for 2pax

Highway, in front of Picnic Grove (jeep) -> Olivarez - P11

Rotunda (jeep) -> Caleruega (signage: Nasugbu) - P25

Tricycle going to Caleruega Church - P50 / P25 each for 2pax

Caleruega Church Entrance Fee - P30

Tricycle going back to highway - P60 / P30 each for 2pax

Going back to Manila (Pasay) - P106 normal fare, P84 student discount

TOTAL : P1,162.00

Just almost P1,200, that two attractions could give you different view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, plus the other attraction, would give you a wedding vibe. 'Yung pag nakita mo na 'yung church, you would imagine how you look like, or your bride looks like when walking down the aisle. :)

If you're on budget like us, I recommend JJPP Room for Rent, but if not, there are many inns, hotels, or room for rent that would satisfy you and your partner, that also meet your expectations and budget.

Thank you for reading!!