Discovering " THE LAND OF THE HOWLING WINDS" (Catanduanes)

Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol province region of Luzon.Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur.

Catanduanes were once known as the THE LAND OF THE HOWLING WINDS because of the frequent storms that pass the island but not to this day this land is getting known for more explored and unexplored places and spot that tourist must see.

We arrived at Virac airport from manila at exactly 7:30am. Morning flight will be the best time to travel going to Virac Catanduanes so you'll still have time to go around and visit tourist spot.

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Ten steps from the exit door of the airport you'll see this sign and a lot of tricycle line waiting for you,Me and my friend decided to walked a little more for a reason that we can get a much cheaper ride (excuse us for being a backpacking traveler)in short nagkukuripot :) we asked kuyang driver how much will it cost if he'll bring us to virac town proper and answered 60 pesos but we asked for a discount and he answered ok 20 pesos each go ride (natatawa ako dito sapilitan sakay)and because we still have more time to go places, we strolled around town and ask some if we possible to rent a ride and we found out that you'll have two choices you can rent habal habal (single motor bike)or you can rent a tricycle for a tour for 600php not bad package of 5 destination:

• bato church (st.john the baptist church)
• batalay shrine
• maribina falls
• pagasa weather station
• sakahon beach

first plan is to visit sakahon beach but we were not able to reach the place because we were on the rough road then when we decided not to go because we were afraid we might not able to visit some plan destination because going to sakahon beach will take time, so we were able to see our next on our list the pagasa weather station.

    

This PAGASA-DOST weather radar station is considered as one of the most advance radar station installed in the country and was fundings from Japan International Cooperation Agency.This is a must see spot in Catanduanes why?because in here you can see a very nice view of the whole Catanduanes Island and you may consider as Batanes view of Catanduanes.In here no entrance fee needed you only need to log your name and make a small talk to kuyang guard :)

This was taken at the back part of the radar station and in here you can see the breathtaking view of the bay and islets.When i was making chitchat with kuyang guard the last storm surge spawned their island was by typhoon Pablo (according to kuyang guard of pagasa dost catanduanes).

St.John the Baptist church was one of the old churches in Catanduanes located at the town of Bato.According to our driver guide it was originally built with wooden materials that was year 1500's and it was 1830's the people of Bato town reconstructed the church using coral materials and was finished after 50 yrs.

picture taken inside the church and storm proof tested by time.

Batalay shrine built over the burial place of Augustinian priest Fray Diego Herrera who died in Brgy Batalay.

It was noon time when we reached our last destination Maribina Falls the most famous falls in catanduanes.The water was so refreshing.

entrance fee:

child- 10 php

adult- 20 php

My thoughts:

Before i go travel or exploring one place i do research and read a lot i must say that Catanduanes has this potential to be more popular spot for tourist i just hope that people of this island specially in Virac will be more open for tourist in a way that they can  be more educated about what places to visit and history.I hope  that department of tourism or any organization will undergo seminars to people of Virac regarding the concept of tourism.I travel a lot and appreciates different cultures and tradition.I met new friends of different places local or tourist.I have this policy to myself that every time i visit places i make it a point that i already did every single activities they had and  visited all spot they have but Catanduanes island is one of my favorite among places i visited which i want to return again and again, this place has this magic spell on me.i just hope that they can get support from their higher official that they elected.I wish that they can adapt the ilocos way when you ride a tricycle that every driver was trained and  be certified tour guide by Department of Tourism and it also means that their fare will be fair enough not so pricey to any tourist visiting their place.I am saying this because We had bad experience when we rode tricycle at the airport.Please note that this was not general we also met people who willingly and openly help us.We surely visiting again Catanduanes and i hope when we come back there's a big improvement.

Nice Beachfront Accomodation on wonderful Bantayan

In discovering Bantayan island Cebu.Its a little bit of a journey from Cebu City to Bantayan estimated about 4 hours land travel and an hour by ferry.Anika Island Resort is located 5-7 minutes from ferry port.

a view outside (this photos credit to anika)

a bench is waiting for you 

the beachfront

took this shot during my morning walk see those

 coconut trees this was the after effect of the typhoon Yolanda

actual shots of my room

mirror shot (selfie)

The rooms are constructed from recycling shipping containers and converted into a beautiful rooms.It is very clean and well decorated.The place is simply amazing,the staff and services are superb,the shuttle service from port to resort efficient and on time.I am hard to please when it comes to food, verdict uhmm about average (in my own opinion).

took this picture around 5:45 am low tide 

this might help :

ANIKA ISLAND RESORT

F. Roska St., Brgy. Okoy, Sta. Fe

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Mobile#:  +63 917 328 4898 /+63 999 886 4465

+63 922 843 9517

email add: anikaislandresort@yahoo.com

Sto.Nino Shrine Tacloban before typhoon "YOLANDA"

Before living Tacloban we pass by Sto Nino shrine museum, for a small city like Tacloban,this is one spot you cant miss.Which showcase the different cultures of Filipinos and definitely this place is one of the most visited tourist spot of Tacloban. According to its resident tourist guide the shrine owes its popularity to the hundreds of artworks and artifacts brought by former first lady Imelda Marcos from different countries  back when it was still one of the 29 residential houses of the first former first couple.

 altar of sto nino shrine

if i can still remember clear every place or corner here you'll see pictures of the former first couple

 the grand and majestic wooden chandelier

si malakas at si maganda wooden bas-relief of the first Filipino man and woman

this one of my favorite simple description literally LONG TABLE 

creative indeed..bamboo center table

everything here is simply magnificent and majestic

the antique clock

according to the resident tourist guide most of this was a gift to former first lady

the wide stairs...

a mirror shot before we leave

former first lady designed this to represent Filipino cultures of different region.Unfortunately sto nino shrine was one of the affected by the typoon "YOLANDA"and the place is still sequestered property of presidential commission on good governance (PCGG) and for now is off limits to anyone until the PCGG gets to account all the items in the shrine and determine their condition. it will take a long time before it will open again to public.

AGAS AGAS adventure park in Sogod Southern Leyte

When you are in the Philippines, its hard to say no to travel because there are plenty of wonderful sights and cultures to experience here.When summer vacation looms and the time for recreation and relaxation has come, you should go and travel!and this where Southern Leyte has to offer the AGAS-AGAS Zipline adventure which is about 1.5 kilometers long and 377 feet high from the base of the Agas-Agas bridge.

I was visiting a friend in Leyte and the first thing i ask is if he can take me to a extreme activities and because that was my birthday no buts WISH GRANTED :) you know what is the common answer when you ask people from the province if you ask them how far???they always answer you "MALAPIT LANG"(just close)or (so near)but no no no!!!we were travelling more than an hour and my butts hurts! haha but the moment when you reach the Agas-Agas adventures park,its all worth it!!

Agas-Agas bridge 

it was a good brief leg exercise climbing to the point a platform but you need to pay php 5.00 first before given access going up.Upon reaching up you need to log your name and choose which ride you want.

at first we were just observing 

observing how far if we ride the zip line

i asked mae to join me she was hesitant at first (afraid)

with my convincing power :P she end up wearing this gear

and me preparing to ride

while waiting for our turn

this is it!

no turning back..

checking again if its safe to go..

and now we're ready but wait.... deep breath!!!!without telling us we were already flying 

take note do not underestimate the Agas-Agas adventures zip line this is really extreme sports that hangs you in the air for a 2 kilometer long wire a 377 feet height above the ground at a speed of 160 kilometer per hour i dare YOU!!considered as the fastest and one of the longest zip line in the country and yes WE SURVIVED!!

and here we are...

and because one ride was not enough for me i end up riding again :P 

riding again for the second time around this time with talyn :) the excitement stills on me yeah!!

And if some of you afraid to ride on zip line or wanted to ride with a group you can ride their cable car..

their cable car 

cable car ride..

one last pose before we leave the park

The most familiar route going to this exciting Agas-Agas adventure park if from manila is by plane to Tacloban city from there you can ride a van bound to maasin city tell the driver to drop you at Mahaplang Crossing then from there ride or hire a habal habal (a motorcycle modified to seat more than two persons. It is used in provinces in the Philippines where jeepneys and tricycles can't stand the rough and steep terrain and narrow roads.