A Chance to Win (1) Roundtrip Ticket with AirAsia Zest: “The Right Way to Fly”

07 November 2013 - I have been invited to a dinner event hosted by AirAsia Zest at New Orleans/Claw Daddy in High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. Along with the great foods that were served that night, AirAsia Zest announced 4 great news that everyone needs to know:

1. AirAsia Zest Rebranding
2. AirAsia Zest Cebu Hub Launch
3. AirAsia Zest Miri, Malaysia New Destination
4. AirAsia Zest Macau New Destination

"Zest Air has been re-branded as AirAsia Zest!" Yes, you read it right. Last September 21, 2013, Zest Air were pleased to announce that they are now flying with AirAsia, The World’s Best Low Cost Airline. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) approved “AirAsia Zest” as the new brand name of Zest Airways, Inc. CAB also approved the new logo of Zest Airways, Inc., wherein the Zest name has been incorporated into the iconic red hot circle, which is the signature logo of AirAsia.

Have you imagined that? AirAsia, the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for five consecutive, have merged forces with Zest Air, a Filipino low cost carrier. With that kind of equation, flying is now easy and affordable for every Filipino. And it is safe to say that every Filipino is now given the “Right Way to Fly” as these two will now travel together as AirAsia Zest! 

But wait because there's more. The great news doesn't stop on the merging part of these two big airlines as AirAsia Philippines opened a hub in Manila and Cebu!

AirAsia in Manila: AirAsia Zest, Terminal 4 is the perfect place for Manila-based people who love to travel within or outside the Philippines. From their former hub in Clark, AirAsia Zest now flying from Manila at NAIA Terminal 4. AirAsia Zest in Manila is currently servicing six (6) domestic routes, namely: Cebu, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro. And six (6) international routes, namely: Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Shanghai, Incheon, Miri, Macau.

AirAsia in Cebu: AirAsia Zest continues to expand its network and adds four new direct flights from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Kuala Lumpur and to top tourist destinations of Manila, Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Davao and Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines.

AirAsia Zest’s new service to Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa (Palawan) provides accessibility to island beaches, marine sanctuaries, extreme sports activities and exciting water sports.

New Destination! Miri, Malaysia and Macau, China

Miri is known for spectacular rainforest, enormous caves and limestone formations that have been listed as a World Heritage Site and many more eco-tourism attractions. While on the other hand, Macau is famously described as the Las Vegas in Asia. And just two weeks ago, AirAsia Zest continues to expand its regional network with the introduction of its latest direct flights from Manila to Miri and Macau.

Having said that, these 2 new routes provide another opportunity for Filipinos to have access to a new and attractive destination as well for our OFWs to have the best travel options at affordable fares! Awesome huh?!

So what are you waiting for? Book now @ airasia.com!

AirAsia Zest, The Right Way to Fly.
Like AirAsia Philippines Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines
Follow AirAsiaPH on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AirAsiaPH
Visit their official website for latest news and promos: airasia.com

[Attention Readers] Win One Roundtrip Domestic Flight 

from AirAsia Zest!

In partnership with AirAsia Zest, Geejay Travel Log is giving away (1) roundtrip plane ticket to any AirAsia Zest domestic destinations to (1) lucky reader. Joining this contest is easy. It is open to all Philippine residents with an age of 18 years old and above. The contest will run from November 20,2013 up to December 23,2013. The lucky winner will be announced on Christmas Day - December 25,2013 on Geejay Travel Log Facebook Fan Page. This will be a gift from Geejay Travel Log and AirAsia Zest for you.

You can join the contest by posting a comment  along with your "Fullname", "Email Address" and answer this: "What AirAsia Zest domestic destination will you choose if you win the contest? (Cebu, Davao, Kalibo (Boracay), Puerto Princesa, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro)" found below this blog post. Commenting on this post, you will instantly gain 1 raffle entry to the contest. Easy right?

Aside from posting of comment, you may use the Rafflecopter app below to maximize your chance of winning and to obtain more entries to this raffle/contest. Your choices are:

• Tweet About the Giveaway (3 additional entries)  -- Just tweet "Hey! AirAsia Zest and Geejay Travel Log is giving away 1 roundtrip plane ticket - bit.ly/1b6ZUOK" then enter the Twitter link on Rafflecopter App  
• Share This on Facebook (5 additional raffle entries) -- Just post "Hey! @Geejay Travel Log and @AirAsiaPhilippines are giving away (1) Roundtrip Ticket to any AirAsia Zest domestic destinations! Read here: bit.ly/1b6ZUOK" then enter the FB link on Rafflecopter App 
• Like Geejay Travel Log on Facebook (3 additional entries)
• Like AirAsia Philippines on Facebook (3 additional entries)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
** Travel tax and terminal fee is not included in the ticket.

Make your move and join NOW!

[January 2 Update] Contest Winner is: CHARLENE VILLAMOR

Congratulations Charlene! To all, thank you for joining Geejay Travel Log & AirAsia Zest raffle contest.


Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com. 

Mt Romelo - Buruwisan Falls, Batya Batya Falls and Sampaloc Falls

Mt. Romelo is a popular destination for newbie mountaineers. Situated in Siniloan, Laguna and stands at 300 MASL, Mt. Romelo is considered to be a minor climb. It is also rated 2/9 in terms of its difficulty by Pinoy Mountaineer. But despite the given specs, Mt. Romelo is known for having muddy trails on both sunny and specially during rainy seasons. Therefore, extreme precautions must always be observed upon hiking. Some also mistaken called this as Mt. "Famy". A name of a town adjacent to Siniloan.

This mountain is not just about trekking and reaching the summit as it also houses beautiful and hidden falls. Waterfalls like Batya-Batya Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Buruwisan Falls, and Lanzones Falls are found in the forest of Mt. Romelo and most of them are located near the campsite. Having said that, Mt Romelo are hiked all year-round. Trekking on summer is ideal because the trails are less muddy but to be able to see the full water size of the falls, trekking on rainy season is advised.

How to get there?
You may take a bus at Raymond Bus Line bound to Infanta, Quezon. This is the only bus line that passes right thru the jump-off of Mt. Romelo from Manila. Just tell the bus conductor that you'll be heading at Mt. Romelo and to drop you off at Trois Restaurant in Siniloan. Near Trois Restaurant is the jump off point to Mt. Romelo. By the way, Raymond Bus Line terminal is situated at Sampaloc, Manila. Fare going to Siniloan is about 130 pesos.

After we registered and logged our names which costs us 50 pesos per head, our adventure to Mt. Romelo starts! Trail going to the peak starts with crossing a stream of river. From that moment, I knew that our trek will be slippery and muddy at the same time.

Start of our trek

I found the trail going to the peak of Mt Romelo as beginners-friendly. 1) There were resting site scattered evenly along the way with long log that serves as chairs for trekkers, 2) vendors [of buko juice and sodas] are visible until almost half of the trek, 3) shades are also available for most of the part and 4) lastly, it has lesser steep trails compared to other mountains I've been through.

Shady part of the trail

Smile guys!

One of the store you'll encounter at Mt. Romelo

The view is also superb. There is a spot at Mt. Romelo wherein we stopped for a couple of minutes to enjoy a 360 view while fresh air touches our skins and blowing our hair. During the stop, we also have some group shots and not to forget, "selfies".

Though we only stopped for about 5 or 10 minutes, it was really refreshing and energizing. We went back again on trekking and rushed because we want to be in campsite before the sun goes down.

Group photo op

Random citizen in Mt Romelo

After 2 hours of walking/trekking, we finally reached the campsite. I must say that the site is pretty big and can accommodate several groups. There are available nipa huts that can be rented which is ideal for night campers (but I don't know how much they cost). But for us, we have our tents. We miss sleeping in tents despite the uneven floor from stones and roots. So after pitching our tents, we prepared and eat our dinner, had some socials, swim a bit in the river, then we all took a rest.

Rest and chat time...

Batya Batya Falls, Sampaloc Falls, and Buruwisan Falls

We started our second day having a goal of exploring all the waterfalls in Mt. Romelo. However we failed to accomplish that goal. There are seven waterfalls known and have been explored in the area, namely: Buruwisan Falls, Lansones Falls, Sampaloc Falls, Batya-Batya Falls, Old Buruwisan Falls, Twin Falls, and Sapang Labo Falls. Among the stated waterfalls we were able to visit only three. Aw.

Just experimenting...

First off is Batya Batya Falls. Batya Batya Falls which means "small tub" or "basin" is located in the northern part of the campsite and approximately a kilometer away. Reaching Batya Batya Falls is quiet hard especially when you have gadgets with you. I suggest you put them on a dry bag or waterproof case before visiting Batya Batya Falls. Why? Because in order to reach the falls, you'll be wading along shoulder-deep to neck-dip water. I even had to carry my camera and tripod high up as I swim across to reach land again.

Reaching the site of Batya Batya Falls

Batya Batya Falls is a two-level waterfall. You'll be swimming at 18 ft. deep water in order to reach the other side and see its second level. This time I didn't brought my camera. Leaving my camera was a mistake because Sampaloc Falls is just right above Batya Batya Falls. Shame. Having said that, I didn't have any photo of Sampaloc Falls. Sampaloc Falls has its own cascading beauty and a decent-sized catch-basin.

Last is Buruwisan Falls. Buruwisan Falls is just located below the campsite. This is the biggest and tallest waterfall in Mt Romelo. It is approximately 180 ft tall and characterized with large catch-basin. Rappelling is one of the many things that can be done in Buruwisan Falls. Don't resist yourself from diving into the water because you'll just going to fail. With clear and wide catch-basin, it is really hard not to go for a swim in Buruwisan Falls.

Presenting... Buruwisan Falls

We wanted to visit the other falls unfortunately, we don't have enough time. We enjoyed and stayed too much  in the 3 waterfalls stated above. We miscalculated our time and we need to leave in order to reach Manila before nightfall. I guess this is not the last time I'll be seeing Mt. Romelo...

... So I guess this is just the first part of my write up on Mt. Romelo and it is decent to say, "Till we meet again".