Bangui Windmills of Bangui Ilocos Norte

Windmill is a machine which uses wind energy to generate electricity or extract groundwater. Here in the Philippines, we also have our own windmill farm and it can be found in the municipality of Bangui in Ilocos Norte. It is also said to be the first power generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia. The project was named NorthWind Bangui Bay Project (oftenly called as the Bangui Windmills).

How did we get there?
The hotel we stayed-in offers a complete Ilocandia tour (Ilocos Norte and Sur). As for our group of 5, we paid 2,990 pesos/pax (price varies depends on the head count) which includes a private aircon van transportation to Laoag-Vigan-Pagudpud, a hotel accommodation for 2 days and 2 nights, a daily set of breakfast, entrance fees, toll fees, driver's meal, and as well as airport transfers. Airfare is not included. Oops, before I forgot, the name of the hotel is UKL Ever Hotel and it is located in Laoag City. It is also 15 minutes away from the airport.

Sun down but the beauty of this site still not fading

Going back, there are different stations of windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. There are Phase 1 and Phase 2 which are spread along and facing the coastal line of South China Sea. Bangui Windmills was said to be providing 40% of source power in the province of Ilocos Norte. That is why the government is now on their feet constructing Phase 3 that will add more windmills and will generate of course more power.

As always... group shot!

I envy this local...

So lucky to visit this place!!!

Its getting dark now

Though the main purpose of this project is to practice and utilize renewable energy sources such as the wind, the site itself has become a tourist attraction as well. It is mainly one of the reason why tourism in Ilocos has boomed. Who wouldn't be amaze to see those towering electric-fan-like structures? Seeing 20 windmills in Phase 1 lined up and having a size of 70-metre (230 ft) high each is such a stunning scene to witness. Standing in front of these windmills makes me feel like an ant. Plus, not to mention that it is situated on a beach front. Imagine walking on the shore while waves and wind splashes on your body. Refreshing!

There is no entrance fee when visiting the area. Everyone is invited and go near to the windmills. However, going inside it is restricted. There are also stalls in the area where you can buy souvenirs such as keychains, mini-replica of the windmill and t-shirts.

naahhhh...

Souvenirs they sell in the area

Subterranean River National Park: Puerto Princesa Underground River

When people are discussing about the Province of Palawan, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa never missed out of the topic. That is why its no wonder that Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or simply the Puerto Princesa Underground River was chosen and now officially enlisted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The great news was announced last November 11, 2011.

Other than that, Puerto Princesa Underground River is also included in the list of UNESCO, a convention concerning the protection of world cultural and natural heritage, along with other 3 cultural sites (Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Rice Terraces of the Cordillera and the Historic Town of Vigan) and another natural site (Tubbataha Reef Natural Park).

How to get there?
First, Book a flight or a ferry (by 2GO and RORO) going to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Next is visit the Underground River Booking Office to secure a visiting permit to the underground river. Don't miss to secure a permit as it is a vital requirement for you to be able to experience this tour. From Palawan Airport, ride a tricycle going to the booking office. Just inform the tricycle driver that your going to the booking office of Underground River and they already know where to drop you off. You may have your advance booking reservation at undergroundriver_ppsrnp@mozcom.com or call the booking office using these numbers: Tel. +63(48) 723- 2563 / Telefax +63(48) 434-2509. After getting your permit, you may start commuting going to Sabang where you'll be hiring a boat to bring you to the Underground River. In order to reach Sabang, ride again a tricycle that will take you to San Jose New Market Terminal. Then from New Market Terminal, ride a jeepney going to Sabang. Fare is about 130 Pesos and it is a 1.5 hour jeepney ride. As you reach Sabang, go to the Tourism office and book a boat that will take you to the entrance of Underground River. Boat ride from Sabang port to the area of the Underground River is about 30-45 minutes. Upon reaching the area, have yourself enlisted again for another boat (a paddle boat). This is the one that will take you inside and tour you at the longest underwater river on earth!

Boatride from Sabang going to the Underground River

Park Rates and Other Fees:

General Entrance Fee	Rates
Adult Minor	Php 100 (local) & Php 150 (international) Php 75 (local) & Php 100 (international)
Underground River Entrance Fee
Adult Minor	Php 175 (local) & Php 250 (international) Php 100 (local) & Php 150 (international)
Commercial Video Fee
Commercial Video Fee	Php 3,000

Boat Price list that will take visitors to the UR

Boat Service Rates:

Round trip  Sabang - Underground River	Rates
6 Pax 7 Pax 8 Pax	Php 700.00 Php 800.00 Php 900.00

Another view upon reaching the site of the Underground River

Groupfie at the UR signage!

To know more about the booking rules as well as the do's and don'ts of this tour, you may visit the official website of Puerto Princesa Underground River: http://www.puerto-undergroundriver.com/tourism/. And if you want to know what's inside the cave, just keep on scrolling that mouse ball and enjoy the ride, virtually!

Upside down T-rex

Sweet Corn! Didn't know how they know its sweet tho...

"Puso ng Saging" :)

Back of a sexy lady... oh yeah!

Visitors will not only see rock formations when they tour inside the cave/river but also fruit bats

By the way, the tour inside the cave will take visitors for 2 hours. Just appreciate the rock formations inside and also your boatman's prepared jokes. The boatman who toured us, named Kuya Gerald, really did made an effort to entertain us all with his side comments, jokes, and tricks. I really enjoyed the whole trip. All I can say is, this is really a must visit place when you are in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Side Trip at Sumilon Island of Oslob, Cebu

After our "whale shark watching" experience at the municipality of Oslob, we decided to visit or just have a sneak peek on a near island known as Sumilon Island. Note: This blog entry about Sumilon will not showcase resort experience since we did not avail or tried it out. We only land on the shore and just enjoy the heavenly land and the crystal-clear water of this gorgeous  island.

How to get there?
From the small town of Tan-awan where we had our butanding watching (click here how to get there), we rented a bangka to take us there for 2,300 pesos. Since we were 11 people in this trip it only cost me 210 pesos. The boat ride took 30 minutes to reach the island. As we land to the shore of Sumilon, we were asked to pay 10 pesos per head for the entrance fee. We did not avail resort accommodation because we only planned a day visit.

Surfer mode Baron and Aizel

The local tourists Rina, Anna and Aizel

Got ya! Lols

Whitening soap models (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Sumilon Island is a paradise. I can still picture out its white, fine sand and also the lovely shades of blues of the beach. We were all stunned and amazed at the same time as we land on this beautiful island. I salute the people who preserves this place because it is really clean and well maintained.

Photoshoot the the center of this sand bar

All for one and one for all

At the tip of the sand bar

If there is a part of the island that I love the most, it will be the white sand bar that appears during low tide. I love this part of  Sumilon because people can really walk away (really far away) from the shore with a feet high water level but at the both side of this sand bar awaits a deep water level that I didn't tried to measure (amazing yet dangerous).

Feeling the waves and the air

Our group really enjoyed the view here and we went really crazy. Just look at the the photos below.

Crazy as hell (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Timer plus burst mode (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Yeah Baby! (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Sumilon Island is also a perfect place for photography. I find this place as a perfect site to have some fun shoot with my friends. Here are some of my shot (kinda amateur though):

Paula doing her homework =]

Jing reminds me of  Samantha Potter in this shot

Anna taking anime to the next level

I hope you enjoy my side trip blog entry to Sumilon Island!

Breakdown of Expense:
Boat ride: 2,300 pesos (good for group contribution)
Entrance Fee: 10 pesos

Look at my "before" color under that short (photo from Byron Cantonjos)

Traversing Mt Batulao of Nasugbu, Batangas

My first climb on this mountain was back then in college and that experience was fun and a hell of a climb. So when my girlfriend asked me if we can climb it again along with her officemates, I definitely said yes.

Mt Batulao is located in Nasugbu, Batangas and one of the most popular mountain to Manilanian hikers because aside from its appealing landscape, going here is very accessible. There are 2 trails that you can choose from to reach its peak - the "New trail" and the "Old trail". There is only one peak so both of the trail will lead you to the same point. It is just you have the will to choose how would you like to reach its top and explore the mountain. By the way, the photos in this entry were taken during our hike at the New trail of Mt Batulao.

How to get there?
Take a bus at Edsa - Taft terminal going to Nasugbu, Batangas. This bus terminal is located behind Mcdo, Chowking and Sogo Hotel in Edsa - Pasay Rotonda. Tell the bus conductor to drop you at Evercrest Golf Course which will cost you 114.00 pesos. As you reach Evercrest Golf Course, you can either ride a tricycle (P100, 4-5 pax) or go on foot going to the jump off of Mt Batulao.

Beginning of our trek

Having a guide is optional. If you're brave enough and will just rely the directions based on the people you encounter during the trek then it is fine. Else, you can get a child/children to lead you to the peak. These children knew the mountain very well [its their playground] so you don't need to worry on their sense of directions. Aside from that, getting them as your guide will help them earn money that they can save for their educational purposes. 300 pesos is the minumum fare for having a guide and it will take 3-4 hours for you to reach the summit of Mt Batulao.

Trail is getting harder as it turns into mud

Hot and humid is the best way to describe the weather in Batulao and because of that, trail is prone to muddiness during the wet season of the year (May - October). I suggest to climb Mt Batulao during summer because trails are solid and it will be much easier rather than a muddy trail during rainy season. Trust me because we had our climb during the wet season and it was really tough dodging the mud part trail. It was also slippery so extra caution was needed. However, hot or humid you will still feel some cool breeze during your trek here because it is situated near Tagaytay.

Camaraderie shows in every hiking adventure

Huts with purpose are scattered along the trail. These huts sell halo-halo (P25), mountain dew and fresh buko juice (P20). Have these while resting and charging your energy.

Time to charge up

For registration, it is located at camp 1 for the Old trail and camp 7 or 8 for the New trail. Ready your 25 pesos per head as registration fee.

Sample marker that you will find along the trail

There are signs all over Mt Batulao that help you locate where you at and how far or close you are on the peak. Sign boards with writings "Peak 1-10" are your guidelines. Peak 1 denotes the beginning of your trek and Peak 10 denotes that you already reach the summit. Peak 7 and 8 are ideal campsite if you're planning to stay overnight. You can do socials/games during the night there because the platform on that area is wide.

The Feleo brothers. If only I have one...

Wearing sleeves will prevent your arms from itching due to these tall grasses

Campsite at Peak 8

The view in the morning at Mt Batulao is undeniably stunning. You'll go crazy clicking your camera and composing your shot. So, wake up early for you not to miss this moment.

View from our campsite

I find this shot interesting. I don't know why

Need some hug Baby? :]

Pointing at??? hmmmm

Playing around at the summit of Mt Batulao

I'm just a proud boyfriend. Good job Baby ko

2 hours of trek is enough for you to reach again the jump off.  In front of Evercrest Golf Course there are karinderias that you can choose from to have your lunch. Ask them also where can you take a bath. Many houses there offers shower which costs 20 pesos per head - soap and shampoo not included of course. You can wait buses going to Manila in front of the Evercrest Golf Course.

My favorite shot of this adventure

Breakdown of Budget:
Bus (Manila - Batangas, roundtrip) - 228.00
Tricycle (Evercrest Golf Course - Jump off, roundtrip; Optional) - 200.00 (4-5 pax)
Guide - 300.00
Buko juice - 20.00
Halo Halo - 25.00
Registration Fee - 25.00
Food: ***