BEIJING, CHINA: Great things happened

This was originally planned as a solo act but my friends invited themselves to join. The aim was to experience snow skiing and have that White Christmas I have always dreamed about. Our country could not provide a single snowflake and to be honest almost all Filipino have wanted this at least once in their hot, tropical lives. 

Geographically speaking, Beijing was the best option as Japan and South Korea have visa terms stricter than China. The former is a giveaway. But the most compelling reason why I chose Beijing was the financial impact on my wallet. A backpacker's oath is to maximize every penny, every cent, getting the best value for everything. I try to live with my morals. I will never turn my back on my beliefs. Haha. You have to be street smart, independent and physically fit to be a backpacker. Damn right that's true!

Tokyo and Seoul boast their high profile lifestyle; one of the most expensive in the world actually. So why pay ten times the price when you can get a better value on a slashed amount. And besides, that White Christmas was just a lame excuse. I was really rooting for the Great Wall of China, and the centuries-old Hutong!

Everything seemed going according to plan until I realized something... my friends aren't the backpacker type. This statement does not, in any way, insinuate that my friends are considered otherwise based on what I mentioned earlier (second paragraph, second to the last sentence for your reference). =)

So we ended up getting a travel agency to book our airfare, hotel, tours, etc. Travel agency tour means higher cost for me. Personally, I didn't want to but with their continued persuasion and the idea that we all get to travel together was a thrilling thought. And since I am an unselfish (naks!) friend, adding P35,000 (with eyes closed) to my original budget SHOULD be worth it.

Skylab (Katipunan) facilitated our trip. For the longest time I was doing my own itinerary to all my trips in and out-of-the-country, I felt the convenience that this time someone was doing it for me. I guess my uneasiness in getting a paid tour could be attributed to an almost traumatic experience.

Travel Junkie side story...

Hongkong vacation was my parents' college graduation gift. They booked a tour from a travel agency in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. The package was okay but the itinerary "forced" us to go to some jade/jewelry stores, silk company, and pearl factory for most of the trip. This was not really the ideal package for me. But mom's point-of-view was of course otherwise. Shopping was the peak of our vacation. She went crazy buying this huge jade dragon boat home, jewelries you don't even know if they were genuine and a lot more. While dad was envious when I went out drinking alone in Guangzhou, China. Haha. Yes, I got to party with the locals and was treated royalty as I was a foreigner trying to speak those memorized Chinese greetings/words/phrases. Someone even bought me a drink. Was I a dish for them? I bet I were/am. I was really drunk that night. Nobody understood English but the bar's manager Huen. Language barrier was evident but a little sign language was handy. The bar was a few blocks away from South Window Hotel so I didn't hesitate to get wasted.

During the guided tours, we were packed inside this coaster with other Filipino tourists. That was okay but what really annoyed me was when we had to wait for others who apparently, was very strict in following the infamous Filipino time. Like, they owned the coaster and we were their faithful slaves. Since mainlaind China and Hongkong have distinct guidelines in terms of border crossing, it was really a pain in the "pants" to wait on very long queues that felt forever. Plus, we had to walk for over a kilometer with all our baggage with us (coach transfer from Guanzhou to Hongkong). Hongkong also had the same forced itinerary. It was the time I was really concerned about. I believe we could have done so much more. So I told myself, never again will I let a travel agency ruin my life.

Three years later, I found myself booking a tour for four in, uhmmm, a travel agency.

But the Beijing tour was way different. After a 5-hour flight, we arrived at Beijing International airport at exactly 9:00AM. We had to change to our winter clothes as the weather was -17. The Travel agency tour guide, Sungmi, fetched us and led us to our private van. She was really nice and has good English but with a thick Chinese accent. Comprehensive but confusing sometimes. She took us to a fancy restaurant and had an early buffet lunch which offered, (whatelse?), Chinese food.

Meet the tour guide, Sungmi

Meet the waiter

Meet the Chinese restaurant (background)

I got easily excited when she told us that we would first visit the Forbidden City. I never thought that I would ever see this. Forbidden City was the CRIB of China's Kings and Queens. It's like touring the White House but hundred times more dramatic and culture-ish.

Background lake iced up

In front of the Forbidden City

Everywhere you look was a picture perfect shot. However, taking pictures of Mai Zedong portrait was a big no-no unless you wanted to be scolded by the palace guards from the Tiananmen gate. Sungmi said it is against their laws.

Tiananmen Square is the first gate of the Forbidden City. It's a huge park where we have parked the van. :) Seriously. That's where we met our driver. And since we're ahead of schedule and dinner would be too early we asked Sungmin what would she suggest on us doing to kill time. We were all clueless until we passed by Beijing Worker's Club theater (tel. # 63528910) that showcased live Chinese Acrobat performance. We paid around P1,500 each and it's worth every penny. I highly recommend this to anyone who would visit Beijing.

Buffet dinner came after and checked in at Jiao Tong Hotel (tel. # 1362126041). This is also accessible by a subway en route the city's key places.

But one should really take a paid tour as commuting in China is a huge problem due to language barrier.

Highlights of my trip:

Temple of Heaven

Inside temple of Heaven 

Olympic Waterloo and Bird's Nest

Ming tombs

Authentic Chinese massage for free

Shopping at Wangfuji Street

The Great Wall of China

I conquered the Great Wall.

We thought of adding an extra day would be a good idea so we made adjustments on our hotel accommodation and flight schedules through our Travel Agency. Five days in total still felt too short especially when we were having a blast.

Skiing did not happen as it would majorly affect our planned activities and my friends were not really into it. For the most part, I got what I wanted. But did I?

This vacation happened a few years ago. Celly is currently residing in Ireland. Dodj, Yeye and I still work for the same company but practically living our separate lives already due to career involvement. The Beijing trip was our first and last out-of-the-country vacation together. Should I chose to travel alone, the classic Yeye-JP-Celly-trio-bullying-Dodj in China would have been a priceless non-existent scene; the wonderful gifts I received during our "White Christmas" would have been a celebration alone in a bar getting, typically, drunk; I could have happily skii-ed for half a day instead of the limitless and countless times we laughed, joked, bonded; I could have met new people and learned new things instead I was stuck with one of the best few people I have known.

All these because I gave in to my friends' persuasion, I ignored that selfish calling to travel alone, I booked my trip in a TRAVEL AGENCY.

The photo sums up my Great travel experience, the Great Wall of China and the Great Friends of the Travel Junkie.

Greatness.

BICOL: CWC and Caramoan Peninsula adventure

It was Bicol I chose this time. A very well thought itinerary. All good until I... missed my 10:00AM flight.

The eagerness to pursue this trip ended up riding the bus from Ali Mall to Naga City. Most of the better buses leave at night but since it killed me to wait even just for 1 minute I decided to leave Manila ASAP.  So I settled for the dreaded Raymond Bus Liner. Not the best option in terms of passenger accommodation and security (have heard a couple of road accidents from this company) but I was left with no choice. Supposedly just an 8-hour trip to Naga City but as expected it was way more than that.

Reached Naga Central Terminal around 11:00PM and walked to the nearest hotel. Pretty safe to walk around the city. Wasting time was my last option so at 12 midnight, I hit the sack.

Early city tour was my jump-start. It has been a trait that I scout the area for the nearest hospital, tourist center, police station or barangay office. Better to get familiarized with these as you would not know when you need one. While walking, a familiar face captured my attention, posted on almost every pharmacy and mini-marts. I heard the lady from the pharmacy store saying to her colleague "Siya 'yung model sa poster." I secretly smiled and didn't mind the comment. At that time, I was not really into fan autographs. Lol. "He looks better in person." This statement is of course just a figment of my imagination.

Gwapo nga.

Anyway, the city looked fairly progressive but one should not expect to see something like what we have here in Manila, not even Cebu. Strolled around, shopped stuff I found useful for my adventure.

Best way to start my wakeboarding stint was to have a hearty breakfast. I opted Bicolanos famous dish, the Bicol Express. Back home it was like overflowing pork and a few chili. But there, it was a chunk of pork with hundreds of slender chili peppers. A glass of water was not enough for every spoonful of it. It was almost unbearable.

Bicol "flaming" express.

Wakeboarding at Camsur

CWC was of course a blast. Wakeboarding isn't really new to me. My first was at Calatagan Resort in Batangas during college. Amenity-wise, you can't go wrong with CWC. Anyone can wakeboard with or without experience. For updated rates and other information, you can visit http://www.cwcwake.com. There was no queue when I went there but I was told it gets crazy during peak season. Someone even told me you may wait for a few hours to have your turn. It maybe an exagerration but that's the hint, NEVER go during summer season.

Join me.

Caramoan Peninsula

Now, Caramoan Peninsula was waiting for me to be explored. First jeepney trip (2 hours) going to Sabang port was at 4:00AM. From there, I needed to ride a boat going to Guijalo port, entry point of Caramoan paradise. It was low tide then and the boat could not dock near the shoreline. Big problem was I would be wet from above waist down, and was really worried about my stuff. But the locals have an unusual way in solving such travelers' dilemma. I was literally carried by the ship's porter on his shoulder. He was 5'4 medium built and I was like 4 inches taller, and way bigger than him. We were like the Russian acrobats balancing against the waves. A P50-tip was not enough to pay that priceless experience which I find hilarious.

A 2-hour sea ride to the port with roofless boat, I freely embraced the morning sunshine. You could also see Mt. Mayon from afar. I made my way in to the town through a tricycle, a rough ride indeed. 

Rex Tourist Inn was highly recommended by Lonely Planet. They have basic rooms: bed, pillow, blanket and fan/AC. I think that's the only commercialized accommodation they have there. Caramoan town is literally a small, not uber developed town blessed with nature's greatest treasure.

Resting was a luxury so I didn't waste time and started touring the small town and talking to locals. I learned that they have cave explorations that are oftentimes skipped by tourists due to proximity issue. Often, they get stuck just doing island hopping. I thought it maybe worth checking since I am into spelunking. So I hired a habal-habal, Kuya Noel, and off we went to the cave which unfortunately I forgot what its called. It was a 30-minute ride dust, mud and me. Met some local kids who turned out to be our cave guides, namely; Jenman, Romnick, Dinggoy and Apollo. They talked a lot which could be very entertaining especially when you're tired climbing uphill. I gave them P300 not for their services but to the kindness they bestowed. I felt like I was treated royalty as their balik-bayan family member. They were super thankful with what I have given them.

A 45-minute trek under the scorching heat of the sun, then rain, could not send away the thrill I was feeling. The cave has variations. It has small openings to cathedral ones. The best part was when I had literally squeezed myself to enter those small holes. 

 

The place was very remote and children were like everywhere. I took some photos, showed it to them and they were amazed that they can instantly view their pictures on my camera. They were innocent in technology but abundant with joys of simplicity which I find to be very appealing. We have such scarcity back home.

The next day was the much-anticipated island hopping. The beach was comparable to Coron, Palawan and the powdery sand was like of Panglao, Bohol. The islands didn't have amenities so I had to get comfort from the cliff's shade, the natural way.

Matukad island was our last stop and also where I spent overnight using my tent. It was in this island were Survivor France was shot. At that time, Survivor Siberia was shooting and Bulgaria was next on the list. You could just imagine how beautiful Caramoan is as Westerners kept on flocking the area for a taste of secluded paradise.

A Caramoan classic, tragic love story

On the said island lies an isolated lake. You need to climb that steep, sharp rock cliff to see it. It is  believed to be inhabited by a mystical being that takes the form of a giant milkfish (bangus). Locals believed it is the guardian deity of Caramoan Peninsula, protecting and preserving the beauty of the area. Should one try to catch or kill it, an equal misfortune is at stake. There used to be two, a couple actually. As manong caretaker relayed to me, one night a man shot and killed one just to prove that such myth never existed. But when he came home to his family, (alas!) his wife and children were found dead with wounds appeared to have been gun-inflicted. The myth maybe true but what really saddens me is the fact that the guardian is now left all alone swimming in that deserted lake. Manong told me he sometimes see the other milkfish swimming but this happens very rarely. I thought how it missed its better-half so much. Sad.

The story made me really want to see the lake.

The secluded lake in Matukad island.

Once you see it, you'd feel the eerie, sad atmosphere. Or probably, I was just affected by the story. The view from above was amazing. 

It was my first time to camp in an island, not really alone but with two island caretakers doing the rounds. I felt safe. That morning, I saw a huge iguana near my tent.

As much as I wanted to stay longer, I didn't want to miss my flight again so I went back to Naga City. But since the airport is close to CWC, I obliged myself to wakeboard again, and again, and again until I was all done and ready to fly back to Manila.

Cebu: My Sinulog Experience

One of the reasons why I flew to Visayas this time was to experience Cebu's Sinulog festival. Cebu has always been one of my favourite destinations but for some reason this major event wasn’t on my itinerary. I heard tons of good stories so might as well have my own.

Sinulog is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January in honour of Senior Sto. Nino, but has become a month-long or even longer event. People from different parts of the country gather together to witness and participate in this annual celebration. It was my first time so I had to make it really special (hmmm, that sounded like something else. haha). Anyway...

After partying the night before, it's now time to rock the streets. I felt really sluggish due to hangover but thinking that I was going to see the actual street parade made me excited. So I packed my bag, had a light breakfast, freshened up and off my way to Fuente Osmena.

It was impossible for the cab driver to drop me off my destination point as roads were already blocked for the event. I had to walk at least 3 kilometres.

There were a lot of people, I mean a lot. Have you been to Divisoria like weekend before Christmas where human traffic is an understatement? That's pretty much it. (note: Divisoria is like the Mecca for shoppers eyeing for really inexpensive stuff here in the Philippines).

The performers were really fun to watch but what amazed me most was their utmost dedication. You see, most of them were like grade school to high school students, wearing those uncomfortable but impressive costumes, dancing gracefully and some were even playing band instruments the entire day. And they had to do it under the heat of that blinding sun rays. To make it worse, rain started pouring in towards the afternoon. But these didn't hinder the performers to be less entertaining. I really admired their dedication.

It was a busy street. They had henna tattoo booths, beers being sold on the street, bars and restaurants offer big discounts to entice people, photographers everywhere, hundreds of vendors walking around, I mean it was a whirlwind of social class unified together for one purpose: PARTY!!! I mean, uhm, hmmm, to celebrate this religious occasion. And then party after (or in between).

People were all smiling; locals started shouting with excitement every time they see celebrities parading on floats; foreigners were happy for the cheap beer and free entertainment; and I was just there to simply commemorate the essence of the festivity. Okay fine, it was all of the above for me: I was all smiles, shouting every time there were celebrities, happy because of the cheap beer and free entertainment, so what? Ha!

Every bit of what happened was unforgettable. It is a must-see event. As they say, your Cebu experience is incomplete without attending the Sinulog event. Might as well jot this on your itinerary the next time you visit Visayas.

And oh yeah, Cebu’s lechon sold at Robinson’s Mall at Fuente is a must-try. If you’re on a tight budget and wanted to stretch it out without looking ridiculously penniless, their lechon is your answer. You can get it for less than P200 in a set meal. Makes me hungry already just thinking about it.

I really can't get enough of Cebu. Feels like (real) home.