How To Go To Pagudpud

July 28, 2016Ilocos Norte, Philippines, Travel Guideshow to get to pagudpud, how to go to pagudpuian dela pena

I’m writing this guide just right after dinner upon our arrival here in Pagudpud. I wanted to write this right away because I wanted to share the information as fresh as it can be from our experience

To get to Pagudpud you must bring your self first to Ilocos Norte, The northern most province of the Luzon Island.

From Cubao take a bus bound to Loag, Ilocos Norte. Fare is around 700 pesos
Upon arriving in Loag navigate going to Lazaro street where most of the Buses and Vans going to Pagudpud are. Lazaro street is in near Jollibee and PLDT.
Take a bus to Pagudpud, get off at the crossing and take a tricycle to your resort, cost is around 60 pesos.

Remember to take the buses that has Pagudpud in their signages. If you need to take buses that are Cagayan bound or those who does not have Pagudpud signage make sure to tell the conductor that you are going to Pagudpud and to drop you off at the crossing. From there you can take a tricycle going to your home stay, fare is about 100.

How to choose accommodations online

July 13, 2016Uncategorizedian dela pena

One of the most critical decision making for backpackers is choosing the right accommodation for their trip. It has to be a perfect balance between a good price, sanitation, service and security.

We’ve come up with some pointers to help you on how to decide for your accommodation.

> Set a price range
Determine how much you are willing to spend. Create a good range so that you can still be flexible with the choices that would come up on your search. Allowing you to bargain or maybe compromise on some luxury if any since you have a budget that you are working on, making it a good deciding tool in choosing your accommodation.

Photo by Moyan Brenn

> Determine the best location
Where do you want to stay, find the best location that is proximate to convenience stores, markets and transportation that will enable you to move around quickly and get things such as food easily. It may be a bit off the attractions that you are going to see as prices to these kind of accommodation are off the hook most of the time but a good access to transportation modes such as the bus and train will be most helpful.

Photo by StreetFly JZ

> Security
this is practically part of determining the area of your accommodation, but I wanted to point this out seperately as this is one big factor in your decision making. One could get a great location, easy access to stuff but is just right off near a neighborhood with a bad reputation. Prioritize safety.

Photo by TimLee90

> Sanitation
As much as you want to save money for your accommodation it is also important to have a good clean room. Most common mistake about selecting accommodation is the notion that you’ll just be sleeping in it since you will be out touring and exploring. We must also keep in mind that after all the tiring activity you’d be needing a good night sleep and rest and musky old room infested with bugs wouldn’t help in getting one for you at all.

Photo by Magalie L’Abbé

Choosing the right accommodation can be a daunting task but with the right tools like hotel search engines and online booking companies like Agoda that helps you get the best prices available will lighten up the burden. Just keep stick with what you want and how much you are willing to bargain for and everything should be alright.

Got more tips? Leave it at the comments below, we’d love to hear it from you!

4 Easy Hikes Near Manila

July 8, 2016Mountainsian dela pena

The Philippines is rich with natural wonders and you cannot discount the majestic mountains that we have scattered among its islands. But sometimes these mountains can be daunting specially to beginners or maybe for the seasoned hiker be to far from the metro. We’ve came up with some of the mountains that one can easily hike as a beginner or a quick trip for the veteran hiker,

1. Batulao

Just about a couple of hours from Manila, Mt. Batulao is one for recommended for newbie hikers. Two trails can be traversed while the new one is advised for the noob. Batulao offers a 360 view of the Batangas – Cavite area that makes it popular for dayhikes.

See here How To Get To Batulao

2. Pico De Loro

Taking its name from a Parrot’s Beak, Pico de Loro’s main draw is a Monolith that protrudes at the edge of its summit. Though a bit intimidating, this monolith can be scaled to the top!

3. Manalmon and Gola

Up north in the province of Bulacan, Mt. Manalmon can be hiked up within just about an hour to an hour and a half. If you feel a bit of in the mood for more you can go straight and hike the adjacent Mt. Gola.

View from the summit of Mt.Manalmon (credits: Storm Crypt)

4. Mt. Pinatubo

Is an active volcano straddling between the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga, yes you read that right it is still active. Hours of walking to and from the volcano account for this hike, what makes it newbie friendly is that most of the hike is done on the vast plains of pyroplastic materials that the volcano spew when it erupted in the 90’s. Even the assault to the mouth of the volcano is a breeze that can be done in about 15 -20 minutes. The challenge here for newbies lies in the hours of walking under the scorching heat of the sun on the best time to visit during summer. Hiking up the volcano on rainy days can be risky as the lahar that you’d be walking on becomes a river of mud when it mixes with the rain.

Hope this list can help you start up your hiking escape every weekend or maybe as often as you can. Just remember to research well before going on a trip to any of them because even though they are easy hikes it can be also dangerous if normal caution is not taken.

Do you have a mountain that you think can be an easy hike near the metro? Let us know through the comment section so maybe we can include them in our next list of easy to hike mountains near the metro.

How to get to the city from the airport in Hong Kong

July 6, 2016Asia, Hong Kong, Travel Guidesian dela pena

Every backpacker’s question upon arriving in an airport remains the same, “How the hell are we gonna get out of here”. Hong Kong actually offers an array of transportation option of getting to the city so it shouldn’t be a problem. But being the backpackers that we are, we always look for the fastest yet the cheapest option that there is and yes most of the time the answer is via the Train.

Luckily the Hong Kong airport has a train station WITHIN the airport, yep you read that right! So all you have to do is just buy your ticket/octopus card (we recommend buying the later) follow the signs then hop on the express train! That easy! BUT! It actually costs around $100 HKD.

But don’t despair, there is a way to massively cut down your transportation expense going to the city. Here’s how!

Go to the counter and buy an Octopus Card and load it with the estimated amount that you’d be using throughout your trip. Don’t worry about over loading your card since you can still refund the remaining amount and the cost of your Octopus Card in the airport as you leave.

Hop on the express train and get off at Tsing Yi station. Then from Tsing Yi station take the regular Commuter Train and get off at the station nearest to your destination or hotel.

Yep, that simple and you’ll be saving $40 HKD on your transportation cost! Taking the bus will give you some more savings ($40 HKD for A11 bsus service from HK Airport) but it will take you longer than the train of course. So weigh your options if you have enough time and not really in a rush or has a lot of luggage the bus maybe a good option, but if you are traveling backpacker style I say the train is the best way!

Do you have other suggestions on how to get out of the Hong Kong Airport going to the city? Let us know through the comments section.

How to get to Madlum River + Mt. Manalmon

July 3, 2016Mountainsbackpacking, bulacan, how to get to madlum river, how to get to manalmon, river, san miguelian dela pena

The infamous river of Bulacan that is believed to be mystical by a lot of people really is a beautiful and peaceful place to enjoy, nothing to be afraid of really. But of course conscious effort to be safe is needed like checking of weather like in any other trip is needed.

So here’s a quick guide of how to get there if you’d like to enjoy the Madlum River or may be a quick day hike at Mt. Manalmon.

Jump off point: Cubao or any provincial bus stop along EDSA

> Take a bus bound to Tuguegarao or Cabanatuan and ask the conductor to drop you off at Bgy. Camias.

>From the crossroads of Bgy. Camias and DRT Highway take a tricycle to the Madlum River

>Fare price is 200 pesos per way and the tricycle can load up to four people at a time.

That’s it! You are can now marvel and enjoy the beauty of the Madlum river.

Mt. Manalmon Tips

Mt. Manalmon is just a quick day hike that you can couple with Mt. Gola. Be sure to Secure a permit for your hike days before you trek. You can email them at __________, wait for the confirmation then pick up your permit the same day of your hike at the site.

Guides costs 300 pesos per mountain/group of 4 and 40 pesos per cave/pax

Plan ahead of time and communicate early on to avoid hassle and delay on your hike. The mountain may not be that tall but rules are rules.

Do you have a tip for a day trip at Mt. Manalmon and/or Madlum river? Leave them at the comment section so we can include them!

Where To Stay In Hong Kong: Dragon Hostel

July 1, 2016Asia, Hong Kong, Hotel Reviewshong kong, hotel, kowloon, where to stay in hong kongian dela pena

Hong Kong is a ultra dynamic city that never sleeps and staying in location that offers quick access to the train and basic things such as restaurants, convenience stores and a like can be easy so long as you stay within the city centers like Kowloon.

However, getting clean and decent rooms can be challenging specially with so many competing hostels that there is.

After searching over and over the internet for the best and affordable place that there is, review after review we ended up booking Dragon Hostel and yes with no regrets.

Dragon Hostel sits at the heart of Kowloon just a block off from the nearest MTR station. Convenience stores and restuarants are within reach and the neighborhood it sits in offers affordable basic commodities.

The building has four elevators two on each side servicing just fifteen floors. Though the elevators, since they are smaller than standard once can be a bit crowded at times it can be a lot more forgiving than the Chung King Mansions -which we suggest should be your last resort.

Dragon Hostel offer rates that are reasonable, I tell you if you get prices lower than what they offer better think twice of how decent they are.

Overall, our experice with Dragon Hostel was excellent the wifi was fast -like really fast, the beds and the room and the bathroom were clean and no bugs! The rooms a bit small specially for westerners but that is just how the roll with Hostels in Hong Kong. What made our stay extra special was being at the heart of the action where all those haggling and bartering happen.

Like they say there Hong Kong has two faces – Central and Kowloon, and Kowloon is the face of Hong Kong that I love.

Here are the good points I have for Dragon Hostel

Clean
Accessible and near the MTR
Near food stores and convenience stores
Friendly Staff
I found no bugs in the room
Has CR inside
Best price there is for quality hostels
Offers various assistance for travel
Offers discounted rates for Hong Kong attractions

Cons

Staff isn’t that good with English but will do their best to help you
Elevator sometimes gets too busy going down, but there are four of them so just be patient and it is better than what Chung King Mansion has.

Quick Tip

You can also buy your tickets for amusement parks at the reception at a discounted rate!

If you find this review helpful please help support us by booking through Here where you’ll find the best prices available

Month: July 2016