Lakwatsarah

Rock Formations, Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes January. Virac, Catanduanes. We're supposed to be doing island hopping in Caramoan, our main destination that weekend. A Bicolana friend recommended making Codon Port in Catanduanes our jump-off point, said to be the fastest way to reach the famed group of islands. Prior to the trip, being the "Ms. D-I-Y Planner" that I am, I was able to contact a boatman who offered us the cheapest rate among others for island hopping. I was expecting an epic Caramoan beach bumming kind of tour, thinking I was able to cover everything there is that I need to know for this trip. swimwear - check! waterproof camera - check! cheap accommodation - check! Cheapest Island Hopping Tour - check! Super discounted plane ticket (Mla-Virac-Mla) - check na check at last year pa namin binili yung ticket! There's just one big problem and a major factor I failed to (seriously) consider - the WEATHER!

Location: Bato Church, Maribina Falls, Twin Rock Beach Resort and Puraran Beach I am making 2013 a meaningful year. So I started the year traveling with my college buddy Yael along the splashy shorelines on the Pacific side of Catanduanes province, the Land of the Howling Wind. Isolated from its sister provinces in Bicol region, this slice of paradise has remained concealed from the invasion of tourists. Take a look what this laidback province has to offer.

Travelling cheap need not mean sacrificing comfort and security. The idea is you want to get the best value for your money, and still get the best experience without having to drain much cash. Here are some ideas that may help you stretch that hard earned travel fund . 1. Get the cheapest plane fares my Cebu Pacific Piso Fare roundtrip plane ticket Manila - GenSan - Manila (regular price "no check-in baggage" - Php7,200+) (Piso Fare RT - Php579) I can't stress enough the big savings one can get if plane fares are secured during airline promos, special mention on Cebu Pacific's Piso Fare and Air Asia's Free Seats Promo. These promos are offered for both local and international destinations. How to score these cheap offers? Like these airline companies on their Facebook and Twitter pages and you'll be one step ahead. Remember to check them during holidays as they usually offer these promos on "special days." Travel period are usually...

So you've taken down notes of Philippine Holidays for 2013, you've probably have plane tickets purchased during last year's Piso Fare waiting to be used, or you've just completed your To-Go list of provinces and festivites, question is, do you have enough resources to fund your dream trips? How can you pay for trips if your budget is tight? I'd like to welcome 2013 by sharing some of my travel tips.

With only a few hours left before we officially bid farewell to the year that was, I look back at some interesting travel highlights of 2012. Experiences consisting of many firsts... I consider 2012 as my travel year as I got to explore destinations month after month. So here goes my simple year end post, 12 for 2012. 12. Getting inside a Floating Library To be surrounded with thousands of affordable books inside MV Logos Hope , a ship famous for being the largest floating book fair in the world is definitely a unique experience I got to share with mom and my youngest sister. We hoarded books to our liking and got to interact with international volunteers as well.

This trip took place on the eve of November 29 - December 2, 2012. Away from packaged tours (as always), let me share some notes of our day to day activities during our long weekend in Sagada.

The natural high upon seeing the grandest staircase  becomes more irresistible as we get closer and closer to our weekend destination. So we've just arrived in Sagada enroute Banaue.  One thing I instantly noticed was that it wasn't as cold as I'd expected it to be. I never wore my jacket from the moment I stepped into the Ohayami bus up until it gets dark in Sagada. The last two seats of the bus wasn't as ice freezing cold as those seats in front of us, perfect spot for a maginawin like me :) The February breeze in Baguio was way more chilly than Sagada's late November air.