Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Caticlan Flying to Manila
On my last day in Boracay, I took another round of the tour at the hostel where I stayed, Shortime Dormitel. It was a nice place to stay, especially for a solo traveler, as it was quite safe.
When I was already riding a multicab all the way to the port, I had a pretty meaningful chat with a local driver about a glimpse of what kind of life is there in their island.
Thankfully, the sea was calm even in the rainy season.
After the boat ride, I needed to take another tricycle ride to reach the airport. It was a silent ride this time with a noisy background.
I got confused about where the airport was, because it was unlike the NAIA airport, but then again, it was just a small airport.
I got to board an early flight with AirAsia that was good, but unfortunately, I had excess baggage weight and had to pay a fee, which was pretty much unacceptable for me, but I had no choice but to pay because of the souvenirs that I bought.
The sky had finally cleared up when I reached Caticlan airport, and it was a good sight.
I got home safely after all the transfers of transport, and that's all, folks, for my Boracay trip! Just me and my attempt to vlog.
Until next time to explore!
D'Mall & Angol Beach Again
My third day in Boracay Island, and this day was supposed to be a relaxing day after all the adventure yesterday, but the typhoon wouldn't let me rest. I had planned to have a reading at Angol Beach, but it was cancelled due to the rain, strong wind, and waves.
I wasn't able to do any reading; I got a lot of steps walking back and forth on the shore while looking for some souvenirs. It was a good way to make up for all the workouts I missed since I returned to the Philippines.
D'Mall was a popular commercial center in Boracay. You can find hotels. restaurants, souvenir shops, and people who offer different package tours. There were also individual vendors at the shore who sell local delicacies like turon (fried banana in a lumpia wrapper).
Astoria Hotel Free Food
I got a free voucher when I was approached by a sales agent (don't entertain them if you can move on without the free food, haha). The food was good and free, and the hotel was good. The experience was decent, but I wouldn't do it again.
Boracay Blog Episode 3: Boracay Island Hidden Adventures Unveil (Day 2)
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Adventure Begins
The real adventure began on my second day in Boracay Island. It was windy and rainy, since it was typhoon season in the Philippines. From the hostel, I headed over to Angol Beach to meet up with my cousin, Limboy. He helped me book a package tour, and it was also a good opportunity to catch up with him.
We had to head to another beach called Bach Beach for the starting point of the package tour. The place was jam-packed with local and foreign tourists. The waves and wind were much calmer at Bach Beach.
Ilig-iligan Beach and Snorkeling
Reaching our first destination, Ilig-iligan Beach, required a boat ride. From Bach Beach, a medium-sized boat was packed with mostly local tourists, and I think two foreigners.
There were simple attractions like the trending 'photo opp on a crystal kayak' and also small stores. I wasn't surprised when I heard about pricey goods on the island. It's an island, and it must have taken extra effort and expenses to bring those goods to Ilig-iligan Island.
After quite some time at Ilig-iligan Island, our boat went to a part of the sea intended for snorkeling. I got to try a fresh coconut drink on the boat in the sea; the idea felt unique and refreshing. Snorkeling is an activity that I enjoy the most whenever I have a beach trip. I was planning not to try snorkeling in the seawater of Boracay Island because I had to pay extra for the environmental fee again.
The under-the-sea experience is always scary for me, but the view is divine.
ATV, Zipline, & More
On this day, it was my second time experiencing ATV. I was still a little nervous, since it had been a while since I had gone to Bohol to do ATV in the vast land of Chocolate Hills. That was a good and fun memory. It wouldn't be a bad idea to visit Bohol again.
ATV was tiring, but enjoyable. Moreover, the zipline was scary, but humans are scarier. Jump diving and kayaking are the inclusions of the package tour I got to try, which were not new to me, but still fun to do.
My cousin gave me a free 'photo opp on a crystal kayak' experience at Bach Beach. The photos turned out well, and I must say he's good with this kind of touristy activity.
Many Transfers of Transports
Today was the start of my adventure going to Boracay. I didn't expect it to have a lot of transport transfers going to the main island of Boracay.
Airplane to bus. Bus to tricycle. Tricycle to boat. Boat to tricycle. That was a lot and tiring. Yes, I was tired. But I had hope; it was all worth it.
I met another Filipino traveler on my tricycle ride going to the ferry terminal. I remember he had been to Boracay more than once, probably three or four times. It was nice to meet a fellow traveler on a trip. He gave me some heads up on what to expect on the island, and helped me through the registration process and payment at the tourist center. I admit that I didn't expect a lot of fees as a local tourist of my own country, but I guess that's how the economy was built on the island.
After paying all the fees for environmental protection and more, it was time for the ferry ride. I was excited to see my accommodation at Shoretime Dormitel. Here I come, Boracay!
Food trip at Shortime Dormitel & Angol Beach
I was hungry, and I needed something to fill my grumbling stomach. But I was really careful not to trigger my stomach sickness and migraine. I tend to vomit and have a headache if traveling on a red-eye flight, and that happened too during my Taiwan trip. Thankfully, I prevented the same unpleasant experience from drinking warm water.
Breakfast was hearty at Shortime Dormitel restaurant. They offer sumptuous silog breakfast meals and light sandwich snacks, and I enjoyed them.
Angol Beach was a sight, a breathtaking place worth visiting! It was also one of the reasons why I chose my accommodation, since Shortime Dormitel was within walking distance of Angol Beach. It was still a bit of a walk, and I considered it as part of my exercise routine.
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My expenses:RT Plane Ticket - P2,986.50 ($54.30)Shortime Dormitel (3 nights) - P997.83Total is P3,984.33
I am sharing with you my journey from waiting for the bus to spending the night at Terminal 2 before my early morning flight to Boracay. I talk about the quiet atmosphere, my impressions of the terminal, the challenge of printing my boarding pass, and how I pass the time with snacks while feeling sleepy yet excited for the trip.
While waiting for the bus, I sat inside the car waiting for the “ube car.” I noted the last bus leaves around 9 p.m., and it’s cold, so I wore a jacket. Upon my arrival at Terminal 2, I was amazed by the structure and roof design. I headed to the AirAsia counters, thinking Royal Air is located there. I noticed it felt quieter compared to Terminal 3.
To make sure I won't be late for my early flight, I spent the night at the airport. My flight is at 5:15 a.m. tomorrow. Since there were no P2P buses at dawn, I arrived early. I enjoyed the calm atmosphere with fewer people around. I had trouble printing my boarding pass when I realized there were no kiosks available for self-printing. I asked for help and was directed to Counter 4. I prepared to check in with Royal Air.
Snacks are always a must during travel, so I made sure I had some with me during my trip. Food can be more pricey in a commercial or touristy area. I ate Nissin butter coconut biscuits and hazelnut milk chocolate. I had to admit I was sleepy and even had a slight headache. I planned to brush my teeth and rest before the flight.
My Day 0 captures my anticipation, small struggles, and little joys as I prepare for my Boracay adventure. Would you like me to continue the story in Episode 2, where I start the actual journey with multiple transfers on the way to Boracay?
All along, I thought I had only spent more or less P10,000.00 for my July 21 to 24 Taiwan trip. Behold, let's reveal the accurate computation cost on this blog episode.
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I tried my best to remember some of my expenses during this trip and I just estimated some of the amount or prices. Below is the list of my expenses:
Day 0Plane Ticket (RT) - P6,077.50 ($110.50)
Hostel (2 nights & 1 day) - P1325.50 ($24.10)Bus Fare (to NAIA) - P300.00
Fruitas Smoothie - P200.00
Travel tax - P1,600.00Day 1Taiwan Fun Pass - P3,994.00Bus fare - P 300.00Food - P200.00Food - P1000.00Day 2Food souvenirs - P1300.00
Food - P400Day 3-4Food souvenirs - P200.00Express train - P210.00
Burger King meal - P378.00
Bus fare (to my hometown) - P300.00Total is P17,785.00
I also used Google Sheets to present my expenses hoping it would present clarity.
I think I went over my budget on this trip. Hopefully, next time I'll be able to spend less on my next trip.
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Please use my Trip.com and Klook code if need to purchase anything on these travel apps. I hope this information is helpful if you are planning a trip to Taiwan.
Do you think I spent a reasonable for this trip or not?
Let me know what you think.
Ximending Night Market
Last night of my trip in Taiwan, and I got to witness the night market of Ximending. There were street performers who captivated both locals and foreign tourists. I stayed for a while watching the performers from the beginning of their performance, but I wasn't able to finish recording it since the camera had lost its power. I also couldn't stay late, and I had to sleep early for my return flight the next day. I think I also bought some food souvenirs that night.
Bye Taiwan, For Now
Going to Taoyuan Airport was short, but it was I who was tired from all the touristy activities I did for the 3 days that made me feel so tired. I hopped onto an express train to the airport, I think, it cost me 105 Taiwanese dollars or 210 Philippine pesos.
I decided to have my breakfast at the airport, and the Burger King food stall caught my attention because of their Naruto meal specialty. Unfortunately, I did't get the Naruto meal, because it was a little pricey for one meal for me, it was 300 plus Taiwanese dollars, so it would cost me 600 plus Philippine pesos. Instead, I got their regular meal, probably it was 189 Taiwanese dollars or 378 Philippine pesos.
My tummy was happy and moved on to the boarding and waited for my flight.
Hello Philippines again
With less than two hours, I got back to the Philippines and it was still raining. I left raining and returned raining, just like Philippines, I guess.
It was a tiring Taiwan trip, but it was all worth it. Just like I said before, I would love to visit Taiwan again if I get the chance, hopefully for a trip and not just for a layover.
My expenses:
Food souvenirs P200.00
Express train P210.00
Burger King meal P378.00
Bus fare (to my hometown) P300.00
Total is P1088.00
I got to rest and renew my strength. It was fun sharing with you all my Taiwan trip experience.
Until next, where to? Tara!
Taiwan Blog Episode 5: Finding Yehliu Geopark and Jiufen Old Street in Taiwan
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
It's my Day 2 in Taiwan, y'all!
From Ximen, it was a two-hour ride to Tamsui, and that was a long travel time, but the good thing the view from the train car was something I enjoyed. Along with my unexpected travel buddies, Jewel and Sheila, we got to take some pictures inside the train.
We hadn't had our breakfast, so upon reaching Tamsui, the first thing we did was to check out some food stalls and convenience stores near the train station.
After the train ride, we needed to ride a bus for an hour, I think, to reach Yehli, where we could find the geopark.
The coastal view from the bus ride was superb. The sea was looking blue and divine. That long bus ride was worth it in exchange for all the sights I got to see. It was like having a bus tour of the provincial area of Taiwan.
Yehliu Geopark
There's no denying the wonders I witness at Yehliu Geopark. All the sweat, confusion, and doubt vanished when we saw the magnificent rock formations that looked like mushrooms and the vast blue sea.
We tried our best to explore the place and get the best out of the little time we had there. Photo opportunities were something that was never missed among Filipinos.
There was an area of the geopark that had souvenir stores. I got dried seafood and a ref magnet. Some of the store owners spoke Tagalog words and accepted Philippine currency either cash or via GCash.
Jiufen Old Street
It was another adventure finding our next stop, Jiufen Old Street. We were not sure what bus number we were supposed to hop on; it was all instinct and confidence in our understanding of the Tiktok travel video, which was always referenced by my travel buddies.
The Jiufen Old Street was literally a maze old street turned into a market. There were a lot of interesting stores. Food, souvenirs, a tea house, and restaurants were just a few of the shops I remember. The place had that Studio Ghibli vibe, and I liked it as a fan of their animated movies.
I made sure I got the free Taro balls as one of the complimentary items of the Fun Pass I bought via Klook app.
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Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Sheifen Falls and the Lantern festival. The travel time consumed most of our time. I had this thought, I should go back to Taiwan since I missed a lot of attractions I wanted to visit. I don't know when I would get to explore Taiwan, but I hope to visit it again.
My expenses:
Food souvenirs P1300.00
Food P400
Total is P1300.00
It was dawn and Taoyuan International Airport was practically closed. Only the passengers and a few employees were present when I got inside the airport. My struggle was that there were few options of people to ask for queries. Sometimes, I tend to ask a lot of questions.
The wall decor at the airport was entertaining enough to preoccupy me as I trudged on the long pathwalk. There were paintings in frames and murals. It was nice to see them the second time. There were a lot of Filipinos going to Taiwan. I was amazed but not surprised. The Philippines' proximity to Taiwan made it easier for us, Filipinos, to travel to Taiwan without the hassle of a long and rigorous visa processing.
Filipino travelers can enter Taiwan visa-free until July 2026 and can stay up to fourteen (14) days. Just make sure you complete an online immigration arrival card at https://twac.immigration.gov.tw on the website of the National Immigration Agency within three days before arriving in Taiwan.
More info: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China(Taiwan)-Visa-Exempt Entry
My first agenda upon arriving at Taoyuan airport was to wash my face and brush my teeth, so I needed to find a bathroom. I felt uncomfortable not washing my face and brushing my teeth. I must say the bathroom at the airport was clean and fresh. It was commendable.
I was a little confused about where to exit since there were not a lot of airport staff to ask, but there was one who saw me and directed me to the right exit. That was nice of her!
Enjoying an almost empty of people airport was something I got to experience at Taoyuan International Airport. No noise, no people. It was just silence and bright lights and nice structures.
Before my flight, I purchased a Taiwan Fun Pass (Unlimited 3-Day Pass) via Klook app. It cost me P3,994.00. The fun pass card was available at the airport, and the pick-up time was four (4) or five (5) in the morning. I wasn't able to use the pass to the fullest because of the places I missed visiting, but I think I got its worth in all the train rides I had.
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From the airport, I had to take a bus to the Ximen Wow Hostel in Ximending City. I think the bus fare was 150 Taiwanese dollars or 300 Philippine pesos. The bus travel time was about an hour. It was like a tour around the city. I saw a lot of signs written in Taiwanese.
I met two (2) Filipinos during the bus ride. They helped me with the directions to my hostel since I didn't have mobile data. Thank you, Kabayans!
Upon arriving at the hostel, I also met two (2) Filipinas this time, and they became my travel buddies during my Taiwan trip. Since any of us didn't have breakfast, we decided to try the famous milk tea of Taiwan and dumplings, which was not a wise choice for me. But the boba milk tea was really, really good because I threw up a lot when I got back to the hostel. I wasn't feeling really well.
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Jewel, Sheila, and I went to our first destination via train. We had to study the route of the trains to be able to use them efficiently. The signs were mostly in Taiwanese, which was why it was difficult to understand.
- Riding Maokong Gondola was like me suspended in the air. It was a scary yet fun experience.
- Taipei Zoo was a child-friendly attraction. I got to see a panda, but only from its back. It might be a resting period for them. I liked that the zoo had water sprinklers to beat the heat.
- Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the world. It was so high, and I think my ears suffered a little from the air pressure while riding the elevator. The view from the building was breathtaking.
My expenses:Taiwan Fun Pass P3,994.00Bus fare P 300.00Food P200.00Food P1000.00
Total is P5,494.00
It was my first day in Taiwan and I had no sleep. It was unfortunate. I should learn from this experience, hopefully. But it was a good day one (1) in Taiwan.
The day of my flight to Taiwan was rainy. There was a typhoon or an incoming storm, so the weather wasn't good. It wasn't the best weather for any kind of trip.
Going to NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), I am thankful to have a point-to-point bus transport from my town to Terminal 3. The bus fare cost was 300 Philippine pesos. It took me more or less two (2) hours to reach the airport from my hometown. It was a long ride, always, and the bus air conditioning was too much for me in the rainy season. It was a good thing I had jacket jeans, and I felt so cool wearing them.
UBE Express, Inc. is a human logistics service provider committed in providing a safe, convenient, reliable and modern bus service in adherence to applicable legal and regulatory requirements set by the Philippine government. We offer point-to-point service with the goal of giving our patrons an ultimate bus experience. In addition, we also provide tarmac shuttle service for various airlines in transporting passengers within the airport facility.
It was still raining hard when I finally arrived at the airport. There seemed to be a lot of people, especially inside the airport. I printed my boarding pass from the AirAsia kiosk, which was really convenient for me, and I got to keep it for pasting it on my journal notebook. After that, I went straight to the security check-up and I passed. But unfortunately, some of my journaling materials, like glue and small scissors, got confiscated, which made me a little sad. I was still glad I passed the inspection. Thank you, ma'am and sirs at NAIA, for keeping us safe!
Before getting something to eat, I went straight to my boarding gate to make sure it really did exist. It was not a long walk, but not short either. It was walkable, and I got to do some sightseeing inside the airport. There were a lot of stranded passengers due to bad weather, and I could tell they were not happy about the situation. But it is better to be safe than sorry, right? Right.
I walked back to the Fruitas stand I saw when I was sightseeing. I had a mango and watermelon smoothie, and it was good, but it had a lot of ice. The ladies at Fruitas were so kind to give me some of their fries from Potato Corner. I was embarrassed, but they were persistent, so I accepted the free fries.
Special shout to the ladies at the Fruitas stand at Terminal 3! God bless you more!
I had my dinner snacks on a chair near my boarding gate, and I arrived so early at the airport that I had a lot of waiting time, probably around two (2) hours. I patiently waited and tried to get busy. I tried to get some sleep and massaged my face with a guasha. I was thinking of reading, but my book was inside my suitcase, so next time I'm gonna put it inside my carry-on bag.
When it was boarding time, I discovered that I had to pay the Philippine travel tax. I had no idea about it. One of the flight attendants helped me; she instructed me to do it online. I think I paid 1600 plus Philippine pesos.
My flight from Manila to Taiwan was scheduled at 11PM, and it got delayed too for twenty (20) minutes due to bad weather, which was not an ideal time for me, but the cheapest. I regret booking that flight schedule. Next time, I have to make sure the flight won't inconvenience or take a toll on my health.
My Expenses for Day 0:Plane Ticket Price (RT) P6,077.50 ($110.50)Bus Fare P 300.00Fruitas Smoothie P 200.00Travel tax P1,600.00Total is P8,177.50
It was also boarding time when I started crying for no reason. I want to say for no reason, but I was aware of the real reason. Boarding the plane reminded me of the time I was leaving Austin, Texas, at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport. It was so heartbreaking watching my boyfriend see me leave. It was a sad day.
I started packing for my Taiwan Trip with all my toiletries, first aid kit, shoes, and clothes. My suitcase was pretty much packed and ready, except for some of the last-minute additions. It was really, really hot when I was packing the suitcase. Sweaty and hot, I survived the heat and was able to write this blog entry.
Here is the list of things I put in my luggage.
Toiletries:
shampoo
conditioner
feminine wash
sunscreen
lotion
perfume/cologne
body wash
toner
cotton balls
cotton buds
facial routine kit
First aid kit:
band aids
burn cream
antibiotic ointment
Tylenol
Tylenol
Eye moisturizer
Shoes:
Tennis shoes
leather shoes
Clothes:
dresses
underwears
leggings
shorts
socks
sleepwear
That's quite a list, but I always try to be prepared and ready for any trip. It is better to be ready than sorry. I know this is not a comprehensive list, but you can modify, add, or remove some things that you might need or not need. It all depends on your comfort, tolerance, and what you need.
Join me as I travel the world. Tara!
When I had an 11-hour layover during my trip from the US to the Philippines, I was able to step on the ground of Taiwan, but I did not attempt to get out of the airport despite the long hours of staying there. I just thought to myself that I would return there as a tourist, not as a passerby. And I did.
Travelling the world is also one of my many dreams in life. I guess dreams keep us going, too, in life, like hope. This is my first time doing solo travelling. I am a bit nervous, which is normal, I think. I tried to prepare properly for this trip.
The Trip.com app has been my go-to online software for my travel ever since I booked that ticket with my friends for a Cebu trip, which was seven years ago.
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Every time I travel, my goal is to find the cheapest but safest flight, hotel, and tour. I am always travelling on a budget.
This time for the booking I used US dollar currency, since it felt more affordable and not painful on my pocket when I look at it. Well, yes, it is more of a psychological thing, and hopefully, it is helping rather than damaging me.
Flights. For the plane tickets, I spent $110.50. It is a round-trip ticket already for 4 4-day and 3-night trips, or more like three (3) days and three (3) nights because of the flight schedule.
Hotel. For the accommodation, I tried booking in a hostel. I booked for 2 nights, since I would be spending the 1st night at the airport. I spent $24.10 for the hostel. I made sure that the hostel is a walking distance of the training station.
Tour. I decided to avail a package tour since I would be travelling in an unfamiliar land. I thought it would be safer and cheaper because the tour includes the transportation. As it was advertised, the tour is composed of 7 tourist attractions to visit. It is a one-day tour. I paid $49.75 for the packaged tour.
In total, for the plane tickets, accommodation, and guided tour, I spent $184.35, which roughly converted to 10,139.25 Philippine pesos.
I am excited and nervous at the same time for this trip, but I am definitely looking forward to it.
Join me as I travel the world. Tara!
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