CarCar & Argao: Southern Charm

church of st. michael the archangel

carcar dispensary

st. catherine's academy

leon kilat monument

A drive down the southern coast of Cebu offers relaxing views of mangrove beaches, arching roadside acacias and old architecture. Here are lomographs from our latest trip, some with my new Diana+ (http://www.lomography.com/diana), a lomographic reissue of a 1960s toy camera famous for its unpredictable blurring and dreamy vignettes.

Carcar City--the newest city in Cebu--is one of the oldest towns as well. Known for its shoe industry (home to the uncredited largest shoe in the world) and mouth-watering chicharon (pork crackles), it is also a heritage city. The city has around 50 houses built during the mid 19th century to early 20th century, like the Balay nga Tisa, Noel House and Don Mercado House.

Farther down south is Argao, my mother's hometown. Recognized for its baroque-rococo Church of St. Michael the Archangel that boasts of detailed ceiling frescoes and a grand 'retablo', all within the well-preserved colonial town plaza, we've frequented this place for years for quick vacations and to visit relatives, both living and dead.

One of the surprising finds in this quaint town is the recent rediscovery just weeks ago of an 18th-century chapel for unbaptized dead children, across the Church.

The author Edgar Alan Yap says "since the best things in his life came in surprises, he'll just feel his way around and enjoy the ride", you can get a peek of his travel blog here eazy traveler

**no photos in this article may be reproduce or republish by any means without prior consent from the author

Hidden Paradise Mountain Resort

Hidden Paradise Mountain Resort live up to its name hence it is literally hidden inside San Fernando's rainforest. The lush vegetation surrounding the area makes it verdantly interesting too. And the panoramic view of San Fernando and its neighboring towns completed the whole mountain resort thing.


Hidden Paradise Mountain Resort Traffic Rate Effective January 2008

Executive Family Room ( 4 pax ) P 3,500.00 Free breakfast for 4 pax
H&C, Aircon, Ref, TV,

De Luxe Room ( 2 pax ) P 2,500.00 Free breakfast for 2 pax
H&C, Aircon, no TV

Standard Room ( 2 pax ) P 1,500.00 Aircon

Native Room (2 pax ) P 600.00 Fan

Family Native Room ( 6 pax ) P 1,400 Fan

Dormitory Room ( 10 pax ) P 3,500.00 Aircon, (free entrance for 10 pax)

Dormitory Room (mini) ( 4 pax ) P 1,500.00 Aircon ,(free entrance for 4 pax)

Extra bed P 150.00

Entrance Fee:
Adult P 100.00
Child 4 - 8 yrs old P 50.00

Cottages:
Native Hut P 300.00
Table/Umbrella P 150.00

Social Area:
Sunflower P 1,500.00
Orchid A P 1,500.00
Orchid B P 1,500.00
Rooftop P 6,000.00

Function Rooms:
Sampaguita P 3,500.00
Sunrise A P 8,000.00
Sunrise B P 3,000.00

Amenities Rates:
Videoke P 150.00 / hour
Billiard P 75.00 / hour
Dart P 75.00 / hour
Trekking P 75.00 / person ( minimum 5 pax per group)
Camp Fire P 500.00 /event

Other charges
Grilling is free of charge (charcoal is P25.00)
Cooking Charge P 75.00 / kilo

Shuttle P 3,500.00 city-resort/vice versa

Corkage
P 200.00 / lechon
P 100.00 / case softdrinks
P 300.00 / alcoholic beverage
Room Rates :

Check –In Time: 2:00 P.M. Check-Out Time: 12:00 noon


Here's a sketch to get there:




For reservation and booking:

Please contact their Booking office at 032-4112690 located in Geson Bldg., D. Jakosalem St. Cebu City and look for REZA.


**all photos courtesy of Hidden Paradise Mountain Resort
*these are reference info only, all prices are subject to change without prior notice

Experience Nature, Experience Kawasan

photo courtesy of pamela

Kawasan Falls’ three-level cascade waterfalls lie secretly in the tropical rainforest of Southern Cebu. It is where a river falls steeply down the hills above the town of Matutinao. Its unique formation brings wonderful view to those that have experienced it. And not to mention the cool water, fresh air and tropical surrounding that you will only find in Kawasan.

How to get there:

Kawasan is 100 km southwest of Cebu or that is 2-3 hour ride, if you’re bringing your car you no worry because parking area is now available at the foothill. Before you can reach the falls you need to walk 30 minutes along a narrow path and cross 3 small bridges, well that’s already an experience. If you want to go there on your own, take a bus from SouthBus Terminal going to Badian and drop by at Matutinao church that cost P70-P80.

What to expect:

Please be reminded that Kawasan has three waterfalls, the biggest one is the most crowded, if you want to experience the other two you just have to climb uphill for 10-15 minutes. Kawasan is nature at its finest so apparently what you can expect is to savor what it has to offer. You may rent a raft to take you around or have nature massage you thru the falls therapeutic falling water. Restaurants are available and you can also bring your own food. Should you want to spend a night, resort rooms are available or you might go camping if you’re on tight budget.

Pls leave a comment should you have any question about Kawasan..

Discover Olango Island

photo courtesy of BuBoi Costas

Olango [o-lang-go] is an island located few kilometers east of Mactan which lies between Bohol Strait and Camotes Sea; it’s also close to the Hilutungan Channel. The island diverse coastal ecosystem like the mangroves, coral reefs, sand flats and seagrass beds makes it attractive to different species of migratory bird thus making it perfect for nature lover, bird watching, marine ecosystem research and of course for backpackers too.

How to get there:

There lots of ways to get there, either on your own or thru an organized transfer. If you’re outside of the Philippines a direct flight to Cebu is the most convenient way or thru a connecting flight to Manila and take a domestic flight to Cebu. Should you want a direct or organized transfer to the island you can contact Polaris at these phone numbers +63 (0)38 505 41 18 Mobile +63 (0)918 903 7187 Fax +63 (0)38 505 41 18 or if you want to go there on your own take a taxi from Cebu City to the Pier of the Hilton Hotel or the one of Angasil, both located in Mactan Island. You can also take a jeepny at whitegold or sm terminal area going to Lapulapu, and then ride a tricycle to Angasil and get off at Mar Y Cielo Beach Resort. The boats leave every 30 minutes to the pier of Santa Rosa, the fare cost is P15-P20.

Island Hopping:

Outrigger boats are available at Angasil Pier for just P2, 500-P3, 000 good for 20 people which covers Hilutungan Island, Sulpa Island, and Olango Island Bird Sanctuary. If you're hungry doing the hop you can check out some stilt restaurants at Brgy Caw-oy in Olango that serves fresh catch from the sea for a very reasonable price. After you're done island hopping some private beach cottages* offers an overnight stay for P1T-P2T only that's good for 30-50 people. Or you might go camping in some public beach areas just be aware of high-tides though.

*this is not a room just a beachside open-air cottage

Sumilon Island Bluewaters Resort

Awesome place! The plus plus points are:

1. When we docked, they greeted us with leis of shells.. and superb welcome drinks :D
2. The rooms are absolutely gorgeous with incredible bathrooms!
3. Great staff -- will always provide what you need -- even batteries for your cam!
4. Free snorkeling gear
4. Free kayak (unlimited hours of use!)
5. Since sumilon is a marine sanctuary, the corals are oh so AMAZING! You get to see all the nemos, dorys, gills... oh my.. as in super dami fish even little sword fish... super nice as in! Theres lotsa lotsa fish EVERYWHERE!
6. The resort offers great massages.
7. Day Use is ONLY P1000/head which includes use of all the ammenities:pool, snorkel equipment, kayak, boat ride to and from the island, glass bottom boat ride and BIG LUNCH!

Super wonderful, super sulit! :D Enjoyed best when with fabulous company :D

contact info:
http://www.bluewater.com.ph/dining.htm
63(32)-4810801

The author Ruanne is a pure pinay now living in Towson MD, who loves spring and missed steam rice so much.

Choosing the right accomodation!

Whether it is a five-star luxury hotel or a pension house don't assume they offer the best accommodation that will reasonably justify the price you will pay. If you know which hotel you want, skip straight to the cheap-hotel section. If not, you need to pick a venue, within your budget, that's not a damp squib; and this involves cutting through the vast arrays of disinformation. Moneysavingexpert says, "The hotel star system is a mess; there's limited standardisation within countries, nevermind worldwide. Stars may be given by Governments, review organisations or even the hotel itself. Package tour operators tend to be overly generous; often a star higher than independent reviews. Yet they still provide a rough start point. It's important to understand that stars usually indicate the facilities available, not the quality of the hotel, so usually the higher the star the higher the price."

Here are some guidelines you might want to consider:

1. Lastminute.com sells top secret and very discounted room where you can't find booking directly in a hotel.
2. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor and customer's feedbacks on some online travel agent like expedia and travelocity.
3. Just because it's a 5-star it has a very nice accommodation, i tell you it doesn't always follow, try consider 2-3 star hotel, a hostel or even apartelles that has very good review.
4. Book in advance at least 6-8 weeks before your check-in date.
5. Compare prices from other online travel agent and from the hotel itself.
6. If you are booking a flight you might as well consider booking it as a package since most online travel agent give discount in package reservation.

That's it for now!

Camotes Island: "The Lost Horizon of the South"

photo courtesy of miggy

Camotes they said as the “Lost Horizon of the South” are loaded with fun-filled activities and attractions. Activities include spelunking /caving, snorkeling, diving, fishing, trekking, camping and a lot. Camotes attractions will surely wow your hungry-for-nature appetite like the “Bukilat Cave”, Lake Danao and Buho Rock.

How to get there:

Pumpboat ride (max of 4 hrs.)

via Ouano Wharf (near Mandaue Hospital and Mandaue Sports Complex)

Cebu-Camotes 1PM (everyday) (ETA: 5PM)
Camotes-Cebu 4AM (everyday) (ETA: 8AM)

via Danao (ETT:2Hours)

Danao - Camotes: ETD is 6AM; ETA is 8AM
Camotes - Danao: ETD is 1 PM; ETA is 3PM

Boat ride (max of 4hrs.): M/V Melrivic (Aznar)
Point of origin: Pier 1

Cebu-Camotes 12NN (everyday) (ETA: 4PM)
9PM (everyday) (ETA: 4AM)
Camotes-Cebu 12NN (everyday) (ETA: 4PM)

Or you can start at “Green Lagoon” in Compostela they have a ride to Mangodlong Resort by the way these two resorts are own by just one person, you can contact them at (632) 3458599

*Boat/Ferry cost: P250-300

* if you want to bring your car, catch the 12NN trip (Melrivic). fee is around P1,500 (per car).
* airstrip is still being renovated.

Accommodation:

Little Island Hotel
aircon: P1,500/rm
- 13 rooms
- can accommodate 3 in a room (extra bed: P500)

SeaView Pension (town area)
- fan: P200/person
- 2 rooms
- can accommodate 3 in a room

Costa Verde Beach House (a few kilometers from the town area)
- fan: 250
- 2 rooms
- can accommodate 4 in a room

Santiago Bay
- aircon: P500/person
- 4 rooms
- 2 persons per room
- fan: 300/person

Mangodlong Rock Beach
- aircon: P500/person
- 8 rooms
- 3 in a room

Cafe Z
- fan: P250/person
- 4 rooms
- 8 in a room
- aircon: P 1,500/room
- 1 room available
- 6 in a room

The Food:

Restaurants and carenderias abound in Camotes, some resort hotel has restaurant on it and serves food upon request. You can even go fishing and have them cook it for you serve hot, fresh from the sea for just a little amount, how about that?

Please be reminded that these are reference information only, it’s subject to change. Please leave a comment should you have any question and/or suggestion.

Thanks to unofficialplayer for some of the info.