PHILIPPINES-LUZON - Filipini

I have found the biggest of the Philippines islands, enough interesting to spend there three weeks. MANILA- One of the first backpacker's friendly hotels is still there – Malate pensionne http://www.mpensionne.com.ph/For a decent price (from 22 USD) you get safe  room with a colonial furniture touch, temptational caffe bar downstairs, reliable airport transfer and good location in Malate – various bars, shops, restaurants, money changers, market, Robinsons mall are in the vicinity and Intromorus is just 1-euro taxi fare away…

If you get stucked in Cubao, there is a decent hotel Goodleap apartelle  just near the Dominion bus terminal (going to Vigan). Rooms from 30 USD and karaoke bar downstairs.

The most convinient public transportation is train, but it doesn't reach all parts of Manila and the coaches are always crowded. Jeepneys are more interesting than useful, but for a change it is nice to try the electric jeepney, whic runs in Makati free of charge.

  It is wort to spend a weekend at Villa Escudero  http://www.villaescudero.com/,South of Manila, near San Pablo. The former coconut estate welcomes guests in rustic bungalows and idyllic sorroundings near artificial lake. Beside peace and quite (and romantic evening serenades by local singers) the Saturday and Sunday 2.pm cultural show is really worth a visit. And lunch served in the middle of the river and next to the waterfall is also unique. Yes, you do get your feet wet, but if you don't like the fun of it, you could still enjoy your meal at the river bank. Museum is a mix of religius, ethnographic and war items. Estate is full of Philippino guests who enjoy swiming pools with slides and funy statues all around, jeepney and carabao rides, fishing, rowing on bamboo rafts etc.

 

Lake and volcano Taal is a must to visit in this part of Luzon. The best way to reach the volcano in the middle of the crater lake is by boat from Talisay. Official rate for a boat ride is 1500 php, but it is possible to get it for 1000 php. The most convenient budget accommodation is Villa Manolo (20 USD), simple bungalows just at the volcano boats piar. The owner is very informative and can arrange you everything for a fair price! There is an visitor fee of 50 php to visit the volcano island, which should be payed upon the landing. There is really no need to take a horse and a guide as there is only one path leading to the volcano sumit (45 min). There are always some vendors selling food and drinks at the sumit. Swimming in the lake is not allowed at the moment due to some volcanic activity.

Most jeepneys to Talisay are coming from Tanauan, which is easy to reach by bus from Manila.

 It is good choice to visit Vigan for the local fiesta at the end of January. No need to worry about the accommodation, the hotels do not get full! One of the best  options is Villa Angela http://www.villangela.com/. It is like staying in a museum. Colonial house is full of old furniture and even Tom Cruise liked staying here (Cuarto del senor), when the movie Born on 4.th July was filmed in this part of Luzon. Rooms with fabulous (try philippino) breakfast are from 40 USD. Villa is just a few steps from the old Vigan streets. And staying there during the festival is just perfect as the parades (around 9 am) are passing just in front of the big garden… Besades parades there is also a procession, evening entertainment on the main square (with miss contest), lots of food stals… And the beach is not far away – The best but not very enticing due to the luck of shadow is at Santa Catalena (60 php tricycle ride). Bring everything you might need with you!
More about Vigan:
http://www.globetrotter.si/anglesko/links-det.asp?id=730
 

SAGADA is still a gem in the mountains  and Resthouse St. Joseph's  (JuliaAbad47@yahoo.com.ph) one of the best choices to stay. Tranquil location, scenic view, big garden, nice rooms (from 12 USD dorm), hot water, fireplace in the biggest building… Restahouse was the first in place, as name suggests it was a former nunnery and orphan house and is still owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines. One of  the good but must interesting restaurants is Masferre Country inn. The owner is son of famous photographer and there are photographs of Igorot people all around. Do you like sweets? –Ladys in an inconspicious Consumers Co-op canteen near the church bake tempting cakes (banana, pineapple, chocolate, custard apple)!

 

For visiting caves, cofins and other sights you dont really need a guide – but it is easier if you don't want to get lost too often. The exeption is Samaguing cave. It is worth to get there, even if you don't plan to visit it. Just a few hundred meters before the cave there is a new attraction since 2012 – Restaurant Gaia. Besides fabulous views to the rice fields they serve tasty vegeterian meals, oganic coffe and tea. Beside small gift shop there is also a small private library so you could just stay on a view terace for hours… This year they plan to add accommodation in a new fairytale house nearby…

Sagada gets lively before 1st weekend in February. The town fiesta is celebrated with a fair, entertainment and a parade in which the most interesting participiantes  are dressed in traditional Igarot clothes.

 

Going to Banaue and famous rice terraces, the road from Bontoc is much better than it used to be so instead of jeepneys you coud take more comfortable option  for the same price – a van.

Some movie connections:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uuc5NkG2e8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8mWdENbMQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP032Ydkkws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONAJff9xC8k

about jeepney

http://napotki.blogspot.com/#!/2013/02/filipini-vozila-z-drugega-planeta.html 

unforgettable hotels
http://travelfrog.jimdo.com/philippines/