Two Days In Brunei

Cebu Pacific posted a discounted/sale fare of Brunei and I was very much happy to oblige to buy the round trip ticket since I have never been to Brunei. So there I went Bandar Seri Begawan (capital of Brunei) by plane.

It was an evening flight and I arrived at the hotel past midnight thanks to the delayed flight of Cebu Pacific.

Day 1

After waking up the following morning, I walked and looked around and saw what Brunei has to offer.

I had no idea that it was Ramadan and I knew the reason why the ticket was on sale.

The tour will not be complete without the boat ride in the river.

After walking in the city, I went back to the hotel and was able find a companion.

 We decided to go to Malaysia. So went to Labuan. 

Reaching Malaysia, we hired a taxi for our tour. 

The name of the taxi driver is Alex Chan (Taxi - HL 127, Cell No. 012 823 7388)

I enjoyed the tour since I had a companion.

We transferred from one spot to another.

And then went back to Brunei.

Evening time, we decided to roam the city using the boat tour.

Day 2 

The next day we went to another part of Malaysia.

Again, we toured around the city.

After 3 hours, we took our lunch and decided to go back to Brunei.

Suggested Places to Visit
The Royal Regalia Museum
Omar 'Ali Saiffuddien Mosque
|The Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery (by water taxi)
Lapau (Royal Cermenomial Hall)

Regardless of the destination or kilometers, fare is 1 USD.

By the way, I stayed at the Joy Rest Station.

Over-all, the Brunei tour may not be that exciting but it was memorable and that was enough for me.

Buscalan, Tinglayan, Kalinga, Philippines (Wander Twins Tour)

ctto Pau Aguirre

For 45 years, I have survived and was never inclined to have a tattoo.

Everything changed when I joined the tour of Wander Twins (Carlo and Paulo Aguirre).

It was however a welcome change and I simply love my new tattoos!

Paulo and Carlo

Wander Twins organize a lot of tours in Luzon. Their tours are simply amazing! I guarantee that you will enjoy it. The tours are well-organized and fun-filled. I never experienced any boredom during the tour. Everything was perfect!

So from Trinoma, Quezon City, we boarded the van to Buscalan. We left past 8 pm and arrived at our destination past 8 am. 

How to get there (in case you are not joining the tour or DIY)

The easiest way to reach Apo Whang-Od

1. Coming from Manila, just take the Coda Lines bus that will take you directly to Bontoc. ...
2. Travel time is only 8-10hrs to Bontoc depending on traffic conditions with 2-3 stopovers for toilet and meal breaks.
3. From Bontoc, just take the jeep bound for Tinglayan or Tabuk and hop off at Bugnay.  (Source: Google)

After the 40-minute hike, we reached our destination and we immediately made an appointment and lined-up for our signature tattoo of Whang-Od. The fee is P150.00.

Thereafter, five tattoos were made by Grace, another "mambabatok" in Buscalan and a relative of Whang-Od. The fee varies depending on the design, size and complexity of the tattoo. Normally. the price starts at P300 up to P1,400 per tattoo.

ctto

Of course the tattoo will not be complete without having one from Grace, the heir apparent of Whang-Od. I had one tattoo made by Grace early the following morning. I ended up having seven (7) tattoos before going home.

ctto

 In case you are wondering of the tattoo designs, you can choose from their famous designs. 

Just make sure you made the right choice, it is permanent. 

ctto

The best part of the tour is the evening socials. Everyone! Yup! Everyone enjoyed this!
 The Wander Twins Tour is SIMPLY AMAZING! =)

Participants in the Buscalan Tour
Paulo Aguirre
Allen Ryan Sevilla
Ohh Wen
Maria Anne Dominguez Matias
Riz Julo
Flor Glor
Rizza Sumayang Bernal

Siobe Crispo

Pamela Brizel

Kristel Fernandez Cuerdo

Cons Bernal

Iza Malabaguio - Pineda

Phing Acompañado-Maceda

Cher Glor

Jun Villegas

Again, Thank you guys for such a wonderful experience! =)

2019 Breathtaking El Nido and Paradise Port Barton

After three years, I'm back in one of my top three destinations in the Philippines. My fifth time to visit El Nido and second time to visit Port Barton and the excitement never withered.

Hadefe Travels and Tours has always been my long time partner in my series of travels in Puerto Princesa (PPC) Coron and El Nido. They are simply superb and Sir Hanny is simply one of the best friends one could have and keep.

Hadefe - 0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

There are numerous flights going to PPC and there is a direct flight to El Nido using Air Swift. But I  still opted using Air Asia. I got use to passing to PPC and seeing Sir Hanny before going to El Nido. Seeing PPC completes the journey.

With the kind assistance of Sir Hanny, I was transported from PPC to El Nido.

PPC to El Nido -P500 (5 hours) vice-versa

El Nido to Port Barton - P500 (3-4 hours) vice-versa

Port Barton to PPC - P300 (3 hours)

I arrived past 4 pm and strolled at the beach and enjoyed the view.

Weather was not that good but there was still sunset.

DAY 2
TOUR A
P1,200-1,400

EL NIDO offers a variety of tours. But Tours A, B, C, and D are the common island hopping tours.

I chose Tours A and C. And for that day, it was Tour A.

BIG LAGOON was the first destination.

Before there was Small Lagoon but right now you have to choose between the small and the big lagoon. After the Big Lagoon, we went to the Simizu Island for snorkeling. 

Then, we went to Intalula Island East and West.

We took our delicious lunch at Intalula.

Last stop was the Papaya Island.

Going back, I witnessed one of the breathtaking sunsets El Nido can offer.

DAY 3

TOUR C

P1,200

We started the tour at Helicopter Island.

Then went to Hidden Beach.

The foreigners love this part of the tour.

We took our lunch at Talisay Island.

Last stop was supposed to be Secret Beach.

But we still went to another snorkeling area and Pasandigan Island.

DAY 4
NACPAN BEACH

I stayed at Hadefe Resort. It has the best view in town and the most accommodating staff. The rooms were great and cozy!

You can simply enjoy and relax at Hadefe Resort and all your tour needs will be provided by them.

Early morning, I rented a motorbike for P500 and went to Nacpan Beach (about 22 kilometers or roughly 30-40 minute ride).

After Nacpan, I bid goodbye to the staff and  boarded a  van to Port Barton. Fare was P500 and the ride toom me more than 3 hours.

My accommodation was at the White Hauz (BJ 0906 356 7610).

They have the dormitory room for P350. The fan room for P800-900. And the aircon room for P1,200-P1,500.

Then the day ended.

DAY 5
TOUR A
Boat rental c/o Michael - 09758580078, 09469641456

All other needs
Van rental, tours, etc
Macky - 0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

We started the tour at Twin Reef. Fee for one person is P1,200. 

Second stop was the German Island and the Turtle Spot.

Then, we took our lunch at Pena Plata Island.

One of the sites for your lunch and snorkeling.

One of the things that Port Barton has is the turtle watching tour.

Then we went to Exotic Island.

Maxima Island

Then, the last two stops were the Fantastic Reef and the Sandbar.

Finally, another mesmerizing sunset in Palawan.

MY SINCEREST and HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

My longtime friend Sir Hanny Enor.

Owner - Hadefe

0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

A friend to keep Macky Tinebro

0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

Boat rental

Michael Perez or Cael

0975 858 0078, 0946 964 1456

And my new friend BJ of White Hauz 

0906 356 7610

SALAMAT PO 😃