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Wow! Sipalay
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Filipina trying pickled herring, did she like it??
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View over Cebu city
Street photographing
This time when I was in Cebu I stayed at the RedDoorz on Climaco Street. The hotel was relatively ok but the neighborhood was a little bit rough.
The legendary jeepney which is the very foundation of the commuter system in the Philippines. By the way, can you spot Rodrigo Duterte here? (The President of the Philippines) He is on a poster near the underpants which is on drying...
The area around the Colon street is extremely busy. So I deviated on one of the side streets where it was much quieter but still with some market stands and Habal Habal (motorcycle taxis) waiting for customers.
I always get fascinated to see those wires and also by the fact that it actually works. The maintenance to keep the wire network updated must be extensive though. I like the guy’s red shoes, look really smart.
Obviously you can get a room here for just PHP 155 which is around 30 SKr. I wonder how those rooms look like but at least there is a coffee shop next to the entrance. Nice car to the right though.
A jeepney is loading in the area of Colon street.
Actually this was the view from the RedDoorz hotel at Climaco Street. I would say it looks a little bit rough but interesting in a way. I wonder if people lives in that building...?
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If you are lucky you might see one of these
Mambukal Resort, a perfect daytrip for the whole family
Mambukal is home to several rare bat species for example the endemic giant golden-crowned flying fox and the Philippine tube-nosed fruit bat can be seen in the area. These, along with other resident bat species, are estimated to number between 7,500 to 8,000.
Facts
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Onuk island, the last frontier of the Philippines?
And by the way: Onuk Island (can also be spelled as Onok Island)
And hey! Don’t miss to watch the video clip at end!
How about the safety?
Malaria
There have been Malaria outbreaks in the mountainous Mainland Balabac but for now it’s considered safe to be out in the Balabac archipelago. But bring mosquito repellants because there will be tons mosquitos hunting for your blood after sunset.
Crocodiles
A minor concern are the saltwater crocodiles but they are only present in the Mainland Balabac. Which means out in the archipelago it’s safe from crocodiles.
Weather
The weather can be unpredictable. The dry seasons of April and May are the best times to visit the Balabac archipelago since the sea is perfectly calm on most days during these months. You may also visit Balabac during the months of December to February where it is fairly good. However, these months can the waves be particularly rough on the beaches.
Bandits
But hey! Balabac islands are located in the Sulu sea. Hmm wasn’t that the place where the Philippine army battle bandits? Yes, that’s right. But that’s on the other side of the Sulu sea at Jolo. There are no bandits in the Balabac archipelago.
On our way to Rio Tuba we passed by beautiful landscapes of Palawan
Sometimes you must eat right? The bus made one stop for lunch.
We arrived late after sunset in Rio Tuba. We were lucky the Pring Pension House had an available room for us. It’s just very near the terminal by the way.
Early morning at Pring. We paid 1200 PHP for a small Aircon rom without breakfast. Breakfast was available for 100 PHP.
Facts about how to get to Onuk island
- Public bus from San Jose Terminal (Puerto Princesa) going to Rio Tuba. Fare 350 PHP per person with Aircon bus. The trip takes around 7 hours so better start early in the morning. Expect to stay overnight in Rio Tuba. In Rio Tuba there are a limited selection of restaurants. But Sizzling Republic is recommendable, click the link to see the review.
- Ferry from Rio Tuba to Balabac Island. (Mainland Balabac) You need probably to take a tricycle to the port 100 PHP. Be there around 7 am to buy tickets. The trip takes 4-5 hours depending on the weather. Fare 450 PHP. At Balabac island you have to take a tricycle from the pier to Balabac town 60 PHP. Expect to stay there overnight. In Balabac town it’s even more limited when it comes to restaurants and shops. There are Sari Sari stores where you can buy the the essential and the best two eateries are located next to each other opposite of the police station.
- Ask around and rent a boat for going on island hopping. The price would be around 2000 PHP per person for the boat with lunch included. For Onuk island there will be an additional entrance fee of 1500 PHP per person. At Onuk island there are no shops so be sure to bring everything you need.
- For the time being it’s not possible to stay overnight at Onuk island. But things can change so ask around if you are interested to do that.
- If you for some reason need to extend your visa you can do it in Balabac town. There happen to be an immigration field office there.
The port in Rio Tuba. Here you must report to the coast guard that you are going with the ferry
Our ferry which will take us to Balabac island
Safety first. Before departure the coast guard inspects the boat and that everyone wear a life vest.
Sometimes you get sleepy of all traveling
My fellow traveler had brought two hamsters with him to give to his family for Christmas
Now it begins to look nice. A short stop at Bancalan island
Finally the pier at Balabac island
Balabac port
Balabac port and from here you take a tricycle going in to town
We stayed at MLK Lodging house. A basic room with fan. No breakfast available. 600 PHP night.
Yes there are saltwater crocodiles here at Balabac island (Mainland Balabac)
A nice sunset at the main road in Balabac town
There are no Starbucks here. But it’s still possible to get your cake and coffee with some slight modifications though. But if you don’t want 3 in 1, which for me is too sweet, bring coffee stick and creamer with you. Here at one of the two eateries located opposite the police station.
Finally on our way out to Onuk island. 1-2 hours boat trip depending on the weather. The sound from the engine was totally deafening so a friendly advice is to bring some kind of ear protection.
Before it was possible to stay overnight at Onuk island. It was just recently they changed their policy. The accommodation was very basic in those sheds. Nevertheless I was very disappointed not to be able to experience a 24 hours stay here.
The water was crystal clear and the sand white and soft. You couldn’t hear a single sound except from the waves and the sea breeze. So relaxing for a stressful mind.
The total silence together with the endless sea resulted in a magic ambience of timelessness which had a great impact on me...
The beach was very clean and surprisingly not full of plastic waste which sorry to say is common these days.
Low tide at this moment
Snorkeling
The final thought
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Sizzling Republic, a savior in the night
The Sizzling Republic was a savior in the night where no other restaurants were available
The menus
They even have a menu for all thirsty cocktail lovers
Sizzler
At the Sizzling Republic you ought to try their sizzling, that’s what they claim to do, right?
Squid and shrimp sizzling
Squid sizzling
This was an applicable quote about the positive things with coffee
Squid and shrimp sizzling
The Sizzling Republic Restaurant had an nice open area where you could enjoy the meal
Conclusion
1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3-4 Food
4 Service
4 Value
3 Atmosphere
Macadam road, Brgy. Rio Tuba
Bataraza, Palawan 5306
Philippines
Phone: 0916 239 0997
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Linaw Pearl, a restaurant with view
Bread, butter and the view is complimentary here
The bar
A variety of dishes
Decision agony
Prawns with cream tomato sauce
Stir fried in olive oil with boiled vegetables
Supreme Crepes, with mango and vanilla ice cream
It’s so relaxing to sit here and watch the sunset
Linaw Beach Resort and the pool
Linaw Beach Resort and the construction site in the background
Conclusion
1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food
5 Service
4 Value
5 Atmosphere
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My second living room, Bo’s in Tagbilaran
The furnishing and decoration is still the same as it was the first time I was here years ago
Aside from the pastries they also offer breakfast and lunch
As a kid I liked to read Reader’s Digest so now I can do it again. Some of them were from 2002!
This is Junel, he has been a loyal staff member at Bo’s since 2014
The staff member of the day serving my coffee
There are two Bo’s in Tagbilaran
Today I was lucky, it was quiet here. Sometimes it can be really crowded.
Today I had my “coffee break special”, blueberry cheesecake with a large caffe latte. As you can see it’s really large, at least a half liter!
Expectant customers are waiting for their orders
Conclusion
1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
4 Food
5 Service
4 Value
4 Atmosphere
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Indian food today, New Bombay in Manila
New Bombay, the menu was thick like a bible
Time was still relatively early so it was very quiet when I was here
The menu was like a bible
Paneer is fresh cheese which is a common ingredient in the Indian kitchen
I tried the Chicken Cafrala
Together with the Paneer dishes there were lot’s of options for the vegetarian to eat
I got the mandatory Naan bread with garlic and cheese. Super delicious!
The food
Garlic and cheese Naan bread
Chicken Cafrala
As usual I forgot to order the rice which was not included. In Sweden where I come from the rice is always included so it’s easy to forget that when you are abroad.
Conclusion
1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
5 Food
5 Service
4 Value
4 Atmosphere
Level 4, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place,
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico Streets,
Ermita, Manila.
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Teriyaki Boy Restaurant, Robinson Place
Teriyaki Boy is located in Robinson Place Ermita
Potential customers are peering into the restaurant
The menu
I ordered the Maguro Sushi. You get two pieces.
I tried the California Rolls and the Philly Cheese Steak Rolls
The food
Conclusion
1-5 where 1 is terrible and 5 is excellent
3 Food
4 Service
4 Value
3 Atmosphere