Blog Archive - PATRIK LORD TRAVEL BLOG

Published on: August 18, 2018

Bantayan road trip part 3

Madridejos, Bantayan Island

One beautiful morning we decided to explore the north side of the island. We were heading for the very north tip, the Kota Park in Madridejos. So off we went with our scooter. As usual I kept one eye on the road and the other eye on Google maps. There were basically two main roads going north so that shouldn't be complicated, right? But crazy as it sounds we ended up going south instead of north... oh my gosh! Anyway after a big roundabout I got the bearings right.

Madridejos, Kota Park, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

Parking among the big guys

Old Kota Fort

Finally we reached our destination, the Kota Park. We found a parking spot just near the Old Kota Fort. Obviously there had been some kind of meeting among the big guys equipped leather vests, tattoos and bigger bikes than our cute little scooter! But they left at the same time we arrived.
The Kota Fort is just adjacent to the parking. When we reached there and read the signage outside the Fort you could really feel that this was a historical ground. I could lively imagine the dramatic scenes which have been taken place here over the years.

The Old Kota Fort

Madridejos, Kota Fort, Bantayan Island, Philippines, © travelblogonline.com

My thoughts went to those soldiers who were executed here during the Second World War...

The pier down the beach

The beach

Where there is a sea there is a beach or at least a shoreline. So we went down to the pier and walked along the beach. The water was really seductive, clean and clear. Farther down they were playing music as loud as they only can do in the Philippines. Though it was my kind of music I can only hope that the neighbors in the hood liked it too, otherwise it would be impossible for them to live there...

We made lot's of friends

As always in the Philippines the kids are very curious. They came and asked us where we came from, what we were doing there etc etc and Danica did her best to keep up with all their questions. We saw some kids playing in the water and they had such a nice model of a fishing boat.

We soon got company from the kids in the hood. They were curiously asking all sorts of questions about us.

At first the boys were shy but Danica made them feel comfortable for picture picture!

Look at that beautiful model of a fishing boat!

As always Danica is popular among the guys!

The two fishermen

We also met two fishermen which just had come back from the sea. They had a really nice catch of big squids. If it hadn't been for our poor cooking facilities at our place I had bought one squid. Mmm... super fresh squid directly from the ocean cooked in it's own ink, so yummylicious!

Two fishermen just arrived from the sea with a fresh catch

Super fresh directly from the ocean

A friendly hug is never wrong!

The buko stand

I use to say, buko juice is the travelers best friend, at least in the Philippines where it's available almost everywhere. With that being said, so just before we started our trip back to our hotel we refueled ourselves with fresh healthy buko juice (coconut juice). Danica was hungry as usual so she even scraped the coconut meat out from the shell and ate it.

Paradise Beach, Bantayan Island

Nothing wrong with the view!

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is for sure one of the best beaches on Bantayan Island, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It comes with nice crystal clear water and clean white sand. It’s a perfect setting to work on your tan because you are away from any foot traffic passing through. With that said, you should know it's really lack of shadow along the beach. So if you don't like to be burned by the unforgiving sun you need to be there relatively early in the day to find a spot with some shadow.

Paradise Beach heading west

Paradise Beach heading east

Not what it looked at first

When we came there the first time we thought the beach was located just near the camping site. It wasn't much to be called a beach to be honest! Just a small tiny strip of sand. But luckily we discovered that we could walk along the shore and when we turned around some cliffs we suddenly came to the actual Paradise Beach. And by the way, the sunsets here are amazing so just stay and enjoy the sunset before heading back to Santa Fe. The video clip shows our confusion at first, before we found the actual Paradise Beach.

Small fishing boats

Many came here more or less for the sunset

Facts

You can easily get here on motorbike, just a 15-20 minutes ride from Santa Fe. There is safe parking at the camping site where you also can buy snacks, sodas and water. You have showers and comfort rooms there as well. From the parking you need to walk for about 10 minutes. The entrance fee is 50 pesos for adults and 25 pesos for children and the beach is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily. We always left the beach after the sunset and it was no problem more than that the reception at the camping site was closed.

Another evening at Paradise Beach

Red Rock Hot Spring, Valencia Dumaguete

Bringing the girls to Red Rock Hot Spring

Going to Red Rock Hot Spring is a perfect getaway for a day, specially if it's cold weather since the water in the pools are nice and warm. The water is volcanic and comes naturally from the mountain. There are now two pools, they added a kids pool since last year. Well I know everything is relative, but some days can actually be colder than others even in the Philippines and then it's really cozy to slide down in the warm water.

It's easy to get here, just around 30 min from downtown Dumaguete if you have your own motorbike.

If you don't have your own transportation the option is to take a Habal Habal (motorcycle taxi) from Valencia proper.

Clean and well maintained

We paid 25 PHP per person to get in and 150 PHP for a table with chairs. They had a kiosk where they sold crisps, biscuits, soft drinks etc and they also had a menu with some simple dishes. We ordered Pancit Canton (noodles), and deep fried fish with fries. Everything was clean and well maintained.

The entrance

The main pool with nice warm volcanic water. The new kids pool is behind this one.

When I was in the water I didn't want to get up...

After being in the water it felt almost cold in the air

A great time!

To bath and swim in the warm pool was really enjoyable specially for the little one, she had a great time. She behaved almost the whole time... so check the video!

For more info, visit their Facebook page:

The Red Rock Hot Spring Facebook page

Published on: April 18, 2018

Going to La Verna with the girls

Visiting La Verna Resort in Valencia (late post)

Both were excited when we were going to visit La Verna Resort.

The pool with the big fish

Many pools, some with fish!

La Verna Resort is located 20-30 min with tricycle from Dumaguete in Valencia. The resort had several pools in different sizes. The special thing here was that some pools were with fish, one with bigger fish where you were not allowed to swim and one with smaller fish where you could swim. The water in the pools with the fish looked a little bit dirty so we preferred without fish where the water was clean.
Hey, don't forget to watch the video at the end!

There was a pool for everyone here

On exploration among the many pools

Kids friendly

La Verna Resort seemed to be well maintained and was kids friendly. There were a pool for everyone, young, old or adventurous if you like to swim with the fish. There was a little kiosk where they had basic stuff like coffee sticks, crisps and sodas. But if you like to eat real food then bring your own picnic.

Our visit concentrated as a 1 minute video clip

Published on: April 3, 2018

Flight 5J 628 from Dumaguete

Good bye Dumaguete

Good bye Dumaguete for this time. But I will be back.

I will miss my girls

Flying Dumaguete-Manila

The flight from Dumaguete to Manila went smoothly. It departed ahead of time and consequently arrived ahead of time to Manila. The video shows start and landing and an awesome view over Dumaguete and the Sibulan airport.

Published on: March 28, 2018

Happy birthday Jas

Two years old

Yesterday we had a mini celebration for Jas, who already turned to two years old. Fries, cake and eat as much as you can... What else can you ask for when you just turned two?

Published on: March 26, 2018

Tumalog falls, Cebu island

Tumalog falls is easy to find

Tumalog falls is easy to find. About 1 km north of Oslob Whale Shark Watching you find the signage along the highway which tells you where to turn. Drive additional a couple of kilometers. The last bit to the falls you have to walk 5-10 min. Eventhough the road is good I was surprised because it’s pretty steep walking down to the falls.

We were lucky. Time was late around 4 PM and they close already at 5 PM so there weren’t many other people there.

There were pools where you could swim in. But the water was very cold.

Check out the video

Struggling with steep roads and get amazed by the beauty of mother nature

I hadn’t that much of expectations but I was impressed. The falls was bigger and more beautiful than I expected.

Conclusion, it’s well worth a visit

The reality exceeded my expectations and that’s not bad. The falls is easy to find and we had fun going there so according to me it’s well worth a visit if you are in the neighborhood.

Published on: March 24, 2018

The Japanese Shrine

Japanese Shrine in Valencia

This historical monument called the Filipino – American – Japanese Amity Shrine (Fil-Am Japanese Shrine). It stands on a sacred battle ground where an encounter during the World War II actually took place. It was built to remember the many lives taken by the vicious war.

The Japanese shrine is beautifully situated and well worth the effort to visit

Erected 1977

The pillar has three angles, making it appear 3 sided similar to a triangle. These three sides represent the three countries: Philippines, United States of America and Japan. In 1977 it was erected and unveiled by the war veterans, the surviving families of the water veterans, and the descendants of those who marched and died in the same war.

The view from the shrine is really amazing

We hiked there

We hiked from Valencia proper heading in the direction of the more well known Casaroro Falls. After roughly 4-5 kilometers the road divides and there is clear signage, Casaroro Falls to the left and the Japanese shrine to the right. After the signage the road soon gets rough and it’s more suitable for hiking rather than driving unless you are an experienced driver. Going from Valencia to the shrine and back is around 14 kilometers.

The road uphill to the shrine offered nice views over Dumaguete

Hot and sweaty

It was hot, sweaty and tiring to hike uphill. On our way up and down we encountered amazing views, barking dogs, the pure sound of the jungle and people singing karaoke.

Published on: March 21, 2018

Shopping spree

I am sure many men have encountered themselves in this situation...

Published on: March 16, 2018

Sexy mama

A walk downtown Dumaguete... and who said a mum can’t be sexy?

Patrik Lord Travel Blog