First time in Taipei, Taiwan

With just two hours flight from Manila, I arrived at Taipei’s Chiang Kai Chek Airport at half past midnight via Cebu Pacific Air. This was the first time for me to visit Republic of China or Taiwan.Arriving late at night would mean that I have to stay at the airport for awhile and have some rest. Good thing that Taipei airport has lots of benches for me to relax and strech a muscle until the trip to Taipei in the morning by bus. 

For travellers wanting to proceed to the city at that time, you can catch a bus at 1:30am and and 3:00am departure for NT$130. You can exchange Peso to Taiwan Dollar just outside the immigration and withdraw money at the ATM with cirrus, maestro sign. 

Whats comes to your mind when we talk about Taipei or Taiwan. Perhaps we have the same thing, Taipei 101, the 2nd tallest building in the world. Taipei is the capital and the largest city of Taiwan, its a major industrial and commercial hub in the East Asia region. Taiwan is a small tear shaped island, north of the Philippines. For such a small country, it is one of the richest country in the world.

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VISA-FREE entry for Filipinos to Taiwan, Republic of China

Despite its close promiximity to the Philippines, traveling to Taiwan has been difficult because of the visa requirements. But not anymore, at least for me and for those Filipino passport holders with a valid US, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian, British Japanese and Schengen Visa.

All you have to do is fill up an online application form from Taiwan National Immigration Agency and must have a printed-copy of the form. Its so easy, it only takes 10 minutes to answer it. 

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Sun, Sea, Sand - The Top Beaches in Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines and is blessed with beautiful landscapes, tropical forest, friendly people and pristine beaches. A large number of travelers are hesitant to travel to Mindanao because of the negative news it receives from the national media, this has great effect especially on the tourism industry. News are sometimes sensationalized and irresponsible that tagged the island as an unsafe destination but the reality is that the conflict is barely located 10% of the total land mass of Mindanao. 

It is a privilege as a proud resident of Mindanao to showcase what Mindanao truly is and its full potential to be the eco-tourism hub in the region. Its about time that Mindanao will take its full glory to be in the world tourism map. My travels to Mindanao has been very enriching and I believe that strong tourism will eliminate conflicts through job opportunites that has wounded Mindanao for along time. 

This article I would like to share is the collection of my Top 10 beaches of Mindanao. The island is generally typhoon free and if  rain comes in your way, it wouldnt last for a long time. The sun continues to shine  and the possibilites are endless depending on your budget or time, there is one beach perfect for you and will surely entice to coming back. So, get your sunblocks ready for these marvelous beaches. 

10. KISULAD, DAVAO DEL SUR

Just a 2 hour drive from Davao City is a beautiful coved resort in Kisulad, Sta. Maria, Davao Del Sur. The place is perfect for people who long for quiteness and solitude. The resort has no restaurants, sports facilities but simple accommodations and the excellent mountain view. I think the best to do here is to lay down a camp and a bonfire at night. 

9. PINK BEACH, STA CRUZ, ZAMBOANGA CITY

The Pink Beach in Zamboanga is worth the visit because of its unique pink colored sand that can be found in only few countries around the world. Thank God that we have it here in Zamboanga. 

8. TAWI-TAWI BEACHES 

Tawi-Tawi is the remotest province in the Southern Philippines, it comprises of small islands thats waiting to be discovered. Right now, it has daily flights from Zamboanga. There is alot of potential for Tawi-tawi to be on the number 1 because of its pristine beaches, the reputation of the province has left some small islands to be pristine and undiscovered.

7. CAMIGUIN ISLAND

Camiguin is not just about Lanzones, they also have one of the best beaches in the Philippines and its part of Mindanao. Mantigue and White Beach are picturesque with beautiful mountain backdrop. Go on, you have all the beach yourself. 

6. BISLIG, SURIGAO DEL SUR 

Are you still not convinced with this photos?

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Manila Domestic Airport Walkthrough

Manila Domestic Airport is just one of the terminals in Manila serving local flights from Zest Air, Seair and SkyPasada. The first time I was in the old airport was a feeling of being in a airconditioned bus terminal but things have changed a lot and its quite good. 

It was late in the afternoon when I went to the terminal for my Zest Air flight to Davao. First thing I noticed was the shiny white floor , it gives me an impression that its a clean and well maintained airport. Good job to the management of the terminal.

The check-in counter at the airport was fast and organized. 

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Bottled Sardines - Best Pasalubong from Dipolog

Dipolog, being the capital of Bottled Sardines in the Philippines, a traveler should not forget to grab on of these. In Davao supermarkets, these Montano sardine products are sold twice the price in the Montano sardines factory in Dipolog. 

Montano Sardines now comes with different variety like Bangus (milkfish) sardines, sardines in olive oil, in tomato sauce, spanish style and the new Ginisang Bagoong.

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The 3003 steps at Linabo Peak, Dipolog

The 3003 steps to Linabo Peak is a popular tourist attraction in Dipolog because it gives a beautiful panoramic view of Dipolog City.

But for the residents or locals of Dipolog, this place is popular during Holy Week Celebrations where devotees climbed all the way to the top with perserverance and strenght having in mind that they are in one suffering with Christ, our Lord. 

Here I am getting ready for the climb and to make matter worst, I decided to bring my bag with me as it represents a cross like Christ did. The peak has 14 stations over all, each has different meaning. Dont forget to bring lots of water and put on mosquito repellants because you will be climbing a moist forest conducive of mosquito breeding.

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Gloria Fantasyland in Dapitan

Just a 15 minute walk from Rizal Landing Site in Dapitan is the only theme park in Mindanao, the Gloria Fantastyland.

This Disney-inspired or should I say I local version of Enchanted Kingdom is one of Dapitans charmer, it offers kiddie rides like carousel, bumper cars, tea cup rides and for people who looked for a more thrill like the roller coaster, pirate ship and apollo rides. 

The entrance fee is P500 is ride all you can or you can have the P200 for the sightseeing only. When I went here, it was getting gloomy and there are only few people around probably less than 20. I was hesitant to pay the P500 ticket because it might get rain in awhile and maybe some rides will not operate. So  I took the lesser ticket and Im glad I did. 

It was 6pm and the sun is still up and we were just very few inside the theme park. I was a bit disappointed because for me its just a improved-perya park probably I was thinking too  much of Disneyland when I got here. If you ask me, its not a worldclass establishment. 

This is the pirate ship in which you will be swayed back and forth. I love this ride, its gets you nauseated afterwards.

This is where you are placed on sitting position and you will be rotated. 

 This is the apollo ride where you are simulated to be in the real spaceship. 

The classic rollercoaster ride that lways makes my heart palpitate. 

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Rizal Trails: Rizal Landing Site at Dapitan

The Rizal Landing Site in Dapitan is an iconic landmark in which Rizal himself first stepped on foot on Dapitan beginning his exile years. It is located along Sta Cruz beach and a 15 minute liesure walk to Gloria Fantasyland.

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Rizal Trails: The Rizal Religion at Dapitan City

Clothed white like nuns and “white ladies” I approached them out of curiosity. On my mind, what was a  nun doing at Rizal Shrine in Dapitan maybe there is a retreat hall around but I was in shocked to know that they are Rizalians or the people who worship Dr. Jose Rizal as God himself.

I was totally heartbroken! 

I cant believe that people really do worship Rizal as a God, the first thing I heard about this was during high school on a TV Documentary and for along time, I didnt know it still existed. This is just crazy. Naparesearch bigla ako about Rizalist.  I was immediately compelled about their religion or cult, what do they do in sunday service, if they ever had bible and I was again SHOCKED IN DISBELIEF. I dont know what to say anymore.

Anyway, I was at Rizal Shrine in Dapitan when I discovered this. The place has a museum where Rizal artifacts are preserved.

Rizal also spend his time here at the park and the trees and the rocks were the witness to his struggles and endeavors if only they can speak. The park today provides replica of Rizals old houses, former clinic or hospital and even his kitchen. 

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Beach bumming at Dakak, Dapitan City

Continuing my travel to Zamboanga Peninsula, I headed up north to Dipolog City however due to time constraints, I decided to proceed to Dapitan City or the Philippines Shrine City.

Traveling from Pagadian to Dipolog is easier now because of the Osmena Road cutting time to half. Before people from Pagadian used to pass Ozamiz and Oroquieta City to go to Dipolog or Dapitan, but now the Osmena road made it possible to travel easier, faster and a little uncomfortable. Some parts of the road to Dipolog is not yet concrete and from the looks of it, the progress is really slow and perhaps it would take time before it finally be completed. 

I left Pagadian at 9:30am and arrived at Dipolog at 12:30 pm. At the terminal, I wasted no time to look for a bus to Dapitan and I found out that Evergood are the only one that ply that route. After 40 minutes, I finally arrived in Dapitan. When in Dapitan, take note of the spanish street signs all over the city. According to one local, the signs are either related to Rizal, our national hero, who was exiled and spent most of his unforgettable moments in Dapitan. The city feels like very rural, silent, calm, peaceful, no tall buildings and I love it. Its as if I time traveled back to Spanish times because old buildings, streets are common here.

 DAKAK

It was a scorching hot day in Dapitan and the place offers a perfect hideaway in this hot weather, Dakak. This coved beach is perhaps the most popular beach in Zamboanga Peninsula. The road to Dakak was all paved, in 30 minutes I reached the resort. This resort is not really for budget travelers because the price per room here is very expensive. For a day tour, a pass will cost P500 consumable in the restaurants or in the botique shops. As for me, its a great exchange for sumptuous food.  

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