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Side Trip in Laswitan Surigao Del Sur
Spent a half-day in Cortes which has the most recognized tourist attraction called the Laswitan, this was our side trip tour when we visited Siargao Island.  Laswitan (comes from visayan term Laswit, which means splash)

Read Also: Siargao Island Blog


Laswitan lagoon is actually a 20ft rock formation located near the shore in Cortes. Visitors whooped as they plunged into the natural pools and get themselves splashed by the sea water coming from the other side, but its different when we got there.
this was what we found, the ocean pool were so calm! No single "laswit" until the sun will about to set.😢
Practically there's not much special on this place without the big waves hitting those huge rocks. 

since no Laswit on that day, these guest were jumping off to entertain themselves   
Cottages
How to get here:
A 4-hours ride in a south bound bus from Surigao City to Tandag and drop off at Cortes.
From Cortes town proper, take 15mins ride in a habal2x to reach Laswitan.
Habal-habal - cost 350php for two way.

 Rates:
Entrance Fee:  Adult – 20php / Children – 10php
Cottage Rental – 200php
Life Jacket – 20php per hour

 Best Time to Visit:
From December to March – waves are stronger during Amihan season. If you’re not visiting this month then you’ll get disappointed (like we did LOL)

 Where to eat
Food stalls are available in the area and can enjoy a wide range of food choices.

 Where to stay:
Accommodation can be found in Cortes proper or near Tandag city.



Longing a serene and less crowded place in Siargao? This freak'n gorgeous Sugba Lagoon may the perfect place your looking for. 

We went straight to Sugba Lagoon after our Magpupungko trip(travel time: approx. 30mins). 
Then from Del Carmen town we took a 30mins pump boat ride to reach the lagoon.
Enjoy and explore this beautiful sanctuary on a stand up paddle-board, 
go for snorkeling and jump from a platform.

Our cost for Magpupungko and Sugba Lagoon Tour (for 2persons):


  • Habal-habal with driver/day: 1500php(this is good for 3pax)
  • Magpupungko Entrance Fee: 100php/for 2pax
  • Pump-boat to Sugba Lagoon: 1600php/4hrs hours (luckily we meet three foreigners and we split the pump boat cost) 640php/for 2pax.

TIPs: Keep in mind that the boat is good for up to 8 persons, it would be better to go as a group or simply ask with other people you will meet at the peir in Del Carmen to lessen your expense.

  • Tourism Fee: 100php/2pax (Note: tourism fee per head Local: 50php | Foreigner: 100php)
  • Goggles Rental: 300php/for 2pax
  • Paddleboard: 200php
  • Table Rental at Lagoon house: 50php

If you feel hungry during this trip I advise you to bring your own food, as the price will double you the cost when you order from the Lagoon house.

Also Read Here: MAGPUPUNGKO BEACH AND TIDAL ROCK POOLS 
                           TRIP TO SIARGAO ISLANDS (Via Bus- a Land Trip Guide)

Be ready because Siargao will spoil you with natural wonders, though to reach here the airfare and accommodations are too expensive. However there's always a way to make things cheaper, just to crossed one of your bucket-list in Philippines. 

Also Read Here: TRIP TO SIARGAO ISLANDS (Via Bus - a Land Trip Guide)

Siargao is one of the beautiful destination in Philippines particularly in Mindanao. Magpupungko is actually a beach and it resembles an infinity pool during the low tide. The place called Magpupungko because of the rocks formation which seems like squatting on a larger one. 
These amazing rock formation in the beach is one of major attractions.
Jimson and I were actually enjoying jumping off!
the crystal clear water pool.

#Siargo wouldn’t want to spoil this fun adventure of mine! ❤️ #itsmorefuninthephilippines #magpupungko #magpupungkobeach #mindanao #travel #wanderlust #philippines #beach #pool #travelgram
A post shared by SEALEDSUITCASE (@sealedsuitcase) on Oct 30, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT
TIPs: Best to wear beach footwear as the rocks can be sharp and slippery. Entrance Fee: 50php
Make sure to visit this place during low tide, the tide would be at its lowest at 12:00-Noon. 
To those who are asking how safe to travel in Siargao, this place is on the northernmost part in Mindanao. According to locals the area has always been safe without any terrorist activities. 

So have a great time!!


Dubai can be also home of beautiful white sandy beaches. Al Mamzar Beach Park is on the border of Dubai and Sharjah (neighboring Emirates state). Guest can access the beach park from many entrances through designated gates for individual and cars entry. This place is  quite far from the nearest metro(Stadium), so from the metro have to take a taxi or ride Bus-28 from Gold Souk Bus Station. 
We are having a worthy time in grassed picnic area and it has a pleasant green fields contains different kind of trees, flowers and wall plants. You can also enjoy the white fine sand beach.
Beach area extend to offer lifeguards, watchtowers, seats, changing rooms. Swimming Pools divided into three for children and adults. Mini-stores where also available inside and nothing to worry about in-case, you didn't bring your own foods.
Al Mamzar Beach Park offers barbecue stalls with complete sets of grills, tables, chairs and umbrellas. The park also obtain food kiosk, bicycle rental, kids playground area, roller skating area and Amphi Theater equipped to held various musical ceremonies.

Entrance Fees
-Car entrance fee 30Dhs, 5Dhs per person
-Large chalet 200Dhs + Park fees (6people)
-Small chalet 150Dhs + Park fees (4people)
-Pool 10Dhs for adults and 5Dhs for children

Visiting Hours
-Sunday to Wednesday 9:00am to 9:00pm
-Thursday to Saturday & Public Holidays 9:00am to 10:00pm
-During Ramadan 9:00am to 10:00pm
-Ladies Day: Monday and Wednesday
Headed to Uluwatu Temple to see the beauteous view of the coastline. Its not easily to forget the scenery in each place that I've been to something like this, breath taking in real life at Uluwatu.
Uluwatu Temple is a Hindu Temple which considered being one of Bali's oldest temples.
A remarkable temple because of its location perched on a steep cliff 70meter above the roaring Indian Ocean waves.
TIPs: Dress code knee length to be covered. Sarongs and sashes are available free at the entrance.
Entrance Fee: Rp. 20,000/ person (includes sarong + sash)
There are several of monkeys at the Temple, the monkeys have been known to steal the belongings from visitors so better to keep distance to them.
Cultural dance will regularly perform at 6pm called Kecak dance with extra charges (Rp. 100,00/person) will apply for this show. It's a way better to get a glimpse of Balinese performance art, so go and enjoy!
Jimbaran is a famous fishing village and beach with lots of seafood restaurants. 
Here you can select alive fishes and straightaway prepared to grilled over a fire of coconut husks. Seafood was a lil bit pricey but its really worth it! 
Eating seafood on this seaside view in Jimbaran is a typical part of many visitors when coming to Bali.

Tables are set up right on the sand and can choose also to sit at the table with high tide, so you can  get your feet wet while enjoying the food. The sea breeze is cool, beautiful sunset and the place was lit by oil torches after dark.
Adore the exquisite sunset while sitting at a table on the beach with your toes in the sand. 
By that time, I got butterflies in my tummy and I love that feeling, when you're just at that state of utmost happiness while watching sunset with your special someone. We had such a lovely time filled with quality moments plus the relaxing view. 
And that's to wrap up for this entry.
A surfers paradise great waves and white sand, located at Pecatu in Bali. Padang-padang Beach,  is situated at the bottom of gigantic stone cliff and it has a strange entrance, way down you'll see monkeys then you have to go through cave rocks.
Clean Beach with crystal clear water is perfect for snorkeling, surfing and sunbathing.
This place creates an spectacular romantic sunset. 
The sea surrounded of rocks which it can produce a perfect barrel waves.
Finest waves occurs during dry season and it is the best time for surfing. Take a walk and explore the caves along with water areas but have to be very careful cause the water rise speedily and you may find yourself stranded on the side of big storey rocks.

PS: Have you seen the "Eat, Pray, Love" movie? The final scene in the film was shot here.
Couldn't believe how time flies so fast and yet another yearly vacation has come.
Om Swastiastu Bali!!

Prior to arrival at Bali's airport, if you're not prefer to arrange a private transfer to your hotel from Denpasar International Bali Airport. Here's the airport counter official taxi rates, they are giving fixed price per destination starting from 45,000 rupiah (nearest place next to airport).

Beware of some taxi drivers at the airport trying to carry your luggage and insisting to take you to your hotel and offer the overpriced service.
The island and province of Indonesia, Bali has been one of the favorite tourist destination in south east asian. Unlike any other south east asian country, tourist attraction is already established in the minds of the people whenever they heard Bali.
When we reached in guesthouse, Balinese nationals greeted us in a very polite manner with a big smile. Physically we Filipinos are much more alike with them, and most of Balinese people cannot distinguish Jimson and I that we're from Philippines. Balinese people intensely family oriented and their spiritual beliefs shape their lives. Every aspects of Balinese life is steeped in religious belief, it has 90% religion majority of Hinduism followed by Muslims, Christians and Buddhism. 

A surprising first day in the morning as I am not aware of, Balinese Hindu people have their usual offering ritual. Basically its a way of giving thanks back to God for every blessing that they received. Indeed it is a very natural perspective to maintain a good relationship between people and spirits.
Generally they made offering twice a day Morning and late afternoon, everywhere you go in Bali you'll find these small offering baskets of flowers, incense sticks around the streets, and being placed in front of shops, restaurants, houses and temples.

We stayed in Kuta since this area is a beach and resort center. Kuta is primary resort town and its particularly popular with Australians.
If your planning to go shopping visit the Kuta Market, vendors are placed in every corner and they are selling almost the same product at different prices. 
TIPs: Don't buy at the first shop you visit as product price vary from different vendors. Try to check various seller around the area and bargain the price.
Kuta Place also have the kind of party eccentric atmosphere. Pubs, dicso bars where on the same lively streets try to visit District Club, Hard Rock Cafe, Sky Garden, Green Box and the Bounty Ship.
Hof Gorie was one of amusing resort in Samal Island (kaputian) located in the province of Davao del Norte in Mindanao. A ten minute ferry ride from Davao City. Samal Island pristine beaches make it a popular vacation spot.
Experiencing a day full of errands I can still manage to find way to enjoy the summer here in Philippines. We planned to go to Pearl Farm actually, but unluckily we had problem for bookings. So we decided to stay at Hof Gorie, nearby of Pearl Farm.

If you guy's cant afford pearl farm beach resort, Hof Gorie is the good alternative option. As we entered to the Hof Gorie wharf their staffs well greeted us and they serve fresh juices, cold face towel for you to freshen up. As we go through we had our personal butler who will taking care of us during our stay. It was a great service indeed and I had never been received such a good service at any other resort that I've been to.
We stayed at higher grounds, which they called round huts and I swear we had the nicest view. I adore how the architecture came up with this idea, constructed almost full of wood. The room was full air-condition they also provide television and mini refrigerator, the motif and space of the room was just perfect for two.

Few guests who were checked in from the day we arrived until our last stay. Were the only one who occupied the pool, it seems like we rented the entire pool for us.

You will be amaze by the view at the highest peak of the resort with 274 steps from the lower ground.
It was a bit disappointed, the resort seems not that much developing their beach unlike any other resort they have the best beaches has to offer. Overall we are having a great time, the place was clean, peace and quiet, staff were very approachable.


How to get here:

From Santa Ana Wharf – near Magsaysay Park and downtown, several motorboats are available to take tourists directly to Kaputian (Samal) and Talikud Island.
Rates:
Day Tour: Php 950.00 per person
Overnight Room Accommodation: Php3,500 to Php6,000 per room (good for two)
Food: Php200 to P700 per person
Drinks: Php50.00 to Php200.00


Perhaps you might not know about Kish Island in Iran, especially when you not used to stay in UAE for at least a month. A thirty minutes plane ride far from hustle and bustle of Dubai. Kish Island was ranked among the world’s ten most beautiful island by The New York Times way back 2010. 

Most Filipino use Kish Island as the exit point to re-enter Dubai with new visa type. To recalled, I was very hesitant at first to go on this place because I heard so many negative stories and I don’t have any choice cause this is the easiest, cheapest way to fly to the nearest country.
As soon as we landed ladies are advised to wear a scarves (Sheila's) to cover the heads before proceeding to the immigration counter. Iran is a conservative country, so no sleeveless shirts, no skirts and a NO! NO! public display of affections.
Upon riding the bus from airport to hotel I felt so scared because my passport has been taken away from me and again I cannot do anything to get it back since that is normal occurrence. Passports will be surrender at the Hotel where you are staying and once you checked out then you can claim it back.

I stayed at Farabi Hotel just few meters away from the beachfront and Kish boardwalk. Hotel compound is divided into cluster buildings and villas. When you check-in you have to share the room with some people that you don't even know, like whaaat!? I couldn't think I can get a decent sleep for the first night, but it turned out okay by the next day. Room rate or bed rated rather was 40AED (527php) per day with complimentary breakfast. Farabi hotel has nothing else to offer aside for telephone station, internet cafe, restaurant and shisha shop. 

The life in Kish is not really fun as I though when I saw some filipinos finding in difficult situations, anyhow I really wanted to explore this Island as they have beautiful beaches. A bit sad I can’t take too long to stay and I don't even have plan to stay longer as a tourist. The main reason why I flew here because it is mandatory to exit UAE to get my employment visa. Hope you had a good stay!
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SealedSuitcase

SealedSuitcase
Hi! I'm Jessica. A Filipina expat in Dubai. A full time surviving worker!

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