WANDER IN WAWA DAM, MONTALBAN, RIZAL

If you heard about the legend of one BERNARDO CARPIO who was the toughest and bravest giant guy who pushes those two big mountains when he was trapped in it some people believed that his foot print marked in a stone and that a giant fang was found inside a cave..and likewise the significant cave can also be found here wherein Andres Bonifacio called for a meeting for KKK sometime in April 1895,their first cry for freedom took place here..WAWA DAM was a man made falls constructed sometime in 1905...

HOW TO GET THERE

From Sta. Lucia East Mall/Robinson Metro East Mall, a lot of JEEPS and FX Taxi awaits and passed thru this way to bring you to MONTALBAN PLAZA, the fare for FX is around Php30-35.00 and Jitney fare is around Php25-28.00, be sure to ask the driver to drop you at the MONTALBAN PLAZA, from there, also a lot of JEEPS were on the road to WAWA which has no question asked will bring you to the place with a fare of Php13.00.

WELCOME TO WAWA DAM

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The good news is that no entrance fee to paid upon entry, on the foot of the mountain, a lot of locals were selling Kaimitos/StarApple and be sure to grab one (spend some penny for their additional income)..lots of sari sari store for your convenience of buying finger foods, water and other things you might need upon going up there.. and of course observe proper littering..

Wawa DAM is a man made dam constructed sometime in 1905, a fifteen minutes walk trail from the foot of the mountain to view this spot..

that along your trail you could view down there, the  beautiful large white rocks scattered along the river..

LIKEWISE, taking a bath is prohibited here but a lot of people tend to as the falls was so inviting, and so far nothing has been reported to have had a negative effects of doing so..

THINGS YOU NEED

- CAMERA (as always you to take nothing but photos and memories)

- LOTS OF WATER

-EXTRA SHORT/SHIRT (in case you accidentally got wet by the water FYI no available public comfort rooms unless you make a favor to the nearby locals and pay corresponding donations)

-FINGER FOODS

-MONEY

WHAT TO DO IN WAWA DAM

Take a photo shoot  at an old like window (famously known as "ANG BINTANA"

beware of the three deep uncovered holes inside (these holes are the measuring guide if the water in this dam is going up)

Another trail to see the LEGENDARY MOUNTAINS...

You can opt to stay and rent a picnic shed  on this side  or ask a local to also rent a floating "balsa" to make a tour around the river and took photos near the Legendary Mountains..

Reaching the LEGENDARY MOUNTAINS-these are the two mountains being pushed by "BERNARDO BERNARDO" a giant man who was believed to be the toughest and bravest giant who was trapped in these mountains..

Now lets go back down to get near the falls- Rent a picnic shed if you will come in a group which is perfect for a better viewing and taking photos near the falls make sure to take care upon going down some rocky steps.

The most fun and funny part is that down there, you can find a for rent VIDEOKE (a big wow and a round of applause, electricity is available down a rocky mountain..:))

BUDGET

This a mere perfect adventure for trail seekers with at least a very low budget, and in fact not necessarily to bring large amount  all you've got to bring is your transportation fee from and to going here and at least a penny  for a thirst quencher..aside from this very historical place, adventure and fun with friends is definitely a high five!!

MORONG AND TANAY, RIZAL WANDER

MORONG, RIZAL is one of the province in RIZAL wherein you can  find a church (ST. JEROME CHURCH) built sometime in 1615 by Chinese Craftsmen as evidenced by two Chinese Lion that can be found at the entrance of the steep driveway...one of the most visited CHURCHES during Visita Iglesia... you will admire the great details of its craftsmanship which you would think took so long before the church has been finished..like in some other provinces which CHURCH is one of the tourist spot, here in RIZAL, St. Jerome could be alined to them although the interior had been damaged by war, few elements are now worth nothing and wasn't able to restore aside from its very historical figure outside that could feel amazed of..

HOW TO GET THERE

Thru a public utility vehicle (jitney) if you are into commuting is the best way to transport here, I am from Antipolo City, and that the terminal is just located at Circumferential Road near Shopwise (fare is Php28.00 from antipolo to morong) or if you will came from Ortigas, a lot were also passing there which is commonly branded as Morong, Teresa, or better yet if you will be travelling with your own vehicle, you can passed by from Ortigas on the way to Antipolo when you reach Hamaca Park in the middle, pass the way to the right where you can see the front gate of the Rizal Capitol commonly known as the Ynares Center and then go straight ahead until you reach Morong, Rizal and then there you can ask some locals on how you get to the Church...

ST JEROME CHURCH in Morong, Rizal is just one of the stop to visit in Rizal then from here you can go to TANAY, RIZAL and dip yourself into the most famous falls called DARANAK (upper picture) AND BATLAG FALLS (lower picture)..

HOW TO GET THERE
From Morong, Rizal after visiting St. Jerome Church, find again another jitney which will bring you to Tanay then tell the driver to drop you at the Petron Gasoline Station in Tanay (or you can just ask for a favor to the driver to please stop you at the point where you can ride your way to DARANAK FALLS, on your way there always look at left side to see the Petron Gasoline Station and make a stop there (*fare is Php13.00)...a lot of tricycles were waiting here and willing to bring you to the FALLS which will cost you Php150.00 for the long drive (about 5kilometers from the drop point) in getting  there....upon reaching the place, you can also make ask for a favor to the tricycle driver if they can fetch you again because it could be hard to find another ride outside wen you are only in commute unless you got your own vehicle..just advise on what time and be sure to take the tricycle's TODA or anything that would be easily for you to recognized ...(don't ask for a mobile number, either they dont have a cellphone and its because the signal in the place is in SOS so there's no sense of using text messaging..

 WELCOME TO DARANAK FALLS

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Daranak Falls is located in Tanay, Rizal being operated by the Local Government of the said Locality and maintained by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources DENR).. so be sure to  wear your proper ethics as to no littering on the place...the entrance fee is only Php20.00 per head..since the first stop would be the DARANAK FALLS expect more people on a weekend and a jam packed swimmers on the falls..since we don't know how deep a natural falls is, there were available "Salbabidas"for hire there...you can bring your own food for picnics and also the good news is that grilling is allowed here..took photos, soak in the water for an experience and then when you don't feel like joining a mass of locals here, transfer to BATLAG FALLS where a more commercialized area is available, and also the swimming area is not that full..you can also go near the falls and took photos here...you need to pay another entrance fee of Php50.00 per head, various sheds to choose from...

In BATLAG FALLS also offers an overnight accommodation and a private arrangement for taking photo ops during wedding pre-nup shots or any purpose that you want the place for taking professional photo shoots..the payment is a booming Php18,000.00..


IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED 

-Camera (of course take nothing but photos and memories)

-Extra Shirt, Short. Underwear (in case you want to dip in the water)

-Finger Foods

-Lots of Water 

-Money 

BUDGET 

 Budget is not that huge, as long as you have the amount I have provided and informed from my above descriptions of expenses its enough to explore these wonders of nature for those who love nature adventures..Php500/head is safe though..:))

BORACAY WANDER

BORACAY is located in the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines..well known for its perfect white sands beach, a cool place for those who love parties, nightlife gimmicks along the beach, also great for beach sunset weddings..SUMMER is their peak season so a lot of events, exciting adventures not to mention the cool, perfect, and sexy bodies were scattered and awaits you here in BORACAY which will truly satisfy your eyes and experience..

HOW TO GET THERE

By AIR: a lot of airlines here in the Philippines offers their way of getting you in either KALIBO or CATICLAN, (via SEA AIR, PAL, CEBU PAC, ZEST AIR...etc) in Kalibo Airport, another two (2) hours of long drive to Jetti Port, in Caticlan Airport, 15 minutes to get there,....as we all know that nowadays these airlines offer seat sales, if you are in a tight budget, better yet booked in as early as 5 months before your target visit and travel, or subscribe to these airlines' announcements regarding seat sales offer.. basically normal fares will cost you 10k +++ round trip/person if you were not able to avail of their promo fares but really for a practical traveller and explorer person, CEBU PAC had their best price trimmed down of up to PHP1.00 or (Php200.00 round trip fare including tax and surcharges)...super great deal..isn't it?!!

By LAND/SEA:  if you are into a more adventure seeker you can also avail schedule for a RORO (ROLL ON/ROLL OFF SHIP)  ride which will took you 18 HOURS of travel.. you can check on their schedules on way to BORACAY at the Cubao Bus Terminal and pay corresponding fees hereof.. which will cost of around Php1,200.00 for the  one way travel..(reminders: when rolling off the bus and you are going to transfer in the ship, make sure to bring all the valuable things you have as to your gadgets and money..--ROLLING OFF AND ROLLING ON THE SHIP will take you three times boarding on and boarding off the bus...by land, by sea, by land, by sea, by land..;)

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ACCOMMODATION: In BORACAY, a lot of five stars, three stars (DISCOVERY SHORE, REGENCY, TIDES HOTEL etc)... rated hotels were raised on beach front of the said island, and of course as these hotels were rated a lot of stars, expect a heavy and pricey penny to spent there..again for those in a tight budget of wishing to stay and enjoy this paradise, there were also lot of trancient houses located at the back of the beach, which is at least tolerable to spent and walk to get to the beach, i myself got to search for an airconditioned room which only cost Php1,500 per night of my stay, not bad for a peak season...look for this room that I availed located in-front of the church and a basketball court...but there were still a lot of cheap rate rooms that you can avail if you can eagerly search and do your haggling talent..;)

TOUR: it is best to take a walk along the shore and feel the pulvoron like sand of the island from station 1 to station 3, but make sure to put on your best UV protection lotion or your best tanning lotion if you are into a sun tanning purposes of going here and your pair of shades or a hat and of course your best piece of suits...a lot of beach chairs you can took photos while sitting there...more likely if you are into a fun and adventure in water, you can hire a boat to tour you in an island hop, i was there last  2007, and I heard a lot of adventures had been added for tourist attractions, anyway lot of locals will offer you these kind of activities you can choose to complete your stay..or better yet ask your hotel receptionist or the owner of the house you were checked-in for more informations on how to enjoy your stay..

PAY CORRESPONDING FEES UPON ENTRANCE AT JETTI PORT

IMPORTANT THINGS YOU NEED

CAMERA (take nothing but pictures and memories)
SUNBLOCK/TANNING LOTION
PAIR OF SUNGLASSES
SLIPPERS
PAIR OF BIKINIS OR SEXY TOPS (FOR GIRLS)
BOARD SHORTS/TRUNKS (IF YOUR BRAVE ENOUGH TO SHOW YOUR TEMPLE)
WATER PROOF BAG (FOR YOUR GADGETS AND WALLET)
MONEY (the root of all heavens ;)

BUDGET

Depends of how long you are planning to stay there make sure to include the following in your budget:

- AIRFARE:   Php10,000.00 (non promo fare) /Php3,000 ++ (promo fare)
btw you can also search for some packages which includes accommodation and airfare on a budget..

-ACCOMMODATION:  Php1,500/night

-FOOD : Php2,000.00 (good for three days of stay-depending on what choice of food you want but either in a restaurant or a carinderia nearby but make  sure to try their "SEA FOODS EAT ALL YOU CAN" that cost Pho350.00/person...also JONAH'S FRUIT SHAKE if a must try located at beach front..

TOURS/ADVENTURE:  Php2,500.00 (optional)

PASALUBONG: Php2,000.00 (if you are not a heavy shopper and has a talent in haggling, the figure is just an approximate budget or it could be lowered down.

Php15,000.00 is the safest budget to have but better yet travel in a group for less expenditures...

WHAT TO DO IN BORACAY

PARTY AND DRINK TILL YOU DROP

WATCH THE FIRE DANCERS AT NIGHT

 SUNSET VIEWING WITH YOUR LOVE ONE

A QUIET STROLL ALONG THE SHORE OF COURSE WITH YOUR LOVE ONE

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS TO TAKE PHOTO WITH THE FAMOUS GROTTO AT THE STATION 1

VISIT PUKA BEACH AND BUY SOME GOODY PUKA SHELLS ACCESSORIES HERE

JONA'S FRUIT SHAKE

END

My BORACAY 2007 travel was indeed an enjoyed adventure with my boyfriend (he was already there and waiting for me) and with his couple of friends, my first time to travel alone and to note, my first time to board on a plane all by myself, as my first time to step in this paradise..sooo much for a FIRST TIMER like me, indeed also  full of fun and adventures.....and as our plan of coming back here with my now husband, I would definitely try all their added activities and will enjoy more foods and viewing here...

Some pictures were taken by my husband during his recent event/visit in boracay and the rest with the low quality photos were taken in my old files...:))