Busan, South Korea

July 1, 2011

This trip is probably one of the most special and memorable travels I have this year. It is the first out of the country trip with my highschool barkada, perhaps in a way celebrating our 15 years of friendship. Also, this is the first time we will be meeting baby Leila, Aisa's adorable little girl.

For the first leg of our trip, we explored Busan in a borrowed luxury Sedan (thank you Law's boss).  Busan, located in the southeast tip of Korean peninsula,  is South Korea's second largest city after Seoul, and the country's  port capital.

Our first destination is Haedong Yongungsa Temple. This Buddhist temple was built in 1376. Unlike most temples in South Korea (or perhaps the world), Haedong Yongungsa Temple is located not in the mountains, but on a cliff along the coast.   A temple standing on a rock along sea, with waves crashing against the rock provides an awesome view and background for our photoshoot.

We travelled to Haeundae, an upscale touristy city with lots of hotels and high-end condominiums. This is home to majority of expats currently residing in Busan.

We had our lunch in a small family restaurant in Haeundae. Since this is our first authentic Korean meal (last night we had Bonchon-like chicken and Korean instant noodles), we ordered almost everything in the menu--maki roll, Bibimbop, Beef Stew with glass noodles, Spicy Beef Stew with Rice, Spicy Beef Stew with Octopus and rice.

After lunch, we strolled along  Haendae Beach, one of the most popular beaches in South Korea. This beach is popular among  locals and is the venue of the various cultural events and festivities. During summer, the beach is literally filled with hundreds of thousands of guests.  Luckily during our visit, the beach was not that crowded.

We walked towards Dongbaek Island, south of Haeundae beach. Dongbaek, popular site for line fishing, was a separate island long before, but years and years of accumulation of sand and earth, a land bridge was formed connecting Dongbaek to the main land. 

Fishing by the cliff

The Mermaid

Dongbaek garden is lush with camellia and pine trees. It's relatively cooler here amidst the humid sea breeze. We strolled along Dongbaek Garden taking photos along the way.

Hanging Bridge in Dongbaek Garden

The Lighthouse

At the peak of Dongbaek lies Nurimaru APEC House, the venue of 2005 APEC Summit. In Korean, Nuri means "world" and Maru means "summit".

APEC House

Inside the APEC House

We headed back home, rested for a while, and went out for dinner in what they call "The Tent". Here we had Korean Pork Barbecue and Soju--a Korean alcoholic drink made from rice which tastes like a sweeter/lighter version of vodka or gin. During dinner, Aisa crashed coursed us with the basics of Korean meal manners--how to wrap a Korean barbecue, how to pour Soju etc etc.

After dinner, we headed back home, prepared ourselves and our stuff for our midnight trip to Seoul.
It's going to be an exciting long day ahead. :)

Gone for the Weekend: Sumnanga, Sabtang (Little Hongkong of Batanes)

Gone for the Weekend: Sumnanga, Sabtang (Little Hongkong of Batanes)

Travel Mapping

My goal: to make all the white spots blue! (Go Ateneo! hehe)


My Lakbayan grade is B!
How much of the Philippines have you visited? Find out at Lakbayan!
Created by Eugene Villar.

Palaui Island, Sta. Ana, Cagayan

This trip almost didn't happen. 
Our plan was to leave 7PM, Friday via Victory Liner. Unfortunately, buses were full and next available trip was at 10:30. Given we only have the weekend, and that travel time to Cagayan will be at least 12 hours long, we knew that the 1030 trip is not worth it to take.

For a moment there, we were lost. We were travellers without a destination. Gica and I were in the center of Cubao, all geared up but with no place to go.

We considered going to La Union, or Vigan, or Baler. Anywhere with a beach!
Good thing Kathryn and Jeff were able to secure 9PM tickets from Baliwag Bus. We were at the very back of the bus but at least we're on our way.

After 12 hours of gruelling, bouncy bus ride, we arrived Tuguegarao. We had a quick breakfast in a carinderia near the terminal, and then rode a van to Sta Ana, the farthest town in Cagayan.

Another 3 hours of travel, we finally arrive the town of Sta. Ana. We checked in at Country Inn by the Sea, a newly constructed inn. We got a Family Room with 5 beds for P2500. The place is clean, quaint, and its staff, very friendly.

Country Inn by the Sea, Sta Ana, Cagayan

We freshened up, ordered sandwiches, and we rented a boat going to Palaui Island. Boat rental cost P2500.

45 minutes of boatride, we arrived at the beautiful Palaui Island. 
It's topography reminds me so much of Batanes.

Palaui Island

  



Cape Engano



Tres Marias- Dos Hermanas



Our guide Maya led us to see the hidden waterfalls. Walking along the trail is like walking in the Forbidden Forest in  Lord of the Rings. You can feel how enchanted the place is. 

Hidden Waterfalls

We headed back just in time for the sunset.

Sunset view by our balcony

The next morning, we toured the town of Sta Ana, complementary of Tita Audrey--the owner of Country Inn.

San Vicente Port

Tour boats waiting

 

Last Kilometer Marking in North Luzon

By 9AM, 18 hours after we set foot on the tip of Cagayan, we leave the place with memories, both beautiful and enchanting.

I may have taken a lot of trips in my life, but this one, I'm sure I will never forget.

Sumnanga, Sabtang (Little Hongkong of Batanes)

The next day, we back-ride in motorcycles to go see the west side of the island. I hate motorcyles and swear never to ride them, but motorcycles are the most efficient mode of transpo going to our destination. No regrets though in riding a motorobike in Sabtang. There are hardly any other vehicles in the road, and the roadside view is spectacular to say the least.

Isa on her bike

The road to Sumnanga, Sabtang, Batanes

RoadSide Views



Rolling Hills by the Sea



Spectacular Sabtang Beach

Sumnanga, Sabtang (Little Hongkong)
Sumnanga is a quiet little fishing village westcoast of Sabtang.  Fewers tourists set foot here since the road going here is quite rugged. But like anywhere else in this island, everything is stunningly beautiful; and the people, charming and friendly.

Duvek Bay, Sumnanga Sabtang

 Vuhus Island
On the west of Sabtang lies Vuhus Island. Our guide says its a perfect place to dive or snorkel as it is home to untouched coral reefs and marine reserves.  I got excited upon hearing this.  Next time I visit Batanes, I will definitely have to set foot on this island.

Vuhus Island at the background

Sabtang, Batanes

We woke up us as early as 5AM to travel to Ivana Port, the jump-off point to Sabtang Island. We boarded a falowa, an oval-shaped boat without outrigger which is designed to glide along the big waves of the rough seas surrounding Batanes Islands. Falowa ride from Ivana Port to Sabtang cost about P60.

We were very lucky that the seas were very calm during that day. I slept throughout the 45 minute falowa ride.

We registered in the tourist center and waited for our guide as he rented a jeep to tour us around.

Sabtang is a quiet little town with 6 villages and less than 2000 in population.

Sabtang Island, Batanes is perhaps my favorite island in the country. It is beautiful, serene.  It's laid back and happy. Its people, genuinely nice and well-mannered. They segregate trash. Their Mayor make rounds every morning in his motorcycle.


Map of Sabtang Island

On our first day in Sabtang, we explored east side of the island.

Barrio Savidug
A Village with rows of Ivatan Stone Houses. An Ivatan Stone House is made of boulder stones and corals that are glued togethere by lime. It's roof made of Cogon. The houses are built to withstand the strong typhoons that often pass Batanes.

Savidug, Sabtang, Batanes

Ivatan Stone House

Chamantad-Tinyan Sitio
Breathtakingly beautiful view of the grassland, mountains, and sea.
 



Chavayan

What makes this village extra special is that beyond the charm of the preserved Ivatan stones houses is the friendliness of the people who live here. We spent a considerable time in Chavayan listening to their stories. Here, we met and chatted with Lolo Marcelo, the oldest person in Sabtang at 103 years old.



with Lolo Marcelo

 Nakabuang/ "White Beach", The Arc
We had rested and had our lunch in Nakabuang Beach also known as "White Beach". It's called White Beach well because of its white sand.



White Beach, Sabtang

Also an attraction in White Beach, is what they call "The Arc".

We were served very delicious lunch of lobster, inihaw na baboy, inihaw na isda, Sinigang na isda, vegetables,  banana, and buko.

Lobster (just one of our viands for lunch)

We headed back to the port after our late lunch. Our guide and one of companions will return to Batan that same day. 

As for us, we opted to stay in Sabtang. During that time, Isa and I were the only tourists in the island.


I spent the afternoon exploring the nearby village, Malakdan, by foot and swimming by the beach near the port.

 
There are no hotels or inns in Sabtang. We stayed in the tourist center which offers rooms for guests for P250/pax.  The tourist center is very homey and our room has kick-ass view. I love it there.

The view from our room

The Manang who prepared our lunch earlier, also prepared a sumptuous dinner for us--Tatus (Coconut Crab), fried fish, adobong baboy, and yellow ginger rice.

Tatus again for dinner

 I just love Sabtang, Batanes.