Discount deal for Borawan-Dampalitan Island Adventure from Cash Cash Pinoy

Our coworker saw a deal from CashCashPinoy  for an adventure in Borawan –Dampalitan Island Adventure and the price is just 599.00 pesos and 5 vouchers required. It sounds affordable, right? So we rushed to book, 7 of us purchased. We looked for the right dates to book because we are all working and we can’t go on tour together. August was our target month because there was two holidays but the agency told us that July to August they don’t accept tours for weather condition is not good during those months. Last October 27 and 28 we had the chance to book because of the Barangay Election.

We got early and contacted the agency for she gave the instruction that we should text or call when we reach Vista Playa. The agent told us to contact a certain person, who was going to meet us. Funny she asked us  to contact a person, when she should be the one arranged it for us, why we got an agency if we would contact others too? We learned that the agency in the deal is not based in the area; they just have contact in Padre Burgos.

While we were waiting for the local contact we took pictures and had our breakfast in the restaurant.

Finally after less than an hour, the local contact arrived. She offered us to take a side trip to Putting Buhangin also known as kuwebang lampas. We had to add 600.00 for that plus 80.00 pesos per head as entrance fee for the island. We were asking for discount since we paid 4,193.00 for 7 persons. But she refused because the agency just sent the local contact 2,300.00 and it is still lacking. It’s an internal issue don’t know what their agreement, so we took the side trip instead.

Just a tip for those who are looking for a discounted tour better check the local tours first, that’s what we learn from this trip. Especially if the price sounds cheap, you don’t know it could be cheaper if you would directly book a tour from the local agency.

Like in our case we paid 4,193.00 pesos for the deal plus 600.00 for the boat and 560.00 for the entrance in Kuwebang lampas a total of 5,353.00 pesos. Unlike if we could have directly taken a tour from a local contact, we could have saved more:

Boat rental for the three islands (Borawan-Dampalitan-Kuwebang Lampas)– 1,800.00

Entrance fee for the three islands (80.00 per island) – 1,680.00

Overnight Stay in Kuwebang Lampas with tent good for two to three persons additional of (100.00/per person) – 700.00

So we could just have spent a total of 4,180.00 that’s for 7 persons already. But well it’s a lesson for us discount is not always a discount. The deal said 599.00 instead of 1,200.00. It was a false deal.  The fees are fixed mandated by local tourism so no overpricing with the local agents. Well it’s our fault we didn’t check first. So you guys next time check it first too.  Don’t trust the discounts. 

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave-Cotmon, Camalig, Albay

Our family loves to travel and explore a place, that’s why every time we see opportunity we always include side trips. One of our recent trips was in Hoyop-hoyopan Cave, which is located in Barangay Cotmon, Camalig, Albay.

The name of the cave was derived from the word Hoyop which means blow or blowing of air/wind. The air can freely pass though inside the cave. There are many entrances and exits, these passage ways will test your skill in squeezing and kneeling to get through the other chambers. Although in my case I didn’t have any problem passing through, lol I am petite that’s my advantage. One of the opening will lead the tourist to the stunning view of the Mayon Volcano, but sad to say we didn’t see it because it was cloudy and raining at that time.

Inside the cave, there are beautiful and stunning formations of stalagmites and stalactites, like dinosaur, angel and a lot more. A pond and a dance floor can be found inside it too. The dance floor is still being used during fiesta.

the Dance Floor

Fruit bats and other living organisms are can be found. There are still jars inside the cave were dated from 200 BD too 900 AD, some of these artifacts are now in National museum and Camalig Church. According to a Franciscan priest and archaelogist, Fr. Cantius Kobak, the cave is as old as 3000BC to 4000BC.

Fruit Bats

It withstood the test of time, been one of the witnesses of our colorful past, served as sanctuary during difficult times and even up to now it does to the local specially on strong typhoons hitting the place.

Dinosaur formation

Hoyop-hoyopan cave has an approximately 32 square meters of land area. The path way now is concrete different from the last time I was there and there are bulbs serve as the light instead of the flash lights that we used before. It is being maintained now by a clan, Soriano, Nieva and Nuylan Families. The tour fee was 500.00 pesos for eleven persons as payment for the lights and tour. Parking fee is 25.00 pesos. Outside the cave there are native souvenirs that can be bought. We bought hats as souvenirs.

The opening where the Mayon volcano supposedly can be seen clearly during Sunny days

The opening where one person can pass through at a time

Hoyop-hoyopan cave is definitely a place worth to visit.

NABCA CAVE – Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

It’s the first time that I explored a cave that most of the course I had to crab walk and crawl. This cave has different species like bats, crablets, shrimp, spider and a lot more. At first it was exciting do the crab walk. The entrance was so small and short that one should do the crab walk, one by one in entering the cave. After almost more or less 50 meters of crab walk there was a 20 meters of area where everyone can stand. The stalactite and stalagmites are not that amazing like the ones in Sagada but the thrill was more on crawling in entering and going out of the cave. There is a cave connection where the explorer can go out in a mountain. Mostly those who explore this cave that path are omitted because the course has stagnant water and the passage is so small smaller than the one in the entrance. It is the part that has to craw till one goes out of the cave. Those who have claustrophobia should not enter this cave. But we decided to try and experience how to crawl in a short and small with stagnant water path so we did the course. I experienced to be tensed because there was a part where when I insert my head in the path that has water, I had to submerge my face just to pass. Our tour guides lacked of flashlight so I couldn’t see clearly the path. Nevertheless I enjoyed that part it’s a different experience.
After the trek we had a refreshing buko (young coconut) juice. And it made us more refresh and enjoy the place.

Sagada, Mountain Province-Home of Natural Wonders

When we planned to visit the Banaue Rice Terraces, we planned to go to Sagada, Mountain Province, too. It is located 275 km. north of Manila, 140 km. from Baguio. The Trip itself to Sagada is more on an adventure. Long, rocky and winding road.




Mt. Polis-very foggy

"Hanging coffins" is the trademark of Sagada. This is a traditional way of burying people that is not in use anymore. Trekking, explore caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visit historical sites, nature hikes, and participate in tribal celebrations are among the popular activities. Guides can be found upon registration at the tourist-office in Sagada Proper (the main town) for a small fee. You can choose a tour package at the registration office.


Lumiang Cave


The Hanging Coffins

We were lucky because we found a family of 6 persons and we formed as a group so that we could minimize the payment for tour guides and jeepney rental. We chose the tour package to explore Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, where hanging coffins can be seen. At the back of a transient house where we resided, there is a rice terraces. The climate and crops are like those of Baguio and Benguet: cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, potatoes, carrots, beans, and other temperate products.


Entrance of Sumiwang Cave

There are many places to stay in Sagada but when we arrived the hotels and houses were already taken. We met a woman by the Name of Rose, her family was very willing to accommodate us but her house was already full of tourists. She was the one who found a shelter for us. Her friend Rose Agpad was not accepting transients because her house is under renovation but because we couldn’t find a place, she was willingly accept us and even those who arrived after us. The people here are very accommodating and warm. They treat their tourists nicely and they even go for extra miles just to make their tourists comfortable.

The tourists said that you have to eat in Yoghurt House when you are in Sagada because this restaurant will complete your tour. True enough this restaurant is really a nice one to dine-in. I love the food but we had to wait for an hour in order for us to be served. There was a long line of waiting tourists to eat. Nevertheless the foods were worth the wait.


Dinner at Yoghurt House

Sagada has many natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists can enjoy the waters of Bokong and Bomod-ok Falls. Other places that can be visited are: Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls, Rice terraces, Echo Valley, Kiltepan Tower, Underground River, Lake Danum.

Caramoan Peninsula – the Hidden Paradise

We stayed in Lahuy Island the whole night, and when the morning came we were a little bit apprehended to do island hopping for the weather was still bad. It was Good Friday, but the weather was not in consonance with what the day should be. But still we prepared because Jun and his companion told us that the weather will be nice later on. We were praying silently that may the Good Lord give us the weather that we need. We left the rest house half-hearted, because the day was gloomy plus the rain was still pouring. Our boat men told us that we would explore the beautiful islands of Caramoan, the exotic ones which barely reach by tourists. While we were on our first stop, Manlaui Island, we saw group of tourist on top of Daraga Hill still part of Lahuy Island. They stayed the whole night there and they seem to be wet and soaking. Their things were hanging on the trees. The heavy rain really poured. Before we reached our first stop the sun rose.
Manlaui Island is a white beach no residents with lots of coconut trees. The sand is fine, and of course the water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. On its right side u can see the Guinhaoan Island, our next stop. We were lucky because one of the owners of the Island, Manuel Lara was there so we accompanied by him to let us see the beauty of the island. It’s a private property. Part of the Island is the Abba, rocky beach, black rocks and rock formation. The scenery is a really breathtaking. I felt I was really very lucky and privilege to see this wonderful God’s creation. At the top of the island, is really once of the best part. It is a ranch with wonderful, awesome, breathtaking view of Pacific Ocean, Catanduanes Province, Taiwan. Liwan beach can be seen from there, it has a white long shoreline, perfect for swimming. We wanted to stay longer but we couldn’t.
Nippa Beach is still part of Lahuy Island. It has a long and wide white shoreline, nice blue crystal water and warm people. Adjacent to this beach is the Bugtong beach, which has speckled black rock formation. This beach has a hidden islet; it comes out whenever there is a low tide. Beautiful white and fine sand islet. We had our lunch here.
Before three o’clock in the afternoon we reached Brgy. Tagbon. In this place we had more or less 600 steps before we reached the Our Lady of Peace Shrine. The view from the hilltop of this Shrine is really amazing. We could hear the seven last words while we were feeding our eyes of that wonderful scenery. We learned that there is a cave in this place but since we were running of time maybe next time we could. Our tour guide let us got near to Gota Beach, where there were lots of military men guarding the island, to see the rock formation. Good enough the local government opened Sabitang Laya Island for the tourists although still guarded by the military men because it is near the Gota Beach where the French Survivor was held. Sabitang Laya Island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, camping and bird watching.
Next time we explore Caramoan Peninsula we will allot ample time to really explore the other islands. While we were boating we saw an island, which has black sand. There were group of scuba divers. It is the National Park, where u can find really exotic beaches. If you are looking for a total nature adventure Caramoan is the place for you.

The Hundred Island National Park, Alaminos, Pangasinan - The Barren Islands

We’ve seen hundred islands from postcards even when we were young. Personally I was fascinated by the view. I’ve browsed from the internet how can we go there. Last April we decided to have a nature trip there since we had vacation for two days. We were four girls went there by Five-Star Bus. We departed from Pasay at midnight and we reached Alaminos early in the morning. The waiting shed where we were dropped has tricycles that are ready to transport us to Lucap Wharf. The special trip cost us 100 pesos. We were so early to arrive actually there were few people on the street. There was a restaurant and lodging house open and we decided to have a cup of coffee but the funny side was they were not yet ready to serve. Then we stayed in a waiting shed area. There was a tricycle driver who offered us a boat that would transport us to one of the islands but the group decided to wait for other boatmen so that we could haggle for price of island hopping, because according the HINP the boat rental ranges from 1,500.00 up. Aside from that we would like to witness the sunrise while we are riding on a boat. True enough one boatman agreed us to be our service for our island hopping and he was our tour guide too. The ride while the sun was rising was really a breath taking. It was really one of the wonders of God. Very relaxing and felt blessed, especially for us who are working and seldom to unwind.

Our boatman told us that we will do island hopping while we were on our way to Quezon Island, where we planned to stay overnight. I was thinking that every island could be explored like the usual island hopping that I know, but I was little disappointed because the boat man would just point and told us what was the name of the island. Most of the islands cannot be explored. Islands are almost the same, there is not much vegetation. The first stop we did was in Children’s Island, the water and the seashore are nice really suited for children. I love the view from the top. Don’t forget to take time to explore the island. Before lunchtime we were already in Quezon Island. This island is quite congested of tourists, foreigners and locals. The first thing my sister and me did was explore the island. Since there were no available cottages left us, we opted to stay on the sand where kayaks stocked at the top of the area are the stores. This was the scenario that made us pissed and at the same time turned into a blessing. We had to make it funny otherwise our vacation would be ruined. While we were lying on the sand resting my co-worker and me decided to explore more the island even the sun was high. We were teasing the other two who were sleeping when suddenly from the top someone throw a water with fish scales and blood. It was really ewwww, very yucky the blanket was wet together with our other belongings and even us. We were waiting for someone to go down and say sorry and check what happened. But sorry for us the one who did it was never human enough to say sorry, she was really arrogant. We were already complaining but she never went down to check. We washed our wet belongings in the sea water just imagine how pissed we were. The good thing is that we are used to wrap our clothes in a plastic when we are on our nature adventure for safety purposes. There was a huge rock, which has small opening, so we dig the sand till we could lay down there. We planned to swim in the afternoon but since we are already soaked in fishy water, we had no choice but to swim. Good enough we had a shelter all day long under the rock. Other tourists would look at us because we were having fun under the rock. It was a misfortune turned into a well deserve day. As the sun went down we did kayaking, it was the first time I did it. It is tiring but enjoyable water sport. The island is perfect for snorkeling, swimming and of course kayaking. While we were swimming little fishes swam with us too. We have two tents but we decided to use one. The cost for every tent is 200.00 plus the overnight fee of 40.00.

The next day very early in the morning we went island hopping before we heed to Lucap wharf to go home. The first stop was in Romulo Island, where we tried to explore the cave but we can’t because of the bats. The island has white sand. Quezon Island is the last island we explored; I think it is the biggest island among the hundreds. This was the island I enjoyed most because we did a little bit hiking, caving and swimming.

Don’t forget to bring potable water, sun block, snorkeling gears, cameras and food to explore these islands.