Backpacking: Zamboanga - Basilan - Tawi Tawi

I recently had my trip to these 3 beautiful provinces - Zamboanga, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi. Contrary to what the news usually portrays, these cities are generally safe specially the downtown area which are usually guarded by the police and military. The key is to stay low profile and don't attract too much attention.

ZAMBOANGA

Starting my trip in the Latin City of Asia, Zamboanga known for its strong Hispanic influenced culture.

Yakan Village is pretty popular to the tourist who wants to visit Zamboanga. Not as much as I expected, this place is a commercial area with few stalls that exclusively sell products made from hand woven fabric. A beautiful thing about it is that since every product is woven by hand so it comes with a distinct style depending on the weaver.

How to get there:
In Zamboanga City, go to the public market where you can find the jeep terminal bound for Upper Calarian. Look for the one that passes Gate 2. Asked the jeepney driver to drop you off at Yakan Village. Travel time is about 40 minutes.

After getting back to the hotel and had rest for a bit, I then started walking towards Paseo Del Mar.
Also passed by Zamboanga City Hall, Rizal Park and National Museum Fort Pilar.

Badjaos in Paseo Del Mar

Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz island is the main reason why I went here. Known for having a pinkish sand, this rosy hue came from red organ-pipe coral dissolved by the waves. Both big and small Santa Cruz Islands have been declared as environment protected areas and its coral reefs are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Little Santa Cruz

Just a few minutes from Santa Cruz Island is the little Santa Cruz,  a highly protected sanctuary for sea turtles & other rare marine life. We were only allowed to stay here for 10 minutes.

How to get there:
In Paseo del Mar, there is a booth where you can register for Sta. Cruz island. I suggest you register ahead of time specially during the peak season as there are only limited number of boats and guests allowed in the island.

Boat costs Php 1000, good for 10 person

Cottages are available from Php 100 to Php 200

Boat to Little Santa Cruz Php 200/boat

Note: If you are traveling alone or in a small group, you may wait for other passengers to share the boat just like what we did.


Merloquet Falls

Merloquet Falls is one of the popular waterfalls in Mindanao.  A 2 tiered cascading curtain located in the eastern part of Zamboanga City, in Baranggay Sibulao close to the border of the next province Zamboanga del Norte.

How to get there:
Ride a van going to Vitali and tell the driver that you're going to Merloquet Falls. Fare is Php 130 and travel time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. There are habal-habal in the drop off point that can take you to the falls. Fare is Php 60/person roundtrip (Habal-habal driver waited for us)

Another option is to ride a bus bound to Pagadian, Dipolog or Ipil drop in Vitali bus stop and ride a habal-habal to the falls.

Entrance Fees: P5.00 per person


BASILAN

I have never imagine I'd be able to step my foot on this land.

Basilan, being known for terrorism and battles between the Philippine armies and the militants because of the news. I was first hesitant to come here because everyone back home ask me not to. Even some people from Zamboanga City do not dare to visit the island. But being the adventurous me, no one can stop me, so here i am :).

Basilan Provincial Capitol

Malamawi Island

A few steps away from the port where we get off the boat from Zamboanga is a small port going to Malamawi Island. 

How to get there:
Ride small boats going to Malamawi, Fare: Php 5

Hire a habal-habal at the tiny port of Malamawi going to the white beach. Fare: 25/person

TAWI-TAWI

Tawi-Tawi is the southernmost province of the Philippines with 107 islands and islets. It is actually near to Malaysia than in the Philippines. Landed in Bongao airport, the capital of Tawi-Tawi and where my adventure begins.

Upon arriving, we went to Tawi-Tawi's tourism office where we met our guide, Wadz Ali.

Our first stop is going to the peak of Bud Bongao. Before going up, we bought some banana up for the monkeys as this has already been their practice. 

We reached the top after an hour of trekking. From above is an exceptional view; the blue Celebes sea and some of the islands surrounding Bongao including Simunul Island and even the outline border of Borneo.

Badjao Village

As we entered Badjao viillage, we were welcomed by this playful children around the place. The Badjaos here have relatively large population and they are not like the Badjao's we know in Manila. They are friendly, loves sports and hardworking people. 

Wadz led us to a certain house, which we were shown how women from Badjao Village weave this colorful banig (tepo)/mats. 

Balobok Rock Shelter

Provincial Capitol

Tawi Tawi Provincial Capitol resembling a mosque is a symbol of faith of the province. In front of the capitol is a great view of the town proper and the bay.

Simunul Island

The next day we went to Simunul Island, an hour boat ride from Bongao. Simunul being the birthplace of the Islamic Faith in the Philippines is where the first mosque was built.

The 16 ft. crocodile caught in Simunul Island

Sangay Siapo Island

On our way back we dropped by Sangay Siapo Island

I wouldn't miss the opportunity to try their local foods like stingray, puffer fish, etc.

Itinerary:

Bohol: How we Travel from Cagayan de Oro to Bohol by Sea

View from Jagna, Bohol

It was my first time to ride a ship and I felt excited and anxious at first. Coming from Davao del Sur we traveled 6 hours to get to Cagayan de Oro. 

Lite Ferries is one of the sea transportation options when going to Bohol from Cagayan de Oro. Although searching for schedule of their trip to Bohol was not easy as their facebook page was not updated and it was hard contacting them in the contact numbers I was able to find online, we were still able to reserve and book for our trip. 

For those who are also trying to find the schedule of vessel going from Cagayan de Oro to Bohol, hope this one could help.

Cagayan de Oro to Jagna

10PM (evening) every MON-WED-FRI

10AM (morning) every SUNDAY

Jagna to Cagayan de Oro

10PM (evening) every SUNDAY

It takes 7 hours travel time from Cagayan de Oro and we arrived at Jagna around 5AM. There are bunk beds provided for passengers so we were able to rest while we were on our journey. There is also a convenient store inside where you can buy coffee and other snack.

Famous Kalamay from Jagna, Bohol

Travel Tip:

Make sure you arrive 2 hours before the schedule as their ticket booths are closing at 8PM, yes, even you already made a reservation. While we were on our way to Cagayan, at around 7:30PM, they called us asking if we are still boarding the ship going to Jagna and reminded us to be there before 8PM as they will already be closing in a few minutes. We asked them for favor if they can extend for like 30 minutes because we are still on our way and told us that they will be waiting for us until 8:15PM and the ticket booth will be closed. We almost didn't make it, but luckily we did. 

Since our trip lasted for 7 hours we arrived at the port just in time for the sunrise. I have always been a sunrise lover, my most favorite time of the day.

Stunning view from Jagna port

Just before sunrise

Davao City: 3D/2N Itinerary and Expenses

Visited Davao again a few weeks ago and stayed there for a month and a lot of friends are asking me how to go around the city and what places to visit.So I created this sample itinerary to help friends who are hesitant to go to Davao not just because its far from Manila, but they think it might be expensive to go here.

Not only it is the home of our current president Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City is known for its cleanliness and for being one of the safest city in the country. Its easy to go around as there are lots of public transportation you may choose from and people are so friendly.

How to get there: 

Flights from Manila and Cebu are available through airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Asia.

Where to Go:

Jack’s Ridge

Jack’s Ridge is a popular destination for dining and recreation, it offers a great view of the city. This was said to be once a part of the Japanese forces headquarters.

>>> You may ride a cab from the city proper, just tell the driver to bring you to Jack's Ridge, fare is around Php 150. 

>>> You may also ride a jeepney bound to Matina/Bangkal/Ulas and drop off at crossing Shrine Hills, fare is Php 8-15. Once in the crossing, ride a tricycle to bring you to Jack's Ridge.

Philippine Eagle

A major tourist destination in Davao which is a sanctuary and protects the endangered Philippine Eagle. It is also a home for other birds, mammals and reptiles. It might be a bit far from the city center as it takes an hour to go here, but its worth it. It's also cheap to but souvenirs here aside from the pasalubong center in people's park.

Entrance Fee: Php 150 for adults, Php 100 for children

>>>From Bankerohan, take a van to Calinan, fare is Php 40. From, Calinan, take a tricycle or habal-habal to the center. Click Here

Samal Island

Blessed with white sand beaches and interesting underwater marine resources, this is something you shouldn't miss. There are resorts in the island if you want to stay overnight but there are also boats that can tour you around the island. 

>>> There are boats in Sta. Ana wharf going to Samal island, most of the resorts in the island provides a boat transfer, or if you're going on a day tour island hopping, there are private boats you may rent here as well.

>>> For cheaper option, you may choose to take a passenger boat that will bring you to Samal Island and just do an inland tour by hiring a habal-habal

See: Samal Island Hopping, Cannibad Beach, Giant Clam Sanctuary, Paradise Island

People's Park

This is the most popular park in the city at the heart of Davao. A 4-hectare tourist attraction is a perfect place for relaxing and enjoying recreational activities with your family and friends. 

>>> From Davao International Airport, you may take a taxi (Php 150) or jeepney (Php 15). People's park is located at J. Palma Gil streets in the city center. Click Here

Crocodile Park

One of the most visited tourist spot in Davao City. Aside from being a home for crocodile, they also have other animals here such as birds, snakes, tigers, ostrich and reptile.

>>> From the City Center, you can take a Jeepney bound to Buhangin (Php7) and tell the driver to drop you in the corner of the Diversion Road where the Habal-Habal (motorcycle for hire) are located. From there, take a habal-habal that will bring you directly to the park (Php20 - Php40). Click Here

Davao Museum

This museum features various tribes of the Davao region and handicrafts, instruments and information about their way of life. FYI, cameras are not allowed to be used inside the museum.

>>> This is just a walking distance from the People's park.