Wednesday, December 18, 2013

How to get to Intramuros Manila from Cebu and Other Provinces in The Philippines

Haloi fellow Viajeros!

' finally found the time to post this trip.

Let's go back in time on a trip to the walled city known to many as "INTRAMUROS" (Within Walls )




Constructed in the late 16th century by the Spanish Colonial Government, INTRAMUROS became the Seat of Power for the Spanish colonization in the Philippines which later became the core and the oldest district in the City of Manila, the capital of The Philippines.

High walls were constructed surrounding the district to protect Churches and Spanish Government Buildings from other invaders. 





































Want to see what you'll find inside it's walls at present?


Tara na! Adtu na ta!







How to get to Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros is located in the Capital City of the Philippines which is Manila. To get there, you'll have to choose from any of the 3 means of transpo.

Note: * I would recommend taking only one, the airplane. - Less hassle, stress, time, and sometimes cheaper compared to the other two.




3 ways to get to Manila, Philippines

1. Airplane
2. Boat
3. Trucking (Bus)

Arrival at the airport

All domestic flights pass through any of the 3 Terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals 2, 3 and 4. These Terminals are in Pasay City, which is right next to the City of Manila.

Cebu Pacific Air - Terminal 3

Philippine Airlines/ Phil Express - Terminal 2

Zest Air/Air Asia/ Tiger Airways - Terminal 4 (Old terminal)



Important : For first time travelers passing through these terminals, always be confident and smart about how you go about things. I'm not saying that these terminals are not safe, it's just that base on my personal experiences, opportunistic persons are just everywhere waiting...


What to do next

After you have all your things like luggage, etc... ready, head out of the terminal exit area and take a taxi/cab.


Getting - Choosing a Taxi/Cab

There are 2 types of Taxi/Cab to choose from, the Yellow Airport Taxi and the Regular White Taxi.

NAIA Terminal 3 - White Regular Metered Taxis (Cheaper) can be found at the second                                    floor of the terminal. Escalator going to the second floor of the                                        terminal is on the left side, while elevator is on the right.

                            Yellow Airport Taxis can be found right outside the ground floor exit                                  area.

NAIA Terminal 2 - Same with Terminal 3 (See instructions on Terminal 3) Ask airport                                     personnel for directions when in need.

NAIA Terminal 4 - 2 Types of Taxis can be found just right outside the exit area.

iTravelskiks recommends:  That when taking a taxi, always make sure to do the following:
                                         1. Make sure the taxi uses it's meter. No add-ons and No Fix Charging
                                         2. Get the Plate number of the Taxi and it's Company Name and text it to a                                                        member of the family. - for security reasons.
                                         3. Sit at the back, and make sure to lock all doors.
                                         4. Get the name of the Taxi Driver from the Drivers ID usually found hanging on                                                  the rear view mirror.



Where to go and What to tell the Taxi Driver
  • Tell the taxi driver to take you to the Manila Cathedral, that's in Intramuros.
  • Tell the taxi driver to take the Roxas Boulevard route for safety at the same time, it's the fastest way to get there
Note: You would know that your are taking the Roxas Boulevard Route because you will pass by different Philippine Department offices, Manila bay, US Embassy and Rizal Park (Luneta).

Why Manila Cathedral?

Because it's at the heart of Intramuros and trust me, you'll surely get to Intramuros if you'll tell that to the taxi driver.

Important :

Taxi Fare Range:     White Regular Metered Taxi  
                   
                               Airport - Intramuros - Airport  = Php. 180.00 - Php 200.00
                 
                               Yellow Airport Metered Taxi

                               Airport - Intramuros - Airport  = Php.  400.00 - Php. 400.00 (+)

*If taxi  fare goes beyond these ranges, then most likely there is something wrong with it's meter.



View Larger Map


Horse Carriage Tour


Horse Carriage Tour

Horse Carriage Tour Rate
= Php. 400.00 - Php. 500.00

Trisikad Tour Rate = Php. 200.00

For Santiago Entrance Fee = Php. 75.00


Things and Places to see in Intramuros


*Some Historical Structures

Manila Cathedral



















San Agustin Church
Fort Santiago
























Palacio Del Gobernador
Baluarte De Santa Barbara















*Some Historical Sites


MEMORARE - MANILA














Dr. Jose Rizal's Prison Cell
URDANETA
















*Some here and there shots

Horse Stable/Derf







Intramuros Building Rooftops
Fort Santiago Grounds

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

How to enjoy a Southern Cebu trip in a day

Hhmmm... am guessing many of you are wondering how you can possibly enjoy a single day trip going down Cebu's South.

Let me help you out!

As you all know,  Cebu's southern part offers a lot of attractions and activities to go by. Most of us would think it's not even possible to enjoy them all in a day, which is true, but, you don't really have to experience them all just to enjoy what Cebu's south side has to offer.


Tara Na!
La-ag na Ta!

Places to stop by

  1. Oslob
  2. Boljoon
  3. Alcoy
  4. Dalaguete


Getting ready

As always, wear light, bring light. Don't forget your camera, your sun screen lotion and of course your swim wear.

Consider also the best time in going there. I recommend that you start the trip early as it takes 2-3 hours ride to get to our starting site municipality which is Oslob.

How to get there

1. Get to Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

Depending on where you are coming from, it is best that you get to the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT). You can either take a jeepney or a taxi.



Jeepney fare     = Php. 7.50

Taxi fare           = Php 70.00 + - (Depending on where you are coming from in the city.)



2. Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT)

Upon arriving at the terminal, look for the Ceres  or Sunrays buses going to Oslob or Santander. Ceres  and Sunrays bus personnel are always happy to guide you through.


Fare:   Ceres Bus     =  Php  130.00 (+ -)
            Sunrays Bus =  Php  130.00 (+ -)



3. Taking the Bus

Take the bus of your choice, but I recommend that you take the Ceres bus for safety and comfort in your travel. 

For a really early trip, I suggest that you take the non air conditioned bus so you can take pictures and enjoy the seaside views along the trip.

For a late start travel, take the air conditioned bus if you don't feel like taking on some heat from the sun. 





4. Getting to our first Municipal Site - Oslob Cebu

The Municipality of Oslob is known widely to the international and local tourists because of the famous Whale Shark attraction in Tan-awan but missed out on the other things this place has to offer. 

* Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at the road closest to the Oslob Municapal hall. Bus conductors would gladly assist you on this. 


First stop

Cuartel



Second stop

* Optional as you will have to take a motorbike bike going here.  
Tumalog Falls, Oslob Cebu


5. Second Municipal Site - Boljoon, Cebu


- Boljoon Church - One of the oldest remaining stone church in the Philippines.




6. Third Municipal Site - Alcoy, Cebu







7. Fourth Municipal Site - Dalaguete, Cebu


caving in dalaguete

















What are you waiting for?

Go go go... 




Thursday, May 9, 2013

How to get to Fort San Pedro Cebu and Plaza Independencia

Oopps!!!

Was in the area yesterday, so I thought I might as well check it out for the second time around after seven years.




Seven years, yes, back when I was still doing the Korean language school thingy. 

So okay... 




Here we go!

Fuerza de San Pedro widely known as the Fort San Pedro is a military defence structure, built by Spanish and indigenous Cebuano labourers under the command of Spanish conquistadorMiguel López de Legazpi and the Spanish Government in Cebu. It is located right next to Pier 1 of Cebu, just across Plaza Independencia.

Fort San Pedro is the smallest and oldest triangular bastion fort in the country which was built in 1738 to repel Muslim raiders. It served as the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
































Tara na...

Let's go back in time...




Getting ready

No need to bring much...  Just wear light, bring your camera, a bottled water and you are good to go.

































How to get there

Fort San Pedro is close to the pier area of Cebu City, so depending on where you are coming from, take a jeepney going to Colon St. ( almost all Cebu City jeepneys pass by Colon St. so you need not to worry. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the street itself.)



Colon St. - The oldest street in the Philippines

Once in Colon, look for jeepneys plying for Plaza Indepencia or Piers 1 - 2 - 3. All these jeepneys will pass by close to the site. The closest Pier is Pier 1, and you wouldn't miss the place because of a large landmark which is the Plaza Independencia.


Plaza Independencia





















Jeepneys to take

01B
01C
01I
02B


View Larger Map


Again, if you you are not familiar of the place, ask the jeepney driver to drop you off at Pier 1 or Plaza Independencia.


Taxi

You can also take a taxi going there, but the site is just very close and very easy to find so I wouldn't really recommend taking one. If you however really are not familiar with the place then go right on with the taxi.


Fees

Fort San Pedro Entrance Fee = Php. 30.00 only (With free guided tour already)

Jeepney fare = Php. 7.50

Taxi Fare = Php. 70 + - depending on where you are coming from in the city



What to see