Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

It took us more around an hour from SM Dasma to Bacoor today. We’re already used to the heavy traffic of Aguinaldo highway but the traffic jam this time was very bad. The vehicles weren’t moving at all for about an hour! In cases like this, it could only mean one thing, there’s a vehicular accident in the highway. True enough, we saw a 6-wheeler truck on an island somewhere in Patindig Araw, Imus, Cavite.

I pity drivers who get involved in these kind of accidents because I’m not even sure if they are insured. In the States, employers are required to get health insurances for their employees (i.e. NC health insurance). Here in the Philippines, insurance is not considered seriously especially if you have no extra money to pay your policy.

Our Leyte visit isn’t complete without Lechon. The lechon in Leyte is very, VERY, as in very different from the ones I’ve tasted here in Manila – and we do not use Mang Tomas but local suka with garlic and salt. And it’s very cheap too! This whole pig only costs P3,800

Aside from the star of the show, my relatives also prepared the following dishes which were all heaven by the way:

Ginataang page

Our version of bopis

Binagoongang kalabasa

Chili Cheese Sticks

Every day in Leyte was “Food Trip Friday” because we were always full and I know that I gained weight for sure! I now need effective weight loss supplements to eliminate the excess weight I gained during our stay LOL

Don’t we all love fresh buko?

Buko in Abuyog, Leyte is freshly picked and they’re free so I didn’t have any choice but to eat and drink buko Fresh buko is sweet unlike the buko here in Manila that’s often “maasim” na. No need na to put sugar and milk.

I couldn’t get enough of the acting monkey we saw in Zoobic Safari. His name is Johnny and he could act very well. We first saw him during the Animal Show (10:00 am, weekends and holidays) and again during the animal parade (3:00 pm , weekends and holidays).

He was in equestrian clothing and riding a miniature horse the whole time. His coach would entice him into joining a fencing bout and Johnny did it with much gusto! One amazing monkey indeed!

Because of his ability to fence and ‘play dead’, Johnny has appeared in several animal shows on national television.

Bravo Johnny!

We didn’t pass up the chance to visit the Zoobic Safari – the first and only tiger safari in the Philippines. It’s an experience we’ll never forget! The heat was intense but we enjoyed the entire visit nonetheless.

Here are some of the highlights of our visit:

Launch of Zoobic Cave

Zoobic Cave has an array of real stuffed animals in their natural habitat.

Launch of Forbidden Cave

Forbidden cave provides a thrilling forest adventure with shaking hanging bridge that will surely excite guests in a walk through attraction.

Aside from that, we also enjoyed Zoobic Safari’s current attractions:

• The Zoobic Park – pet friendly animals a you walk through a tropical jungle. Have a live interaction with deers, ostrich, albino carabao, bear, monkey, eagle, miniature horse, ducks, camel and many others.

Yona with Tita Iris of Pinay Ads

• Savannah – A sanctuary of the wild that features a wide range of ostriches, potbellies, wild boars, and guinea fowls.

The friendly ostrich that scared the hell out of us. Okay, OA lang talaga kami haha

• Serpentarium – A place where you can see snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles and a lot more cold blooded animals.
• Rodent World – Zoobic Safari’s collection of rodent animals.
• Muzooem – A collection of real animal bones and preserved skins.
• Close Encounter – An exciting close encounter with Siberian and Bengal tigers to witness their huge appetite.

• Tiger Safari – Have a once in a lifetime adventure experience riding in a safari jeep were you will enter in a close fence structure and be fascinated to see the live tigers roaming around as they thrilled you with their vibrating growl.

• Bird Walk - Feed lovely birds with your own hands!
• Croco Loco – A thrilling adventure with Zoobic Safari’s collection of crocodiles.

• Animal Parade – We witnessed Zoobic Safari’s animal show (10am) and parade (3pm), done usually on weekends and holidays. It features both farm and exotic animals with colorful costumes riding beautifully decorated carts and flying pigeons, guinea fowls, and more.

The dancing poodles!

a camel

and yes a monkey in equestrian clothing!

Johnny the Monkey knows how to act too! In fact, he has appeared in some television shows already.

These and more at Zoobic Safari!

Other amenities includes:

• Safari Grill and Buho Restaurant
• Tram Rides
• Zooper Shops
• Animal Photo Encounter

Entrance to Zoobic Safari is P449/pax

Kids 4ft. below: P100 Discount on entrance fees
Kids 3ft. below: Free Entrance
Senior Citizen: 20% discount
No Food and Drinks Allowed

Zoobic Safari opens 8am to 4pm daily.

Zoobic Safari
Group 1, Ilanin Forest, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
(047) 252 2272 / (047) 252 9489
www.zoobic.com.ph

In a few days we’ll be in Bohol to end the summer with a huge BANG!

I’m not sure though where in Bohol we’re heading but for sure we’ll be visiting the Chocolate Hills, see the Tarsiers and take a dip in the wonderful beaches in Panglao.

CHOCOLATE HILLS

The 1268 giant mole hills of Chocolate Hills look like giant women’s breasts and are often mistaken to be man made because they are all similar in shapes. One can go around the hills using atv‘s to make your visit more memorable.

Photo Source

TARSIERS

The Philippine tarsiers or the ‘maumag’ are one of the world’s amazing creatures. They are  found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly in the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. Tarsiers are rare, endangered and shy-type animal so I wouldn’t waste a chance of seeing their kind.

Photo Source

PANGLAO BEACHES

According to Wikipedia, “currently Panglao is one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines, famous for its beautiful dive spots and its coral reef, as well as many several islet ideal for beach bathing like the islets of Gak-ang and Pontod.”

Sigh. Need I say more?

Yona and I received an invite to the launch of Zoobic Safari’s new thrilling adventure – the Forbidden Cave and Zoobic Cave.

The launch is set tomorrow at 10am so we are leaving Manila at exactly 6am tomorrow along with the rest of the invited bloggers.

Zoobic Safari is the ONLY Tiger Safari in the Philippines. This wonderful place is located in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Subic, Zambales. The safari started its operations in January 2004 and since then it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines.

This is actually our first time to visit Zoobic Safari but we frequent their mini-zoo in Residence Inn, Tagaytay as we live near the place.

Unlike common zoos, Zoobic Safari is located inIlanin Forest – a 50-hectare heavily forested area in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The animals here like tigers, ostriches, crocodiles, bear cats, baby goats and sheeps move freely and are not caged. Would you pass up the rare chance to actually feed them or observer them up close?

It’s going to be one tiring yet fun-filled day tomorrow with my little one. We were required to bring extra clothes and towels because it is really hot there (arrrg! which reminds me that it’s 37.5 in Metro Manila!). The Philippine government should perform energy auditing and make use of  the extra solar energy, don’t you think so?

I have made several posts about Enchanted Kingdom’s newest attractions but never on how to commute to the magical place from Manila. Here’s how:

• Ayala Center Terminal in Makati - A special shuttle travels from Ayala Center to Enchanted Kingdom and vice-versa. Special ticket rates apply.
• By Public Utility Bus – At Taft corner Buendia, ride a bus going to Balibago Complex and get off at WalterMart. From there ride a tricycle to Enchanted Kingdom.

We are from Cavite so what we did was ride a bus to Dasmarinas, Cavite, get-off at Robinson’s Dasma and ride a van to Sta. Rosa. Easy-peasy. You’ll know that you’re already in Sta. Rosa because you’ll see lots of used rvs for sale along the highway.

Here are the park’s latest attractions:
Zoori Adventures
Dora & Diego’s 4D Adventures
BiKi Waterworld

Park Schedule:

Enchanted Kingdom Park Schedule from April 3 – June 6, 2010
Mondays – Fridays: 2PM to 9PM
Saturdays – Sundays: 11AM to 9PM with Fireworks at 8PM
For more details, you may call 584-3535 or 584-4326 to 29

http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph

If the heat’s just too much to bear, bring the whole family to Enchanted Kingdom this Sunday, April 18, 2010 and witness the launch of Dora & Diego’s 4D Adventures and BiKi Waterworld!

BiKiWorld of South Korea have agreed to set-up the first and only world-class inflatable water park in the country, the EK BiKi Waterworld in response to guests’ request for additional water attraction in the country’s premiere theme park. Rio Grande and Log Jam aren’t just enough, huh?

Enchanted Kingdom’s BiKi Waterworld will have a variety of six giant inflatable pools with water slides, games and rides that families can enjoy in a safe and hygienic water environment.

This will be launched to coincide with the Ms. Earth-Philippines 2010 Talent Competition also at Enchanted Kingdom.

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Park Schedule:

Enchanted Kingdom Park Schedule from April 3 – June 6, 2010
Mondays – Fridays: 2PM to 9PM
Saturdays – Sundays: 11AM to 9PM with Fireworks at 8PM
For more details, you may call 584-3535 or 584-4326 to 29
http://www.enchantedkingdom.ph

On Easter Sunday, Enchanted Kingdom launched “Zoori’s Adventure” – an interactive museum where guests, especially kids, can have a close encounter with mechanical white lions and Zoori himself – a year-old white lion.

EK has partnered with the Yupangco Group – the group who made Zoobic Safari (Subic) and Residence Inn (Tagaytay) possible.

Zoori’s Adventure attraction is divided into different chambers; a replica of colossal caves where guests will go through doors opening to other realms. There is also a room where guests will learn about the habitat of white lions and their life in the wilds.

Also present is the bouncing room where guests can try the different activities of lions such as pouncing, hopping, and jumping as they catch their preys.

Guests should expect to go through revolving tunnels (an elliptical one perhaps?), a hanging bridge, and the swinging Tarzan zone as guests try to avoid falling into a pit inflatable balls.

Aside from an “EnKounter” with the lions, “EKsotic” birds will also be housed at the Enchanted Kingdom middle of April so get ready to meet EK’s very own TWEETER!