Discovering Tingko Beach in Alcoy-A Paradise in the South

Tingko beach is the best beach in Alcoy without spending much. The beach is available to the public at a cheap price. We paid only 50 pesos(Philippine peso) for the entrance. And we brought our own food. First time visitors,like us will be awed by the wonderful rock formation lying in along white coastal line. The beach is partly hidden  when going there as it is situated down below a low limestone cliff. So drive slow when you see the KM 95 marker, since it indicates the distance of the beach to the city. You will also be enamored with the warmth of the residents who are selling their kakainin or delicacies.

me,shara and kristine at Alcoy

A few meters beyond the Tingko beach stands the centuries old Spanish built Bantayan sa Hari (watch tower) on a promontory. There are also charming white houses nearby, a row of white-washed houses over a craggy shores, for out of towns who want to stay in town for a short vacation for  minimal fee.

Nearby white houses

If your going to Alcoy without a private car, you can take the bus or V-hire from South Terminal in Cebu City. It will take you 2 and half hours to reach Alcoy. Buses and V-hire ply regularly between the southern town with departures and arrivals every 15 minutes. the last trip for city bound buses will pass  Alcoy around 9pm.

A Wedding and A Sidetrip to Dakak

After attending the wedding of our dear friend-Irvin in Dipolog City, we went to Dakak Park Beach Resort sort of a short vacation. It is a 30 minutes ride from Dipolog. But if you have accommodations at Dakak, they arrange a  free pick up to and from the airport or port/pier. 

Dakak beach resort is an island actually shaped as cove with off white sand and blue waters. They have 2 swimming pools feed by natural spring water. We went swimming in one of their pools with a mini waterfalls.

We had 1 night accommodation in one of their native cottages with all the bamboo and nipa leaves. Although, it was quite a long walk from the beach to our cottage you will enjoy seeing nature with trees and orchids around the place.

Dakak's shoreline

one of their pool, with mini waterfalls

Although, we did not really appreciate the food at their restaurant-Port Orient but the ambiance was nice, facing the beach.During night time, they will entertain you with a cultural dance.

Culinary Area-Port Orient Restaurant

ambiance-beach front and tropical garden

native cottages where we stayed for 1 night

If you are more of an adventurous kind of person they also have facilities such as sailing,water sports,boating. Or you may want to relax at their jacuzzi or have a massage at your cottage.




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If you're interested to visit Dakak:
Contact Number: +63 09197959416 or +63 65 52136813

Run a Kilometer for Kerygma

Kerygma will be having a fun run on May 29,2010 5:30am SM Mall of Asia Grounds. This is for the benefit of 7 ministries: Anawin Lay Missions Foundations,Inc., Grace To be Born,Inc. , Tahanan Ng Pagmamahal Children's Home,Inc. , Pagasa Ng Pamilya (Hope of the family), Scholarship Foundation, Inc. , He Cares Foundation Streetchildren, Caring Center,Inc., Light Of Jesus Counseling Center, Shepherd's Voice Radio & Television Foundation, Inc.

For inquiries call  +63 2 725 9999 or click the link Run A Kilometer For Kerygma


If you don't run , you can walk beside like Bo Sanchez.He's a great walker. Interested, click the link Run A Kilometer for Kerygma .

Bantayan Islands,Hidden Paradise at the Northwest Coast of Cebu

Two of my close friends celebrated their birthdays in Bantayan Islands.It boast to have white sands and crystalline beaches.

We left Cebu City around 8am and arrived at Hagnaya port around 12 noon where rode on a ferry to take us to Bantayan a 45 minutes ride.

We stayed at Sugar Beach in Sta. Fe town since the rates are more affordable and they have finer beach front.The room was huge and clean.No fastfood or restaurants near by but you can always request to have them cook for you. The good thing is we bought foods just in case.

This is where we stayed

The beachfront of Sugar beach

On our second day,we went to Sta. Fe Beach Club where Ogtong Cave is. There is an entrance fee if you are not a check-in guest.We enjoyed their beach and went for a swim at their spring filled Ogtong Cave.

With my friends at Ogtong Cave

beachfront of Santa Fe Beach Club

We had fun on our two days stay in Bantayan Islands...Next time we'll go island hopping.

Casa Verde-Serves the Best Babyback Ribs

Discovered a place in Cebu where you can experience (almost)fine dining at an affordable price. The name of the place is Casa Verde. They have 3 branches and are located along Ranudo Ext.(near Cebu Velez Hospital ),The Walk and at Terraces Ayala.

this is at Ranudo Ext.branch  where I had lunch

I strongly recommend to try their baby back ribs or the Brian's ribs, served in 2 huge baby back ribs with 2 sidings(choices: mash potato,rice,vegetable and corn on the cob.) The meat is tender and juicy.Priced reasonably at 160pesos or 3$.

Brians Ribs

The Sky Adventure, Crown Regency Cebu

My friends and I had a day tour at Crown Regency, the highlight of which is the Sky Adventure or the Edge Coaster Ride.
We paid 880 pesos each,actually it was a promo. Promo includes 1 4D Theather Movie, Lunch Buffet at Wang Shang Lo Restaurant, 1 Prana Medi Treat Spa and 1 Sky Adventure(either Sky Walk or Edge Coaster Ride).

We watched first a 4D Movie,Lost Island a 15mins. movie. There are 3 choices to choose from-Dino Rampage,Anode To Life and Lost Island.

With my friends-Fe,Shara & Don

Since it was nearing lunch time, we headed to Wang Shang Lo Restaurant. Wang Shang Lo serves chinese foods, so if you are a lover of chinese foods you will enjoy it there. A lot of food choices there and  you get to have 1 glass of ice tea. If 1 glass of ice tea is not enough you can pay for your next glass at 90 pesos.

Wang Shang Lo Restaurant

After our sumptous lunch, we rested awhile in their swimming pool area. Free swimming if you want to. They had 2 swimming pool- the outdoor with jacuzzi and the aqua pool. The later is more of a therapeutic pool, it massages your body.

aqua pool

After lounging at their pool for 2 hours we headed to the 37th floor-the Sky adventure.

Sky Walk/Edge Coaster Ride.Everyone's been  talking about it. It calims to be the one and only of its kind in the world.
Since I feared heights my friend and I opted the Sky Walk Extreme.While 2 of my friends tried the Edge Coaster Ride.

Sky walk extreme is a 15 minutes walk around the edge of the building. It is a 360 degree view of the whole city. If your wondering if it is safe, it passed the international safety standards so no worries of harness snapping out. First, we were given an orange jumpsuit and white rubber shoes. If your not wearing socks like me they sell black socks at 20 pesos at the counter.Then we strapped our harness very securely around us. There will be guides who will walk you along the way. Before stepping out  the platform, our guide gave us a little briefing on safety. Then finally we stepped out the platform and began our walk. My knees were shaking and i was in panic(because i feared heights). Probably our guide saw me in panic so he was very kind to give me encouragement. When our guide started pointing the magnificent view, I was overwhelmed. Seeing the the entire view of the whole city of Cebu. I was busy marvelling the view that I totally forgot about my fears until finally we reached the end of the platform.

that's us walking at the edge of the building

the magnificent view of the whole Cebu

Edge Coaster Ride. Located just above the sky walk. It is a 4 minutes ride wherein during your ride your seat is suddenly tilted at 55 degrees. My friends told me you could feel like falling off  from your seat literally. The riders are provided with a joystick for control of the tilt  level.

my friend shara on the edge cosater 

 After our sky adventures we were given certificates as proof we survived the adventure. It was indeed a different kind of adventure.

During the walk or ride there were official photographer who will take your pictures as your souvenirs which cost 230 pesos each.

After our tiring day, we headed to Prana Medi Spa to have ourselves a massage included in the promo we availed.

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If interested call (+6332)418-8888 for more info.

An Afternoon At Manila Ocean Park

Ike(my boyfriend) and I spent an afternoon touring Manila Ocean Park. Ocean Park is located at the back of Quirino Grand Stand in Luneta Park, Manila.

Ike my boyfriend at the entrance of ocean park

We paid 450 pesos each for the entrance fee.

We first entered into an open area called Agos(Flow) wherein as if you are in a jungle. In this area, you will see tanks containing different fishes,water cascading from a waterfalls containing fresh water fauna, sort of a pool where you can interact with some of the animals on display.

Afterwhich, we entered  Bahura(Coral Reef). Oh by the way there are a few restrictions when entering Bahura. No food & drinks allowed, No flash photography and No running.

Inside the Bahura you will see many tanks containing coral reef inhabitants, collection of marine fish, Stingrays(Pagi), Sharks (Pating).

one of the Coral Reef displayed

Marine Fish 

                                      

 Stringrays(Pagi)

Sharks(Pating)

What I liked the most was the 25 meter walk along the tunnel(underwater) The view was breath-taking. You will feel like you are walking on the sea floor.

That's me in the tunnel style aquarium

You'll also find restaurants within the Ocean Park building if ever you go hungry.

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I took the above pics using my Sony DSC-W55