Mercedes Bed & Breakfast, Palawan

Since most of the cheap accommodations I tried to book were already fully booked, I had no choice but to look for another one regardless of how much would it be. That’s why as soon as checked the website of Mercedes Bed & Breakfast, I immediately called the owner up and inquired if our group can be accommodated on April 28-May 01. I was so thankful for there was still an available room that we can get. Yey! Not only that, it’s just a few meters away from the airport. 🙂 Upon getting Tita Ched’s BDO account, I made a deposit the next day.

Room # 4, our room 😉

As per SIL’s request ~ all of us to be in one room, I reserved for the biggest room that can accommodate 6 persons. But since the room has only 2 queen-sized beds, we had to add 2 extra mattresses for P400/pax inclusive of  breakfast. Not that bad eh?

double queen-sized beds (P2200/night; max of 4 pax)

addittional 2 mattresses for P400/pc

with cable tv

the dining area: free breakfast here 😉

a place where you can relax

free hotel & airport transfer

I got the chance to have a short talk with Tita Ched. She was nice as well as her family and staff. I learned that she and her husband decided to put up Mercedes Bed & Breakfast when her husband retired from work as a Civil Engineer at DPWH Palawan. One of their daughter, who is a Fine Arts graduate, helped with the interior decorating as well as designing. She has a son who is a doctor and a daughter who is a nurse. Wow?! She is the one who also prepares the breakfast. During our stay, these were our breakfast: First day ~ longganisa, tuyo, egg, slices of tomato & cucumber and rice with hot coffee/milo; Second day ~ tocino, tuyo, egg, slices of tomato & cucumber and rice with hot coffee/milo; Third day ~ tapa, egg omelet, tuyo, slices of tomato & cucumber and rice with hot coffee/milo. What can I say? MASARAP pero BITIN… more rice Tita Ched, please???

with Tita Ched, the owner of Mercedes B&B

Mercedes Bed & Breakfast

P. Abrea Road, Puerto Princesa City

http://www.mercedesbb.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mercedes-Bed-Breakfast/116733381682512

mercedesbedandbreakfast@yahoo.com

land line #: +63-48-723-1677

mobile #: +63916-724-5220

Snorkeling at Pambato Reef

The first time I did snorkeling was the time we had our school outing in Bohol, 6 years ago. That’s why I was kinda excited to do it again in Pambato Reef, Palawan. According to a source, Pambato Reef was accidentally discovered by a fisherman when his fish hook got entangled in the reef. When he dove into the sea to get his fish hook, he was enthralled by the beautiful things he had seen under water. From then on, the boat-owners association, where the fisherman who discovered the reef was a member, decided to make it another tourist spot in Hunda Bay.

on our way to Pambato Reef

Entrance fee of P50 per person is required. You can bring your own snorkels with you. We paid P100 for each snorkels that we rented to Allan, the owner of the van. In case that you get hungry, you can buy some snacks at the first kubo.

snacks and reminders

Second cottage: construction is on going

Upon seeing how far the snorkeling area was from the cottage, I had second thoughts of jumping into the water. OMG, I don’t know how to swim! 😥 But since hubby lifted up my spirit and told me that my life jacket would definitely make me float (of course I know that), I jumped. Thinking how deep the water was gave me more fright! Thank God hubby finally joined me for a minute… oh well, it’s his first time that’s why he was so excited to do snorkeling and almost forgot about me. Yayayay! Moving on… After a few minutes of swimming away from the cottage, oh boy.. that was pretty hard on my part, we got to see school of fishes. 🙂 Nice sight!

see how far I was from the cottage?

tiny fish

school of fish

it’s abundant in a certain area, can be reached by the feet…

why can’t I find Nemo here?!

loner ~

thanks to SIL’s underwater camera! yey! 😉

We have only seen small fishes under water, no luck in seeing bigger fish as well as colorful fish. I didn’t see Nemo. Boo! I think this place needs to be taken care of so that the corals would become better than what they are now. Always remember not to take anything away from this place for they are not yours. 🙂

Zipline at Mitra’s Ranch

Zipline… I can’t believe that it has been started in Palawan. A year ago, there was nothing but now, it is growing. Why? Last December 2010, the Ugong Rock Zipline had started and after a few months, a brave soul invested on this business at Mitra’s Ranch. A Bicolano entrepreneur rented the spare land below the hill and made it the latest “tourist spot”.

Rancho Zipline Adventure at Mitra’s Ranch started it’s operation on March 26, 2011. It has 3 stations. The 1st station is  the longest, around 350m long while the 2nd and 3rd station have almost the same length. For P500 only, you can have fun and excitement together with your friends. Though it is not that high compared to Ugong Rock Zipline. No age limit as well as weight limit. 😀

I was curious how come Rancho Zipline has “no age and weight limit” unlike others. According to the lady selling souvenirs near the zipline area, the materials used to this project are all new and in high quality. It only means that your life is safe with their hands as you face your fear of heights. 😉

helmets for safety

the 350m, first station

going down

List of Budget Hotels and Inns in Puerto Princesa

For the past weeks, I was so busy digging the world wide web for any hotels or inns that still have available rooms for April 28-May 01. I know how hard it is to find one for most of the hotels are fully booked on peak season and yeah… late booking. 😦 Advance booking should always be kept in mind (2-4 months early) because most of the hotels or inns can be quickly filled up. Well, after a lot of calls and emails I had done… I was able to find one. 🙂

Now, after that rummage I was able to make a list of some places, that I found and contacted, where you can stay inPuerto Princesa. These hotels or inns are recommended by fellow pexers and have good reviews by travelers (you can check tripadvisor). Not only that, good for the pocket too. 🙂

Note: Click the names of the hotels to view their website.

Casa Linda Inn

+63-48-4332606; +63-48-4332309

Along Trinidad Road Cor. Rizal Avenue

Balay Inato Pension

+63-48-4338595; +63-917-5901155

Along Manalo Extension/ Price Range: P1200-P1400

Hibiscus Garden Inn

+63-48-4341273; hibiscusgardeninn@yahoo.com

Along Manalo extension/ Price Range: P1800-P2800

Badjao Inn

+63-48-4332180; 4332761; badjao_inn@yahoo.com

Along Rizal Avenue: no personal website

Casa Fuerte Bed & Breakfast

PLDT Manila: (02)475-6757; casafuerte@ymail.com

Libis Road, Brgy San Pedro/ Price Range: P1400-P2400

D’Lucky Garden Inn

+63-48- 4332719; luckygardeninn@yahoo.com

P.E.O Road/ Price Range: P790-P1790

Puerto Pension

+63-915-4068568; ppension@pldtdsl.net

Along Malvar Street/ Price Range: P845-P1495

La Charica Inn

+63-48-4342088; lacharicca@yahoo.com

Along Abad Santos/ Price Range: P1500-P2400

Ysabelle Mansion

+63-48-7230992; info@ysabellemansion.com

Along Abad Santos Ext. / Price Range: P850-P2350:

Skylight Hotel

+63-48-4347176 /4344872; support@skylighthotelpalawan.com

Along Rizal Avenue/ Price Range: P1050-P2400

PADS by Legend Hotel

+632-7022700 to 04; 63-917-7022700

Along Malvar Street/ Price Range: P1500-P2625

Tropical Sun Inn

+63-48-4336493; tropicalsuninn@yahoo.com

Along Manalo Street/ Price Range: P849-P1,999

Mercedes Bed & Breakfast

+63 -48-72316 77; mercerdesbedandbreakfast@yahoo.com

P. Abrea Street, very close to the airport/ Price Range: P1200-P2200

Bulwagang Princesa

+63-48-7231023; bulwagangprincesa_ stamonica@yahoo.com

South Nat’l Highway, Sta. Monica/Price Range: P1300-P5000

Kookabura Travel Lodge

+63-48- 4341580; +63-48-7232036; info@kookaburratravellodge.com

Along Abueg Road: Close to local beaches: Price Range: P1200-P1500

Tip: Better to give them a ring in making a reservation rather than sending them an email. 😉

Overnight Trip in Matabungkay Beach

Hubby and his colleagues planned to have an overnight swimming in Antipolo because it’s an hour away from where they work.  But two days before the said event, hubby told me that instead of going to Antipolo, we’re going to Lian, Batangas. One of their colleagues, who happened to have a grandmother in Nasugbu, insisted to have the outing in Matabungkay Beach and requested to drop by at her lola’s place for a sumptuous lunch before we go back to Manila. I had no choice but to go with their plan. 😦 We left Manila at around 8:00pm and instead of taking the SLEX, we took the Emilio Aguinaldo Highway in going to Matabungkay. Yup, that was a long ride. All of us were starving to death but we were saved by the sandwiches they prepared in the car on our way to Batangas.

on our way to Batangas

We reached Lian, Batangas at exactly 11:00pm hoping that we would be at the same place where my hubby’s colleague had gone to a year ago. Some men started to follow our car and offered a place to stay. Of course the price was too pricey for us! Thank God Alfred managed to haggle at the best price. The humble house made of bamboo and nipa has only one room, a not so okay toilet/shower (the door was busted) and no aircon or fan. Well, what do you expect for a P600 house huh! Since we only needed that for sleeping, taking a bath and leaving our things, it’s was actually a good deal. 🙂 We won’t be staying there most of the time right?! Oh, the bamboo float… it was given to us for only P500! Yey! Haggling really works! Lol! The whole night to dawn was spent for eating, drinking, swimming and chitchats. 😉

bamboo float for P500 (ranges from P1000-P1500)

food & drinks for dinner

enjoying the cold & clear water

alone…

bonding after swimming at the float

Hubby and I were not able to have a good night sleep at all for it was already dawn and in a few hours, the sun would be up.  We took a walk along the shore while waiting for the sunrise. Matabungkay beach had a lot of improvement. No litters around, perhaps tourists are more disciplined now and throwing the garbage in the right place. In addition to that, the locals maintain the cleanliness of the place. The place is beautiful, enough for you to relax and enjoy without spending that much. A day trip to this place can take away your stress, great time to bond with loved ones  too.

an hour before sunrise (c% hubby)

the sun is up 😉

bamboo floats

Matabungkay shore

Pedal boat for P200/hour (it’s so slooow!)

The gang became interested with snorkeling. We had rented a pedal boat for P200 per hour. Little did we know that the pedal boat was too slow. It even consumed a lot of time in going to the snorkeling area as well as in going back to the shore. Nothing much to see there… aside from the small school of fish who were so tiny. The corals were almost dying (I guess) because it was not as colorful and alive as snorkeling areas in Bohol. Upon hitting the shore, hubby and I went swimming though I had no plan of getting wet. We had fun that day. Oh, what a quickie overnight outing. 😉

daytime swimming is the best 😉

 

For affordable rentals of nipa hut and bamboo float, you can contact this person who I happened to spoke with that day:(or should I say, interviewed?) Mang Toto Bausas – 09484971047. House & float rentals are too high during peak season, which is April.

Packing List for Summer Beach Outing

Summer is almost around the corner and everyone is going gaga every time beach is being talked about. Shopping malls had started to put mannequins wearing summer outfit on display. Not only that, in a few more days there would be halo-halo stands along the streets. But are you ready to travel and hit the beach? Before you pack your things, make sure you have the most important things to be brought when traveling.

 

1. Sunscreen Lotion

Be sure to use a product that has a high SPF content.  The higher the better. It blocks the harmful rays of the sun and reduces the risk of skin damage to your skin. Apply this to your skin 30 minutes before swimming and re-apply after 2 hours or so.

2. Sunglasses

Not all sunglasses has UV protection that’s why you have to be careful in choosing the right one. You can buy one as cheap as P35 but there’s no guarantee that it really has the protection that you need. It would be better to invest in sunglasses because you can use this for a long period of time. You don’t like to have wrinkles right?!

3. Hat or Umbrella

As the sun gets hotter, you need a hat or umbrella to protect yourself from the scorching heat of the sun. You can’t stay in the water for the whole day that’s why a head cover is so essential to enjoy the beach without getting sunburns.

5. Flip-flops

In going to the beach, you have to be comfortable with your footwear. Wearing flip-flops is the best option. Why? It’s not hard to walk on the sand, you won’t get blisters and it won’t get broken even if you soak it in the water for so long.

6. Sarong or Towel

If you don’t need it to cover your body in sexy bikini after swimming, it can be used as extra beach blanketor a towel for a quick sand dusting. I prefer sarong over towel because the former is lighter than the latter. 😉

7. First-aid Kit

Things can happen anywhere, anytime. It is better to be prepared to any untoward incident that might happen in your vacation. Bring paracetamol, medicine for cough, colds & lbm, band-aid, thermometer alcohol and betadine.

4. Camera (waterproof if you have one)

Memories last forever and it would be even much better if you can document the fun you had in your vacation. The pictures that you would take would remind you forever of those sweet memories. Take care of your gadget by bringing plastic as cover-up.

 

 

And of course drinking WATER as often as you can would keep you away from dehydration. Always remember to TRAVEL  SAFE and LIGHT. 😉

Backpackers Cozy Corner Guesthouse in Singapore

front of the building

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse

490 North Bridge Road,
2nd Floor,
Singapore 188736.
Tel:(65) 63396128, 62246859
Fax:(65) 63388826

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse is located along North Ridge Road, the road next to Victoria Street. Its location is really great. MRT is just a few steps away as well as bus and taxi terminals. Places to dine at night are just nearby, at Liang Seah Street. From the cheapest to the most expensive meal, you can find it there. 😉

hallway on the 3rd floor

bath towels, tissue and soaps are provided

private double room, $50/night

the kitchen located at the 2nd floor

free breakfast between 7:30am – 10:30am

bread toasters

butter and jam

 

Upside:

• near the stations (train, bus, taxi)
• food centers can be found downstairs as well as 7 11
• nearby some places of interests: Arab Street, Bugis Mall, Marina Boulevard, Suntec
• 24 hours open
• hotel is secured with cameras
• room rates are affordable
• free breakfast between 7:30-10:30 am (coffee and toast)
• free wifi and use of pc
• city maps are provided
• baggage can be left  after check-out
• common toilets and bathrooms are clean 😉

Downside:

• no private toilets & bathrooms
• the staff are not that accommodating or friendly
• blanket provided is not that clean (ask for replacement)

Verdict: Recommended for budget travelers who only need a place to sleep. Nice play to stay and almost walking distance to most of the tourist spots in the city. We’ll definitely go back here next time. 😉

 

Check Cozy Corner’s accommodation here. 😉

 

Tang House in Malacca

Since we would be staying for one night only in Melaka, I looked for a place that would suit our budget. Of course, a budget accommodation along Jonker Street would be better. Through the hotel reviews of some travelers from tripidavisor.com, I was able to made a reservation at Tang House without any downpayment at all. 😉 The owner, Mr. Tang, kept on answering all my queries through email. He’s such a nice man. 😉

Tang House along Harmony Street

Tang House

80-1, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia/+606 283 3969/tanghouse@live.com

2nd floor: rooms can be found

narrow corridor

a/c twin room @ RM55/night

universal adapter needed for charging

common toilet

hot & cold shower

the kitchen at second floor: common area

Tang House Cafe serves breakfast

 

About Tang House:

• Wall dividers are made of wood.
• It only has 2 common toilets with hot & cold shower.
• No toiletries provided.
• Not all the staff can speak/understand English.
• Water dispenser is available meaning drinking water is free. 😉
• Breakfast at an affordable price is being served at the cafe.
• Payment can be made upon check-out. No receipt.
• Refrigerator, gas stove and microwave can be used with no charges at all.
• Free use of computer and internet.
• Mr. Tang (young entrepreneur) is always around.
• Jonker Cafe is just across the guesthouse.
• Tourists attractions are just nearby.

 

Budget Accommodations in Kuala Lumpur

Comfort Inn
No.65 Changkat Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

Replica Inn
Changkat Bukit Bintang,
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bintang Warisan Hotel
68 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Trekker Lodge (free wifi & breakfast)
1-1, Jln Angsoka, Off Jln Nagasari,BB
Kuala Lumpur

Green Hut Lodge (free breakfast)
48, Tengkat Tong Shin
Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Anjung KL 2 Guesthouse
No. 4, Tengkat Tong Shin
Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
(In front of Corona Inn, 2nd house on the left)

Agora Hotel
Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Radius International Hotel
51-A, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Coronna Inn (free breakfast)
Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

Eighty Eight Inn
No. 2, Jalan 1/77B, Changkat Thambi Dollah
55100 Kuala Lumpur

Hotel Nova
16-22 Jalan Alor, Kuala Lumpur

 

 

Comfort Inn in Bukit Bintang, KL

If you are looking for a budget accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, you can find many of these hotels in Bukit Bintang. Comfort Inn was where we stayed. It is located at Changkat Bukit Bintang and near Bukit Bintang LRT Station as well as shopping malls and money changers. Aside from that, Jalan Alor is just a few steps away from this hotel. 😉 Why did I choose this hotel over Replica Inn? It’s CHEAPER here. Cleanliness… CHECK! Nice Staff…. CHECK!

the seat area where you can accept  guests

you can watch tv or surf the net (free wifi)

free use of computer for emailing purposes only

a/c double room with queen-sized bed @ RM89/night

clean room + new bed sheet and comforter 🙂

attached bathroom with h/c shower

tv with 4 astro channels only 😦

the view of KL Menara Tower from the window

light/aircon switch is cool 😉

the hotel key that turns-on/off the room’s light and a/c

available drinks being sold at the hotel

Tips:

• Reservation via email can be made without any downpayment.
• A deposit of RM20 is required upon check-in (refundable)
• Bring the printed booking confirmation received via email.
• Hot water for coffee/cup noodles is available at the lobby.
• Toiletries are provided: bath towels, tissue, soaps, shampoo & toothpaste.
• Maps are available near the seat area.

My Verdict: Recommended for budget travelers. 😉 Affordable rates, clean rooms and nice people!