Happy Tripper

The P0 and P499 fares are back on selected Cebu Pacific destinations!

Posted by Carambs

CEB offers P0 fare for Malaysia, San Jose, Laoag and Cebu hub flights; P499 fare to selected international destinations!

Something special is brewing because the ZERO fares are back! Fly Cebu Pacific to Kuala Lumpur (travel from June 15 to August 31, 2008) or Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia (travel from July 18 to August 31, 2008) at ZERO airfare!

Sounds good? This is even better, fly ZERO from Cebu to Bacolod, Iloilo, Butuan and Cagayan or Manila to Laoag (travel from June 1 to 30, 2008) or visit San Jose, Mindoro and dive into the waters of Apo Reef for travel beginning July 1 to August 31, 2008.

Fancy a holiday in China, Vietnam, Bangkok or Taipei? Take your pick and fly to Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Kaohsiung, Xiamen or from Cebu to Bangkok or Macau for only 499 pesos! This is good for travel from June 15 to August 31, 2008.

Now your only dilemma is choosing where to spend your holidays!

The promotional seat sale will run from May 30 to June 4, 2008.

Fare is non-refundable and is exclusive of surcharges and government taxes.

Hurry, book now or visit www.cebupacificair.com for more details!

Baguio Accomodations

Posted by Carambs

In June we will be going back to Baguio to attend my boss’ wedding. We didn’t think twice, we will stay in Hotel Veniz. We love this hotel - the room, the location, and the service. I highly recommend it! I hope our stay there will be as great as our stay in the past. The last time we were there was late 2006.

Here’s a list of Baguio accomodations that I’ve gathered the past 3 years.  I was able to stay in Hotel Veniz and El Cielito Inn already, and my stays were okay.  Next time I go, I’ll surely post about it.

1) Hotel Veniz

• Address: 1 Abanao St., Baguio City, 2600, Philippines
• Tel. Nos.: +6374 4460700 to 03
• Telefax: +6374 4460704
• Mobile No.: +63917 5060701
• Email: hotelveniz@skyinet.net
• Website: http://www.hotelveniz.com

2) El Cielito Inn

• Address: 50 North Drive, Baguio City, Philippines
• Tel. Nos.: +637 4434846, +637 4435272
• Fax. No.: +632 2506020
• Email: stay@elcielitoinn.com
• Website: http://www.elcielito-baguio.com

3) Camp John Hay Manor Hotel

• Address: Loakan Road, Baguio City, Philippines
• Tel. Nos: +6374 4460231 to 50 local 1003/1004, +632 8450892, +632 8450911
• Fax No.: +6374 4450420
• Email: reservations@cjhhotels.com
• Website: http://www.cjhhotels.com/

4) Microtel Inns and Suites

• Address: Upper Session Road, Baguio City
• Tel. Nos.: +6374 6193333
• Fax No.: +6374 6193344
• Mobile No.: +63927 5164129
• Email: baguio@microtelphilippines.com
• Website: http://www.microtel-baguio.com/

5) Bloomfield Hotel

• Address: No. 3 Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City
• Tel. Nos.: +6374 4469112 to 15
• Mobile No.: +63917 5100044
• Email: info@bloomfieldhotel.com
• Website: http://www.bloomfieldhotel.com

6) Golden Pine Hotel

• Address: Corner Carino and Yandoc Sts., Baguio City
• Tel. Nos.: +6374 4449965 to 72
• Website: http://www.goldenpinehotel.com

7) Ridgewood Residence

• Address: 17 Julian Felipe St., Barangay Lualhati, Baguio City
• Tel. Nos.: +6374 4466295, +632 2996411
• Website: http://www.ridgewoodhotel.com

Hotel Elizabeth

• Address: #1 J. Felipe cor. Gibraltar St., Baguio City
• Tel. No.: +6374 6190367
• Fax No.: +632 4423940
• Email: reservations@hotelelizabeth.com.ph
• Website: http://www.hotelelizabeth.com.ph

9) Atenara House Baguio

• Address: 40 Navy (CM Recto) Road, Barangay Saint Joseph, Baguio City
• Tel. No.: +6374 4469808
• Mobie No.: +63922 8824580
• Email: atenarahouse@gmail.com
• Website: http://www.atenara.com

88 PESOS seat sale to selected CEB domestic destinations!

Posted by Carambs

Just when you thought you’ve seen the last of our seat sales, here’s another one! Fly for only P88 to all domestic destination except for Cebu to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro or Iloilo and Manila to Legaspi (which we are selling at P1.00)!

The P88 seat sale is from May 22 to May 25, 2008 and is valid for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2008.

Time to take-off and head for Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro or Iloilo via Cebu and Manila to Legaspi because seats are still selling for only ONE PESO! Sale and travel period is ongoing until June 30, 2008.

Now’s your chance to give your loved ones a special treat!

What are you waiting for? Hurry, book now at www.cebupacificair.com before seats are sold out!

Fares are non-refundable and exclusive of government taxes, fuel & insurance surcharges.

Feet for Us

Posted by Carambs

I absolutely love foot spas and massages. And just recently I read up and researched on reflexology. Hey, how knows, it just might help with my gastritis and my shoulder pain. Determined to look for the place with the best foot reflexology/massage service, I tried Feet for Us along Katipunan, just days after my visit to Amezcua Wellness Center.

They only had 1 type of massage to offer, which includes the head, back, arms and feet. I skipped the head and arms, mainly because I’m not fond of head massages and I wanted the masseuse to concentrate on my feet. The rate is P350 for a 1-hour massage.

Well, you get what you pay for. I was told by the receptionist to enter, but when I got in, no one was there to greet me. There was a couple who was also “lost”. We didn’t know what to do. Do we go straight to the other door, do we wait for the masseuse, do we sit down? A masseuse came out but still, no instructions. I had to ask “upo na ba ako” (”should I sit down?”). She told me to choose any seat.

The seat was very comfortable - lazyboys with covers. The couple chose their seats too, and we all just sat there, waiting. Still, no instructions. The lady, who was near the reception area told the receptionist “Miss, can we start already?” The receptionist said the masseuse was preparing. You see, I was expecting someone to greet me, bring me to my seat, and tell me to wait as she prepares the basin for the foot soak. But there was none of that.

It was dark and cool, and after a few minutes the masseuse came out with the basin. And during the foot soak, she started with the back massage. It was nothing special, something I could do. It was just someone giving a massage without real technique. At least that’s how I felt. The massage itself did not feel like reflexology. Anyone could have done that! Very different from the foot massages of the others. It didn’t seem, well, professional.

Too bad. At P350, I could have visited them twice or at least once a week, every week. But alas, I may have to stick to the higher-priced foot massages of Footloose or Amezcua. Another perfect example of “You get what you pay for”.

CEB offers ONE PESO fare to Naga, San Jose (Mindoro) and Tuguegarao!

Posted by Carambs

3 new routes - 1 low fare! Fly for only ONE PESO to Naga, San Jose (Mindoro) or Tuguegarao!

Dive into an adventure of a lifetime with three fantastic CEB destinations! Explore and marvel at Apo Reef’s underwater world in San Jose (Occidental Mindoro). Surf the waves in Naga, Camarines Sur, home to one of best cable wake park in the country or go spelunking in the caverns of Callao, Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley.

The PISO seat sale will run from May 21 to 27, 2008 and is valid for travel until August 31, 2008.

The one-way fare is non-refundable and exclusive of government taxes and surcharges.

Hurry, book now at www.cebupacificair.com.

Amezcua Wellness Center - Foot Reflexology and Silky Foot Peel

Posted by Carambs

The first time we passed by Amezcua Wellness Center along White Plains, I wanted to try it right away. There was something about the design of the place and the name that attracted me to it. When they opened however, memberships were required. Now that the place it open to the public, I went to try out my favorite massage, the foot spa.

I expected so much during my visit, mainly because of their “packaging”. All their brochures are beautiful and classy, and well, the ambiance didn’t disappoint. A senior employee, named Jose, was very helpful and attentive. I was led to the basement, where there were 3 chairs in the middle of the room. The place looked perfect, with each chair having a water source at the side, and a sliding drawer that houses the basin for the feet.

The lady who gave me the foot spa seemed new, but she was very attentive and gentle. The lady who did the reflexology seemed new and she didn’t know some stuff, like where she could get a pillow for me. In the middle of the foot spa, I started feeling uncomfortable because of the chair. It was wood, but with cushions, which apparently were not enough. I couldn’t relax and kept shifting. So much for the great ambiance and all.

I am giving them the benefit of the doubt though - I will go back to try out the other area for foot spas, which offer lazyboys and not the wooden chairs with cushions. I am also planning to try their massages, and their medical services.

You can check them out at:

• Address: 122 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains, Quezon City
• Tel No.: (632) 9131353 or 57
• Fax No.: (632) 9118011
• Email: customercare@amezcuawellness.com
• Website: http://www.amezcuawellness.com

Roots and Routes Travel and Tours

Posted by Carambs

Last week there was a travel expo at my husband’s office.  We discovered a very interesting group called Roots and Routes, an alternative travel and tours agency that has four thrusts:

1. sustainable tourism
2. experiencial tourism
3. exchange tourism
4. conscientious tourism

The representatives were very easy to talk to, and we are planning to try out one of their tours soon.  Hopefully, they’re as well-organized and exciting.

They have the following tours:

1. Art of Wellness (Camp at Isla Shakina) - Lake Caliraya, Lumot, Pagsangjan Falls in Pueblo El Salvador in Cavinti [3D2N]
2. Adventure in Mt. Banahaw [Daytour]
3. Adventure in Sierra Madre Resort and Daraknak Falls [Daytour]
4. Camiguin Lanzones Festival Tour [4D3N]
5. Banaue-Sagada Heritage and Adventure Tour [4D3N]

…and more.

Here are their contact details:

• Address: B2 L8 Topaz & Ruby Sts. San Pedro 6, Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Metro Manila, 1107, Philippines
• Tel No.: (632) 4548100
• Fax No.: (632) 2727732
• Email: rootsnroutes@yahoo.com
• Website: http://www.rootsnroutes.com

Adventure Philippines: Ecotourism

Posted by Carambs

Ecotourism is gaining popularity all over the world, as more and more people are becoming ecologically and socially conscious. According to the International Ecotourism Society website, Ecotourism is “Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” (TIES, 1990)

Here are the Ecotourism packages of Adventure Philippines:

Jungle Environmental Survival Training (JEST) Camp (Subic Bay Freeport)

An educational tour to the rainforest of Subic Bay Freeport where guides provide outdoor orientation on basic mountaineering, fire-building, trap making and wildlife identification. Learn wilderness survival techniques such as drinking water from vines, roasting coffee from indigenous seeds, or pounding barks to produce anaesthetic.

Trek through the world famous Subic rainforests escorted by JEST guides who will show you how to locate and set traps using natural materials. One has the option to take easy, moderate and difficult trails.

Other attractions include the Mini Zoo, Insectarium, Butterfly Garden, Aviaries and a viewing deck offering panoramic vistas of Subic.

Inclusions: Guided tour of JEST forest trails, rolling tour of Subic Bay Freeport, duty free shopping

Booking Information: FSC Tourism Department

H8211 MCO Bldg., Burgos St. cor Causeway Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone

Tel. No.: (6347) 2523143/2523375

Fax: (6347) 2522319

Pamilacan Island Tour (with Dolphin Watching)

A whole day experience in the blue sea waters and white sandy shorelines of Bohol’s islets. Dolphin watching adds color to the island hopping adventure. There is the excitement and thrill in watching dolphins frolic in their natural habitat in Pamilacan Island. A lunch of fresh seafoods is part of the island tour. A village tour gives a first hand interaction with the islanders.

Inclusions: Boat and land transfers, spotter, tour guide, lunch at Pamilacan Island, fruits and mineral water

Tour Operator: Angel’s Wings Tours and Travel

M.H. del Pilar Street, Tagbilaran City

Tel Nos.: (6338) 4112645/4115717

Fax: (6338) 4112476

Email: angelswings@globelines.com.ph

Website: http://www.boholangelswings.com

Mangrove Plantation and Oyster Farm Tour (Bohol)

See Asia’s biggest mangrove plantation in Banacon Island, Gestafe town. A boat ride will bring tourists to the vast 484 hectares of multi-layered canopy of mangrove plantation. Proceed to an Oyster farm, a community-based ecotour in Cambuhat where guests will do canoe paddling along the river through oyster farms and clumps of buri trees. A trek into the village provides guests a first hand observation of food crafts and industries.

Inclusions: air-conditioned transportation , tour guide, lunch, village tour, welcome leis, water, cold towel

Tour Operator: Angel’s Wings Tours and Travel

M.H. del Pilar Street, Tagbilaran City

Tel Nos.: (6338) 4112645/4115717

Fax: (6338) 4112476

Email: angelswings@globelines.com.ph

Website: http://www.boholangelswings.com

Adventure Philippines: Caving/Spelunking

Posted by Carambs

Caving Adventure  (Pinamungahan, Cebu)

Understand the existence of caves, go underground and see the magnificent world of rocks and other architectural works of Mother Nature.

Inclusions: interpreter, trekking equipment (including floating device and tent), full board meal (camping food), adventure facilitator, local guide

Tour Operator:  Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc.

Unit 1 G/F Zeraus Bldg., Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City

Tel Nos: (6332) 232 8886 to 89

Fax No.: (6332) 232 8890

Mabinay Tours (Negros Oriental)

Enjoy the outdoors as you head northwest passing through sugar plantations and rice fields, to the mountaintop town of Mabinay - home to numerous caves ranging from the easy basic caves to advanced.  Here you get the chance to spelunk three different caves.  Experience getting your feet wet, ducking under the centuries-old stalactites amid calcite formations and underground spring water.  Take a refreshing dip at the Mabinay Springs to cap off the day.

Inclusions: land transfers (4×4), lunch, snacks, refreshments, guide fee, caving helmet and light equipment, kayak

Mabinay 3 Caves Tour - 8 hours with side trip to Mabinay Springs

Mabinay Caving and Canyoning Adventure - 14 hours with side trip to Mabinay Springs

Tour Operator: Orientwind Travel and Tours

201 Flores Avenue, Piapi, Dumaguete City

Tel No.: (6335) 4225298

Email: owind@mozcom.com

Tour Operator:  Southwind Travel and Tours

3rd Level, JY Square Mall, Lahug, Cebu City

Tel No.: (6332) 4172247 to 49

Bulacan Puning Cave Explore - 3D/2N

Puning Cave to the south of Dona Remedios Trinidad drains a micro-watershed in Barangay Bayabas. Traversing this sinkhole takes about an hour.

Inclusions: Spelunking inside the Puning Cave, river crossing using carabao-drawn carriage, visit to the miraculous Nuestra Senora de Lourdes, a taste of famous Kapeng Barako, with roundtrip transfers from the municipal hall

Booking Information: Bulacan Provincial Tourism Office

Telefax: (6344) 6627635

Website: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph

Bulacan Biak-na-Bato Cave Explore - Overnight

A whole day cave exploration of the historic chambers of Bulacan: Aguinaldo Cave, Bahay Paniki (Bat Cave), including the so-called ‘Yungib 1-3′ and ‘Tangapan’.  Swimming is offered at the Paniki Cave.  Optional trek to Verdivia Falls in Dona Remedios Trinidad.  Optional mountain trek to the famous Mt. Susung Dalaga.

Booking Information: Bulacan Provincial Tourism Office

Telefax: (6344) 6627635

Website: http://www.bulacan.gov.ph

Happy Tripper is not affiliated with Adventure Philippines. All information included here came from the Adventure Philippines brochure. For other information, visit www.wowphilippines.com.ph, www.experiencephilippines.ph, and www.wowpinoy.net

CEB offers more than 500,000 P0 .00 fares to international and domestic destination!

Posted by Carambs

ZERO comes before JUAN!

We know you are familiar with our trademark PISO fare, and because we love giving you wonderful surprises, we’re giving you FREE FARES this time to all our domestic and international destinations!

The promotional seat sale will run from May 15 to 18, 2008 or until the allocated 500,000 seats are sold out. This is good for travel from June 9 to December 31, 2008.

Now all you have to do is pick a date, pay for the taxes, fuel & insurance surcharge and you’re off!

Hurry, book now at www.cebupacificair.com.