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Part 2 of 2012 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark

Since I got this feeling that I need to travel just like every month, I finally decided to attend this 17^th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark. As it is just two hours away from Camiling (my hometown), I finalized my travel to Clark on February 12, 2012.

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Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

A weekend of everything that flies at Air Force City in Clark.

Part 1 of Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark

I never got the chance to see an actual hot air balloon when I was still a kid. So when I learned that there is a festival celebrated in Clark in tune of its hot air balloons, I eagerly googled it and planned to attend to this one of a kind festival in the Philippines.

Hot Air Balloon Festival started sometime in the mid 90’s and it was still a small event before. But now, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark draws in tourists (both foreign and local) to a staggering 100,000 in total last February 2012, knowing that the only main event was of course the flight of the hot air balloons. Other side events include the paragliding show, sky diving and night glow pushed through the night. The festival is annually celebrated inside Omni Aviation Complex at Air Force City in Clark, Pampanga. This happens every second week of February, most likely from Thursday until Sunday.

How to Go to Subic Attractions and List of Expenses

The different Subic attractions in SBMA, Olongapo, Zambales.

Part 13 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

How to Go to Subic Attractions from Manila:

• Ride a bus bound to Olongapo. Drop at the terminal in Olongapo.
• To go to your hotel:

1. Hire a tricycle to your transient/hotel/resort for P10 per head. Do not let the trike driver fool you. Some of them will make the route longer and request additional payment.
2. Walk a bit until you are already around the roundabout or intersection of the streets and main road. Wait a jeepney along Rizal Avenue. If your hotel is located along Magsaysay Drive (or Avenue) or Rizal Avenue, ride a yellow one. Fare not more than P10 (P8 I guess).
3. Try to hail a taxi to your hotel/resort. Taxis in Olongapo look like private cars. It is more expensive though.
4. If your hotel/resort is located along Waterfront Rd/Dewey Ave. in SBMA, try to ride a jeepney bound to SBMA Maingate (I guess the yellow one) then hire a taxi to your hotel. Note that neither trikes nor jeepneys are allowed inside SBMA.
5. When one wants to go back to Victory Liner Bus Terminal from Magsaysay Drive, catch a yellow jeep and drop at the roundabout. Walk a bit to the terminal.
6. If you are along Magsaysay Drive, Saulog/Genesis Bus Terminal is somewhere near at the back of SM City Olongapo. Just a walk a bit to SM and cross the street along Gordon & East 16^th Avenue.
7. Note: Olongapo Hotels are far CHEAPER than hotels located inside SBMA.

• To go to Subic attractions:

1. If you are already in Magsaysay, inquire a traffic enforcer or just any local where you can hire a taxi for your trip. As in our case, we were helped by the hotel staff.
2. Regular fixed one way fare to any of the Subic attractions like Zoobic Safari, Ocean Adventure or Tree Top Adventure at P400 (as of October 2011, rate might have increased now). Double it for a round trip fare. You can negotiate with the driver if you want to visit all the three destinations. Be sure to ask if he will bring you back to the terminal, because tourists will only be brought to the main gate where you can already ride a jeepney to the terminal.
3. Piece of advice: Do not leave valuable things inside the van. The simple thought there is, you don’t trust strangers, do you?

Tree Top Adventure & Subic Yachts

Tree Top Adventure in Subic, Zambales

Part 12 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

Tree Top Adventure is about 10 minutes from Zoobic Safari (a zoo that offers safari ride experience). It is a park that offers another adventure that requires your stamina to enjoy fully their offered packages. The most popular of which is the “Superman” ride, because you mimic the way Superman flies to the sky—by means of zip line. Other rides include The Silver Surfer, Tree Top Tree Drop (their version of rapeling), Canopy Ride, trekking and the like. Trekking is the most affordable one priced at P100 while others like the Superman ride are priced at P300.

This is where you will be brought first--at the Harness Station. They won't allow you to enjoy the rides without the safety gears.

Look at those faces. We can't smile completely! We are standing 80 feet above the ground.

Tree canopies of the Subic forests.

Zoobic Safari’s Aetas’ Trail and Crocodile Farm

Crocodile waiting for the food. (Photo taken at Croco Loco inside Zoobic Safari, Zambales.)

Part 11 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

As soon as you get tired looking at some skeletons and stuffed animals (after you did the safari ride), you will again ride that zebra/tiger painted train and it will bring you to the Aetas’ Trail. Aetas are indigenous Filipino people. They do have their own culture and characteristics. In Aetas’ Trail, people will witness a cultural dance show from the Aetas.

Zoobic Safari & The Safari Ride

Your Pinoy jeepney ride will never be outrageous--not until you try a Subic safari ride.

Part 10 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

After waiting for a couple of minutes, we were instructed by our tour guide to ride the jeepney, which will bring us inside the safari field. But before you ride, you will be offered by the tour guide if you want some more fun adventure—and that is to feed the tigers. By the way, the jeepney we rode was fully fenced with grids, and there are openings on top and sides that are designed for you to feed the tigers. No one paid for the chicken (even if we had a few German nationals in our jeepney haha). But at least, we experienced the safari ride (without feeding the tigers). And it’s still fun! I still remember the time I had that experience, and then suddenly, the tiger came closer to my side (I was on the edge), and I don’t know what to do! Goodness gracious, the vehicle was fenced, I might have devoured wholly by that ferocious animal if it was an open vehicle! Haha.

This one will bring you to the area where you will be waiting for the jeepney used in the safari ride.

Zoobic Safari, A Zoo Leveled Up

Zoobic Safari, Subic (SBMA), Olongapo, Zambales

Part 9 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

Since we already have our all season pass (P800) to all of the theme parks of Zoomanity Group, we didn’t wait for the queue of the line for those who still don’t have their tickets to the zoo. We just presented a receipt, and we were given that one year pass. Regular tickets for Zoobic Safari play around P400 - P500. The theme park also offers tour packages, packages for a larger group, and a night safari. Zoobic Safari’s Night Safari though falls only on weekends, so if you plan to witness this one of a kind safari experience at night, pick a weekend date. At least, you don’t have to go to as far as Singapore just to experience one. After which, we took some snapshots of the façade of the zoo, and eventually went inside. You will be grouped accordingly, and there are assigned number of groups for a certain tour guide. There are a lot of tourists when we were there, so imagine a ratio of 1:100 (or more), tour guide versus tourists. But before you are allowed to join the group for this tour, you will be stamped a mark on your palm.

At Magsaysay Drive in Olongapo

The love birds of Zoobic Safari, Subic, Philippines

Part 8 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

The bus ride from Dau to Olongapo is seamless and fast, since it traverses the lengthy Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). The student fare was P112 for this one hour trip. Along the road you will witness an endless rice field, some mango orchards, hills cut-and-filled to pave a better way (yes, some of the hills were excavated) and a world class asphalt pavement road. There are no traffic jams, not until you reach the main gate to Olongapo from Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). From there, the speed of the vehicle will abruptly slow down. It was already 4 P.M. when we arrived at the Victory Liner terminal in Olongapo.

How to Go to Clark

Airforce City Park, Clark, Philippines

Part 7 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

How to Go to Clark from Manila:

• Ride a bus bound to Baguio/La Union/Laoag/Vigan/Candon/Dagupan/Tayug/Bolinao/Anda/Alaminos/Agno or any other bus that will stop at Dau Terminal (P100+). Some buses don’t stop at Dau Terminal and instead go directly to SCTEX, so make sure it does stop at Dau Terminal. In Dau, walk straight passing Shakey’s until you reach Caltex. In Caltex, look for the pedestrian lane and walk to the other side of the highway. Near it was the jeepney loading area of jeepneys going to Clark Main Gate (P8). In Clark Main Gate, negotiate to a driver to bring you to Zoocobia Fun Zoo. Or you can always hire a trike to bring you to Clark Main Gate.

Clark Outskirts and Barracks

Animalistic experience inside Zoocobia Fun Zoo and Paradise Ranch, Clark, Philippines

Part 6 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

As I have said in the earlier post (Clark Zoos & Gravity Go Karts), Paradise Ranch is about a mile away from Zoocobia Fun Zoo. So there we went, wearing some cozy sun glasses, under the scorching heat of the sun at nearing noon time. Paradise Ranch is a wide ranch, or must I say, very wide ranch. Paradise Ranch is more of a zoo complex, with a butterfly house, a pond, swimming pool and a mini Baguio among others. Before entering the complex, you will be given a map of the ranch. From here, you can now actually start to where you’d like to see first.

Clark Zoo & Gravity Go Karts

Get your adrenalin rush in this first ever gravity race karts in the Philippines--only in Clark. (Photo taken at Zoocobia Fun Zoo, Clark, Pampanga)

 Part 5 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

Clark is an economic zone (and a former military base) located within Pampanga and Tarlac. It houses the Clark International Airport (which was planned to become the new NAIA 1 Terminal in a matter of years). Clark also hosts the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta usually held in February (second week). 2017 Update: New Clark City will be developed soon, adjacent to Central Clark where the airport is located. Developments will be seen from year 2024 and beyond.

How to Go to Camiling, Tarlac

Maria's Clara's Mansion in Camiling, Tarlac

Part 4 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

How to go to Camiling from Baguio:

·         Ride a van directly bound to Camiling (terminal at the back of UC Annex). This will cost you P200 and three-hour travel time.

On the Spot! Camiling, Tarlac

Doon sa nayon ng Camiling, Tarlac

Part 3 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

Camiling is a first class municipality located at the north tip of Tarlac, adjacent to Bayambang in Pangasinan. Most of the locals here speak Ilocano, so if you know how to speak in Ilocano, you are good enough to go. Though if you will be able to figure out, Ilocano accent here is different from the accent of Ilocano in Baguio. Life in Camiling is simple, just like any other towns, but is very accessible and houses some cheap hotels and establishments like Jollibee and Chowking. There are no big malls, only supermarkets which can cater enough your basic needs. If you want to experience the best of Camiling, go here by third/fourth week of October, when the annual Chicharon and Iniruban Festival (iniruban = green sticky rice) is being held. Or go to Camiling on May 6-8 for fiesta. :)

Book your Hotel in Olongapo, Zambales

Treetop Adventure the Silver ride

Part 2 of Camiling-Clark-Subic Getaway

We were looking forward on this trip before it happened. This trip was planned weeks before the final date. The first thing that we did is to discuss about our itinerary, and as soon as I knew that there was a promo from Zoomanity on eBay Kuponan, I told my friends about it. After a day or two, we finally decided to buy the tickets on eBay (P800 each ticket, all season pass for one year). After I bought the tickets, I actually called up Zoomanity Group if ever that their promo ticket on eBay covers also the Night Safari in Zoobic Safari. Unfortunately, only the day tour is covered by the promo. I called them up with regards to that matter because we were planning to do the safari at night. 

Clark-Subic Animalistic! Getaway

Zoobic Safari Ride in Zoobic Safari, Subic Bay, Zambales

Before we did our “The Pangasinan Escapade”, we had been to Central Luzon (some places) to see what this region can offer. Well, I am from Central Luzon, particularly in the town of Camiling in Tarlac, and I have already toured Subic so many times already. My friends though haven’t been there once, not until we planned to visit Subic.

Baguio Flower Fest Tips and Guide

Panagbenga flower float

A Rundown of Things

HELLO. ARE YOU already excited going here in Baguio for the annual Panagbenga Festival (or Baguio Flower Festival)? If so, let us list down the things you should be expecting, you shouldn’t miss and you shouldn’t do while watching the grand float parade and shopping during the Session in Bloom.

1. This is a big event. Well, you must already know that. Panagbenga Festival draws in millions of both local and foreign tourists to witness thousands of flowers in bloom. This festival is as big as Sinulog Festival in Cebu. And since you are going to Baguio to check out all those floats adorned with so many flowers, never, never forget to bring camera (or a camcorder). And never ever run out of battery. You will be witnessing both float parade and street parade.

2. Come early (this Saturday, February 25, 2012 or February 24 if you want to witness the dance parade of the schools in Baguio). Book a night stay in Baguio, and be the early bird on Sunday. Or you can always take a bus to Baguio at night and arrive in Baguio by as early as 5 A.M. (earlier than this is better). Secure a slot in Session Road, and be sure there are no obstacles in your widescreen view! Would you love to have a lot of people’s heads in your photos? Of course not! You are there to witness flowers, not hairs! So better be the early bird or you will go home with no nice photos at all (well I already experienced this during the recent Hot Air Balloon Festival).

Back to Baguio from Bolinao + Rundown of Expenses

Patar Beach, Pangasinan

Part 10 of The Pangasinan Escapade

After that unforgettable escape to Bolinao, it’s time to be back to Baguio again. It’s been already past five in the evening when we were waiting in the shed. Buses bound to both Pasay and Dagupan are scarce. We waited for an hour for a bus heading to Dagupan but nothing passed by. So we decided to ride in a Five Star bus heading to Pasay when it came passing by. We went to Alaminos again instead and hunt for a bus bound to Dagupan. By the way, the bus ride from Bgy. Samang Norte to Alaminos City Proper is almost an hour for a student fare of P24. Luckily after waiting at the Five Star terminal in Alaminos, an ordinary Victory Liner bound to Dagupan dropped by to pick us up. Student fare to Dagupan is P52.

How to Go to Bolinao

Bolinao Falls

Part 9 of The Pangasinan Escapade

How to Go to Bolinao from Baguio:

·         Take an ordinary Victory Liner bus bound to Dagupan, or a Genesis Bus at Gov. Pack Road. It takes around more than 2 and a half hours before you reach the terminal in Dagupan. In the Victory Liner Bus Terminal, look for a bus bound to Sta. Cruz, Zambales and drop by the bus stop in Alaminos City. Ride a bus bound to Bolinao (either Five Star or Victory Liner).

Bolinao Lighthouse, Cave, Falls, Rock and Roll

THE CAPE BOLINAO LIGHTHOUSE. The second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines.

Part 8 of The Pangasinan Escapade

 

We didn’t spend the whole day at the beach even if we wanted to. We still had more places to visit. After that awesome experience, we went to take some pictures at the Cape Bolinao Lighthouse. Cape Bolinao Lighthouse is currently the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines after Cape Bojeador in Ilocos. It was built by the Filipino and American engineers in 1905. There is no entrance fee at this lighthouse.

The Golden Patar Beach in Bolinao

Patar Beach in Bolinao is just one of the many tourist spots in Pangasinan.

If you want to see the most wonderful and awesome beach in Bolinao, go to the public beach located at the tip of Bgy. Patar, and not at Puerto Del Sol or Punta Riviera Resort. The transient room that we rented for a night is only meters adjacent to the two resorts, and believe me, the sand there is not as fine as that one in Patar. The two resorts are located at Bgy. Ilog-Malino, and not in Patar. Unless you are looking for a pool or kayaking in a river, then you can choose either of the two (P500 for pool + kayak in Punta Riviera for one day inclusive of cottage).