It's Time to Say Goodbye For Now.....Northern Mindanao....

Promise!....I shall return....^_^
by lakwatserong tatay

As Douglas MacArthur, famous line....."I Shall Return", that was our pledge that time too....We have to go back and visit all what we missed, other tourist spots and the Province of Misamis Occidental. As i'm done with sharing all of the behind scenes and stories on each of our adventures on this provinces. Reminds me that i'm one of the luckiest person to set foot on this provinces. The experiences of different adventures is such truly rewarding and will be forever treasured to my mind and also into this blog. Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and Lanao Del Norte of Northern Mindanao gives us so much....how we could ever say Thank You !!! Even though this would be the last of my Northern Mindanao Series.....surely we will have another journey to you....it may not be this year....but it will be surely coming soon.....^_^

It's time to go back to reality....our real world, back to our families, friends and offices...work mode again!!!
So this will be Goodbye's.....but wait let me share for one last time...Lumbia Airport of Cagayan De Oro, what is i used to share always when i have this backpacking adventures. All of us were first timers on this airport. So what could i say.....its just a typical airport with normal facilities. Four airlines usually flies on this airport...Philippin Airlines, Zest Air, Cebu Pacific and of course...our fleet AirPhil Express....^_^

check in stations....

So after doing check in procedures, we proceed straight to waiting area....we all of the passengers waiting on their designated flights. We arrived quite early on our time, so we had the place like our own...photo opps here, there and everywhere.....photomode fanatics that time...^_^

As the passengers arrived, all of us notice one person who got also on the waiting area....as you all know, all of us loves Basketball...and given the chance to have photo opps with any known players is such a memorable experience. So what happen, we've seen Rodney Santos....one of the Alaska Team superstar known as the slasher...all of us had group shots and of course solo shot together with him....^_^

X-plorerboyz with Rodney Santos

X-plorerboyz @ Lumbia Airport

So after waiting for an hour, our plane arrived and few minutes the boarding procedures started....once again thanks to AirPhil Express, in giving us such a wonderful and pleasant ride....(di po sponsorship toh!..^_^)

Upon entering, and got into our seats....next activity is photo opps parin....adik lang po talaga sa souvenir photos.....so after few minutes...our plane got up...up...up and away....^_^

X-plorerboyz: Johari (newbie daddy) & Jayson ('d eagle)

its me....Lakwatserong Tatay

X-plorerboyz: Melvin ('d tulis) & Regie (Inaki's)

One last look......goodbye Cagayan De Oro Airport....promise.....we shall return....^_^

Wow, at last i'm done with sharing all of the stories on our Northern Mindanao Adventures, a 6 Days of Full Backpacking Trips, had different activities, and fun full memories....Hope you love it and share my links to anyone you know, that wants to experience Northern Mindanao on its finest........^_^

One last thing.....i will include on this saga....Travel Guide : Northern Mindanao Adventure


Next on my bucket of backlog list is 3 Waterfalls, 2 Churches, and 1 Mountain in a 1 Day....^_^

This story is part of: X-ploreboyz Goes to Northern Mindanao

I'm done with Northern Mindanao...san naman ang next?

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our fourth stop is Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, that is known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls", the 4th province of Northern Mindanao.

Tours & Activities:

Iligan City Church: St. Michael's Cathedral
NPC Nature's Park
Maria Cristina Powerplant
Lumbia Airport: It's Time to Say Goodbye for Now.....Mindanao..

Chasing Waterfalls:

Enchanted with Maria Cristina Falls
A Hidden Treasure: Tinago Falls

Cagayan de Oro: Our Trip to the City of Golden Friendship

by lakwatserong tatay

The day we've been waiting for....our first Mindanao trip....all of us are first timers to the province of Mindanao, but who cares, that' why we called ourselves the X-plorerboyz......^_^

Our meet up place was office building lobby....and sad to say...as i remember i'm the last person to arrive....kung sino yun promotor at nagorganize...siya pa late...^_^

photo opps muna bago umalis...^_^

We had a quite late afternoon flight, and as usual to all of my travels...we arrive just a bit early to our flight check-in schedule, but again and again...we encountered delay of flights.....^_^

photo opps nalang ulit....

At last after being delayed for more than 30 minutes...our plane arrives.....yahooo....see you Northern Mindanao in a short while....

our delayed airplane...^_^

Even after we have got into the gate....di maubos ang photo shoot......eto ang isa....at siyempre meron na naman ako solo shot with Cebu Pacific plane flight....joke lng....^_^

And then....we fly...of course i wouldn't missed the chance to take some shots while on the plane...pasaway mode...sabi ng iba bawal daw magpicture....sabi ko bahala kayo...^_^

After one hour and few minutes we arrive in the City of Golden Friendship......Capital Town of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City.....yahooo....actually it  raining when we arrived......pero di parin mapigil ang photo opps...^_^

from wikipedia.... Northern Mindanao (Filipino: Hilagang Mindanao) (Region X) is a region of the Philippines, composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin. The regional center is Cagayan de Oro City. Lanao del Norte was transferred to Northern Mindanao from Region XII (then called Central Mindanao) by virtue of Executive Order No. 36.

And for the next 6 days, we had the chance to visit 4 of it's provinces and 2 of it's major cities. Our first stop was the city of Cagayan de Oro........^_^

Northern Mindanao Map

By the way, here's is our new member....Melvin, Bundukero, Galaero basta Gala on the go lang tong tao na toh.....to follow is our behind the stories and scenes while were on our Cagayan De Oro Adventures....^_^

Welcome to Northern Mindanao...co-xplorer Melvin...^_^

although this trip was happened last year...just to update we have our new location to x-plore this coming October, 2012.....were now up to Northern part of our country....ang tanong lang kelan ko naman mashashare yun details, stories and behind the scenes the 2012 X-plorerboyz Trip...so watch out nalang kayo...dito na muna tayo...^_^

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our first stop is the Capital City of Misamis Oriental, that is known as the "City of Golden Friendship", Cagayan De Oro City.

Food Trips:
Hammer Time Bar & Grill Restaurant (Bar Hoppin)
Mindy's (Eat All You Can Buffet Lunch)
Plaza Divisoria's (Weekend Night Street Food Dining)

Accomodation:
Victoria Suites

 Activities:
Our Trip to City of Golden Friendship
Cagayan de Oro River (River Rafting Experience)
En Route to Camiguin (RORO Boat Transfer)

Weekend Getaway: Vigan Airport

by lakwatserong tatay

It's time to go back to Manila, and end the wonderful experiences and adventures we've done in Vigan. Luckily for us, the WGA did not include us to go back to Manila via land travel, but instead gives us opportunity to ride a plane via SEAIR propeller type plane, it was just a 30 seater plane as i remember. Both of us, we're first to ride this fleet, so we felt a bit excitement......^_^

Our free shuttle from Vigan Plaza Hotel...thanks kuya..^_^

A brief information about Vigan Airport also known as Mindoro Airport serves the general area of Vigan City, capital of province of Ilocos Sur. This airport is classified as a community airport by Civil Aviation Authority. Vigan airport is located in Barangay Mindoro. This airport was considered a "sleeping asset" for Vigan, since no revenues generated from the airport's operation. Plans have been formulated to expand and modernize the airport, to lighten the burden of traveling to Vigan from Manila and other cities and towns by bus, as well as to develop more city's burgeoning tourism industry.

The Mindoro Airport's Arrival & Departure Area..

inside Vigan Airport...

our plane ticket via SEAIR...^_^

Bagong sideline ni Johari...^_^

Luckily for us, As of February, 2012, Southeast Asian Airlines cancelled and pulled out its domestic flights from Manila Domestic Airport (MIA) to Vigan Airport and back. But as of now a rival airline took the route known as Lion Air, its flights schedule would be the same of SEAIR, Lion Air will leave MIA at 2pm every Friday and Sunday and land at Vigan Airport. The same plane will leave Vigan Airport at 5pm on the same days. The only authorized booking center in Vigan for Lion Air for flight booking schedule is the Vigan Plaza Hotel.

my photo opps with SEAIR fleet....^_^

the lakwatserong tatay's....

Going back to our flight, this propeller type plane is just a 30 seater plane, and as we step up inside this plane, we we're just 7 passengers plus 5 crews from SEAIR including the pilots....^_^, maybe that's the reason why SEAIR pulled out it flights...what you think.....^_^

As soon all of the passengers got in and all of the baggages were placed in the plane the propeller started....it was bit bumpy ride...i think our trip going back to Manila was a bit windy..or our fleet was just to small so we mostly feel the rough ride...^_^

Here are some of my photos as we got in the air and getting near to Manila...within less than hour we reach Manila Domestic Airport....^_^

SM Mall of Asia

Our adventures as lakwatserong tatay's for this show would not end, we really love exploring...specially travelling...but given such a experience like this would be really remarkable to us and one of our treasures...aside from that, sharing our adventures and experiences on this WGA show is one of my main goal, to make you inspired to go to this place or you may want to join the free weekend getaway show...^_^

A photo opps again in MIA...^_^

There is still one more to go....our price....The Double Dinner Date with our Loveone's...at Chef Laudico's at The Fort....^_^

Day 1: Trip to Kalibo

by lakwatserong tatay

One of my expected trip last year together with my family. Were supposed to be 6 flying to Kalibo but my sister's bf got a conflict on thier house so he wasn't able to join us on our trip. So were 3 singles that day, my tatay, my sister lyca, and of course me, my bro nikki is together with my sister-in-law hazel, this is kinda late romantic getaway for this two....hehehe...and for me this would be my very first time to set foot on this island paradise called as Boracay Island, infact i've attempted so many times to go to this place but i don't really know why it is always had a conflict or i have other scheduled trip when there is invites...hehehehe...but i think it's God will that for my first time i will be going to Boracay together with my family....and all of us were first timers......^_^

Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal

Our flight was schedule 4pm and we arrived at MIA around 2:30pm and like always happening in every of my flights, our flight was delayed for almost 30 minutes so we departed around 4:30 pm (at least naramdaman ng mga kasama ko un delayed flight...hehehehe...)

Our fleet......Zest Air

Upon checking in, we already proceed on paying our terminal fee (php200)...this vacation was almost a treat by my brother, i just only prepared our itinerary, accomodation, our activities and of course our contact person in Kalibo, my friend Pong who is now residing in Kalibo.

Here's my brother paying our terminal fee

So we have to wait for almost 2 hours including the flight delayed announce prior to our flight schedule. What do you think we do.....of course photo opps in every corner of the airport...but sad to say...most of  our pictures taken is coming from the camera that lost on this trip....huhuhuhu...Aside from photo opps we ate as much as we can...i remember we ate from each stalls inside MIA...hehehe...(parang patay gutom mode lang...2 hours ba naman)...Here's one of our souvenir shot inside MIA.

my tatay and sister photo opps while on waiting area

And here's mine...my souvenir boarding pass ticket of Zest Air, everytime im on a trip specially in a plane, i'm used to collect it and placed it in an scrap book...and noted all of the details of each my flights....^_^.

my boarding pass....^_^

So after almost 2 hours of strolling around inside MIA, eating in each of eery stalls, having different poses and photo opps in every corner of the airport...we heard an announcement that its time to aboard...hayz...all of the passenger that time were happy because it is was already late afternoon. Maybe most of the passenger that day will travel via commute....lucky for us we will be fetched by my friend Pong and drove up to Caticlan Port and there will also fetching us in Cagban Port, cousin of Pong.....now it boarding time...and photo opps also...^_^

were boarding via gate 4

Here's my brother and sister-in-law first airplane ride and a romantic getaway/honeymoon/ etc....hehehe...

my bro and sister-in-law

As we walked to the field, my sister actually got scared seeing our plane because he saw huge elesi blades...she thought that as she have seen in tv's that it has an jet engine turbines...at first im still insisting to my sister that it is safe to ride with kind of plane.....but actually this is not my first time to ride a propeller type plane and actually this is much bigger than one in SEAIR planes..but frankly speaking i'm a bit scared riding this of plane, i just hide it....hehehehe...

our plane that day...^_^

Here's one of the photo opps of my brother and sister....even though my sister is really afraid to get inside the plane, she manage to get a perfect smile just for this photo opps....hehehehe...(pero parang adik lang tatay ko sa taas...^_^)

oks na sana eh...pasaway lang tatay ko...^_^

Here are some of our shots inside the plane...actually this is only 3 but as i remember it was almost 50 shots in 1 camera that we take inside the plane...(grabe ang ginawa ng mga kapatid ko na photo souvenirs...hehehe)

photo opps of flight attendant...^_^

Of course, we will not missed our bonding shots...here's one my bro and hazel's photo opps...^_^

photo opps again....^_^

Here's one of my photo opps inside the plane together with my tatay and sister...^_^

i'm with my tatay, and sister....^_^

Of course, one of my favorite in every plane ride...the clouds....i do really missed my other camera because it has more souvenir pictures...huhuhu...

it was quite cloudy that day....

After 1hr and almost 10 minutes our plane is approaching the town of Kalibo and few minutes afterwards as the picture shown below we landed...yahooooo.....

In few minutes...Welcome Kalibo.......^_^

It was around 5:40pm, and lucky for us the sun is still up for that time...and my friend Pong is waiting inside the airport.....

Kalibo International Airport....

My sister was actually happy that we landed safe because she was really afraid the whole flight...hehehe...kasi ba naman di propeller pala sasakyan namin eh...And after a bit chitchat and buying some refreshment just outside the airport, we started our journey to Caticlan.....as per Pong it will be roughly 2 hours of driving towards to Caticlan Port....so this is the end of our trip to Kalibo.....^_^...watch out for the following stories behind our family trip to Boracay....^_^..