Guest Post: Perfect Portugal

Portugal is one of those holiday destinations that's got a little bit of something for everyone. It's got vibrant cities in the form of capital Lisbon, with its soaring spires and charming cobbled streets. There's lovely rolling hillsides and lush green valleys. Vineyards producing hearty red wines and sweet rosŽ. Sprawling golf courses serving upknock-out views across coast and country. Talk about diversity!

And then of course there's the beach. Most sun-starved Brits make their way to this glorious corner of the Iberian Peninsular to soak up the rays in The Algarve, a popular holiday region on Portugal's south coast. It's a lovely holiday destination characterised by steep honey-coloured cliffs and vast rock formations that rise out of the golden sands, soaring into the cloudless blue above. Bubbly beach resorts flank beautiful bays and long sandy beaches, while lovely whitewashed villages cluster around bustling harbours and dusty trails lead to tiny secluded coves.

It's a heavenly place, but it doesn't demand sky-high prices. If you fancy an affordable getaway this year, you'll find plenty of cheap holidays to Algarve 2013 on offer. One of the best ways to grab a reasonably priced break is to opt for a package tour operator and look for late deals - especially those leaving within the next few weeks. This is traditionally when tour operators slash the prices of their remaining holidays to try and tempt in those last few bookings, so it's a great time to hunt for deals.

There are plenty of tour operators out there. You could choose one of the big names and opt for package holidays by Thomas Cook, or settle for a smaller and more local brand. You could also go your own way and book your flights and hotel independently, which means the onus is on you to organise everything but can often more flexible than a package.

Whatever you choose, Portugal is a wonderful place that's bound to give you a perfect holiday...

DIY Trip: A Glimpse of Batlag Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Right after our quick photo session in Daranak falls, our group was supposed to upper level of this park, where another falls can be seen. However due to the incident, three of my trippers decided to stay and have rest. Me and Ichan go ahead with the plan. To have another glimpse of a majestic falls, mostly can be seen in fantasy movies like "Enteng Kabisote", due to its enchanted look place....

Batlag Falls

In fact this falls is favorite place for prenuptial photo shoot. Luckily last year, i've tried it, and experience to have a prenuptial shoot to be used on my friends wedding. Because of that i came to conclusion that's why this place is favorite on fantasy movies and tv series because of its majestic and enchanting place.

this where you have to pay for the entrance...

Batlag falls is at top of Daranak falls, you don't need to have another ride to reach this falls because it few meters away, just follow the cemented path and whaaaaallah.....you will have the glimpse of its cascading waters. So enjoy the view first this photos as we walked into its cemented path.....

Welcome to Batlag Falls....

Batlag falls offers overnight trippers which could cost you for php150 for adults and php75 for children. For day trippers you have to pay php50 for adults and php25 for children. Picnic sheds and cottages are also available which cost you around php250-300 pesos. There's also a open space for campers that could maybe pitch their tents however i wasn't able to ask if there's additional fee for tent campers. However according to other blog sites bringing DSLR camera's could cost you php150, but if you just have a digicam that could be hidden on your backpacks your damage would just be the entrance fee...^_^, just like we do, both of us, has DSLR cameras but we manage to sneak it in and placed it on our backpack, although we have to lie to the caretakers...^_^ and having a photoshoot could cost you around php3000.

Here are some of my photos that i captured while sneakingly taking shots......maybe because of this scenery why this place really nice to be used in movies, commercials and photo shoots.

one of the small basins..

Glimpse of Batlag Falls

Batlag falls is consists of three cascading waterfalls which has each of small catch basins while Daranak falls has much wider and deeper catch basin making Batlag falls more crowded even though you have to pay twice on its entrance. So choose what's best for your group, if your into swimming and all of you are swimmers it is better to go to Daranak falls which has less crowd due to it deeper pool/basin however it is not a photo haven like the Batlag falls, so if your group is photo opps enthusiast and just want to have better view of the forest or maybe just to have chilaxation....Batlag falls is much better for you....^_^

1st of three cascading waters....

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Batlag Falls

Note: Bathrooms and shower rooms are available so don't worry changing up your wet clothes.

How to get there:

You may take two options via GTXpress Vans or Jeepney ride to Tanay Market. For GTX will cost you php70 located in Starmall (EDSA cor Shaw Blvd.). For Jeepney ride: will cost you php55 located also in Starmall and another terminal in Parklea Jeepney Terminal adjacent to Starmall. Traveling to Tanay is about 2-3 hrs depending on the traffic situation, specially on Ortigas Extension. As you arrive in Tanay Market, most of the tricycle will stare at you and talked to you to bring in your destination. The usual fare is php150/4pax up to Daranak falls entrance, however there are no tricycle waiting near the falls going back to Tanay market, so its a better option to negotiate with your tricycle driver and used your haggling skills...^_^.
Or else you will have to walk on foot up to the main highway and/or maybe up to Tanay market and pray to have a tricycle that has no passenger...^_^

Next stop.....Paete, Laguna: Trek to Mt. Humarap (aka Tatlong Krus), Matabungka Falls and Church of Paete......

DIY Trip: Enchanting Daranak Falls

by lakwatserong tatay

Two of the majestic falls that is near in the metro that within 2-3 hours of driving or commuting, one of the popular destination for movie scenes, tv commercials, wedding pictorials and favorite getaway among the locals that living near this majestic and beautiful falls. A two majestic falls in one place. Sounds great...right?

Located both in Tanay, Rizal, facilitated by city's local government and few minutes away from its city proper. Our second destination for the day is known as Daranak Falls, means "Dadanak ang Dugo" or "The Coming of the Blood", maybe it came through its historical past or this location maybe part of our war history, that i may not be sure......But more of the funny side and let us remains its past, this falls can be transcribe as "Dadanak ang Saya or Coming of Fun", in short "Its  More Fun in the Philippines", right...^_^

Daranak falls opens from 8am to 5pm, with entrance fees of php20 for adults and php15 for children. Renting picnic table is optional but if you really want you will have to shed out php100 for picnic table. Overnight staying in Daranak falls is prohibited however Batlag falls which is located on its upper portion offering overnights....check my next post for Batlag falls...^_^

We arrive to its park quite early and had the chance to chat with other travelers alike, other group trippers and among locals too....^_^

Upon entering the premises a mini hanging bridge will greet you. On each other side views a captivating cascading of waters will entice your eyes, some rock formations maybe done by locals or trippers alike that got the chance to get down to its stream.

After few minutes of walk on a cemented path......waaaalah....the beautiful and stream of cold waters of Daranak falls can be seen....A 14 meters-high falls that has a catch basin pool, with a very cool and relaxing waters for swimming. Lucky enough for us that time, we are among of the first trippers...so we had the chance to go for a few minutes of deep..however we really did not swim.....our purpose on this trip is to take more shots as we can....maybe the next time ill be in here i will never missed to go swimming on its catch basin pool....^_^

Here are some of them.....from the falls, and its streaming cold waters and hope you like it....^_^

Daranak Falls

It maybe a quick trip stop but it was full of funny and unexpected scenes, as one of my co-tripper got dizzy upon going to Batlag falls, she was quite heavy....^_^ and among us 5 trippers we are the only two guys so we had no choice and stop for few moments as she must have to regain her strength but afterwards decided not to go to Batlag falls. So my two other cotrippers "Jheng & Judz" stay with him...together with Ichan, we walked up to cemented path and after few minutes were greeted by the Batlag falls entrance....see you in my next post.....^_^

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Daranak Falls

Note: Bathrooms and shower rooms are available so don't worry changing up your wet clothes.

How to get there:

You may take two options via GTXpress Vans or Jeepney ride to Tanay Market. For GTX will cost you php70 located in Starmall (EDSA cor Shaw Blvd.). For Jeepney ride: will cost you php55 located also in Starmall and another terminal in Parklea Jeepney Terminal adjacent to Starmall. Traveling to Tanay is about 2-3 hrs depending on the traffic situation, specially on Ortigas Extension. As you arrive in Tanay Market, most of the tricycle will stare at you and talked to you to bring in your destination. The usual fare is php150/4pax up to Daranak falls entrance, however there are no tricycle waiting near the falls going back to Tanay market, so its a better option to negotiate with your tricycle driver and used your haggling skills...^_^.
Or else you will have to walk on foot up to the main highway and maybe to Tanay market and pray to have a tricycle that has no passenger...^_^

Next stop.....A Glimpse of Batlag Falls......

Guest Post: Cruise Holidays: Spotlight on P&O Ventura

If you're looking for a cruise holiday, there's one thing you'll never be short of - and that's choice. The cruise holiday industry is packed with quality liners and cruise operators, each striving to be the best and ensure you have a truly unforgettable holiday. Whether you're taking your first tentative steps into the world of cruise holidays, or you religiously book cruises each and every year, there's no denying that with so many itineraries, liners and destinations to choose from, you'll never find yourself running short of ideas or facing the same holiday from one year to the next.

One stalwart of the cruise industry is P&O, and the sublime Ventura is a magnificent vessel that has to be seen to be believed.

One of the largest ships in the P&O fleet, the Ventura serves up a cracking range of facilities and things to do. There's a sports court with a fitness centre that's packed to the rafters with equipment,four pools (one with a retractable roof) and a spa - perfect for easing those aches and pains after a hard day's sightseeing. There are also classes designed to help exercise your mind as well as your body - ranging from yoga and pilates to salsa, art lessons and even port lectures - a useful way to get to know more about your next destination.

When it comes to dining, Ventura is in a class of its own. The White Room is the ship's signature restaurant, created by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White - who personally oversees the running of the restaurant on selected sailings. In addition there are 11 other restaurants serving up a mouthwatering array of flavours, ranging from Spanish tapas to spice-infused Asian creations. And to top it off there's a fantastic choice of evening entertainment with theatres, bars, a cinema, cabaret, tribute bands, comedy and plenty of dancing.

Despite its luxury appeal, a holiday on the Ventura doesn’t have to come with the luxury price tag. P&O Ventura offers are widely available - particularly on last-minute sailings - which means that there's really no reason to miss out on the Ventura experience. But be warned - one cruise on this outstanding liner is never enough...