Dive Solana is one of the more popular destination for people who want to get a taste of the Philippine underwater scene. It’s basically a regular hot spot for diving or snorkeling.

Problem is, a lot of tourist and visitors often get lost when going to this Batangas resort. So here’s a quick guide on how to go to Dive Solana.

1. Take the South Super Highway.
2. Pay the toll at the end and turn right at the Batangas Lucena Exit.
3. Go straight until you reach the Star Tollway entrance on your right.
(Star tollway is 40kms/24mi from start to end of toll)
4. Go to the end of the Star tollway and pay the toll fee Php 55.00 (approx US$1.15).
5. The road will split into three in 200meters/.1mi. Take the one straight ahead that will lead to the Batangas pier.
6. You will see a Toyota car dealership on the left.
7. Keep going straight until you see the flyover. Go UNDER the flyover and turn right at the intersection.
8. Keep going straight on this road for about 4.5km/2.7mi until you see Jollibee (fast food restaurant). Turn right.
9. Follow the road until it curves to the left.
10. Keep going, you will see Metrobank on the left, then Petron gas station on the right.
11. Shortly after Petron gas station, you will cross a short bridge.
12. Right after crossing the bridge, turn left towards the shipyards. You will pass AG&P and Keppel Shipyards.
13. In about 8.8km/5.4mi, your will reach the circular Mabini shrine, turn right.
14. Stay on this road which heads out to the Anilao pier.
15. Turn left before the pier, you will start seeing resort signs along the way.
16. Continue on this road which will take you to the Anilao resorts. Solana is approximately 10 kms (6.21 miles) from this point.
17. Solana will be on your right.

Canyon Cove Residential Beach Resort is located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It is a two and a half drive away from Manila via South Luzon Expressway on an ordinary day. Expect to add another hour on your travel time though, especially on a weekend where traffic is sometimes heavy southbound.

Bringing your own food is strictly prohibited inside the resort and the security guards are searching the guests’ bags upon arrival.

The resort doesn’t look big on the outside and it’s not until you get past the entrance hall/building that you get to see the entire view of the resort and the beach.

They have a huge main pool which is partitioned into two to cater to adults and children and a secondary pool just meters away. In between the pools are the shower rooms and a beach volleyball court. You can also find a mini-bar and children’s playground beside the pool. A number of lifeguards are always on monitor by the poolside.

The resort has a number of villas/condos offering a panoramic view of the beach which is perfect for sunset viewing. Unluckily we were only on daytrip so we weren’t able to check out the rooms.

The beach’ white sand and clear water is likeable, though swimming just a few meters away it already gets rocky. If you don’t like to swim, you can go kayaking, jetskiing or snorkeling.

Food is ordinary and a bit pricey and customer service is average.

Although the resort and its facilities are bigger than the usual resorts, It is more ideal for company or group outings and team buildings. If you are looking for a more private and relaxed ambiance, you can try checking on other resort destinations.

Canyon Cove website

Click here for more photos

As early as this month, you can plan your travel vacation to coincide with the expected holidays. That way, you can have more days to spend and extend your vacation.

The following regular holidays and special days for the year 2009 shall be observed in the Philippines:

Regular Holidays

Maundy Thursday April 9
Good Friday April 10
Araw ng Kagitingan April 6 (Monday), Monday nearest April 9
Labor Day May 1 (Friday)
Independence Day June 12 (Friday)
National Heroes Day August 31 (Monday), Last Monday of August
Bonifacio Day November 30 (Monday)
Rizal Day December 30 (Wednesday)

Special (Non-Working) Days

Ninoy Aquino Day August (Friday)
All Saints Day November 1 (Sunday)
Additional special (non-working) day November 2 (Monday)
Additional special (non-working) day December 24 (Thursday)

With the summer break coming up, I surmise it wouldn’t hurt to start planning for the summer break. How do you usually begin planning for a trip? I usually begin mine with my budget. If I have more money to spend, then I begin my search for trips possibly to prestigious resorts in the country (read: Panglao Island Nature Resort, Balesin) or somewhere off the beaten track (read: Bolinao, Rizal Beach: Gubat, Sorsogon, or Pagudpod)

Here are Ways to Save on Travel

Tweak your itinerary and save. Departing very early or very late in the day can mean a much lower airfare, as can flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Sundays are the costliest for domestic flights; Saturdays for international travel. Using the nearest airport can also save you a lot. Being flexible applies to hotels as well, particularly at those that host business travelers during the week.

Check airlines’ websites. Have you tried booking yourself using the online facilities of Cebu Pacific or even Philippine Airlines? Even the biggest shipping companies in the country have their online facilities now. Using these facilities will help you determine the cost of your air or ship fare right away. Not only that, for example at Aboitiz’s Super Ferry, travel goers using the online facilities shall get the lowest available fare. Not only that, you can also check the airlines and shipping companies most recent promos and partnerships with hotels and resorts. For example, sailing with Super Ferry on your birthday will get you discounts equal to your age!

Fly early to arrive on time. Just as I mentioned above, leaving earlier will save you money, but also time. Not only that, you will beat the heat at the check in counters in the airport.

Don’t overpack. For example in Cebu Pacific, you actually get a discount of P200 if you are traveling without any luggage. Ofcourse, going on a holiday would mean lagging a bag along your necessaries, but be careful not to exceed the airlines’ baggage limit especially if you are traveling internationally. We do not want you throwing away some stuff at the airport like our friend Yuga in order to go within the luggage weight limit! Or like me who ended up paying up to 21,000 baht or U$700 for excess baggage in Survarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. So heed my advice, if your hotel room has a weighing scale, use it to weigh your baggages prior to leaving for the airport. Or you can check with your hotel concierge services and ask if they have a scale somewhere. Its better to be prepared than sorry.

Negotiate with hotels. Sometimes when the hotel is not too full, the front desk can actually give free upgrade. Not only that, you can also ask for more discounts and even additional perks through the front desk. Just don’t be afraid to ask and inquire while checking in.

Use a travel agent for your cruise. Some travel agents especially those accredited by your cruise line can offer you discounts. This is why is pays to research first or even ask those who has traveled or use those agencies before making your booking. Sometimes, it pays to know your travel agent.

Skip the ship to shore call. This is for those who travel by sea. It would definitely save you some if you skip going to shore. Souvenir shops near the ports or even in airports can be expensive. You will definitely get cheaper souvenirs if you buy them in your destination’s local market.

Pay by credit card. Paying with a credit card will earn you extra miles or even cash back if you use the right cards. Not only that, some hotels and resorts give discounts to certain credit cards they have tie up with.

For more Ways to Save on Travel, visit the Consumer Report Website.

Cebu Pacific is now offering Zero Fare to Clark and you can now fly from Cebu to Dipolog, General Santos, Bacolod, Surigao, Iloilo and Ozamiz for only P699– all in ‘Go Lite’ fare. Go Lite fares for Manila to Cotabato starts at P1,688 from P2,388 all-in.

Not only that, fly under Cebu Pacific’s Zero fare from Clark to Bangkok, HongKong, Macau, Singapore and Manila to Osaka. The Zero fare seat sale started from October 29 to November 7, 2008, for travel starting December 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009.

Book online at Cebu Pacific Online Website.

Cebu Pacific Air offers ‘all-inclusive’ fares of Php699 for services from Manila to Luzon, Php999 for flights from Manila to Visayas, and Php1,499 for Manila to Mindanao services. Intra-Visayas and Mindanao flights goes as low as Php699 to Php999 only.

The system-wide seat sale today until July 15 and is good for travel from July 22 to October 15, 2008. More than half a million seats are allocated for this seat sale. The promo is non-refundable.

Reservation hotline numbers are (632) 7020888 or (6332) 2308888.

Pasig River has so much importance in the history of Manila. It was the EDSA during the pre-colonial era, a main water thoroughfare used by our ancestors for trade and travel. It has also become an advantage as a natural harbour for ships. The Spaniards came and constructed the walled city and several pueblos along the river. But just after World War II, as roads plough the streets, the river’s importance declined and was notorious to be “the largest poso negro in Metro Manila.”

Now the efforts have paved the way for its improvement, one of them is the revival of the Pasig River ferry system, which is part of the ways that the government can alleviate transportation woes in the metro. Equiped with air-conditioned catamarans and modern terminals, ferries ply from Pasig City to Intramuros in Manila in an hour less the traffic…

From Guadalupe, Makati to Intramuros, Manila, it will cost you PhP45 for regular fare, P20 for students. You don’t need to worry about traffic, the river’s stench. Instead, just sit back and relax and enjoy the cruise and the river scenery. You may even go out at the bow to breathe fresh air (and most of the time I took the ferry, the obnoxious stench is not available). Go out and take pictures of the surroundings but as you approach Pureza and Pandacan, security people would request you to get inside. Unfortunatelty, hanggang beinte pesos na lang ang Malacañang as the crew would not allow the people taking pictures of the Palace due to security reasons.

Pasig River may have been the reflection of the Philippine urban society. The soaring skyscrapers of Makati and Ortigas are contrasted by the slums beside the river. The oil depots that bring life to infrastructure to the city and a Palace that is the seat of power of the Republic. Unseen Manila can be seen here, if you want to reminisce the old days when Bapor Tabo of El Fili once cruised the waters of this historic river. The river that brought life to Manila.

That’s right, dude! The latest thing in Baguio: Surfing at the Burnham Lake!

Internet surfing, that is

My surfer dude nanay picked up a story from Baguio’s local paper about Free WiFi Internet access at Burnham Park. So I tried it out and was pleasantly surprised that the WiFi Hotspot DID work .

Burnham Park is now a free wireless internet access site

Burnham Park is the first premier public park in the entire country to become an “e-tourism park” following the launching of a Free WiFi or wireless fidelity Internet access at the park lake last March 27.

With the launching, the Burnham Park lake is now a WiFi access area, which allows residents and tourists to browse the web using their laptops, WiFi phones and other portable device to access the Internet.
Source: Baguio Midland Courier, March 30 2008

I tried the WiFi hotspot and true enough, I was able to sniff a hotspot named “MIMO” – the name of the WiFi provider.

That’s fun. Tourists will be able to check their e-mails while on vacation in Baguio. Students in Baguio will also be able to access the Internet from the park.

There’s a risk of theft if you use your laptop in such a public and open area, though. It’s probably easier to access the hotspot using a cellphone or other more portable devices. Just make sure to protect yourself from robbers, secure your valuable gadgets. The city government announced that they will deploy more guards to keep the park safe and secure.

Contact the Baguio Tourism office near the skating rink for inquiries: 0915-5586814

Thanks to Elizabeth for lending her Swan Boat — twas a rockin ride, dude! Awesome!
Contact Elizabeth, her stall has a moderate wifi signal (2 out of 5 bars): 0920-6377894, tarrayoelizabeth@yahoo.com .

More WiFi hotspots in Baguio on Technobiography >>

ka edong
surfer dude

Pinoy Travel Blog and the SEAIR Adventure Club is giving away two round-trip SEAIR tickets to Basco, Batanes. Check out below how you can win these free flights.

All you have to do is leave a comment the SEAIR Blog stating why you love Batanes by Sunday, 20 April 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

Make sure you place your full name in the name field since you will need a valid ID to claim the tickets if you win. The winner will be drawn at random and will be notified by e-mail so make sure you double check your e-mail address before submitting your comment. Finally, one entry per IP address so only the first entry from each IP address will be counted.

Tickets will be valid from now until October 15, 2008.

Asian Spirit is celebrating its 12-year anniversary with 12,000 free seats on all its domestic flights from June 1 to October 15, 2008. Booking starts April 9, 2008 for their 12th Year Anniversary Handog Pasasalamat Promo.

Promo details are as follows:

Booking Code A
Fare Basis 00 (Zero Fare)
Selling period April 09 – 15, 2008
Travel period June 01 – October 15, 2008
Not Valid Before 01 Jun 08
Not Valid After 15 Oct 08
Fare amount PhP 0.00 or Free of Charge
Fuel and Insurance, VAT and Airport Security FEE applicable
Applicability All seated passengers (Adult/Child/Infant with seat)

Restrictions/Penalties NON TRANS / NON REF / NON RRTE / NON RBK
- Non transferable
- Non refundable
- Non reroute
- Non rebookable
- Confirmed booking required
- Not applicable for Wait listed passengers/ OPEN / TAW / Go Show
- Not to be use in conjunction with any other promo

Prices are exclusive of taxes and surcharges. Restrictions apply. Form of Payment – IBE / CASH or Credit Card.