What kids will love about snorkeling at Balicasag Island

 What Kids Will Love
Snorkeling at Balicasag Island

To kids and kids at heart, to those who already know how to snorkel and those who will snorkel for the first time, I would say that Balicasag Island is worth the trouble of learning to snorkel for the very first time. After seeing the snorkeling site and the coral sanctuary, I understood why people from all over the world say that it's the best snorkeling site in the Philippines and one of the best in the world. The diversity of marine life in a small area and in shallow and quiet waters make it unique. This is a must do and must see site for kids.

1. Balicasag Island is only 30 minutes away by boat from Alona Beach, Panglao Island. 

Remember how impatient kids get to arrive at a destination? "Are we there yet?" is a common line parents hear when traveling with kids. Since Balicasag Island is just 30 minutes away from the popular Alona Beach, where most families would probably stay, it's near enough for kids to enjoy.

2. The waters at the snorkeling site of Balicasag island is shallow. 

During low tide, you can walk on the corals while snorkeling. At high tide, you can use your life jacket to float on water. There's no danger of unwittingly getting out of shallow water because the locals cordoned off the snorkeling site to guide tourists where to remain while snorkeling. For amateur swimmers, you can safely let go of the life jacket and enjoy fully the marine life underneath.

3. The waters at the snorkeling site of Balicasag island is calm and quiet.

Unlike the waters of Honda bay in Palawan, which has strong undercurrents, the waters at Balicasag is calm and quiet. A child who snorkels for the first time will not find the experience intimidating. When undercurrents are strong, you struggle to keep afloat and at the same place. Snorkeling will be challenging under these circumstances. When waters are calm, you can simply enjoy watching the marine life.

4. What is truly fantastic when snorkeling at Balicasag is the diversity of marine life in just a small area of water.

You're able to experience what divers see in much deeper water, except that in this case, you are just snorkeling at shallow waters a few meters from the shore. Kids can already witness the beauty of the marine life without having to be professional drivers.

To know more about how the tour goes, see Our day at Balicasag Island and Virgin Island.

To know more about what to bring when snorkeling, see here

My Tip

Do not go to Balicasag island if no one in your group will snorkel or dive when you visit the island. Your time will be wasted. The beauty of Balicasag island can only be found underwater and not on the island. The beach front has white but coarse sand interspersed with dead corals so it's fairly uncomfortable to swim on the beach without wearing aqua shoes. Even if you tour the island, there won't be a lot to see that would make the trip worth the time and expense.

Batanes Resort: Summary, Review and My Traveler's Photos

Batanes Resort: Summary, Review and My Traveler's Photos

I recommend Batanes Resort because it is budget-friendly and affordable without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience. It has a restaurant with affordable meals. It is also possible to walk into town from Batanes Resort, although the walk will be long. 

My tip:

I have two reasons why you should book early:
1. They only have 6 hillside cottages with 2 rooms each. It will be easy for the resort to become fully booked.
2. If you book early, you can request the Itbayat and Sabtang rooms. They are the rooms with the best views of the South China Sea. The other rooms have limited views or no views at all.

Summary of Rates, Inclusions and Amenities:

• Rates: 1800 pesos per room per day, a maximum of 3 persons
• Rooms: air-conditioned, with 2 beds, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, tissue), cable tv, writing desk 
• free airport transfers
• with restaurant offering a variety of meals at rates ranging from 100-230 pesos per person

Traveler's Photos

I prefer travelers' photos when researching on accommodations because they are usually more accurate. They show accomodations "as-is", since the travelers who take them usually don't have any financial interest in promoting the hotel/resort.

Rates as of March 2010

Architecture is made of stone typical of Ivatan houses

  The Room

As taken from the door of the room

Location Map
 

View Larger Map

Batanes Resort location in relation to Basco town location
(Batanes Resort is in the lower left of the map. Just pass the cursor on the marks to see the names)

 

Fundacion Pacita v. Batanes Resort

Fundacion Pacita v. Batanes Resort

If you have the funds for it, I definitely recommend Fundacion Pacita. It's a bit expensive (much like booking a room at a 5-star hotel in Manila) but definitely worth it. However, if you're on a tight budget, your best bet is to stay at Batanes Resort.

1. Cost of Accommodations

Fundacion Pacita: from 7950 pesos pesos per room per night for a terrace suite, and from 8124 pesos per room per night for a family suite, and from 11268 per room per night for a luxury terrace suite

• maximum of two persons in a room for a terrace suite, maximum of 5 persons in a room for a luxury terrace suite.

• minimum booking of 2 nights.

Batanes Resort: 1800 pesos per room per night

• maximum of three (3) persons in a room

2. Room Amenities

Fundacion Pacita: air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toilettries, no tv, view deck, mini ref, hairdryer

Batanes Resort:  air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold shower, private toilet and bath, free toiletries, cable tv in every room

3. Inclusions in Accommodations

Fundacion Pacita: set breakfast, half-day cultural heritage tour, free water, full time generator during brownouts

Batanes Resort:

4. Airport Transfers

Fundacion Pacita: free airport transfers

Batanes Resort: free airport transfers

5. Cost of Meals

Fundacion Pacita: 550-750 pesos per person

Batanes Resort: 100-230 pesos per meal at the resort

6. Transportation Options

Fundacion Pacita: tricycle rate from Fundacion Pacita to town: 90 pesos

Batanes Resort: tricycle rate from Batanes resort to town: 50 pesos

I recommend Fundacion Pacita because of the view, the stylish accommodations and the beautiful surroundings. However, the disadvantage of staying at Fundacion Pacita is you do not have a lot of meal options if you opt not to go out because the chef offers very limited choices. Also, the distance from town will not make it possible for you to walk down the hill where Fundacion is located. You will have to hire a tricycle or a van to go to town, or rent a motorcycle from one of the staff of Fundacion.


I recommend Batanes Resort because it is budget-friendly and affordable without having to sacrifice comfort and convenience. It has a restaurant with affordable meals. It is also possible to walk into town from Batanes Resort, although the walk will be long.

Location Map

Fundacion Pacita in relation to Batanes Resort and Basco Airport/Basco Town

Fundacion Pacita is indicated by a triangle mark below, and Batanes Resort is marked on the left. Just pass the cursor on the marks to see the names.

Arrival at Basco, Batanes Airport

Arrival at Basco, Batanes Airport

Basco Airport terminal

Basco Airport is not your usual Philippine domestic airport. It is housed in a small terminal building that has the same beautiful design as the building of Fundacion Pacita. Upon arrival, you immediately get the impression that Batanes is a different place from the rest of the country. The airport terminal itself is different. It is quaint, neat and quiet, much like what you will find when you go into Basco town and its surrounding areas. 

After the door of the plane opened, we were instructed to stay seated while the airport staff brought out the luggage. The first thing I noticed when the door opened was the peace and quiet. There wasn't a lot of activity going around since we were the only plane that landed. Unlike other airports, landing at Basco Airport is a totally different experience from landing at other bigger airports.

Since we were only few who arrived that day, the airport staff were very informal . The plane was almost full. We were only around 28 passengers who arrived on the second and last flight of the day.

At the arrival area, there is no luggage carousel where you retrieve your luggage.  The luggage is just hauled into the common area inside the terminal arrival area, where the registration desk is located.

The airport is only open only in the mornings. Sea air flights depart and arrive only in the mornings.

Since we were staying at Fundacion Pacita, we were picked up by their van together with other passengers of Seair who are also staying at Fundacion Pacita. 

Facilities of Basco Airport:

1. clean and new toilets

2. small airconditioned departure lounge area.

3. souvenir stall inside the terminal

4. souvenir stall outside the terminal and near the gate 

5. registration desk

Below are some photos to give you an idea of what you will encounter upon arrival at Basco Airport:

In front of the door to the arrival area

Registration desk

Location Map of Basco Airport

4 days, 3 nights: My Puerto Princesa (Palawan) Itinerary with Kids

My Puerto Princesa (Palawan) Itinerary with Kids
(4 days, 3 nights)

If you only have 3 days and 2 nights, see this

Below is the 4 days and 3 nights itinerary:

Day 0
Pack (see my packing list)

• Is there Malaria in Palawan? Things to add to your packing list to avoid Malaria.

Day 1

Departure from Manila, Arrival at Puerto Princesa

12:00 PM
Leave the house and go to the Manila Domestic Airport      

• see how to go to the Manila Domestic Airport 

1:00 PM 

Arrival at the Manila Domestic Airport    

• see facilities of the Manila Domestic Airport

3:10 PM 

Departure from Manila via Zest Air 6K 407

• Zest Air was on sale when we bought this ticket to we had no choice but to take the afternoon flight. Zest Air has only one flight per day.

• other airlines flying to Puerto Princesa: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines

4:50 PM 

Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport     

• In 2009, Puerto Princesa airport arrival area has not been fully constructed. We got our luggage in one carousel at the side of the Puerto Princesa airport departure area. They prioritized construction of the departure area so the departure area building is completely built 
• We were picked up by Joseph Hidalgo of Wildrock Travel and Tours. See his rates and contact information 

5:30 PM 

Check-in at Casa Linda Inn

• Casa Linda Inn is only 5 minutes ride from the airport

7:00 PM 

Dinner at Ka Lui Restaurant

• Ka Lui Restaurant is just walking distance from Casa Linda Inn

Day 2

Honda Bay Island Hopping (Pandan Island, Snake Island, Starfish Island)

• see Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour with Kids

6:00 AM           

Wakeup

7:00 AM          
We were picked up at Casa Linda Inn by Wildrock Tours

8:00 AM 
Arrival at Sta. Lourdes Wharf

8:30 AM 
Arrival at Pandan Island

11:00 AM-1:00 PM 
Buffet lunch at Pandan Island 
2:00 PM 
Arrival at Snake Island
3:00 PM 
Arrival at Starfish Island
4:00 PM         
Leave Starfish Island  and head back to the wharf
5:30 PM      
Stop over at Vietville restaurant to take out Vietnamese food
6:00 PM 
Arrival at Casa Linda Inn

7:00 PM 
Dinner at Casa Linda Inn

Day 3

Underground River Tour

Click  here  to view of our Underground River Tour with kids courtesy of Wildrock Tours.

See article on what kids will like about the Underground River Tour 

See going on your own, if you do not want to go on tour.

6 AM         
Wakeup

7AM-10AM 
Travel from Puerto Princesa to Sabang Beach

10AM-12:00 PM 
Swimming at Sabang Beach while waiting for our turn to ride the outrigger to the Underground River Park

12:00 PM-1:00 PM 
Buffet Lunch at Tamaraw Resort
1:00 PM -1:30 PM 
Boat ride going to the Underground River Park
1:30 PM -3:00 PM 
Line up and take the Boat Tour inside the Underground River

• The Underground River Boat Tour only takes 30 minutes. The length of time you stay at the Underground River Park also depends on the length of time it takes to line up for the Underground River Boat Tour

3:00 PM-3:30 PM 
Boat ride from the Underground River Park going back to Sabang Beach
4:00 PM 
Depart Sabang Beach

6:00 PM 
Arrival at Casa Linda Inn

Day 4

Puerto Princesa City Tour, Departure from Puerto Princesa, Arrival in Manila

8:00 AM 
Wakeup

9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Puerto Princesa City Tour
12:00 PM
Lunch at Ong's maki house near Casa Linda Inn

3:00 PM 
Departure from Casa Linda Inn

5:10 PM
Departure from Puerto Princesa via Zest Air 6K 406
6:50 PM
Arrival in Manila

Pasalubong and souvenirs

I

Total cost of trip: 

• see summary of cost
• if you wish to compute for yourself, you can do it using my interactive excel file
  

The Experience of Flying Seair

The Experience of Flying Seair

I decided to make this post on Seair (Southeast Asian Airlines) because it is not commonly used by a greater number of people. Seair flies only to Batanes, Caticlan (Boracay), Tablas, Cebu (only to and from Boracay), Clark (only to and from Boracay), and on certain months, to El Nido. In addition, Seair fares are very expensive so only those with a large budget for airfare will opt to use it.

You use the Manila Domestic Airport. This is the lounge facing the airport gate.

The 32-seater Dornier turbo prop plane. The flight going to Basco took 1 1/2 hours. But the return flight to Manila, where they used a Dornier jet, took only 1 hour.

You walk on the runway to board the plane. You do not use the airport tube. Manila Domestic Airport is the oldest airport terminal in Manila so it doesn't have a tube built around it to access the planes

The 32-seater plane has a 2-1 seat configuration. We were seated on the 1st row which only has 2 seats because the emergency exits are located on the 1st row. If you happen to be seated at the last row, then you're unfortunately seated beside the small toilet also located at the back.

Inflight meal is composed of bottled water and a fudgee bar. In the background is the Inflight magazine, which is a good magazine to read on board the aircraft.

The view of the Batanes group of islands from the plane. Since Seair is a small plane it tends to fly low so the ground underneath is more visible from the plane.

Lunch at Pension Ivatan

Lunch at Pension Ivatan

Pension Ivatan Restaurant also known as Therese Coffee Shop

Why dine at Pension Ivatan

• It serves authentic Ivatan cuisine.
• It's open all throughout the day from 7am to 8pm.
• It's easy to find. It's just outside the gate of Basco Airport. From the gate of the airport, turn right at Reyes Street and you see the big sign of Pension Ivantan outside the building as shown above.

My tip: The food they serve is not fast food. You wait at least 1 1/2 hours for them to finish cooking. My advice:

1. Call in advance to order food before going to the restaurant. Menu is shown below. They can be contacted at (63)09292074643, (63)09053035855. Additional information at Pension Ivatan website.

2. Go there personally to order food first then do some sightseeing by walking around town while they cook what you ordered.

Menu and Price List

 The Famous Ivatan Platter

The Ivatan Platter is good for 5-6 persons and includes:

1. Supas or Turmeric Yellow Rice

2. Tatus or Coconut Crabs

3. Mixed Ivatan Salad 

4. Lunis or lunies (their version of pork adobo), made of liempo and fried

5. Payi or Lobster

6. Uvud Balls, made of pork, flying fish and banana trunk

7. Venes or Dried Gabi

8. Assorted grilled foods like chicken and squid

 For a more comprehensive list of the Best of Batanes food, see  Ivan Henares' blog