How To Go To Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

View from the trek

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes in San Pablo, Laguna. You have probably read and stumbled to other travel blogs about it. You might be reading this because you also want to go there and would want to gather insights about the place. When I started doing DIY travels since 2012, this place was in my list. A lot of blogs had written well said things about their experiences and last Holy Saturday I was able to experience mine as well.

Side tripping to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a bonus but for me, it's what I came for. Unfortunately, it was close when I get there, the caretakers opted to close it on a Black Saturday. Seems like a reason to go back then.

I came to see what's under this gem but it was close when I visited. :(

Getting there is easy and here's a guide on how to get to Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan underground cemetery:

From anywhere in Manila, go to Buendia Bus terminal in Gil Puyat and ask for buses bound for Lucena. Get off at San Pablo City 7-Eleven and get a tricycle to San Pablo Cathedral. There you can find a jeepney with the sign Liliw Nagcarlan near the fire station. Tell the driver to drop you at the underground cemetery. Fare is 25 pesos each. During your trip, you will see signs of the lakes including Lake Pandin from the left side of the road so try to be reminded of it's location.

This kid says we can climb the fence to get inside. I might have accepted the challenge but there's a lot of tourist in the area. What a shame. LOL!

I should be back soon Nagcarlan, solely for this reason.

You can find the Underground Cemetery at the left side of the road in front of Shell Gasoline Station. It's not easy to miss.

Ride a jeepney going back to San Pablo and get off at Lake Pandin. Fare is 18 pesos. There you have to trek for 10-15 minutes. You can get a guide going there and for us, we have this kid Justin Fortuna. He was entertaining us during the walk. You can give them any amount.

Bamboo Raft

To read my review about my experience in Lake Pandin click here.

Sampaguita Suites Plaza Garcia Cebu City

I was looking for a cheap hotel to book for a night in early February 2013 for my leisure trip that is near the tourist attractions in Cebu. While browsing the internet I found several good hotels with a very reasonable price but I considered some factors most especially the useful information I got from TripAdvisor and reviews from other blogs.

Sampaguita Suites is perfectly situated in Plaza Garcia just beside the Island Souvenirs Boutique  and a minute walk away from Magellan's Cross, Sto Nino Church, Fort San Pedro, Malacanang of the South, pasalubong stores and food stalls. Another plus is they have a good website and you can book and pay online without hassle.

We arrived at the hotel at exactly 1PM exhausted and tired from our trip in Camotes Island. Since the check-in time is 2PM, we just informed the front desk lady that we arrived already and stored our luggage in their storage then we stroll around the area and eat near the Sto. Nino Church.

After we eat, we head back to the hotel to get some rest. We didn't have any problem with the check-in and the staff are very helpful and welcoming. They always say hi every time they see you.

As for the rooms, we booked a matrimonial room good for 2 persons. The room is very basic with towels, hangers, cabinet, tv and air-condition. They only provide small soap so you should bring your own toothpaste and shampoo. The room was spacious and has a good view from the glass window overlooking the Sto. Nino Church and the City Hall. The room look so dull because of it's lighting set-up. There were no lampshades provided so either you keep the lights open the whole night or keep the television on to have some source of light while sleeping. (I can't sleep if it's too dark)

Another thing is, their website says that they have a wifi connection in rooms but... well that's not the case when we got there. You can only access the wifi when you are in the lobby. So I have to go and stay at the lobby until 12 midnight to check my emails and upload some pictures.

Overall, I will recommend this hotel to those who are not picky. You just get what you pay for but could be better.

Pros:

Near tourist and historical attractions

Cheap Taxi fare to Cebu International Airport (We only paid P198 going to airport)

Access to public transportation

Cons:

P500.00 Deposit Fee (You can get it after you check-out)

Bystanders and people sleeping outside the building at night. (Security on duty 24/7)

Wifi Connection is limited.

For more details about this hotel: Click the link >> Sampaguita Suites

Travel Guide in Going to Camotes Island

Update 2014: I was able to exchange messages with Kuya Edu and he says it's good to go in Camotes at this time. :)

From Reclamation Area or SM City Cebu, we drove a jeep (25 or 27) going to North Bus Terminal. We paid 10php for the ride. We went off to North Bus Terminal and we ride a Bus going to Danao Port. Just tell the driver or conductor to drop you off. The fare is Php 40 and less than 40 minutes travel time depending on traffic.

When arriving at the Danao Port, you have to pay Php 180 for Non-Aircon and Php 200 fare for Aircon from Danao Port to Consuelo Port in Camotes. I suggest you go for the Non-Aircon so you can sightsee during the travel. While waiting for our departure, we visited Danao Church just in front of Danao Port to kill our time and pray for a safe travel.

Gate Entrance to Danao Port

Danao Port

Non-Aircon Seats

When the Jomalia Shipping vessel, we were already on queue to get to the ferry. A lot of young Koreans (I guess students) and a few Americans were also on board to go to Camotes. They kind of overpopulated the whole vessel since all you can hear was foreign language. I wonder why these non-nationals know this place and can find time to go there while a lot of Filipino’s aren’t aware that these little heaven exists and as one local Cebuano admitted that they didn’t even try to visit the island themselves.

Please check my photoblog Illumination for more photos.

Going around Camotes Island

Update: I've exchanged text messages with Kuya Edu, our tour guide when we're in Camotes. He said that the island haven't recovered yet from Typhoon Yolanda but rest assured that by summer everything will be back to normal again :)

Consuelo Port

     When you get to Consuelo Port in Camotes, you will be approached and hollered by a lot of Habal-Habal (motorcycle) drivers to get you into your next destination. For budget travellers and if travelling solo or with a companion, you can settle for a habal-habal drive that will cost you Php 50 to get to your destination.

Habal-Habal Ride

        The driver will then offer you tour around the island. It will cost Php 500 and Two litters of Gas for a tour. The driver will then pick you up on your agreed time/day to take your tour to Timubo Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort, Lake Danao and Santiago Bay Walk. This is one of the primary source of income for the locals so stop haggling to help them. Besides the price I mentioned above is their standard price.

  

Road in Camotes Island

If you’re going to Camotes, I recommend Kuya Edu, our habal-habal driver, tour guide and photographer. Everybody seems to know him in the island even the massage therapist lady who massaged my mom after our tiring escapade. You can contact him here: Edu Barcenas 0929-7354057. He was so trustful with us because he didn't get our fare when he drove us to our hotel first. He said he will just get it after our tour.

        If you are travelling in a group, you can hire a multicab for Php 1,500 for a tour. The Mangodlong Rock Resort offers free shuttle service from Consuelo Port to Mangodlong Resort vice-versa for their guest. 

          Check my accommodations review in Camotes Island
          Check my photoblog Illumination

Accommodations in Camotes Island

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort Room Accommodations

Few resorts and hotels offers great accommodation in Camotes Island. During my research for our trip going there, I checked a Camotes Island Website for possible accommodations (link provided below). I've also read reviews from other blogs and in TripAdvisor.

Swimming Pool until 10PM

After thorough deliberation, I settled with Santiago Bay Resort and Hotel. It is a beach front resort and hotel where you can enjoy the scenery of the white sand beach day in and day out. We booked a non-aircon standard room for our overnight stay for Php 1000. The ToothPick Red #4 Room was equipped with all basic necessities. An electric fan, 2 single beds, cabinet, drawer, hangers, toiletries and in fairness to them, the room was a bit spacious for a standard room. We are not picky when it comes to room accommodations as long as it’s clean and can welcome us comfortably. Fortunately, the resort did comfort us. They also have swimming pool facing the beach, pool area, gathering and occasion facilities and videoke machine. Food prices in their restaurant were also reasonable unlike any other resorts. The staffs were very accommodating especially Joy-Joy who serves us food and Kuya Pher. Kuya Pher shared that summer and holy week are really their peak season. December and January are a bit off because of the weather. We went their February 2^nd, he said that we’re very lucky because last week, tourists were stranded for a week due to the bad weather.

Santiago Bay Garden and Resort

Below the Resort

For more information and accommodations about the Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, you can click here .
Also check my photoblog Illumination.

TIP: Just call them directly for reservations.

My Solo Day Tour Travel in Corrigedor Island

UPDATE: I went there March 2014 for a work related reason. I discovered much more about the history and tragic incidents in the island. It's truly historic that some present day issues was an offshoot of what happened here 46 years ago. The Mindanao Garden of Peace is an addition to the attraction. The food never failed me once.

Island. Ruins. History.

I had been planning to visit Corrigedor Island since 2010. By then I am really fortunate because I got a discounted deal from Deal Grocer. I only paid a Php1,100 for the Day Tour Package from an original Php 2,200. I purchased the voucher and called Sun Cruises to book my adventure ALONE.

My fascination with the ruins, old buildings, cemeteries and quite or isolated places was one of my reasons for visiting the island. Though the island wasn't much of an isolated place because of tourists, it's history is truly remarkable as it witnessed the invasion from Japanese forces in World War II.

While waiting for the boarding time, I got a perfect view to capture the Manila Bay Skyline.

Upon the vessels arrival at the Island, I felt the feeling of being infinite. The feeling that was like "finally I am here". And as I step my foot on the land I had felt the excitement of the adventure. It pays being stuck in Manila with all the stress and pressure from work. That's the thing about feeling like your freedom was abridged. That after everything, I felt freedom and relief.

The whole experience with the tour was exceptional. I get to see the barracks and ruins I'm dying to see, get a fresh breeze of air in the island, capture great shots and memories and getting to experience bits and pieces of the great perhaps of this life. It is indeed worthwhile to live and exist in this world... with drawbacks.

It was just sad that you can see a lot of garbage polluting the island. Our tour guide says that this garbage shit came from Manila Bay and doubles when there is typhoon. Poor Manila. The polluted, absorbed and corrupt Manila.

The tour was wonderful and worth it. I have never imagined there's a lot to discover in Corrigedor and a day will not be enough to explore the island. So if you can find time, Corrigedor must be on your list.

You can check the details here: http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/

Photos for you guys!