HALF DAY CARCAR ESCAPADE: Lechon Chicharon Foodtrip and Shoe Shopping

I just had a quick Cebu getaway last June with two of my college friends. We only booked for a 3-whole day vacation, two of which were spent in BANTAYAN ISLAND. The remaining one day was spent in CARCAR, to do a quick foodtrip and pasalubong and souvenir shopping.

We started our trip by taking a cab from our hotel in Parklane to Magellan's Cross (Php 110) . It was my third time going to this tourist spot but I was still amazed by the big Cross. We made a quick prayer for thanks giving and guidance and then headed to South Cebu bus terminal (Grab car: Php 70).

We took an aircon bus going South with a fare of Php 60. You can take any bus going South Cebu, just don't forget to tell the driver or the conductor that you are going to Carcar Market. Travel time is about 2 hours. 

It was already past lunchtime when we reached Carcar Market so we directed first to the Lechon area to have some legit Carcar Lechon for lunch.

 It was just a small area at the right side of the market,  composed of less than 10 Lechon stalls. We were quickly "attacked" by aggressive vendors offering their lechon products asking us to eat their free samples, I was already very hungry at that time and was quickly annoyed by them. We decided to buy on one of the stalls where in the tindera's are just quietly waiting for buyers to approach them. The retail price per kilo of Lenchon was Php 400/kilo. We bough a quarter for lunch. Just beside the lechonan area were rice (aka puso vendors). There were also snack vendors with tables and chairs where you can eat your lunch and will let you borrow some plates, just be considerate to buy some softdrink or coffee or egg or anything they are selling as a token of gratitude. 

After we had our lunch, we quickly went to the area where they were selling Carcar shoes. We told the tricycle driver to take us to Acacia Grill, which was a few kilometers away from Carcar Market.

Below are some samples of Carcar shoe products. Prices range from Php 150 to Php 500.

After buying a couple of pairs, we went back to Carcar market again to find wholesale Chicharon for pasalubong.

In Carcar, a quarter kilo bag of freshly packed chicharon costs Php 300.

We also bought chicharon in small packaging that cost about Php 500 per 25 pcs. This was about Php 20 per piece. Flavors came in regular and spicy.

After 3 hours of touring Carcar, we decided to head back to Cebu City. We did this by simply taking the bus passing in front of the market with "Cebu City" on its signboard. 

Carlmig Leisure Homes: A Private Resort Within Manila

Are you looking for a venue to conduct you’re annual outing or just looking for a private place where you can hang out with your family, friends and/or officemates, and MUST BE WITHIN METRO MANILA OR NEAR MAKATI?? Then CARLMIG LEISURE HOMES might be the place for you. This private resort is conveniently located in Palanan Makati, just near Cash and Carry.

If you think that the proximity and transport convenience will equate to higher expenses, then you are wrong. The rate per unit of Carlmig Homes will only cost you almost seven thousand pesos Php 7,000 for 12 hours for 15 persons! That’s the same or even less than the usual rate of fancy private resorts in Pansol. This will be even more sulit when you consider the transport cost from Manila to Laguna, added by the hassle brought by the terrible traffic when going South, ugh.

CARLMIG HOMES offers 6 units to choose from, each has a second floor, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms perfect for overnight bonding.

Each unit also comes with a very cute swimming pool that is 4-feet deep. 

The water per my observation are being maintained through filters and chemicals that the staff are putting every morning.

We did not get to try it though during our stay. 

The place also has videoke to unleash the inner diva of the guests.

It also has a kitchen complete with cooking utensils, pans, rice cooker, refrigerator and a stove.

The shower in the bathrooms are equipped with water heater, and that’s a big thumbs up for me!

You also do not have to worry about the food and drinks because the place is walking distance away from Ambers and Cash and Carry supermarket, super hassle-free talaga!

As for the parking area, the area can accommodate at least 6 cars in the front. The roads around the place are a bit busy and I wouldn't recommend side/street parking.

The only thing I think that will need a lot of improvement is on the area of cleanliness. During our stay, there were A LOT of bugs and tiny cockroaches. They were on the kitchen and even on our beds! I hope they get rid of these insects ASAP.  

Stonewood Garden Private Pool Resort Angono Rizal Review

Aside from Pansol, Laguna, the Province of Rizal also offers private pool resorts that are perfect for team buildings, reunions, and other celebrations for a big group.

We rented Stonewood Garden Resort in Angono Rizal for 22 hours from 8AM to 4PM.
We paid Php 18k for the venue including one bedroom good for 10 persons.

There is a parking area that can house 2 cars. Vehicles can also be parked along the street just outside the house. The place was located inside a subdivision so I can say that the place is secure.

The place was big enough for us composing of 15 adults and 3 kids. 

The activity area was very wide perfect for team buildings, receptions and gatherings. 

They also have indoor venue located on the second floor.

The place had 2 pools, 1 for adult (4ft - 6ft), 1 kiddie indoor pool (thigh deep) with 1 extra jakuzzi pool. 

adult pool

indoor pool (3ft deep perfect for kids)

The whole place was clean and the water in the pool was well maintained. I did not get itchy after swimming which I usually do when I swim in dirty swimming pools.

view from our rooms balcony

The owners were very simple, kind and accommodating. Although cooking using LPG was not allowed, we were given consent to bring electric stove so we can cook our food which we bought from a nearby market. There was also grill provided. 

Although there are many rooms available, we decided to rent just one room good for 10 persons. It was only for securing our belongings and also for kids and adults who wanted to sleep or rest. 

Here's the contact number of the resort for inquiries. :)

         

Donsol Accommodation: Villa JoLee Affordable Inn for Backpackers

If you are looking for a nearby and affordable accommodations in Donsol while doing the whale shark activity, Villa JoLee will be one of your options.

Just two blocks away from Donsol Tourist Center, Villa JoLee offers affordable and decent place to stay. 

I rented their single bed room for Php 400 for one night during my solo backing trip in Donsol. Towel provided. The owner was so nice. They also offered flippers and snorkeling set rental to be used for whale shark watching.

single bed for Php 400

Here's the contact number of the Inn if in case you would like to inquire. You're welcome. :)

Clean toilet (no warm water shower)

If in case the Inn is already full or you would like to look for other hostel to stay, here's another picture with contact numbers as a bonus. Again, you're welcome. :)

BICOL's PINANGAT: My Pasalubong Recommendation

I consider Bicol as one of the best provinces I have been to in the country. In my experience, the people were so nice, the beaches were so good (see where I stayed in Donsol here), and the food was really unforgettable!!!

Indeed Bicolano Cuisine are freaking delicious! From coconut milk (gata)-based dishes to unique desserts (try Pili and Sili Ice Cream), almost everything is a must try.

Pili Ice Cream is the bomb!

So after the whole Bicol trip, I looked for something to take back to Manila to share the goodness of Bicol  to my friends and loved ones.

You can buy different pasalubong items in Ibalong Pasalubong Center located in Legazpi Grand Terminal. But if you want to take home a delicacy like I did, I recommend Bicol's Pinangat. It's Manila's version of Laing, made from gabi leaves,  dried fish, shrimp paste and maybe some coconut milk. You can buy it in local restaurants along Camalig, Albay but if you already happen to be in the terminal, you can go to SM Supermarket. They sell famous Dad's Special Pinangat in chilled packaging, perfect for transporting. They sell each pack for Php 45. I recommend getting the spicy flavor.

Pinangat sold for Php 45

Travel from Legazpi to Manila took 12 hours so prolonging the life of this dish was very critical. In order to keep it chilled, I bought a cooler box for  Php 150 and put some ice in it. Tube ice were conveniently placed beside the Pinangat's chiller.

Tube Ice

The icebox had to be sealed securely to make sure that the ice water would not spill during the trip. Thankfully the staff from the supermarket helped me seal it using packaging tape. (Bicolano's are sooo nice!)

Right after I went home, I immediately checked the package and still found some ice on top.
I put the Pinangat in the fridge and left one pack to be heated for dinner.

Bicol PNR Still in Operation - Naga - Legazpi

If riding the PNR train to Bicol is included in your bucket list, just like me, then you are in luck!

PNR has resumed its operation late last year (2015) but only from Sipocot to Naga to Legazpi.

After stopping its operation due to calamities in the Bicol Region, PNR now operates from Sipocot Camarines Sur up to Legazpi, Albay.

Currently, there is only one one-way trip per day. Train from Naga to Legazpi leaves at 5AM in the morning. In the afternoon, train goes back to Naga from Legazpi at 5:20PM.

Hope these pictures below I've taken during my PNR trip in Bicol Region will provide additional information on their operation.

PNR Legaspi Station

Naga to Legazpi Bicol PNR Fare Matrix

Naga to Legazpi PNR Trip Schedule

restored facilities dates back to Spanish era

PNR Legazpi Station

Just the ordinary train were used

PNR Daraga Station with the best view, the Mayon Volcano

written April of 2016