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This was last year, though I didn't have much time posting in my blog recently. I was obsessed and preoccupied with korean dramas that I forgot to update many things.
With a tight budget, last minute planning and long weekend ahead, we have decided to have a road trip from Laguna to Quezon and have some pit-stops at some famous places that we didn't have to pay that much. I was able to convince my mom to lend the adventure and then we'd just chip-in some cash for gasoline and driver expenses.
So here's our road map from Laguna to Quezon:
Map 1
(so we had a meeting place in Alaminos-Mercury Drug since I'm the one bringing the car. Then some of my friends rode a bus in Turbina terminal-the main bus stop in Laguna those who are coming from Sta.Rosa and Tagaytay friends of mine; the other 2 met in Alabang South Station were they rode a bus straight to Alaminos. From our meeting place we started our journey).
Map 2
If you're going to meet your friends in Manila take the Jac Liner Bus in Buendia and the fare will cost around 200-250++/head from Buendia to Lucena. The travel will take about 2-4 hours (depends on the day of your actual travel) if your main stop is Lucena. But I live in Alaminos, Laguna so I'm used to the 11/2 to 2 hours drive from Buendia. Buy your snacks before departure and don't buy snacks from the vendors who gets in on the bus (not safe or you don't know how they prepare those foods) just a precaution.
So our main plan was to stop to at least all the historic spots as we could and get the most out of it-explore, take pictures, relax and pig out on the way, just a plain joy ride to wander us away from our hectic teaching loads (we're teachers by the way).
Alaminos, my hometown, doesn't have much to explore. There may be some tourist spots like hidden valley but of course we are not apt to stay in one area and that's it, we're there to explore ways and possible tourist vacations that we could recommend to our family and friends. San Pablo, the next city to Alaminos, doesn't have that much tourist places to go to. Like Calamba there are spa's, inn's, and nice private pools to go to. We stopped by at the church in San Pablo while taking our breakfast in 7-11 and bought some snacks.
First stop,
Underground Cemetery: At last it's open! Because the last time I went for a visit it was closed. It was my first time to step there and you can feel the vibe of creepiness to your spine!!! It's basically a small church and underneath it was a small cemetery but creepy cemetery like during the spanish days. Most of the tombs there were 1840's (nyaaaahhhh) so I could feel someone staring at my back. I have to stay near some light so that I would be safe.
Outside the Underground Cemetery. No fees just go as you please where you can buy souvenirs worth 100++ (t-shirts, postcards, caps, etc.)
some creepy scenes inside the underground cemetery (by the way even you have a good camera, the scenery would still be dark because there were no lights inside but only lamps and sometimes only candle, which makes it more creepy). Taken from a Samsung camera not from a professional camera SLR.
Liliw, Laguna:
I told them (I was their official tour guide and I had to prepare the
itinerary for our trip) that will stop in Liliw and they will be amazed with the different shops of shoes, slippers and bags. I told them that it
would be cheap so bring extra money as gifts for their loved ones. It
turned out the my co-teachers had a great time shopping and haggling for
shoes! Price ranges from 120++ and above tip: haggle! haggle! haggle!
Most of the shoes and slippers being sold here are exported and some of the signature shoes we see in the malls are actually taken here.
(my co-teachers at the small park near the town hall)
(not me!) =)
(some sell household furnitures)
Nagcarlan Church: It was
like a pilgrimage, every place we visited, we had to stop to a church
and just observe the scenery and the church's architecture. The San Bartolome Church was big and had a nice facade. Anyway, they say that
for every church you visit for the first time you have to make a wish
and it would come true so we had fun in making those wishes.
It was already lunch time and our stomach are demanding for some food. Some of the places were already filled up of people so we had to look for a good place to eat food. And we found one.....if you're on a trip its good to eat at (i forgot the name) but then you'd be so hungry to wait for a long cue of people so try to look for this eatery (I'll look for our food bill, I remember I've kept it somewhere) they are know for their "pancit" but then you could also try some other dishes, which is affordable in your budget, not bad for a late
lunch! Try visiting this website of Nagcarlan to check out their famous attractions and dates to remember so at least when you go there you won't miss out the fun: http://www.nagcarlanmovingforward.com/nagcarlan_laguna_philippines_tourists_attraction
Mayjayjay Falls: Last time I was there, I had fun in trekking the way. It was harder before because there was no path to follow but sturdy rocks and slippery sidewalks that once you slipped --alas! goodbye to yourself hahahha. But now, there was a paved way to the falls. Upon reaching the place, my co-teachers didn't swim at all because the water was too cold and there were lots of people around. We're the "maarte" type so to speak (just kidding) we didn't have the mood to swim that day, we're just there to look at the scenery and then after a few minutes we head off to our next destination.
We went ahead for a short cut and saw ourselves already in
Lucban Quezon!!!! It was already afternoon so we're actually looking for an inn or motel to stay. We found a hotel near the police station but then we don't have enough budget for that and we want to stay in one room together so we could play, eat together, talk and drink. So Allan and I walked around the town and found this inn:
It was a good deal 1500++ with aircon, 2 beds (queen size to fit 3 people), electric fan and 1 toilet (that was the only problem). By the way, we were around 8 persons and we fit inside the room and on the bed (each sleeping horizontally opposite each bed). Unbelievable!!! So we said ok this will be the toilet rules: If you really want to pooooooooooooop.........everyone had to leave. The ceiling of the toilet is open and so if there'll be anyone whose gonna cause trouble men! everyone will be in trouble hahahhaha.
But then I was so wise, I asked the owner of the inn if I could use any other toilet from a vacant room because I really have to because there was already someone using our toilet (even there wasn't anyone using it) and then he let me use it! hahahhahha. charming. <3
After putting all our things, dressed up for supper, we have decided to walk around the town and look for a place to eat and hang out. With our peejays on, we roam around the small town of Lucban. It was a cold night, it just finished raining so the air was refreshing. Same as any town, you could see many small dining area, near our inn was a "tambayan" house, I could say that it was decent since the place looks clean and there was a band playing just for hang out bar to relax but we didn't go there since we're wearing pajamas and we were not up for that, we were there to bond and talk and share stories with one another. So we walked and we saw Buddy's place (famous for pancit habhab and longganisa) we couldn't care less about the people looking at us for wearing peejays since we are tourist anyway. So we ordered chicken, pork steak, pork chop etc. price ranges from 120-150++ with drinks. It was a good dinner since their servings were big. Afterwhich, we head back to our inn, stopping at a nearby 7-11 store to buy some coffee for tomorrow (we are coffee addicts), water and side snacks.
For more info about tourist places to visit at Quezon Province, visit this site which is very helpful: http://www.wowquezon.com/tourist-spots/churches/st-louis-de-toulouse-church-in-lucban/
The next day before heading out to
Kamay ni Hesus, which is our first destination for the day, we went out and check out some stores to buy the famous Lucban longganisa. We ate breakfast at Sevilla's Restaurant just a walk away from the site of Kamay ni Hesus which is at the opposite direction of it.
(Me and the gang)
(Kamay ni Hesus) 98 steps before reaching the top of the mountain where the image of Christ could be seen. It's really peaceful although I suggest that you wear slippers or rubber shoes and bring some towel to wipe your sweat and some water. Also be mindful about your attire as they consider this place as a sacred place for pilgrims and devotees. A good way to spend your Holy Week, and to pause at each station where it represents the stations (journey) of Christ Jesus. It's breathtaking upstairs and we stopped for awhile and offered our prayers.
When it was time to leave, we bought some souvenirs and some cold cold ice cream! Then we head to our last destination which was the
Ugo Bigyan's Pottery.
