Apr 2018: Boracay

The process of how they went there

• Tarlac to Clark (Land)
• Transport: Victory Liner or Philippine Rabbit bus from Tarlac City Terminal to Dau Terminal (Mabalacat).
• Transfer: "Blue Taxi" or shuttle from Dau to Clark International Airport (CRK).
• Clark to Caticlan (Air)
• Carrier: Philippines AirAsia or Cebgo (Cebu Pacific) – direct flight to Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (MPH).
• Caticlan to Boracay Island (Sea)
• Logistics: Short tricycle ride from the airport to Caticlan Jetty Port.
• Fees (The 2018 Triple-Window System): Queuing at three separate windows for the Terminal Fee, Environmental Fee, and Bangka Boat Ticket.
• Verification: Manual filling of tourist registration forms before boarding the wooden Bangka.
• Island Transfer (Local)
• Port: Arrival at Cagban Port.
• Resort Transfer: Met by a resort coordinator for a shared multicab ride to Station 3.

Itinerary/activities

Day 1: Arrival & The White Beach Tradition

• Arrival at Cagban Port; transfer to a private resort in Station 3.
• Lunch at Andok’s (Station 2) – the classic affordable family feast.
• Check-in and Welcome Drinks at the resort.
• First swim at White Beach (Station 3). Alysha builds her first sandcastle and starts her shell collection.
• Walk to Station 1 to see Willy’s Rock before the sunset crowds.
• Sunset Paraw Sailing – family-sized traditional boat.
• Dinner at D'Talipapa (Station 2) for "Paluto" style fresh seafood.
• Watching Fire Dancers at a beachfront bar (an activity later restricted).

Day 2: Island Hopping & Deep Sea Adventure

• Managed Buffet Breakfast at the resort.
• Private Island Hopping Tour (Station 3 departure).
• Snorkeling at Coral Garden and Crocodile Island.
• Stop at Puka Shell Beach for beach bumming and extensive shell collecting.
• Boodle Fight lunch on the boat or at a nearby island cove.
• Helmet Diving (Station 1 area) – underwater photos with fish.
• Back to resort; quick dip in the private pool.
• Dinner at Station X or a beachfront buffet with live acoustic music.

Day 3: Souvenirs & Final Coastal Walk

• Sunrise walk and final shell scavenging along the quiet Station 3 shoreline.
• Final Buffet Breakfast at the resort.
• Souvenir Shopping at D’Mall – buying "Boracay" shirts, magnets, and local snacks.
• Last photo-op at the beachfront with the resort's private signage.
• 12:00 PM: Check-out and transfer to Cagban Port for the return journey to Tarlac.

June 2022: Baguio

The process of how they went there

• Pre-Departure Requirements:
• Registration of all family members via the Baguio VISITA portal.
• Uploading of Vaccination Cards (VaxCertPH) and valid IDs for health verification.
• Securing the QR-coded Tourist Pass (QTP) upon approval of the travel request.
• Confirmation of a DOT-accredited budget hotel booking (required for entry).
• Transportation:
• Departure Point: Victory Liner Terminal (Siesta), Tarlac City.
• Route: Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) via Pozorrubio/Rosario.
• Arrival Point: Victory Liner Terminal, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City.
• Health Screening & Entry:
• Immediate transfer from the bus terminal to the Central Triage (Baguio Convention Center) via taxi.
• Scanning of QTPs and physical health assessment by city personnel.
• Proceeding to the budget hotel for check-in once cleared.

Itinerary/activities

Day 1: Arrival and City Center Exploration

• Departure from Victory Liner Tarlac.
• Arrival in Baguio City; Proceed to Central Triage.
• Lunch at Good Taste Café & Restaurant (Otek St.).
• 01:00 PM: Check-in at Budget Hotel (near Session Road).
• Burnham Park (Boating, Biking, and Children's Playground).
• Dinner at the Harrison Road Night Market (Street food and Ukay-ukay).

Day 2: Landmark Loop and Cultural Sites

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Mines View Park (Viewing deck and photo ops).
• The Mansion and Wright Park (Horseback riding area).
• Picnic Lunch at Wright Park or local eatery.
• Baguio Botanical Garden (Igorot Village and Japanese Tunnel).
• Laperal White House (Viewing from the gate) and Teachers' Camp.
• SM City Baguio (Sky Terrace for sunset viewing).
• Dinner at a diner along Session Road.

Day 3: Market Run and Departure

• Breakfast and Check-out.
• Baguio City Public Market (Purchase of strawberries, brooms, and jams).
• Post Office Loop (Buying final snacks/souvenirs).
• Quick lunch near the terminal.
• 01:00 PM: Boarding Victory Liner Bus to Tarlac.
• Arrival at Siesta Terminal, Tarlac City.

July 2023: Bantayan, Cebu

The process of how they went there

The North Luzon Connection

• 02:00 AM: Departure from Tarlac City. The family takes a P2P bus or a jeepney/bus to Dau Terminal (Mabalacat).
• Arrival at Clark International Airport (CRK). They checked in for a budget 5:30 AM flight (AirAsia or Cebu Pacific).

The Cebu Land Transit

• 06:45 AM: Arrival at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
• To save money, they skip the P500 taxi and take the MyBus (P50/head) to SM City Cebu.
• From SM, they take a short taxi or jeepney ride to the Cebu North Bus Terminal (located at SM City Cebu grounds at that time).
• Boarded a Ceres Liner Bus (Air-conditioned) bound for Hagnaya Port. (Fare was approx. P280-P300 in 2023).

The Crossing

• Arrival at Hagnaya Port (San Remigio).
• Boarded the Island Shipping or Super Shuttle Ferry.
• Ferry Fare: ~P185 + P25 Terminal Fee.
• Arrival at Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. They paid the P30 Ecological Fee.
• Instead of a resort shuttle, they hailed a tricycle (P50) to their budget hotel (e.g., Sf Cantina or a local guesthouse near MJ Square).

Itinerary/activities

Day 1: Arrival & Santa Fe Sunset

• 04:00 PM: Check-in at Budget Hotel (Santa Fe area).
• Walk to Kota Beach public area (Sandbar sightseeing and "Camp Sawi" signage photos).
• Dinner at MJ Square (Budget BBQ stalls and local carinderias).

Day 2: Island Land Tour & Cultural Visit

• Obo-ob Mangrove Garden (Kayaking or walking the bamboo boardwalk).
• Paradise Beach (Sandira) (Swimming in the secluded cove).
• Lunch at Bantayan Town Proper (Affordable local eateries).
• Ogtong Cave (Quick dip in the natural freshwater pool).
• Kota Park, Madridejos (Sunset viewing at the northern pier).
• Night Market visit for Dried Danggit and Pusit (Pasalubong shopping).

Day 3: Island Hopping & Departure

• Breakfast at the hotel (Instant coffee and bread from the local bakery).
• Virgin Island (Shared boat tour to split costs; snorkeling and cliff jumping).
• Return to mainland Santa Fe; quick shower and packing.
• 11:30 AM: Check-out from the Budget Hotel.
• Lunch near Santa Fe Port.
• 01:00 PM: Departure via Ferry back to Hagnaya Port to begin the return journey to Tarlac.