Budget Trip of a Solo Female Traveler to Bataan

On the night before the expected releasing of results, I planned a solo trip to Bataan. It is my way of escaping whatever news will arrive on that day.

At 8:00 am, I was on my way to Cubao to catch the bus bound for Balanga. I was planning to ride the 9 o'clock bus, however, my travel companion a.k.a. Google Maps, gave me the wrong directions. When I arrived at the Five Star Bus Terminal, the bus already left. Thus, I have to wait until 10 am for the next bus to leave. Good thing there was wireless-fidelity connection to keep me entertained and also, the movies shown in the television.

                                      First passenger to aboard en route to Balanga, Bataan

     At 11am, we arrived at Robinson's San Fernando and after another 1 and a half hours, I already found myself setting foot at Balanga Bus Terminal. I then hired a tricycle to get me to Balanga Church. Actually, it is very near from the terminal, maybe 1km away but I opt to get a trike because of the hear and time-constraint.

Facade of Balanga Church taken from across the street

                                                           Historical marker of the church

At the read end of the church where the statues of the saints are found

Across the church is the city plaza. Here, you'll find the City Hall, a hotel and a shopping mall.

                                                                The Plaza Hotel

Balanga City Hall

Awesome architecture of Robinson's Balanga

After taking a few photos, I waited for a bus/jeep bound for Brgy. Diwa, Pilar where the Dambana ng Kagitingan is found. Since I don't know the route that I should take, I asked a local and he told me that I should go back to the terminal and ride the jeepney bound for Cabog-cabog. I alighted the jeep and got off at the intersection going to Mt. Samat.

Signage to Mt. Samat at Brgy. Diwa intersection

Upon reaching the intersection, you'll find a group of tricycle drivers that would take you up to Mt. Samat. Try to haggle for your fare first since they usually overcharge the tourists. In my case, they even made up stories that its been 3 days since their last passenger. However, when I made it to the Mt. Samat, the security personnel was teasing my driver for having 3 customers that day. Ugh. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Selfie while riding the trike

My driver dropped me at the foot of the cross and told me that he'll wait at the entrance of the shrine after.

Here's a few information about Mt. Samat/Dambana ng Kagitingan:

"The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.

The park was commissioned in 1966 by then-President Ferdinand Marcos, himself a War Veteran, for the 25th Anniversary of WW2. The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan.

Along with the fortified island of Corregidor, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan. 

Bataan fell after three months of fighting when 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King surrendered to the Japanese on 9 April 1942. It is the single largest surrender of U.S. soldiers in history. Together with the Philippine soldiers, they were then led on the Bataan Death March.

The scene of their last stronghold is Mount Samat, the site of Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine was conceived as a fitting memorial to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died in that historic bastion of freedom." (Wikipedia)

The 92-meter high cross

 At the transverse section of the cross is a viewing deck. It is accessible by a 6-person capacity elevator.

The circular staircase that used to be the access to the viewing deck

I'm lucky! I was the only passenger, aside from the operator, 

inside the claustrophobia-developing elevator

Tourist mode: ON!

The viewing gallery

I think I wore the wrong clothes as the wind was blowing very hard at the viewing gallery. Baguio City feels! 

Views seen from the gallery

After 20 minutes of enjoying the cold breeze, I then trekked towards the museum.

The museum as seen in the walkway from the cross

I suggest that you start touring from the cross then down to the museum. Most tourists are starting exploring the museum and would have to endure the long and tiring trek up to the cross.

Canyons and guns found on the shrine's grounds

I then explored the museum which is located on the left side on the colonnade. No photography is allowed inside the museum. There were relics, a big map and photos depicting the story pertaining to the fall of Bataan.

Students on their field trip

Stained glass murals at the back of the altar

Information about the Mt. Samat Nat'l. Shrine

 My phone went off and the sun was starting to set already so I decided to go back to Balanga City. I took a jeep with a Cabog-cabog signage and I was dropped at the terminal. I thought the bus back to Manila was also located there but when I asked the locals, I have to walk for a few meters to get to Bataan Transit or Genesis Bus Terminal. Went to 7-11 for a while to buy some food then alighted the Genesis Bus bound for Manila. I had fun exploring this city. I just hope that the local government would promote their tourism and would make the place more tourist-friendly.

COST AND EXPENSES:

Cubao to Balanga:                                P200
Terminal to Balanga Church:                P10
Balanga Church to Terminal:                P10
Terminal to Brgy. Diwa intersection:     P19
Trike to Dambana ng Kagitingan:         P350
Entrance fee:                                        P10
Brgy. Diwa to terminal:                         P19
Balanga to Cubao:                               P200
                                                                 
TOTAL EXPENSES:                            P818 

Since I transferred here in the Davao, I usually find myself alone. I have my friends here, my boyfriend is here but everyone's busy working and they also have their own lives. So after my work, I just stroll around the streets of Davao City and look where to dine and have 'me time'. 

From the office where I work, which is in Matina, it is not hard to commute and go to the downtown area. Last week, I decided to go to Gaisano Mall to have dinner. I went to the Peak since most of the restaurants are found. My initial plan was to eat at Hollywood Burgers since earlier that week I was able to try Gino's Burger and I want to do some comparison on their burgers. However, the place was empty. I assumed that the store's already closed since that was already 8-ish. Since the 'forever alone' moment start to sink in because majority of the people are in groups, I hurriedly rode the escalator and headed to the 2nd floor. Then I saw Red Mango with lesser customers compared to its adjacent restos, I decided to have a froyo instead since I was not really THAT hungry. When I went inside, there were a group of girls queue-ing so I had to time to look at their prices. The plain frozen yogurt's price starts at Php85 (4oz.). That was the smallest size, while the biggest was the family size which costs Php195. You may also add additional toppings worth Php20/topping or Php35 for 2 toppings. I had popping boba and chocolate chip (which was the attendant's suggestion). I paid Php120 for the froyo.

The popping boba and chocolate chip went well with the froyo but since I'm not a chocolate fan, I started to hate the taste of the chips as I went on with my froyo. The taste of the yogurt was not extraordinary, though it is also delicious even without the toppings.

I felt happy because the place suited me, as a loner since the place is big and they have free wi-fi connection. But I had one question in my mind throughout my stay there: Why did they named the store Red Mango when they don't have any mangoes on their menu?

The red spoon.

Red Mango.
2F The Peak, Gaisano Mall of Davao.

Food Quest: Lachi's Sans Rival, Atbp.

          I've been wanting to visit Lachi's but my best buds won't go with me since Lachi's is very far from where we used to stay which is in Mintal. But since I'm now staying at the downtown area of the city for my Diversified Architectural Experience, I asked my college classmate Kuh to accompany me. Kuh is also a food lover and I can drag her whenever I want to try a new resto in the city. So, after our work last week, I texted her to meet me at Merco (across Davao Doctor's Hospital). For those who doesn't have automobiles, you can take a pedicab going to Lachi's at Marfori Heights. Drivers would charge P50, one way.

Lachi's Table Mat

Since we're not really THAT hungry and we're more excited on trying their pastries, Kuh and I only ordered pastas. The waitress kept on insisting for us to try their Unforgettable Grilled Pork Ribs (P148) but we were hesitant that we might not be able to finish the meal. So, I had Pork Marinara (P105) instead while Kuh had Penne with Spicy Tuna Marinara. I was not able to take photos since we were busy talking and started eating our orders. Haha! The Pork Marinara was covered with red sauce, cheese and pork slices. I was happy because I really loved the pasta! Everything went so well. Little did I know, I was already done with my food! Kuh was also happy with her Penne, despite having a high standards for her palette. What we didn't like is the limited choices of drinks. We end up having lemonade (P25) which I guess is not made from pure lemon juice also. And finally.....

Durian Sans Rival 

Creme Brulee

Photo op before indulging our desserts! (Kuh in violet)

It's time for our desserts! We had a hard time choosing the sweets in their chiller. Cheesecakes, sans rival, sylvannas, mousse, macaroons (DROOL). Ended up having durian sans rival, since I want to compare it with other pastry shops, and creme brulee. And as usual, our reaction after every bite is like those you see on TV Commercials. The Creme Brulee was HEAVEN! The durian sans rival, on the other hand, is too sweet for me yet I love the taste because of the durian twist.

The staff were pulling down the roll-up doors already and that's when we realized that it was almost 9pm. 

After we left, Kuh and I agreed that we'll go back to Lachi's soon and try the rest of their pastries.

FOOD: ☺☺☺☺☺

DRINKS:☺☺

AMBIANCE:☺☺☺☺

SERVICE:☺☺☺☺

PRICES: ☺☺☺☺

Lachi's Sans Rival, Atbp.

Ruby Street, Marfori Heights,

Davao City

Store Hours: 11am-8pm