Destination Diary: Back in Onse Islas + New Places Discovered

Now I can say that Onse Islas in Panubigan, Zamboanga City doesn’t fail to impress me.

Only an hour’s ride away at a steady pace in C’s Chevrolet Spark, I was curious to see Onse Islas again after a year. Last year we were island hopping and it was the soft opening as the LGU re-opened the group of islands to visitors after having protocols installed in place.

This weekend, we joined my cousin’s group as we discovered new corners that I haven’t been to before, this time with a different route, starting from Sirommon, stopping for a moment in Baung-Baung and ending the tour in Bisaya-Bisaya island. What makes this particular trip interesting is the visit to Playa de Isabelle and the hike atop Baung-Baung island to view Bisaya-Bisaya in a distance.

Another thing to note is that I immensely enjoyed the meal prepared by our guide in Sirommon island consisting of fresh lambay also known as kasag or crabs, and freshly harvested coconut, where we got to drink the juice and scrape off the meat for a hearty finish. Because we were so busy eating with our hands, none of us remembered to take photos of our fresh feast by the shore.

Even if I forgot my rash guard at home due to uncontained excitement and also there were doubts prior to sailing to the islands because of the fear of bad weather, the day kept surprising us with random sprinkles of rain, but nothing to be alarmed about.

There are two new places for me in Onse Islas, the first one is….

Playa de Isabelle

It’s a quick walk to Playa de Isabelle, just be careful not to step on slippery surfaces.

I’m someone who easily falls with bad balancing skills but with some slow pacing and careful footing, we made it to Playa de Isabelle. It’s the other side of Sirommon island and looks like a long-forgotten pier reached its weathering limits.

Took a few photos with C (my most favorite is the one lying on the sand) and I personally didn’t bother crossing the mangroves to reach the weathered port. A few photos and videos here and there and that was enough for me.

And the second place I want to share with you is…

Baung-Baung Hill

It’s on another island, which involves another quick boat ride to sprint onto Baung-Baung. Visitors should get ready for a steep hike, so a lot of breaks are encouraged until the summit is reached. It was no sweat for our guide but it took us a while though. The view is like something I’ve never seen, as it was rewarding enough for that hike.

Luckily I was bringing my Granite Gear backpack and Thermoflask with me. I honestly didn’t mind the weight. We took a few photos and videos, I jokingly told the group to take a jump shot there.

After touching base in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Carl and I decided to stay behind while the others went on to visit the natural infinity pool. Having been there before, we decided to take a quick nap.

Two new experiences for me on a Sunday, spent with C and some fun company, plus all we did is eat and burn off those calories. It’s more memories to be cherished Onse Islas.

Reminders

•    It’s a Muslim community, so visitors are advised to respect people living in the area.

•  The LGU is strictly imposing a no garbage policy, so please be responsible in disposing your trash properly. Do not leave anything behind. 

Other Relevant Links: 

Quick Guide to Onse Islas, Panubigan, Zamboanga City 

Destination Diary: Sta. Cruz Island + Things to Do

Review: Granite Gear Echo Backpack in Verb Petal

Note: All input are based on my personal experiences in Onse Islas (Eleven Islands). Our group made arrangements prior to the island hopping date. This is not a sponsored post. 

*Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy A50.

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Destination Diary: Shanghai, China

To complete our cultural experience in China, we headed on to the last part of our tour: Shanghai.

Arriving in the evening, Shanghai is the more metropolitan, modern version of the cities we visited. Shanghai is also a popular tourist destination because of the attractions that blend with both heritage sites and modern ones. 

Bullet Train from Beijing to Shanghai

Bullet Train to Shanghai

The weather in China is behind all the “normal” flight cancellations, but we had a schedule to keep. So our host arranged for us to leave for Shanghai no matter what. We were told the bad news that our flights were cancelled, but the good news was that we were to take the bullet train.

Speeding at 300 km/h, we got to see the countryside, train route and and wind-powered energy farms in wide view windows of the train, and just how wide the land is in this country. It took us six hours from Beijing to Shanghai, that’s how big China is, considering the speed the train travels in. The train stops for only a minute in each station, that’s just enough time to get in and out. Tickets are more expensive than airline fares, but train rides are rarely cancelled; whether it’s rain or shine, it’s a sure way of getting to one’s destination.

Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Yu Yuan Garden

We passed by a small alley that led to Yu Yuan Garden. It is a historic temple in Shanghai that is now surrounded with many artisan shops and is a popular shopping site among tourists. It’s really a temple inside with many artisans selling their wares all over the place, from a tea shop, to jewelry, souvenirs, metal goods, even food and department stores can be found in this tourist destination. 

Choose your wild, an assortment of tea in Yu Yuan Garden

Tea to hoard in Tins 

Tea of the day in Yu Yuan Garden Tea Shop

Shadow Theatre in Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai

Nanjing Road

This is for the person who cannot live without shopping and an unlimited amount of credit. Nanjing Road is a whole shopping strip consisting of a 5-KM stretch of shopping malls left and right. If you have a whole day for exploring the whole place, there’s so much to see. There’s an interesting vintage photo booth complete with props that can take your photo and process it Vintage Shanghai-style. There are also so many food stalls and souvenir stalls all over. There are so many brands and shops, hello 5-KM stretch.

Corner Entrance to Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Nanjing Road Alleys, Shanghai

A corner building in an intersection road in Nanjing, Shanghai

Sights and sounds, Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower and World Financial Center

Here’s a quick trivia, one building is privately called The Bottle Opener. By looking at the Shanghai skyline, one can guess which one. We went to the Bund Riverside Walkway at night to get a better view of the Pudong New Area and to get up close with the Shanghai skyline. One could see the mix of architecture from modern, to the renaissance style divided by the Bund Riverside separating the Pudong New Area and the Old District.

This was one of our last stops before heading on back to Tianjin for our closing ceremonies with TEDA and the Ministry of Commerce.

Oriental Pearl Tower

World Financial Tower and Jin Mao Tower

View from the Bund Riverside, Shanghai

In the Bund Riverside with our translator Grey

It has all been an amazing experience and we were all able to make friends and immerse in new cultural experiences in a different country. I’ll be keeping the official site visits private, but in the meantime, there will be more travel posts soon for the year.

China 2018 Series:

Tianjin

Beijing

Shanghai

Planning for a trip to China soon? Here are some things you may need beforehand. 

Disclaimer: All inputs are based on my experience while in China. A schedule was planned for our group beforehand given the limited amount of time.

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