Kiss Dry Goodbye! May BDJBox Unboxing

Kiss Dry Goodbye! Keep Shining Beautiful One! is BDJBox's theme for the month of May 2015. The last box of my 3 month subscription. :(

So what do have here? Another box full of goodies ^_^

Mostly they are hydrating and whitening items which will help you recover from the effects of summer.

Colgate Optic White in 100g tube PHP115x2

Well there is the word whitening? and shine? XD 

Aloe Derma Pure Aloe Vera Gel 45g PHP280

First time I've seen it. Smells like glue if you smell it from the tube.

Garnier Skin Naturals Light Complete Whitespeed Multi-Action Whitening Serum Cream with SPF19/PA+++ 50ml PHP 265

phew.. that was a mouthful. 

Garnier Skin Naturals Light Complete Whitespeed Multi-Action Brightening Scrub 50ml PHP84

Lightening products from Garnier just what I need. I'm excited to try them.

Nivea 3in1 Exfoliating Wipes 20sheets PHP140

I have the cleansing variant of this which I find convenient bringing during travels.

FS Powder Blush 6.2g PHP350

I was quite disappointed with the color but we'll see how I can work with it.

Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultrahydrating Lotion

I can already see them in my travel pouch.

Dermal Masks PHP70 x 3

I love masks!

Pure Savon Body Wash and Himawari Shampoo and Conditioner

These will go to my travel pouch as well hoho.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

I've seen this somewhere before. It's 90% water but it has good reviews and considering the price tag for something 90% water I'm really cure-ious.

The total amount of full sized items was PHP1559. I don't think adding the price of samples will reach the usual 2k mark though. Nonetheless these are really good products I would like to try and I'll probably write a separate review blog like last time. :)

#ITSMOREFUNINTHEPHILIPPINES

If you're looking for some cheap thrills or a relaxing trip to somewhere you don't know yet where well here are some ideas and some places in the Philippines that are worth checking out.
Notes:
Travel Time is estimated with Manila as the starting point.
Click on the title for details.

POTIPOT

Location: Candelaria, Zambales

Travel Time: 6 hours via Van and 15 minutes Boat

Budget: Around PHP1500

Masungi Georeserve

Location: KM47 Baras Rizal

Travel Time: 2 hours via Jeepney

Budget: Around PHP1500

Burot Beach

Location: Calatagan, Batangas

Travel Time: 4 hours via Van

Budget: Around PHP2000

Tierra Salva

Location: Tanauan, Batangas

Travel Time: 2 hours via Van

Budget: Around PHP2500

Surfin' in Baler

Location: Baler, Aurora

Travel Time: 6 hours via Van

Budget: Around PHP3000

Unforgettable Boracay Experience

Location: Malay, Aklan, Visayas

Travel Time: 1h Plane and 2h Bus (via Kalibo)

Budget: Around PHP10000

Note: via Caticlan for less travel time

A Quick Escape to Puerto Galera

Location: Oriental Mindoro, Luzon
Travel Time: 2h Bus and 1h Boat
Budget: Around PHP5000
Note: Near Manila

Calaguas Island Package Tour

Location: Camarines , Luzon
Travel Time: 9h Van and 2h Boat
Budget: Around PHP3500
Note: Take a plane for shorter travel time

Bohol Tour Highlights

Location: Bohol, Visayas
Travel Time: 1h30m Plane
Budget: Around PHP5000 not including transpo
Note: Near Cebu

Swimming with the Sharks in Oslob

Location: Oslob Cebu, Visayas
Travel Time: 1h30m Plane and 3h Van
Budget: Around PHP1000 not including transpo
Note: Near Sumilon Island

Cagbalete DIY Tour

Location: Quezon, Luzon
Travel Time: 4h Bus and 1h Boat
Budget: Around PHP2000
Note: Near Lucena

Subic, Zambales

Budget: Around PHP2000
Note: Near Manila

El Nido, Palawan

Location: Palawan, Visayas
Travel Time: 1h20m Plane and 6h Bus
Budget: Around PHP5000 not including transpo

Puerto Princesa Underground River

Location: Palawan, Visayas
Travel Time: 1h20m Plane and 20m Boat/2h hike
Budget: Around PHP2000 not including transpo

Hotsprings at Laguna

Caramoan
Location: Camarines Sur, Luzon
Travel Time: 9h Van and 2h Boat
Budget: Around PHP5000
Note: Take a plane for shorter travel time

A Quick Escape to Puerto Galera

If you're looking for a quick getaway near Manila, you should consider going to Puerto Galera. It's located at Mindoro, just a 2 hour bus and an hour boat ride away. It's been a lot more crowded than what I remembered but still a nice place to visit.

How to get there?

1. Ride a bus to Batangas Pier (PHP167). Travel time is around 2hours from Buendia. It's quite easy to catch a bus to Batangas so no reservations needed.
2. Ride a boat to White Beach (PHP500 2-way ticket). Travel time is around an hour or so. Boat schedule is often late so plan accordingly.

One Way - PHP275

Two Way - PHP500

Boat Schedule is on first come first serve basis. They accommodate around 50 persons per boat.

We arrived at around 10am and the earliest boat schedule we got was 12:00pm.

We boarded the boat at 1pm. (An hour late from schedule)

You'll also have to pay a terminal fee of PHP30 at the terminal after you buy boat tickets and PHP50 environmental fee when you arrive at Puerto Galera.

Terminal Fee

The boat ride can get suffocating especially when the weather is too hot because they cover the sides of the boat to keep passengers from getting wet so you might want to sit at the front or at the back.

If you have a round trip ticket, be sure to secure a schedule for your trip back immediately after you arrive at white beach.

Accommodation? Getting a place to stay is no problem either. There are a lot of resorts offering rooms for rent at the pier and in Puerto Galera.

 We got a room good for 6persons for PHP3000 a night from Agbing resort. Last time we stayed at White Beach resort. Both are just near the shore.

Activities? There are a lot of water activities you can try here. Banana boat, flying fish, snorkeling, jetpack, parasailing, atv, go kart, diving and what not. The jetpack thing is pretty cool but expensive as well.

 Parasailing

 Flying Fish

 Jet Ski

 Banana Boat

 Jet Pack

1 hour whole body massage PHP300

Food? There are a lot of affordable restaurants along the beach that will suit your budget. But most of the time you'll have to wait really long for the food to arrive.

(that scene on "how to get away with murder" XD)

Nightlife? Definitely yes, the last time I was here, I don't remember much commotion at night. But now.. there are performances side by side as in literally.

I enjoyed watching fire dancing and just chilling out drinking with friends.

You should try their famous Mindoro Sling (PHP350 per pitcher) while you're at it.

Or you can stay on the other side of the beach, lay on the sand and star gaze or get a massage.

The shore has white sand but the sea bed is mostly rocks, but not the kind that hurts your feet. The water is also clear but there were these pesky insect bites every now and then.

And of course the gorgeous sunset. I love taking pictures of sunset.

I would love to try all those activities when I get back. Before I forget, there is an ATM on the island but either you have to go to the town proper or you have to pay an extra 200 charge per transaction. Very few restaurants accept cash and with additioanl 3.5% charge so I suggest to bring cash. There is a Security bank ATM at the pier but don't take chances and just withdraw before going there.