Travel Tip: Don't be Late in the Airport

I was surprised by the news about PAL's move to penalize latecomers with additional fees. I actually thought that they have been doing that since the start. Well, Cebu Pacific is already doing that. The first time I actually felt it was in 2010. The story goes like this. My friend is scheduled to fly to Cebu after a week of vacation in his hometown in Marikina. It was a week after the deadly flood of typhoon Ondoy. Many roads were closed. He miscalculated his chances and he ended up 10 minutes late in the airport. And guess what, he was denied to check-in. He paid another 2500 pesos for the next trip. That was terrible but as I read through the Terms and Conditions, I realized what they did is valid.

Two years later, I was going to the airport after a few days of vacation in Bulacan. In the past, it usually takes 3 hours from Bulacan to Airport. But it was not a usual day. Starting in East Ave, everything seems to be slow. The bus is slow. The traffic is terrible. We had to reroute to Ayala Avenue and had to navigate Pasay City in a totally different way. It took me four agonizing hours to reach the airport. Forty minutes before my flight, I was pulling my luggage in Roxas boulevard looking for taxi to bring me to the airport. There was none. I walked as fast as I can and reached the intersection where the buses that passes to the airport stop. I reached the airport 30 minutes before my flight. I was nervous. I asked the lady in the counter and she said I was late. I pleaded. She checked the records and told me I can still check-in. I was relieved.

Cebu Pacific (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lesson: Don't Be Late

The lesson is simple: don't be late. PAL is now explicitly saying that they will penalize latecomers. With that, the possibility of evading the consequences is microscopically small. Don't take it. Don't even risk taking it if it's not worth it.

There's a heavy competition among local airline companies. They have to be strict with their rules to survive. What I still complain though is when they are the ones that was late or delayed. Can they be penalized too? I hope so.

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How To Get To Bantayan Island in Cebu?

Bantayan Island has been one of the famous destinations of both local and international tourists here in Cebu. In recent years, it has slowly become an alternative to Boracay because of the white sands as well as the serenity it offers to those who may wish to have a truly relaxing experience during their vacation. Bantayan island is not as crowded as Bora and the expenses there is way cheaper in comparison.

In this article, I will guide you on your travel to Bantayan Island from Cebu City. That  includes information about fare prices.

Bantayan Island beach

Getting to Bantayan Island: Landtrip from North Bus Terminal

The first step in getting to Bantayan Island is to ride a bus in Cebu North Bus Terminal. It was located in Mandaue City. For those coming from hotels and inns, it would be advisable to ride a taxi to get there. Or if you have the luxury of time, you can ask a hotel employee or a local friend to know the jeepney route that will pass in the North Bus Terminal.

View North Bus Terminal in a larger map

In the North Bus Terminal, take a bus ride (Ceres Bus) going to Hagnaya Port. It was long travel, ranging from 3 to 4 hours but after more than an hour, there is a short stop where you can buy food or go to the restroom. The fare is around 130 pesos for the non-air con and 150 Pesos for the air-con bus.

Travel by sea at Hagnaya Port

The bus will stop exactly at the Hagnaya Port. There, you have to ride a ferry going to Bantayan Island (Sta Fe Port). The sea travel takes about an hour. Typically, the sea is calm but it can be the opposite at times. The fare is 150 to 200 pesos depending on the type of cabin (aircon or non-aircon) and the shipping company. There are three companies operating at Cebu (Hagnaya)- Bantayan route.

The earliest schedule is as early as 12 AM but may change. Please contact the shipping company to be sure. See the schedule here.

Third Step: From Sta Fe Port to Your Chosen Resort

If have arranged a transport service with the resort where you would stay, then they will pick you up at the Port. If you don't have that arrangement, you can ride a tricycle, a motorcycle (locally termed as habal-habal) or tricykad (manually driven). Fare varies depending on the location of the  resort but it starts at 20 Pesos.

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An Update to My Cancelled Zest Air Flight Story

Last Tuesday, in the article entitled True Story: Warning to Zest Air Passengers and Potential Customers, I wrote about our problem when Zest Air decided to cancel all flights from Cebu to Davao. Now I'm glad to tell everyone that Zest Air finally conceded and gave us a better option than simply refunding our tickets. Here's what happened.

Went Back to Zest Air Office in Mactan-Cebu Airport

After trying to contact them through various office numbers, my friends decided to go to their Airport office for the last time. If this turns out unsuccessful, we'll just buy a new ticket and pursue a legal solution. It was a tough decision since the prevailing one-way ticket prices at that time was around 2500 Pesos at the minimum.This is far from the 700 pesos Zest Air offered to refund. But our event in Davao is of utmost importance so we have no choice but to proceed.

Even if it's late Tuesday night, around 10PM, they proceeded to Zest Air office. I decided not to go because, in my mind, I have already gave up the possibility of Zest Air rebooking our tickets. The next morning though, a pleasant news came to me as I received a message telling me that Zest Air finally decided to book us a new ticket. It's a flight from Cebu to Manila and then Manila to Davao. Though we still prefer a straight Cebu-Davao flight, we accepted the offer.

Will I Ever Fly Zest Air Again?

Probably a more appropriate question is: Will I ever trust Zest Air again? Yes, I believe that every time a customer purchases a product or service, it's an act of trust, trusting that the product is worth the value paid or the provider will give the service as agreed during the purchase. Although in the final analysis, Zest Air did what they ought to do, it took huge effort on our part to get what we deserved based on the existing law. Anxiety, inconvenience and wasted time were just things that can't be paid paid back. I speak for myself when I say, I don't trust Zest Air anymore.

But in view of the fact that businesses tends to improve through time and that Zest Air and Air Asia now merged into single airline company, I'm not totally closing my door in doing business with them. But until such time when their service is worth their price, I won't fly with them.

[Related: Public Announcement: Zest Air Flights Will Now Be Booked at AirAsia Philippines Website]

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Climbing Mount Babag Part 1: Guadalupe to Napo to the Small Creek

I've never climbed a mountain before. If this one will be successful, then this would be a great accomplishment for me. Well, it turns out that mountain climbing is not an easy task, but the experience is awesome. My first try is probably a less difficult one: Mount Babag in Cebu.

In Hiking, Preparation is Important

I rose up early morning Saturday to prepare my stuffs. I was told that we'll be going to a far place and that I have to bring a lunch pack and drinking water. I never really knew that I'll be climbing Mount Babag until my friend knocked on my door. To my surprise, he's in rubber shoes, jogging pants and collared t-shirt. A big bag (with emergency kit inside) is on his back. In cotrast, I was dressed differently but upon realizing things, I immediately changed my outfit. I also have to review the content of my bag to suit what I may be needing for the climb. Here's what I brought:

- Lunch pack and small snack items
- Extra clothes
- Water (1 Liter)
- Swiss knife
- towels
- money
- cellular phone

Note: These are not the official list of items that a mountain climber brings during the climb. I just want to share what I brought.

According to my friend who has been climbing mountains in the Philippines for several years already, physical preparation is necessary before climbing, especially high mountains. He advised me to use practical training such as using the stairs in getting up a building instead of using elevator. The purpose of which is to strengthen muscles in the legs. Physical soundness should be considered carefully before deciding to climb. If you have asthma, heart problems, or fear of heights, you may decide not to proceed. Physical injury while in the mountain will not only affect you, but also the entire group you are with.

Starting the Climb: Guadalupe to Barangay Napo

We started walking by foot starting from the front of Guadalupe Church. We just followed the paved road to the left (facing the church) until we reached Barangay Napo after about 40 minutes of walk.

Those who do not want to walk can ride a single motorbike locally known as habal-habal from Gaudalupe to Napo. The fare is just 10 pesos and it will only take you about 5 minutes to get there.

From Brgy. Napo to the Creek

Standing in the basketball court of Napo and facing the mountain, there is a small alley in the left. We went on and cross a creek. This is not yet  the creek that I mentioned in the title. After crossing it, the climb begins as we start walking an unpaved, uphill trail.

The small alley in Barangay Napo going to Mount Babag

After entering the alley in Napo basketball court, then you have to cross this creek

Ask the local residents for direction

None of us have already tried going to the peak of Mount Babag. We just relied on the information from blogs that relate experiences in climbing this mountain. Some information though were not clear and some were even wrong. In cases like that, we ask the local residents. From the Napo to the creek, there are lots of locals walking, carrying fruits, vegetables and other items. We always ask them on which direction to take.

Tip: Just ask them, "Where is the route to RCPI?".

After two hours of walk we reached the small creek. The two hours of walk were spent on light to moderately steep terrain. There are some portions of the trail though where the flat surface is just a foot  in width. On your left is the mountain, and on your right is a deep and steep downward slope. A small mistake can cause serious injury. At that point, I thought it was already the challenging portion, but I was wrong. After we crossed the river, a stepper more difficult terrain is ahead of us.

The trail to the peak of Mount Babag

After about two hours of walk, you will cross this creek. At this point,
you'll have to choose between the steep-short trail or the long-less-steep trail.

We chose "the short and steep" route to Mount Babag

That small creek just spans like four or five feet across. Though small, it serves as a landmark because at that point, we'll have to choose whether take the "short and steep" trail or the "long and less steeper" one. On that day, we chose the short and steep trail to the peak of Mount Babag. How steep is it? I will relate my experiences in the next article.


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