Gone South: Zamboanga!

When I learned that my friend Carol's wedding will be held in Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), it was all excitement.. I can't wait for the Piso fare announcement of Cebu Pacific so I can book a flight asap...and so the day came (February) when the much awaited piso fare was announced but it was unfortunate for me that I didn't get the piso advantage.. but its okay discounted parin.

The trip became much more anticipated and was badly needed when the weeks before the scheduled flight I was like so busy I didn't even had the time to visit a salon or a spa to have my nails done. But all these were all forgotten when I saw Raffy & Nica at the airport.. this is it!

Raffy & Nica checking in at NAIA Terminal3

Our first day was filled with Love Love Love.. as our dear Carol and Larry tied the know at the newly renovated Holy Rosary Cathedral that was built in 1895 by the Spanish Friars. Reception was help at the Royal Farm, Gulayon, Dipolog City.

Mr. & Mrs. Amores

At the Reception: trying to pout for the camera, a signature smile of the bride.

Our trip down south will not be complete without experiencing the BEACH.. and this is what we exactly did on our second day...What more can Dapitan offer but their famous Dakak Beach Resort.

We planned to take the habal-habal (a single motorbike used as public transport) but 2 of our friends were not so excited to take this mode of transportation.. so we rented the next ride that is light on the budget ...which is the multicab...

Travel time from Dipolog to Dapitan is about an hour and we were taken by a Van inside the resort.. (Strictly no parking inside the resort).. The place was huge and nice. The sand is so fine it reminded me of Bohol :)

Spent the whole day here relaxing, swimming, taking photos and taking about android phones haha! The food is good and with the entrance fee of P200 per pax, we got a P100 rebate each! Sulit ang P200++ na lunch :)

Love it here..wish you were there too..

the multicab that took us around Dipolog & Dapitan

tried spelling D-A-K-A-K  :)

On the third day of our trip, it was actually the 150th birth anniversary of our Philippine Hero, Jose P. Rizal and what better way to celebrate his birthday that walking on the streets that he has once walked during his exile in Dapitan.... and so we took our ever reliable multicab to Dapitan. 

Started the City Tour at Punto del Desembarco de Rizal. The monument on Sunset Boulevard marks the spot where Rizal first set foot on Dapitan upon his arrival in 1892. 

Toured The Rizal Shrine, a major historical landmark in Dapitan, is the original estate of the country's national hero, Jose Rizal during his exile.

Had a generous buffet lunch at Kamayan ni Manay still in Dapitan..i can still taste the ginataang alimango which was a sure hit!

Next stop is the Map of Mindanao that Rizal made which is in front of St. James Church or Simbahan ng San Jaime which is where Rizal heard mass during his excile in Dapitan.

Felt we need to burn those calories we ate, we headed to Ilihan Trail to view the city from the top of the mountain... more than 200 steps!! But so glad the care taker offer free water after that tiring climb.

Before the day ended, we treated ourselves with massage.. I chose a Foot Thai Massage which was amazing.

Replica of Jose Rizal's home while in excite

Simbahan ng San Jaime 

at the top of Ilihan Trail.. over looking the fields

Thank you to all the Zanortehanons who made us feel very welcome to your Historical City. 

Ang ganda ng Pilipinas.

xoxo.