In Transit from Pagadian City to Zamboanga City and Checking-In at Casa Canelar

We left Hotel Camila at 630am in a fiery mood not an ideal start of day.  This was our second mix-up episode at Pagadian –the trike driver yesterday and now, the hotel staff.  Grrr…  We were confirmed for a 6am breakfast but as soon as we landed in the lobby with packs already on our back, we were told that during Sundays, the “cook’s” duty is at 7am.  What! Anyways, I convinced hubby that this negative spell should not in any way fetter our day... 

So with heavy trod, we made our way to the terminal for our Zamboanga City ride.  Lucky for us, the bus took a break for a quick breakfast before leaving the City proper. 

The ticket says P450 and if my calculations were right, it means about 6-7 hours travel time.  I so wanted to take a sleep but then again, I can’t afford to miss a scene especially that we will be passing through Ipil of Zamboanga Sibugay.  Being not in the IT and with low probability of revisiting it soon, a quick stopover will do for now.

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Mt. Palpalan and Pulacan Waterfalls

Mt. Palpalan is the highest point of Pagadian City at 684masl.  It houses the satellite transmitters of LCM FM 88.7.  From the Rotonda, Mt. Palpalan is a 30-minute ride by tricycle plus about 10-minute hike to the summit.  It was one of the heart-popping rides I had and I truly admired how the driver managed the bike on various steep ascends.

The view of Pagadian Bay is best seen along the road before the jump-off as compared to the view at the summit which was somewhat covered by trees.

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PAGADIAN CITY TOUR

It was already past 2pm when we dropped by at Sto. Niño Cathedral Parish to start our Pagadian stroll.  

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In Transit from Dapitan to Pagadian via Ozamiz and a Short Ozamiz City Visit

There’s a shorter bus route from Dapitan to Pagadian City via the Dipolog-Pagadian Road but…. the adventurous me dared the longer-less-travelled route of Dipolog-Oroquieta-Ozamiz-Pagadian.  So to make it to our IT for the day, we left Dapitan as early as 630am.  The cold morning breeze was a perfect kick for the long day ahead.

The whole trip, I was battling with my lashes to keep it from shutting.   I don’t wanna miss seeing Oroquieta City as we pass by and the rural feel of this side of Misamis.  Finally, after 3-1/2 hours, the welcome Ozamiz marker greeted us.  With no Ozamiz IT at hand, we just asked the trike driver to bring us to the City Hall.  I cannot think of other places to visit… Haha! My sleep deprived head has taken its toll.  And worst, I inquired with an equally oblivious driver.  When asked of Ozamiz City’s tourist places, he replied, other than the Aquamarine Park there is none… Hahaha!

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DAPITAN CITY’S DAKAK BEACH RESORT AND GLORIA DE DAPITAN

After the Rizal National Park tour, our last habalhabal tour destination was Dakak Beach Resort.  Time check then was 345pm and we reached Dakak 15minutes thereafter. 

Before we proceeded to the resort, our driver/guide toured us first to Dakak pier.  Though the roofing of the pier walkway had long flown out, the remnant of a burnt boat lay still.  At the pier, we were lucky to see the grand locally made yacht-type boat that is said to bring Dakak’s guests to Aliguay Island.

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DAPITAN CITY & THE MEMORIES OF JOSE RIZAL

Just 30minutes from Dipolog City via an old-school not-so-mini Evergood bus and P20 fare, we arrived at Dapitan City.  We alighted as soon as we saw Rizal’s statue standing at the center of a park which obviously is Dapitan’s Rizal Park or Dapitan Plaza.  Unknown to us, the building fronting the park now Police Station/City Health’s Office used to be Dapitan’s City Hall.

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A SHORT DIPOLOG CITY TOUR

We arrived at Dipolog with a crumbling belly so our first target was to look for a decent meal.  Just outside the airport building, Bael Canteen drifted our stride and to hubby’s delight, a sautéed prawn meal was a great Zamboanga welcome.

We so much wanted to hike the 3,003 steps to Linabo Peak but with time against us, we just strolled around the city.  First off was the New Provincial Capitol but it was closed for construction.  Then we proceeded to the City Hall and the nearby landmarks – Magsasay Park and the Three Prominent Pioneers’ Statue.

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DIPOLOG – DAPITAN – OZAMIZ – PAGADIAN – ZAMBOANGA CITY TRIP ITINERARY AND EXPENSES

When we booked for this Zamboanga Peninsula Trip, we have no plans of passing through Ozamiz City until I stumbled on an article about Pagadian-Ozamiz-Dapitan Route.  So with no fickle thoughts, we chucked-in Misamis Occidental in our itinerary.  We were able to accomplish our 47th, 48th, 49th & 50th provinces in one trip.

Day 1 noon: Arrived at Dipolog City and around Dipolog City (2-1/2 hours)

A Short Dipolog City Tour

§  Holy Rosary Cathedral

§  Magsaysay Park

§  Dipolog City Hall

§  Dipolog City Boulevard

Day 1 mid afternoon to early evening: Around Dapitan City (4-1/2 hours)

Dapitan City & the Memories of Jose Rizal

Dakak Beach Resort & Gloria de Dapitan

§  Dapitan Plaza

§  Dapitan’s Old City Hall

§  St. James Church of Dapitan

§  Relief Map of Mindanao 

§  Ilihan Hill

§  Rizal Landing Site

§  Dapitan’s New City Hall

§  Dapitan Aquamarine Park (Dampa)

§  Rizal Shrine, Waterworks and Mi Retiro Rock

§  Dakak Park & Beach Resort

§  Gloria Fantasy Land & Gloria De Dapitan

Day 2 morning: Traveled from Dapitan to Pagadian City via Ozamiz City route (7 hours)

In Transit from Dapitan to Pagadian via Ozamiz and a Short Ozamiz City Visit

§  Ozamiz City Hall

§  Prospera Park

Day 2 afternoon: Around Pagadian City (4 hours)

Pagadian City Tour

§  Sto. Nino Cathedral

§  Rotunda Tower

§  Mt. Palpalan

§  Pulacan Falls

§  Pagadian City Hall

§  Rizal Park

§  Dancing Fountain at Plaza Luz

Day 3 morning: Traveled from Pagadian to Zamboanga City (nearly 8 hours)

In Transit from Pagadian City to Zamboanga City and Checking-in at Casa Canelar

Day 4 afternoon: Toured Zamboanga City and a night of duckpin “alegria”

§  Zamboanga City Hall

§  Plaza Pershing

§  Fort Pilar Shrine

§  Pasonanca Park  

§  Paseo del Mar

§  Tebi & Sean

Day 5: Around Zamboanga City (barter and park tour)

§  Canelar Market

§  Camp Jose T. Atilano

§  Pasonanca Park – Zamboanga Science Park

§  Sunset at Paseo del Mar

Expenses for 2 persons:

 Airfare Manila to Dipolog and Zamboaga to Manila = P2,894 

 Miscellaneous = P1000

Dipolog and Dapitan:

Lunch at Dipolog City = P237

Tricycle around Dipolog City = P200

Bus from Dipolog to Dapitan City = P20 per head (P40 total)

Habalhabal around Dapitan City = P500

Villa Pillar Accommodation = P700

Dinner at Dapitan City = P292

Ozamiz and Pagadian:

Bus from Dapitan to Ozamiz City = P165 per head (P330 total)

Breakfast = P130

Tricycle around Ozamiz City = P90

Bus from Ozamiz to Pagadian City = P115 per head (230 total)

Tricycle around Pagadian City = P860

Hotel Camila Accommodation = P880

Dinner at Pagadian City = P300

Zamboanga City:

Bus from Pagadian to Zamboanga City = P450 per head (P900 total)

Breakfast/lunch = P320

Habalhabal from Terminal to Hotel = P100

Casa Canelar Accommodation = P1000

1^st day transpo and dinner = courtesy of our host friend

Share in duckpin gimmick = P200

2^nd day transpo around Zamboanga City = P350

2^nd day breakfast, lunch, merienda and dinner at Zamboanga City = P750

2^nd day shopping expenses = :)

Zamboanga City terminal fee = P100 per head (P200 total)

Travel Date: August 2013

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