City Tour (DIY)

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Pinakatipid na mag-hire ka ng trike para sa City Tour. Kung malaking group kayo, may mga for rent na vans din doon. Dahil dalawa lang kami, pumayag na kami sa P500 rate nung isang trike driver na nakilala namin doon. Included sa tour ay yung Butterfly Garden, Crocodile Farm, Mitra’s Ranch, Baker’s Hill, Tiange-Tiange, Plaza Cuartel and Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.

Butterfly Garden:

Syempre madaming butterflies! Hahaha! Pero may mga nakadisplay din silang ibang insect species (find out for yourselves what they are). We just didn’t like the musty atmosphere of the place. Entrance Fee: P25/person

Crocodile Farm:

Now this one I’m excited to visit. The last time kasi na nakakita ako ng live crocodile ay nung nag-field trip ako during my elementary years pa. Dalawa lang ata yun, e dito breeding farm! Entrance Fee: P50/person

After paying the entrance fee, we waited a little while because we were told we would be joining a group for the guided tour inside. The tour inside the facility including the briefing beforehand took us about 20mins. Afterwards, we were informed that they have a Nature Park behind the facility that we could visit for FREE – and so we went.

Mitra’s Ranch:

This is a place with a nice view, I think overlooking siya ng Honda Bay. Aside from sightseeing, picture taking and riding the zipline, there isn’t much to do there. We didn’t get to ride the zipine kasi we’re kinda tight on the budget.

Baker’s Hill:

Akala ko nung una, bilihan lang to ng pasalubong. May restaurant at landscaped garden din sila. Though we weren’t able to eat at their resto, nag-enjoy kami sa kaka-pose with their numerous replica cartoon and movie characters. Saya!

With regard to their pastry products, madami namang variety. Number one nila yung flavored hopia, but we opted to buy their other products since medyo sawa na rin kami sa eng bee tin.

Tiangge:

We weren’t able to take pictures here since busy na kami sa pagba-budget ng mga bibilihing pasalubong. Sangkatutak na trinkets, keychains at shirts ang pagpipilian dito. Buti na lang merong as low as P10 keychains kung hindi baka kuwento lang ang naipasalubong namin sa mga dabarkads. Don’t judge, it’s the thought that counts!

Plaza Cuartel:

This is a small park na may historical significance daw. Pero aside from that vertical tunnel leading to an underground hideout ng mga Pinoy during WW2, there is nothing more interesting to see in this place. Mag-“picture-picture” na lang ulit.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral:

Our city tour concluded in the best way possible when we visited this Cathedral last. Alas we were sheltered in this lovely place as we prayed and thanked God for the blessings He has bestowed us. Thank you, Papa God!

The trike driver told us that we could still visit the baywalk area as our last stop but since we already went there the night before, we declined the offer and told the driver to just drive us straight to our pension house.

Computation of Expenses

I will give the amount both of us have incurred for the tour then just divide it later on by 2 so you could compare it to the ones offered by travel agents and also give you some pros and cons between doing DIY and getting a guided tour.

As of October 2012, Agency Price for City Tour (half day) is P600/person inclusive of entrance fees and private van transpo.

Our DIY experience:

Trike for City Tour                (half day)               -  P  500.00

Entrance Fees:

   Butterfly Garden                                 -  P    50.00

   Crocodile Farm                                   -  P  100.00

TOTAL                                                  -  P  650.00 / 2 = P 325.00/person

	DIY	Travel Agent
PROs	-You control your own time – you can spend as much time shopping, taking pictures or pigging out as your free time permits you. -Total expense is much less!	-You don’t have to worry about your ride. -Comfort in an air-conditioned van.
CONs	-Riding a non-aircon transpo means you are susceptible to the road travelers’ wear and tear.	-If you are unlucky enough to be accompanied by obnoxiously loud co-tourists/passengers. -Time for shopping and sight-seeing is quite limited since you are following what’s in the group’s itinerary.

Tips and Suggestions

If there are only a few of you in your group, say 2 or 3, I would suggest you do DIY if you don’t mind riding the trike all throughout the tour. It’s a lot cheaper, you could save about half of what travel agencies offer.

Now, for those who are accompanied by children or elderlies, it would be convenient for you to call your travel agents for the tour. I don’t think your company would appreciate the wear and tear of riding a trike for long distances. Finally, if you have money to spend, I see no reason why you would do a DIY (unless it’s for adventurism purposes), good for you if you can afford the luxury. =)