aizeenerary: Zamboanga City- Zamboanga Sibugay- Isabela Basilan (June 2016)

One of my most awaited day finally arrived!- Our trip to Zamboanga!!!

The original plan was to go to Jolo, Sulu but we just had a change of mind, so we decided to explore Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay and Isabela Basilan.

There were five of us who left Manila, It was the early morning of June 4th.

Our flight was supposedly at 5:35 am but there was a delay, anyhow, we arrived in Zamboanga before 8 am. We took photos at the airport.

cto: Makoi

After taking photos at Zamboanga airport, we went straight to city inn met our new friend- Gwen, put

down our bags and head directly to Jimmy's Satti House.

Well, Satti is one of the 'Must Try' when in Zamboanga and one of the food that I have been craving for since I visited the city 2 yrs ago.

After we ate, we head to the van terminal going to Vitali. It took about 1 and a half hours then we hired a habal-habal that brought us to Merloquet Falls. Me and Gwen shared in one habal-habal while the others do the same. It's almost an hour motorcycle ride. The road is already paved though there are still some parts that are rocky and uneven.

cto: Don

We reached the jump off point, paid the entrance fee and told the drivers that we'll be back by 3:30pm.

There's a paved stairways going to the falls which makes it very convenient to visit. It's about 272 steps to reach this curtain like waterfalls.

When we arrived, it was already drizzling so we immediately took photos and rest in the available cottages near the falls.
Then, the rain pours! Good thing we bought some snacks before heading to the falls, we sit and laugh for a while before we decided to play in the rain. The water flowing in the waterfalls gets better as the rain welcomed us with the shower. We get closer to the waterfalls, slowly and carefully because the ground is too slippery. The water is so refreshing and the temperature is just right. We felt like we were kids at that moment while enjoying the rain and the waterfalls.

Around 3 pm we decided to go back to the jump off point, the rain also stopped by then. The habal-habal brought us back to Vitali then we waited for a van that brought us back to the city.

Before going back to the Hotel, we went to Plaza Del Mar to meet Gerald and had dinner. After our mouth-watering dinner, We had our first Knickerbocker experience (first because we had a lot! )

Knickerbocker is another MUST try when in Zamboanga, so aside from Satti, this is one of my favorites.

We went back to our Hotel and had a good rest.

We had an early call time,we walked to the nearest Jollibee first to have a quick breakfast before going straight ahead to IBT Terminal.

We took a van that will go Zambonga Sibugay. It took us about 3 to 3.5 hrs. Upon arriving in Sibugay, our very accommodating host, blogger and contributor of ChoosePhilippines meet us -Uj.

I get in touch with Uj through Instagram.

I asked him some questions, tips and recommendations as I read his articles about the beauty of Zamboanga.

We both got excited, and I told him me and my Instagram friends are visiting Zamboanga, he agreed to meet us in Sibugay and accompanied us in Buluan Island, he even prepared our very appetizing lunch!

We spent our very chill and laid back afternoon in the island,

cto: UJ
(crochet swimsuit by G.Bikini)

until before it started to get dark.

He suggested the nearby waterfalls in Ipil,the capital of Sibugay.It started to drizzle when we arrived in the jump-off of the waterfalls.

We took a tricycle that waited for us and we went ahead to the waterfalls. We passed by corn fields while the sun is starting to set, the road to the waterfalls is so muddy and sticky because of the rain.

We panicked a bit as it's getting darker, that's when UJ realized we took the wrong path.

Finally, we found our way to the falls, we took photos and decided to go back to where the tricycle is waiting.

cto: UJ

It was a very worrisome yet very exciting experience!

We just laugh and make fun about it over dinner that day and up until now. :))

cto: UJ

After our festive dinner, we said goodbye to our very accommodating tourguide- UJ.

We went home, washed up and rest.

On our third day, we woke up early too since we were not sure of the boat trip schedule going to Isabela , Basilan. Gwen stayed home since she needs to go back to Davao.

We boarded the ferry that took about 55 minutes to get to Isabela.

We sat at the other end of the boat as we enjoyed the the 360 degrees view of all the islands around Zamboanga.

When we arrived at the port, CURACHA welcomed us and yes, who are we not to try these yummy looking sea creatures.

We were amazed as to how big these Spanner crabs are. we took pictures and bought 2 and a half kilos that were originally sold at 350/kg but we were able to get it at 280/kg. GREAT DEAL!!!

Then Gerald looked around for a restaurant that will cook our Curacha for us, they charges us 100 for the cooking fee and the yummy Alavar sauce.

We had our breakfast then we decided to walk around Isabela City,The Capital City of Basilan.We went to the Cathedral,

We took pictures and visited their Municipal hall.

Around 9:30am, we decided to take a small boat that will take us to Malamawi Island. It was just a 5-minute boat ride.

When we arrived in White Beach Resort,

we didn't know that their restaurant is closed during weekdays,

So we don't have any rice. we requested from the owner if they can cook rice for us and we will just pay, they agreed.

So while they were preparing our rice,

cto: Don

it's the best time to enjoy the clear water of Malamawi!!!

The staff of White Beach Resort are very accommodating! They cooked rice for us and even lend us some utensils that we can use for eating.

Since our rice is cooked, So the fight against Curacha begins! lol

We were six when we went to Basilan, Makoi and Don are allergic to crabs so the 2 and a half kilo of Curacha and one pot of freshly cooked rice will have to be for Me, ER, Jep and Gerald. Let The battle begin!!!

We were like in a competition, I'm telling you! Nobody seems to breathe! Everyone was just continuously eating as if there is no tomorrow!

Look closely at the picture and you'll understand where are we coming from.

After we finished eating,

We rest for a while, took pictures

lots of pictures..

Then we washed up and decided to have a better view of Malamawi,

Thanks to Gerald for suggesting this.

We went back to Isabela and took the ferry back to Zamboanga! What an adventure!

And since, it was still early, we decided to drop by Barter to buy some pasalubong and goods from Malaysia & Indonesia.

I'm sure they were not panicked buying like me! LOL

We went back to our hotel, and found out this from the sweetest Gwen!!!

Then we washed up and decided to meet UJ to have dinner. We went to Paseo Del Mar.

We had seafood and ofcourse, KNICKERBOCKER!

We took pictures then we call it a night!

The next day, it was not as early as the previous days, we're going to the famous, Pink Beach- The Sta. Cruz Island. I told everyone to go to Paseo del Mar first coz me and Gerald are going to buy Satti that we will bring in the island.