Des (browsing through the in-flight magazine): Look! There's an Eiffel Tower in Japan!
Yoann: That's France, always imitate, never coppayyd. (English translation: always imitated, never copied.)
I am starting a travel inventory. I want to keep tab of how much Yoann and I spend whenever we travel. Money flies high out of the wallet during travel. In situations where one unknowingly converts own currency to another, making sure not to go out-of-the-line spending becomes a necessary computational task. We quickjump to dreamland. A month later is short. Now there's the real problem.
Since traveling and living from a city to another in the past 20 plus years of my life, I have seen differences: stark and subdued, green and concrete, seas and snows,
rich and poor, trendy and rural, fast and relaxed, roads and treks, hot and cold, etc. But only in the most recent past 2 years have I learned to remember price differences to save money. I repeat, to save money. Towns and cities, and so are peoples, were and are not created equal.So yes, I am staring my travel inventory. I used to do this all the time for 3 years at my work in a microfinance management consulting company, so doing it again now is only coated with sweet nostalgia. I must say this list is accurate enough at 98%. I didn't record the cash-on-hand.
Quantity and unit price is indicated below as (axb); 3x13; 3 qty x 13 unit price = total transaction amount. Laugh all you want at my attempt at Maths but YOU wouldn't want to miss that for bargaining! Sundry /sundree/ pertains to miscellaneous, infrequent expenses (those that don't fall under the other categories, basically).
Day 1: Manila to Cebu (4/14/14)
Ate Irene and myself. Kuya Yeng and Yoann.
Expenses
500.00 Taxi from Alabang to Terminal 3 Airport (fixed)
300.00 Taxi from Mactan Airport to Labangon, Cebu + tip)*
1,795.50 Dinner at Zubuchon (for 4)
Transportation: PhP800.00
Food: PhP1,795.50
Day 1 Total: PhP2,795.50
*We stayed at my brother's since we were only spending 3 hours (to be exact) sleeping. We didn't have to pay for lodging. Thanks, kuya Yeng and ate Irene!
Day 2: Cebu to Camiguin (4/15/14) Camiguin airport.
Expenses
1,000.00 Casa Roca Lodging Fee (Fan room for 2)
420.00 Taxi from Labangon, Cebu to Mactan Airport (meter+tip)
100.00 Multicab from Camiguin Airport to Hostel (set)
300.00 Roundtrip Tricycle Hostel - Ardent Hot Spring (set)
300.00 Motorcycle Rent (set per 24 hours)
165.00 Motorcycle Gas
20.00 Katibawasan Falls Parking Fee + Tip
170.00 Tablea Chocolate Cafe - Hot Chocolate (2x85)
1,060.00 Casa Roca Meals
PhP400 Breakfast (2x200)
PhP240 Quesadilla
PhP200 Chicken Herbs
PhP40 Pilsen
PhP60 Mango Shake
PhP120 Mango Float
660.00 Light Dinner at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin
PhP380 Green Salad (2x190)
PhP165 San Miguel Beer (3x55)
PhP55 Red Horse (1)
PhP60 Service Charge
10.00 Spanish Bread (1)
10.00 Grilled Banana Snacks (2x5)
10.00 Cassava Cracker (1)
60.00 Katibawasan Falls Entrance Fee (2x30)
115.00 Police Certificate*
6.00 Printing (2x3)
Lodging: PhP1,000.00
Food: PhP1,920.00
Transportation: PhP1,305.00
Sundry: PhP181.00
Day 2 Total: PhP4,406.00
*Yet a different story that deserves a proper intro/beginning, middle/climax, ending. One of our favorite sights, the Katibawasan falls. It's enormous!
Day 3: Camiguin (4/16/14) Expenses
1,000.00 Casa Roca Lodging Fee (fan room for 2)
300.00 Motorcycle Rental (24 hrs.)
75.00 Motorcycle Gas
10.00 Sunken Cemetery Parking Fee
475.00 Lunch in a Local Restaurant or Karinderya
PhP300 Native Chicken (1 kg.)
PhP50 Pinakbet or Assorted Veggies (1 order)
PhP20 Rice (2x10)
PhP75 San Miguel Beer Pilsen (1 liter)
PhP10 Peanuts
PhP20 Milkbar (2x10)
100.00 Young Coconuts (3 special set)*
240.00 Casa Roca Dessert (2X120)
20.00 Bottled Water
60.00 Soda Pool Entrance Fee (3x30)
10.00 Old Volcano Entrance Fee (2x5)
300.00 Lawyer's Fee (2 copies of Affidavit of Loss)**
100.00 Turtle Magnets Souvenir (4+1)
Lodging: PhP1,000.00
Transportation: PhP385.00
Food: PhP835.00
Sundry: PhP470.00
Day 3 Total: PhP2,690.00
*To make a very long story short, one family offered us 3 young coconuts. I gave 100 pesos to express gratitude but Yoann suggested that next time, we exchange only valuable objects with good deeds and not cash. I couldn't agree more!
**When I asked the lawyer's secretary how much is affidavit of loss, normally, she said PhP150.00. How we had to visit a lawyer in the Island is another long story! The coconut man... Is a giant man! The karinderya kitchen. We had backstage access! So, so, so good. Made only from the freshest of ingredients!
Day 4: Camiguin (4/17/14)
Expenses
1,000.00 Casa Roca Lodging
300.00 Motorbike Rental (24 hrs.)
96.00 Motorcycle Gas
850.00 Casa Roca Food*
PhP250 Jug of Pinacolada
PhP200 Smoked Ham
PhP280 Canneloni
PhP120 Dessert
16.00 Pastil de Camiguin (1)
90.00 Fruits
145.00 Lunch at White Island Total
PhP50 Kinilaw (half order)
PhP25 Seaweed (one order)
PhP10 Puto (2x5)
PhP10 Boiled Banana (4-pc. set)
PhP50 Sea Urchin (3-pc. set)
39.50 Grocery
PhP17.50 Bottled Water
PhP12.00 Hair Conditioner (2x5)
PhP10.00 Shampoo (1)
3,350.00 Dive and Snorkel (equipment + guide + boat)
PhP2,200 Fee for 1 Participant, 2 dive spots
PhP400 Dive Equipment Fee
PhP150 Entrance Fee at Sunken Cemetery
PhP100 Entrance Fee at Black Forest, White Island
PhP100 Non-diver boat ride fee
PhP400 Snorkel Equipment
Lodging: PhP1,000.00
Transportation: PhP396.00
Food: PhP1,101.00
Sundry: PhP3,389.50
Day 4 Total: PhP5,886.50
An order of quesadilla at Casa Roca. Complimentary breakfast at Casa Roca! *We were devouring Casa Roca's menu! One of the best restaurants in the island.
Day 5: Camiguin (4/18/14) Expenses
1,500.00 Casa Roca Lodging Fee (Veranda Room)
300.00 Motorcycle Rental (24 hrs.)
1,280.00 Casa Roca Food
PhP250 Jug of Mojito
PhP250 Spicy Prawns
PhP220 Alfredo
PhP80 SMB (2x40)
PhP480 Shots (6x80)
570.00 Pastil de Camiguin (6 boxes) 2,000.00 Mantigue Dive & Snorkel (incl. lunch+equipment)*
Lodging: PhP1,500.00
Transportation: PhP300.00
Food: PhP1,850.00
Sundry: PhP2,000.00
Day 5 Total: PhP5,650.00
*The owner of Algen's Dive who turned out to be a close relative of mine (in photo) gave us a discount! We look so similar, my long-lost uncle and I! Lunch by the beach! At the Mantigue Island, arranged by Alden's Dive.
Day 6: Camiguin to Cebu (4/19/14)
Expenses
1,100.00 Hostel Room for 2
100.00 Taxi from Mactan Airport to Express Inn Hostel
20.00 Tricycle from hostel to public market*
26.00 Ferry Ride from Mactan to Cebu for 2
160.00 Taxi from IT Park to Lapu-Lapu City
2.00 Ferry Terminal Fee for 2
16.00 Jeep from Port to Sto. Nino Church (2)
16.00 Jeep from Sto. Nino Church to Ayala Mall (2)
16.00 Jeep from Ayala Mall to Mango Square (2)
16.00 Jeep from Mango Square to IT Park (2)
100.00 Taxi from Hotel to Mactan Airport
30.00 Chocolate Cookie (1)
115.00 Macarons and Truffle Chocolate
185.00 Greek Salad at Mango Square Food Stall
20.00 Bottled water (1)
40.00 Bottled water at the hostel (1)
163.00 Lunch at the market for 2
PhP90 Chicken BBQ (2x45)
PhP14 Pork BBQ (2x7)
PhP9 Steamed Rice Wrapped in Coconut Leaves or Puso (3x3)
PhP50 Drinks
150.00 Delichon Dinner**
PhP125 per 1/4 kilo
PhP10 rice
PhP15 atchara
190.00 Coffee at Bo's (2 Americana, regular size)
426.57 Karaoke for 2 hours + drinks
139.75 Colored Pens (bookstore)
99.00 Earrings (on sale at the mall)
45.00 Hand Sanitizer (at a convenience store)
*Tricycle driver insisted for 40 pesos fare. I argued that the concierge told me that tricycle fares from the hostel to the market is 8 pesos per person. From the market, we asked around and found our way to the Ferry terminal by foot.
**Our favorite lechon to date!
Lodging: PhP1,100.00
Transportation: PhP472.00
Food: PhP893.00
Sundry: PhP710.32
Day 6 Total: PhP3,175.32
Day 7: Cebu to Manila (4/20/14) Expenses
20.00 Tricycle from Hostel to Ferry Port (2x10)
28.00 Ferry Fare from Lapu-Lapu City to Cebu (2x14)
16.00 First Jeep from Port to Fuente-O (2)
16.00 Second Jeep to Fuente-O (2)
70.00 Van from Cebu to Lapu-Lapu City (2x35)
100.00 Taxi from Hostel to Mactan Airport
500.00 Airport to Alabang
2.00 Port/Terminal Fee (2x1)
40.00 Breakfast upgrade at the Hostel (1)
15.00 Hopia Munggo (6 pcs.)
10.00 Japanese Pancake (2x5)
20.00 Watermolen Slice (2x10)*
500.00 CNT Lechon Lunch (2)
190.00 Bo's Americana Coffee, Regular (2x95)
50.00 Brownie (1)
250.00 Crave Burger Dinner at Mactan Airport
Transportation: PhP752.00
Food: PhP1,075.00
Day 7 Total: PhP1,827.00 *Yoann enjoying his second watermelon slice in between jeepney rides. Cebu City, April 19, 2014.
PhP 2,795.50 Day 1 Total Expense
PhP 4,406.00 Day 2 Total Expense
PhP 2,690.00 Day 3 Total Expense
PhP 5,886.50 Day 4 Total Expense
PhP 5,650.00 Day 5 Total Expense
PhP 3,175.32 Day 6 Total Expense
PhP 1,827.00 Day 7 Total Expense
Initial Total: PhP26,430.32
+ 9,062.38 Plane ticket (2) with 15 kg. & 20 kg. baggage (€ 147.130)
Sum Total: PhP35,492.70
Conclusion: If you want to spend 7 days of holidays from Manila to Cebu to Camiguin and back (airplane fare, terminal and booking fees included), there's a likely budget of PhP35,492.70 for TWO people who love adventure and food!
In Euros = 577.33 EUR. In US dollars = 797.06 USD. In British Pound = 473.70 GBP. In Indian Rupee = 48,120.98 INR. In Chinese Yuan Renminbi = 4,993.22 CNY. In Emirati Dirham = 2,927.72 AED. In South Korean Won = 821,777.51 KRW. In Hongkong Dollars = 6,179.35 HKD.
That's PhP17,746.35 per person. Remember: 7 days of good food and various island adventures!
In Euros = 286.46EUR. In US dollars = 397.81 USD. In British Pound = 235.62 GBP. In Indian Rupee = 23,976.07 INR. In Chinese Yuan Renminbi = 2,484.89 CNY. In Emirati Dirham = 1,461.16 AED. In South Korean Won = 410,529.50 KRW. In Hongkong Dollars = 3,084.25 HKD.
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Round-up: Lessons & Thoughts From Our Camiguin Trip
1. I should prepare the contents of my bag the night before, not the morning after. All the time!
2. I must bring hand sanitizer and facial tissue at all times to avoid emergency purchases from convenience stores. Nothing says
travel waste more than a convenience store purchase.
3. Prepare drinking water before leaving the hostel/tent/lodging. Also, i must fill empty bottles during meals. It's always possible to get free (tap) water from restaurants around the Philippines. Minimum cost of water on-the-road is PhP20.00 and can go ridiculously high. The rule of supply and demand applies to traveler - water relationship.
4. Keep eating, keep smiling, knowing we can always count on the goodness of people in new, unfamiliar lands. The entire Philippines is also a smile sanctuary, haven't you noticed yet?
5. From Portugal to Camiguin, the scooter, from being a travel buddy became our travel bestfriend.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to message me. Byers.