PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro: Our Timeline

 

Cebu - Manila - Batangas - Puerto Galera and vice-versa:

May 10, 2011 (Day 1)

06:00AM         Flight CEBU-MANILA

                                    -Terminal Fee: P200.00/person

07:00++           *Arrive in NAIA Terminal 3

                        ShuttleService from airport to EDSA corner Taft: P20.00/person

09:30               Jeep to Buendia - LRT-MRT Station: P12.00/person

10:30               Bus (Jam Liner) to Batangas Port: P166.50/person

12:30PM          *Arrive in Batangas Port

                                    -Challenge & Passion Shipping Lines: P450.00 (2-way)/person

                                                (boat going directly to White Beach. Daw.)

                                    -Terminal Fee: P30.00/person

                                    -Environmental User’s Fee: P50.00/person

01:15               *Board Golden Falcon boat

01:40               Boat to Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro

02:30               *Arrive in Sabang Beach

                        Free Shuttle Service to White Beach

03:00               *Arrive in White Beach.

May 11, 2011 (Day 2) – beachbumming

May 12, 2011 (Day 3)

11:30AM         *Board MSL Golden Eagle boat

                                    -Exit Fee: P10.00/person

12:00NN         boat to Sabang Beach

12:30PM          *Arrive in Sabang Beach

01:50               *Arrive in Batangas Port

02:15               Bus (Jam Liner) to Manila: P166.50/person

04:20               *Arrive in Makati

04:30               Jeep to Pasay: P12.00/person 

May 13, 2011 (Day 4)

7:30AM           Taxi from EDSA corner Taft to NAIA 3: P150.00/2 people

8:00                 *NAIA 3

10:00               Flight MANILA-Cebu

                                    -Terminal Fee: P200.00/person

CAMOTES ISLAND: Must See's!

Condense Camotes in a must-see checklist! Obviously, it’s an issue of whether you’ve got the energy & resources to check them all out in 3 days.

 

1. Beaches
1. Santiago Bay

                                                              i.      In Santiago, San Francisco (Pacijan)

2. Mangodlong Beach

                                                              i.      In Himensulan, San Francisco (Pacijan)

3. Buho Beach

                                                              i.      In Western Poblacion (Poro)

                                                             ii.      Sea-level swimming pools

4. Bakhaw (Borromeo Beach)
5. Cawit White Beach
6. Magagay-ay Beach
7. Star Beach
8. Mactang Beach

2. Bodies of Water
1. Lake Danao Park (Green Lake)

                                                              i.      “The Lovers’ Lake” due to it’s seclusion & beauty

                                                             ii.      Union, San Francisco (Pacijan)

                                                           iii.      Park Hours: 6AM-6PM; entrance fee: P10/person

                                                          iv.      Guitar-shaped or in the form of a #8, 680 hectares & known to be the largest lake in Visayas & Mindanao

                                                            v.      Situated there is the Bureau of Fisheries

                                                          vi.      Offshoot islets

1.      Snake Islet – the bigger one

2.      Crocodile Islet

                                                         vii.      Rest & Relaxation, Exploration & Recreation – boating (renting a motorized banca will cost you P500/hr), hiking, biking, fishing (freshwater fish = tilapia!), birdwatching

2. Busay Falls

                                                              i.      In General, Tudela (Poro)

3. Naukban Blue Lagoon
4. Gabi-Gabihan Spring

3. Caves – rumored to have hidden treasure, matey!
1. Bukilat Cave

                                                              i.      In McArthur, Tudela (Poro)

                                                             ii.      During the pre-war era, mass services were also held in there

                                                           iii.      Pools of water in the cave flow out into the open sea on low tide

                                                          iv.      Enchanting! Home to a number of folklore involving fairies & lost spirits

2. Timobo Cave

                                                              i.      In Sonog, San Francisco (Pacijan)

                                                             ii.      Established as the locals’ source of fresh drinking water

3. Guadalupe Cave
4. Giwanon Cave

                                                              i.      In Esperanza, San Francisco (Pajican)

4. Others
1. Church of Poro

                                                              i.      Built in 1849 by the Agustinians Friars

2. Arquis’ Viewing Deck

                                                              i.      Panoramic view of Lake Danao

3. Mount Calvary

                                                              i.      The stations of the Cross

4. Heritage House

                                                              i.      In Pilar (Ponson)

5. San Francisco Baywalk
6. Pilar Marine Sanctuary
7. Mt. Three Peaks
8. Gabaldon Building
9. Bantayan sa Hari & Kota (Balwarte)
10. San Francisco Market

CAMOTES ISLAND: Accommodations

Accommodations around Santiago Beach, San Francisco, Pacijan:

1. Payag Beach House & Resort: it’s exactly as it’s called--- resembling a payag (a native hut) with an entirely Filipino atmosphere. At first glance, it seemed cozy enough but unfortunately the neighboring community had a diskoral (outdoor discotheque with killer speakers) marathon in celebration for successfully conducted barangay elections. For the whole day. We are not kidding you.
1. Plus points on:

                                                              i.      Having the shore right smack in front of it.

                                                             ii.      Housing a restaurant.

                                                           iii.      Okay staff.

2. Negs on:

                                                              i.      Communal toilets even for rooms higher than P1000 (not counting the ones that really say “aircon with toilet”).

                                                             ii.      Being too open & too close to the public… security concerns, obviously.

                                                           iii.      WTF IS THAT NOISE.

2. Bella Vista:  (‘Beach View Resort’ back then) was also small but generally a-okay but it was under construction. The discounted price its foreign owner gave us wasn’t as reduced as we’d hoped… we thought twice about haggling with a seemingly busy sun-burnt guy with a thick European accent. Now, at this point you must be wondering if we had any money with us at all. *chuckle*

3. Masamayor Beach Resort: crossed off the list as we wanted a place directly by the beach. They have a restaurant there though if you just want to have a meal on an open-air second story balcony.

4. Santiago Bay Garden & Resort: This is the biggest resort on Santiago beach both in actual size & in repute.
1. The beach is right at the bottom of the cliff this resort is perched on. Just a short walk heading down, & voila--- you’re in the water. Let’s not forget to mention that the view is mind-blowing up there.
2. It has an infinity pool.
3. It is convenient, well-maintained & stocked up with amenities:

                                                              i.      Rooms are large & go well with their prices.

                                                             ii.      Restaurant serves good food in big servings through an extensive menu.

                                                           iii.      They have a recreational area & dive shop.

4. Staff is friendly & accommodating.

5. White View Beach Resort

Other Resorts:

1. Mangodlong Rock Resort: sister resort of Santiago Bay Garden & Resort. The architectural landscape has some similarities in a sense that they are both very interesting to look at but this one’s quite exclusive & pricier. Its name most probably came from the numerous rock formations surrounding the resort, making it one of the most charming places to visit on the island.

2. Harbor View Family Resort

3. Sunset Bay Resort

- in Esperanza, San Francisco

4. Keshe Beach Resort

5. Borromeo Island Resort

6. Costa Verde Beach House

7. My Little Island Hotel Beach Resort

- in (Poro)

8. Sea View Pension

9. Granada Pension House

10.The Whitehouse Resort

11. Boho Rock Resort

     - in (Poro)

- rocky cliffs you can jump off from

CAMOTES ISLAND: Choosing The Perfect Spot

1. proximity to the beach
2. accessibility to the main road
3. room sizes that are not conducive to claustrophobia
4. toilets that don’t scream rabies
5. FOOD (stop looking at our waistlines)

…and most of all, value for money. I repeat… VALUE for money. It’s all about the pocket.

CAMOTES ISLAND: Getting There

1. via Fastcraft from the Cebu City Pier 1 to Camotes
1. approximately 2Hrs, P300-P400 a ticket
2. via boat from Cebu City Pier 3 to Camotes
1. approximately 4Hrs, P200 a ticket
3. via pumpboat from the Mandaue City’s Ouano Wharf to Camotes
1. approximately 4Hrs, P200 a ticket
4. via RORO vessel from the Danao Port to Camotes
1. the land trip from Cebu City to Danao City takes about 1-2Hrs.

                                                              i.      If you go by jeepney, prepare to spend at least P25/each.

                                                             ii.      If you go by V-Hire, that’s P25/each for 15 persons.

                                                           iii.      If you go by a private vehicle, well, there’s the gas.

2. from there, the boat trip takes another 1 ½-2Hrs, P200 a ticket

These are all one-way rates, mind you.

BANTAYAN ISLAND: St. Peter & Paul Church

 

 

The colonial-era St. Peter & Paul Church is truly a sight to behold. According to some, this is one of the highlights of April’s Holy Week town square parades & celebrations. 

With its large centuries old stone walls laden with attractive painted glass windows & fine carved edifices, it stands out like a 405-year old holy trophy in a humble but seemingly modern town.

BANTAYAN ISLAND: Transportation

1. If you want to go all hands-on, you can always rent a…
1. bicycle - which was free to borrow where we stayed
2. motorbike - which is technically the island’s main mode of transportation.
3. ATV - that’s if you’re a big shot willing to spend about P250 an hour for that thing, minus the gas.
2. Bring a car to the island.
3. Laughable options just for kicks.
1. Trisikad – prepare a huge tip for your driver so he can take his rock hard bagtak to a hospital after
2. Hitching a ride – all too familiar for those who have been there on peak-season. Remember the golden rule: Gas, Cash or a kidney. We kid.
3. Walk there! – to quote Katy Perry, “You need SPF 45 just to stay alive”.