Lakad Patungo sa Dagat: 2016

Friday, October 28, 2016

Bantayan Island with Anika Island Resort

When CebuPacific launched another seat sale, my boyfriend and I immediately booked for Cebu thinking we could do the Canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. I did it last year with my friends and my boyfriend got jealous because it was really action packed and beautiful but unfortunately, the flight we booked fell when Canyoneering was suspended. (June 1 - August 1, 2016). So I made another itinerary to one of my dream place to visit in Cebu - Bantayan Island.

Sta. Fe Port, Bantayan
"Cleanest port I've seen"

How to get to Bantayan Island:

Daily flights from Manila to Mactan International Airport and vice versa, via CebuPacific, Air Asia and Philippine Airlines.
Upon stepping out from the airport, go to the right side and hail a white taxi and go straight to Cebu North Terminal. (White taxis are cheaper than the yellow one).
At Cebu North Terminal, ride a Ceres Bus going to Hagnaya Port, San Remegio. (Php 200)

Trip starts as early as 4:00AM and ends at 5:00PM daily.
The bus we rode goes directly to Sta. Fe at Bantayan Island. The bus boarded the boat with us.
Travel time is 3-4 hours

Upon arriving at Hagnaya Port, pay the necessary fees.

Fare = Php 170
Terminal Fee = Php 10
Schedule of the boat = 4:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am,10:30 am,12:30 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm.
From Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fer port is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Anika Resort offered us a free shuttle service that picked us up at the port and directly to the resort.

In all honesty, our stay at Bantayan was glorious because of the quality service and the serene ambiance of Anika. We booked through www.agoda.com and stayed at the Sunset Villa for 2 nights. The room was made from a container van with complete amenities with a private bathroom. They have an open air restaurant that serves breakfast to dinner. Food was amazing and the price per meal may vary from Php 500 - Php 600, good for 2. The beachfront does have an amazing view. White sand and clear blue water. Low tide comes around the afternoon and you can just walk along the beach.

Open air restaurant inside Anika Resort

What to do in Bantayan Island:

We didn't have an exact itinerary on what to do and visit around Bantayan, I just listed what we can visit if we have the time. So at our second day, we rented an automatic motorbike from Anika for Php 350, good for 8 hrs, gas was Php 135, full tank.

St. Paul and Peter Church

Kota Park

Concrete Bridge in Kota Park

From Anika Island Resort to the town was around 25 mins. motorbike. We visited St. Paul and Peter Church and ate lunch at a nice karinderya beside the plaza. After lunch, we went to Kota Park, located north of Bantayan Island. It was about a 20-30 mins. on motorbike. The road was a bit dusty due to on going road repairs and you may have to drive with buses and trucks, so be careful! Upon arriving at the park, we went straight to the concrete bridge that connects the shore to a somewhat 2 story watch area (this part of Bantayan is where the sun sets). We arrive around mid-afternoon, so the sun was high but the view was still amazing.

Ogtong Cave

Swimming Pool inside Ogtong Cave Resort

After Kota Park, we went back to the town and visited Ogtong Cave. We paid an entrance fee of Php 100 per person. This is inclusive of swimming pool usage, a dip at the underground cave, swimming at the beach and use of their bathrooms. We returned to Anika just when the sun was setting since we didn't want to be driving around Bantayan after dark.

Expenses during our Bantayan trip per person: 3 days and 2 nights.

Php 883 - Rountrip airfare (MNL - CEB - MNL)
Php 85 - Taxi from airport to Cebu North Terminal (Php 170 for 2 pax)
Php 200 - Ceres Bus to Sta. Fe
Php 180 - Boat Fare (Php 170) + Terminal Fee (Php 10) - To Sta. Fe
Php 2102 - 2 nights stay at Anika Beach Resort
Php 243 - Motorbike rent (Php 350) + Full tank gas (Php 135) = Php 485 for 2
Php 100 - Ogtong Cave entrance fee
Php 180 - Boat Fare (Php 170) + Terminal Fee (Php 10) - Return to Hagnaya Port
Php 180 - Bus Fare from Hagnaya to SM Cebu City
Php 125 - UBER from SM Cebu City to airport
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Php 4278 - TOTAL (exclusive of food and pasalubong)

Sunset at Bantayan

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Maniwaya Island

Been thinking about going to this island since 2013 when my parents went there and told us how amazing it was. Finally, after 3 years, the planning begun and we made it to Maniwaya.

How to commute from Manila to Maniwaya Island:

Hourly buses from JAC Liner Buendia to Lucena Grand Terminal are available. Check their website for more details.

3-4 hours travel time

From Lucena Grand Bus Terminal ride a van going to Gen. Luna. Tell the driver to drop you off the crossing.
From the crossing, ride a tricycle going to Gen. Luna Port where your rented boat (depends between you and the arrangement made by the resort) will pick you up.
Gen Luna port is beside a market where you can buy all the things you need. (Food, utensils, etc.)
Boat ride from Gen. Luna port to Maniwaya Island is 2 hours max.

Gen. Luna crossing from the main highway

Our chosen resort was Wawie's Beach Resort (you may contact Kuya Warlito at 09951557427). He charged us a total of Php 7000 all-in (1k each since we were 7 in the group). See below for the inclusion:

Boat transfer from Gen. Luna port to Maniwaya Island and vv.
Island hopping to Ungab Rock Formation and Palad Sandbar
Tent Fee
Cottage Fee

**Please know that rates are not consistent and you have to contact Kuya Warlito for the specific rate he will provide. We were lucky enough that there were 7 other passengers who rode with us.

Upon arriving at Wawie's Beach around 9AM, we went straight to the reserved cottage and installed our tents around.

Around 10:30AM, we went to Ungab Rock Formation, a 30 mins. boat ride from Wawie's Beach. The place was packed with tourists to the point that the grandeur of the place was lost. Many hanged their wet clothes on a clothesline that it almost looked like a laundry area. Water was a bit murky and people were shouting. We left after 30 mins.

Ungab Rock Formation

Another 20 mins. boat ride and we arrived at Palad Sandbar, a small sandbar in the middle of the sea with white sand. We were the only the boat at that time and it was beautiful! Far from our experience at Ungab Rock Formation. The sun was rising and water was crystal clear. We did not want to leave but we were getting hungry.

Palad Sandbar

FYI: Maniwaya Island (Wawie's Beach Resort):

Cooking utensils, gas stove, grill can be borrowed at the resort. Kuya Warlito is kind enough not to charge us any cooking fees.
Potable water is available at the resort (Php 50 per 5 gallons)
Electricity is only available at night. (I cannot remember the specific time)
Cell reception is okay.

Below are our expenses for a 2 days and 1 night stay at Maniwaya Island:

Php 210 - Bus fare. (JAC Liner Buendia to Lucena Grand Terminal)
Php 150 - Van fare. (Lucena Grand Terminal to Gen. Luna)
Php 10 - Tricycle. (Gen. Luna crossing to Gen. Luna Port)
Php 1000 - Package from Wawi'es Beach
Php 300 - Food contribution.
Php 10 - Tricycle. (Gen. Luna Port to Gen. Luna crossing)
Php 150 - Van fare. (Gen. Luna from SM Lucena)
Php 220 - Bus fare. (SM Lucena to JAC Liner Kamuning)
Php 2065 - TOTAL

Wawie's Beach

**Rates as of May 2016

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Sambawan Island and Kalanggaman Island

DISCLAIMER: This post is more of a detailed itinerary, tips and how to commute from and to Sambawan and Kalanggaman.

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We planned this trip for 2 months with a lot of blog readings, combining tips on how to go to Sambawan from Tacloban and Kalanggaman. But the best way of learning is by doing and we did conquer both Islands for a 4 days and 3 nights itinerary.

At first, our only target place was Kalanggaman, western side of Tacloban, my friend booked a flight for 4 days and 3 nights; so we decided to maximize our time on the province and search for possible places to discover. After weeks of searching, we came across the island of Sambawan, part of Biliran Province.

Sambawan Island is a hidden gem of Biliran, with its beautifully formed shape to its pristine water. The adventure of going there was worth it. Everything about it was beautiful.

Here's a guide on how to go to Sambawan Island from Manila:

Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and Philippine Airlines offer flights from Manila to Tacloban and vice versa.
From Tacloban Airport (Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport), rent a car going straight to Naval Port. (We did this since we were 8 in the group).

It took us 3 hours from the airport to Naval Port.

You can also commute going to Naval Port by going to New Tacloban Terminal and ride vans going straight to Naval Port. (Php 130)

Van-vans - located along corner of Salazar-Burgos St.
Duptours - located along Avenida Veteranos, near the front gate of Divine Word University.
Grand Tours - located in Burgos Street, near Tacloban post office.

From Naval Port, there are commuter boats going to Maripipi Island where you can spend the night.

Ma. Lourdes 2E Ferry to Brgy. Ermita (Departs at 10:30AM, and goes back at 5AM)
Viga Express to Brgy. Binalayan (Departs at 11:00AM, and goes back at 5AM)

IMPORTANT: Commuter boats only operates from Monday-Saturday. No boats to and from Naval Port on Sundays.

We rode Viga Express to Brgy. Binalayan and rode a habal habal going to Napo Beach Resort where we spent the night.
Napo Beach offered us a boat ride going to Sambawan Island on the afternoon.
You can spend the night on the island but there's no electricity. Entrance fee is Php 100.

Below is the list of expenses from Manila to Sambawan Island: (Rate stated below is per person)

Php 735 - Airfare from Manila to Tacloban via Air Asia (1 hr)
Php 300 - Van to Naval. (We rented the whole van for Php 2400 for 8 pax) (3 hrs)
Php 70 - Boat (60) + Terminal Fee (10) From Naval port to Maripipi
Php 75 - Habal habal to Napo Beach Resort
Php 150 - Boat to Sambawan (Rented boat from Napo Beach - Php 1200 for 8 pax) (30 mins)
Php 100 - Sambawan Island entrance fee
Php 250 - Napo Beach accommodation (Backpackers room + Standard Room)
Php 150 - Lunch at Napo
Php 105 - Dinner at Napo
Php 1935 - Total

You may contact Ate Emerlita of Napo Beach Resort via 09062520845. She's very accommodating and helpful when you have questions on how to go to Maripipi Island.

IMPORTANT: Electricity only lasts until 12MN and would return 12NN the next day.

How to go from Maripipi Island to Kalanggaman:

Since our departure from Maripipi landed on a Sunday, no commuter boats were available. Good thing, Napo Beach asked the boatmen from our Sambawan trip if we could rent them and go straight to Kawayan Port where we can ride a habal habal to Naval.

Rented boat going to Kawayan Port. Took us 2 hrs in total because of the strong current. The boatman charged us Php 1,500 good for 10 pax, good thing there were 2 foreigners also going to Naval from Napo Beach Resort. (Php 150/pax)
From Kawayan Port, ride a habal habal to Naval Port for 30 mins
From Naval Port, ride vans going to Ormoc, but tell the driver to drop you off at Libungao also known as crossing.
From Libungao crossing, you can stop vans going to Palompon. These vans are from Ormoc, but you can ride them at the crossing to save time.
Upon arriving at Palompon, go straight to the Eco-tourism office and pay the necessary fees.

Contact information of the Tourism Office at Palompon and the rates

We stayed at Kalanggaman Island for 3 Days and 2 Nights. Entrance fee is Php 225/day/pax and Php 3000 for a 12 seater rented boat; additional fees were added. Since we were staying for more than a day, the lady at the front desk charged us Php 450/pax for the entrance fee and Php 3500 for the boat. We also rented 2 tents at the office for Php 150/each/day (can fit 4 pax per tent).

Before going to Kalanggaman, make sure you have the necessary supplies like food, water and booze since the "store" located on the island has limited supplies. The wet market is just located beside the Eco-tourism office.

IMPORTANT: No place to rent cooking utensils/supplies on the market or the eco-tourism office. You can buy pots/pans/knives on the market. Since we did not want to buy those things, we just used our charm in borrowing them at some stores. (We were able to borrow, a pot, a knife and 2 ice chests).

Road the boat for an hour.
In the middle of the sea, dolphins swam with the boat!!!!!

FYI when staying overnight at Kalanggaman:

No fresh water!!! The water coming from the "poso" is also salt water. We were not informed and we did not read this on any blogs.
The eco-toutism office will provide a gallon or 2 of fresh water depending on the size of your group for cooking or how you may use it. We did not think much when they gave those to us since we thought that fresh water is available on the island.
Cellphone signal is available but not that strong.
No electricity, just solar powered lights.
Griller is available.
You may rent tents at Hinablayan Outdoor. (You can contact them via facebook)
It gets really cold during the night, bring jackets or sleeping bags.
Beach beds are available but for a fee of Php 50/day. We were shocked at the end of our 3D/2N stay that the caretaker was charging us the said fee (we were lounging on 5 beach chairs!!!!). He was kind enough just to charge us just 3 chairs for 1 day. (Thank you Kuya!)
You can take a bath with fresh water for free at the Eco-tourism office when you get back.

IMPORTANT: If you're commuting back to Tacloban, be mindful that you should be back at Palompon around 11AM-12PM, since vans were limited and the last trip will only wait until 12:30PM