The Travelling Feet

Growing up in Cebu gave me the awareness of how lucky I am to have access to the beautiful beaches that surround this small island in the Visayas Region. I’ve been to a couple of them but haven’t really explored all yet. Even when I went on out of town trips, I’d always be biased and say that nothing can replace Cebu’s beaches in my heart.

However, after a recent trip to Iloilo City, everything changed.

I never knew until now why I didn’t bother to search for things to do in Iloilo when we had booked for this trip 5 months ago. Normally, I would have searched for information online to know where to go and what to do in this province. But I guess I am thankful that I didn’t do all of this stuff. For I realized that travelling to unknown places, being unprepared and not knowing what to expect, gives you that sense of excitement and thrill.

And I discovered all of this in the island of Guimaras. Basically, Guimaras took me by surprise. I never knew I would enjoy travelling this much. My companions on this trip were also a great factor for making this one of my most unforgettable roadtrips. I am still on a high after the trip to Guimaras!

Honestly, I know nothing of Guimaras except that they produce the sweetest mangoes in the country. I even forgot that once issues of oil spill in Guimaras were the headlines of newspapers all over. I really had no idea what lay ahead on my quick visit to this island.

So armed with a 2006 version of the Philippines Lonely Planet book, and some crash searches done the night before, we went to Guimaras expecting to have a good time. I didn’t have a good time. I had a GREAT time!

on a field of cogongrasses

If at first I was too OC to get scars on my legs since I’ve never had one before, this time I just surrendered to the cogongrasses we happened to pass by. I didn’t mind getting cuts from those sharp blades. I gladly allowed them to slash my skin each time I passed by each shrub. I was trespassing in their territory so I guess I deserved the slashes. Even though the sting and the pain from the slashes hurt and although I can still see the healing scars on my legs now, I didn’t mind at all. They were good scars, memorable ones.

not suicidal though

Being able to stand on this majestic rock with those clear waters underneath makes me want to live here forever and never come back. I want to relish every moment of the sight that’s right in front of me. Such sweet serenity.

playing with doves

Having the ability to chase those flock of doves brought back childhood memories. Even for a short while, I was able to act like a kid – playing  and chasing those doves while at the same time appreciating their flight as they spread their wings and reveal their beauty.

lush greenery everywhere

Growing up in the city makes me long for sceneries like these. Pure greenery everywhere. I wouldn’t get tired staring at this lovely sight. Someday, I’d like to live in the countryside where I can see views like this one everyday.

overlooking Guisi’s coast from the Guisi Lighthouse

I couldn’t take my eyes off the sight of this playful combination of green and blue. If I could only take you home with me, I would have done so already. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

on top of sharp rocks

Just to get a good spot to take photos of my friends, I had to find the most ideal place where I can capture their stunt man moves as they pose in front of the camera. They were trying to commit sucide by climbing sharp rocks to reach the top of a cliff. I, on the other hand, had to stay behind and sit on those rocks above the sea to take their pictures and get tanned.

reaching the top

Of course I wouldn’t settle not having my photo taken on top of those rocks too. Confident that I was wearing my cheap beach shoes, I immediately climbed those sharp rocks. Having two left feet, wobbly knees and two twisted ankles didn’t stop me from making my own stunts. As they say “no pain, no gain”.

clear waters of Guisi

The island of Guimaras has captivated me completely. Never had I experienced so much fun before. Everything was simply amazing. From the beautiful sceneries, old structures, the crystal clear waters and the people of Guimaras, I am truly thankful to have gone to this place and witnessed the gem that’s hidden in this side of the Philippine archipelago.

This rusting 18th century lighthouse in Guisi had writings that said “Guina diLi an ang Pag saKa Kay diLiKado”. In English, it meant “No one is allowed to climb up since it is dangerous”. So upon seeing that warning, we didn’t bother climbing since we weren’t too sure if this old lighthouse was stable enough to hold our weight. We  just took our pictures below.

me

edwin

ed

But when the care taker of the place asked us if we’d like to climb up and gave us the go signal to do so we hurriedly climbed those rusting stairs leading to the top!

What’s worse is that Ed climbed the top most part of the light house Confused? When you reach the top of the lighthouse, definitely you’ve reached the top, right? Well, there’s this pedestal on top of the top of the lighthouse and Ed climbed that one too!

Let me show you…

ed’s foot standing on that cemented pedestal

holding ed’s feet in case the wind blows in our direction – as if this would help. hahaha

A boat passed by with passengers bound for an island hopping tour and we can hear the boatmen shouting at us and scolding Ed to get down from where he was standing but he just turned a deaf ear on them This was pretty dangerous, and should we have been in another country where we couldn’t understand the language, somewhere in Europe like Germany, we may have needed some kind of German medical translation to help us resolve the problem.

ed on top of the top with edwin

the view from the top of the Guisi Lighthouse was simply breathtaking

Aside from this magnificent view from the top of the Guisi Lighthouse, we also discovered another haven at the foot of the hill at the Kenyama’s Beach Resort.

This was my first time to visit the island of Guimaras. And instead of maximizing the trip for a whole day tour of the island, we arrived here late and had to make do with what’s left of our time. We arrived at 12nn and the last trip leaves at around 7pm, from the port of Buenavista (I think). And since we wanted to see sights from one end to the other, we decided to rent a tricycle for the afternoon tour as this would be more convenient. We couldn’t afford losing time while we wait for other passengers to occupy the jeepneys if we decide to ride one.

edwin, taking a picture while holding on to dear life on the moving trike

We were offered 1,200 for the afternoon trip. The lonely planet book suggested that the maximum rate was at 900 but we had the 2006 version. I would have haggled for 900 but Ed immediately haggled for 1k. Then it was agreed. We were assigned a tricycle driver to take us to the places we indicated where wanted to go that afternoon for P1000. Going to Alubihod for a one way trip normally costs P250 and the roundtrip fare is P600 as what our driver, Kuya Jun, told us. But if we were to include him in our meals, he can settle for P500. Then going on the other end of the island, which is in Navalas, would require an hour of travel time which explains the 1000 fare, I guess. However, I still found the rate too expensive. It was a good thing there were three of us to share the cost of the transportation.

The Trappist Monastery

the Trappist Monastery Chapel

Our first pit stop was at the town/barangay of San Miguel where the Trappist Monastery is located. I wasn’t too overwhelmed with the chapel. It was plain-looking – sorry.

Then a monk appeared and greeted us. He invited us to have coffee while we exchanged a few chats. He mentioned that the next time we drop by Guimaras again, we should bring him a Sto. Niño de Palaboy as a gift.

Edwin, writing his prayer offering

He also asked us to write our prayers or petitions in case we have one.

After our coffee break, we thanked him and bade him goodbye. We headed to the Trappist Gift Shop where we bought some food.

The Cogongrass Fields Along the Ravina Road

We made a detour on this great looking field which Ed saw. He immediately asked the driver to stop and we headed for that lone tree. It was full of cogongrasses and it was here where we had fun taking pictures without minding the cogongrasses slowly slicing our legs and arms with their sharp blades.

ants biting ed and edwin

After our photoshoot here, we then headed to Alubihod. Our tricycle driver asked us if we wanted to go to Raymen’s. I asked if there’s a different beach which wasn’t crowded. His suggestion was Villa Igang. So off we went to this place.

Villa Igang in Alubihod

overlooking the beaches of Alubihod

There was a P100 entrance fee when we reached the area. I learned that Raymen’s Beach only asked for P10. We didn’t mind the rate since we don’t want an overly crowded beach.

dock at Villa Igang

When we reached the place, we ordered food for lunch. There’s no menu available. Every dish was priced at P180. Whatever meal you wanted, the charge is P180 which is good for 2-3 heads. So we ordered daing na bangus (fried milk fish cut in half), sinigang na shrimp (sour shrimp soup) and sinugbang baboy (grilled pork). While we waited for our food to be cooked, we were told we could check out the caves.

And so we did…

eerie right?

the other side of the cave

the sea water was so clear

On our way back, our tricycle driver led us to a different path where we witnessed the beauty of this resort. The sight that lay before our eyes was truly spectacular.

i wish i can live here

ed on emo

Soon, Ed decided to jump in the water. Edwin came looking for us to let us know we need to go back since the soup was getting cold. But upon seeing Ed jump in the water, he too got distracted and joined Ed. If not for the soup, I would have jumped too.

But we had to go back since we were running out of time and we had to go to the northern part of the island to check out a 17th century limestone church in the town of Navalas.

After our late lunch, we promised to go back to this place 2 days after to go on island hopping and continue with the cliff jumping sprints.

A Taste of the Guimaras Mangoes

After almost an hour of travelling, we stopped by this mango stall. Since mangoes weren’t in season yet, we just bought 1 kilo to taste them as we continued our trip to Navalas. The mangoes were really sweet. I could only imagine how sweet they’d be when they’re in season. Yum!

ed, slicing the mango; edwin eating one while on the road

The Navalas Church and the Rice Fields

When we arrived at the church in Navalas, I was kinda disappointed since I was expecting a magnificent structure for a 17th century church which was indicated in our Lonely Planet book guide. Actually, I think the only remnants of the church being made of limestone were the front facade of the church and some of the side walls and fences surrounding it.

I expected to see a whole limestone structure for a church but was dismayed when I saw that it was now replaced with modern interiors.

side of the church

Oh, and instead of going directly to the church, I got more enticed at checking out the rice fields beside it first and took some pictures there instead.

scarecrow ed

edwin busy taking a picture of something that looked like small grape-looking eggs

Roca Encatada

Our trike’s clutch got busted too so the driver had to repair it. When done, we headed to Roca Encatada to check out the rest house of the Lopez clan but there was a P50 entrance fee so we decided to head back to the port instead.

It was already past 6 in the evening when we reached the Port of Buenavista. There were no tickets being sold anywhere. We were told that we just had to ride the boat and we can pay there. The fare was P16.50 since it was already night time. The daytime fare was 16.00 from this port. We arrived in Iloilo City before 7pm, I think.

For someone like us who never planned what places to go and see in Guimaras except for the stuff written in the 2006 version of the Lonely Planet Philippines, I could pretty much say that our half day trip to Guimaras was a huge success. We had so much fun!!!

In a span of 6 hours, we were able to visit the Trappist Monastery, had photoshoots with the cogongrasses while getting cuts and bites from the grasses and ants, went for a dip in the clear waters of the Villa Igang Beach Resort, ate the sweet Guimaras mangoes, visited the Navalas church and had fun taking pictures on one of the rice fields in Navalas. And to think we never knew what was in store for us in this beautiful island in Panay. I am so in love with Guimaras!

And since we can’t easily shake off the fun we experienced at Guimaras, we decided to go back and made arrangements with our tricylce driver, Kuya Jun, to fetch us at the Jordan Port and explore Guisi Beach and go back to Villa Igang.

Will be posting a separate entry for Villa Igang so watch out for that.

Our call time to leave for Guimaras was 8am. We left Ong Bun Pension House at around 10am. And since Edwin had been to the place before, he was positive that we could still maximize touring the island of Guimaras even if we started the tour late.

After seeing a signage showing meals for 39, 45 and 49, we stopped by Kofi Nook and had our late breakfast before we headed to the Ortiz Port.

After asking around to determine what jeepney we need to ride going to the port, we rode the one labeled JARO CPU.

passing by the SSS building

When we passed by the SSS Building Ed and Edwin started asking the other passengers where we need to get off since Edwin remembered getting off the SSS building on his last trip to the island. Before we realized it, we were already far from that building. We immediately asked the driver to drop us off and since we were cheapskates, we just walked all the way to that building. It was, i think, a 15-minute walk going back.

walking to what we thought leads to the Ortiz Port

Edwin led us to this road which he thought would lead to the pier. However, we can’t see any signs of the sea. It was a good thing that the locals in the area were kind enough to tell us we just had to turn right to get to the port. We thought there was a road at the end of the block but what we found was a human path way instead. We then wondered if we were really in the right place.

getting lost going to the Ortiz Port

The farther we walked, the more were we getting deeper into that neighborhood. We just walked and walked and walked, making turns whenever we saw one. Occassionally we were told to follow the path when people in that area sensed we were kinda lost. Then finally, we saw the port. That was really a good experience – being lost. I bet the neighborhood in that area wondered who we were or why did we choose that path to get to the port.

boat fare to Guimaras is only P13.00

After paying Php 13.00 and writing our names in the Boat Manifesto we boarded the boat going to Jordan Port in Guimaras.

writing down all our names just in case…

the boat looked like the ones we rode when I went to Caramoan.

Edwin’s Lonely Planet book proved useful when we had no idea where we’re headed

I think this was the only trip I went where I never bothered researching the area. I thought that Guimaras was just a small island and we can immediately go to the beach. The night before the trip, I managed to check out a few blogs on where to go. I read that Raymen beach in Alubihod is too crowded. Guisi was a favorite of some blogs I visited. But since this was farther and we don’t have the time, we opted to visit the nearer areas instead.

seeking help from the tourism station outside the port of Jordan

When we arrived, we went to the Tourism station and tried to check where we need to go in the limited time we have. There were a couple of tricycle drivers who were tailing behind trying to get our attention to hire their trike. After checking out the map at the station, we agreed to go to the Trappist Monastery first then head to Alubihod and then off to the town of Navalas and exit Guimaras from the Buenavista port.

Up Next…

playing with ants and cogon grass

checking out the caves in Villa Igang