So what do tired people do? They take a break and then they buy plane tickets to Iloilo. Kidding. I have to admit though, it was an impulsive trip. My cousin and I never planned anything and just booked the tickets 2 weeks before the flight schedule. It was then or never. Our life tanks were depleting that even proper sleep couldn't replenish the amount we're losing every single fucking day. Turns out, the best trips are those that you take unplanned. We were in for one of the greatest adventures we've had, thus far. I hope I'd be able to share with you some tips and insights should you be planning to go to where we went.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Manila, we booked plane tickets to Iloilo International Airport. Our flight schedule was 5:15AM departure from NAIA; 6:35AM arrival at Iloilo. There were no seat sales (considering that we booked only 2 weeks earlier); so we paid for our 2-way tickets for P7,048.24 for 2 pax, no baggage allowance.
Thoughts: Well, I advise you wait for the seat sale since our plane tickets make up for almost half of our total expenses during this trip. We had no regrets though. Second, if you're planning to go to Gigantes, do not take flights later than what we took. You'll soon find out why. Third, I am no fan of baggage allowance. I've always travelled lightly, even overseas (unless I'm with my bff Lea. We need that baggage allowance for all the things that we might impulsively buy lol hi Lea)
After arriving at Iloilo Int'l Airport, we rode a taxi going to Tagbak Terminal. There were no other modes of transportation, and I should warn you that they add +50 to the taxi meter. I believe it's a normal thing since all the taxi drivers that we approached asked for the extra. Don't be surprised. The terminal is 30mins away from the airport. We paid a total of P305.00.
There are two ways on how to get to the port in Estancia where you will be taking a boat to Isla de Gigantes - by van, or by bus. According to research, the van takes approximately 3hours while if you take the bus, it will take you 4 hours due to the stop overs. We decided to take the van considering that the costs do not vary. (Van fare is P150/head while bus fare is around P180-200/head). We alighted at the van's last stop and took a tricycle P10/head to the port. We arrived there at around 11:30AM. Please note that the passenger boat going to Isla de Gigantes leaves at 1:00PM; and there's only one trip per day. If you missed it, you either wait for the next day or you may book a private boat going to the island which costs around P5,000 - P6,000.
When we approached the ticket booth, we were asked by the Ate if we already have a hotel/accommodation waiting for us in the island. I've told you we had no plans, no advanced bookings or whatever. She informed us that there was a couple who hired a private boat who might actually be willing to take companions, and they were leaving that instance. It will save us time - no need to wait until 1PM; plus the same boatman will tour us for 2 days. We will have our time on our hands. We were originally thinking that we would be sleeping the day off, however if we take this private boat, we could start the island hopping right away! That's how we met these wonderful people whom we shared this trip with:
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| Reminds me of the Giordano quote from waaay back: Strangers are friends you haven't met! |
FIRST DAY - ISLAND HOPPING PART 1
The first island we visited is claimed to be the most beautiful island in Isla de Gigantes. There's an entrance fee of P50/head. They have public CRs as well.
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| the view from where i stand |
Note: Photos uploaded in this blog entry are without filters. I want you to appreciate the raw beauty of this place. Photos were taken by either iPhone 7+ or GoPro Hero5.
The second island is where we had our lunch. Entrance fee is P40.00/head.
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| life's a beach |
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| scallops are selling at P100 for 100pcs! No wonder they call it a "poor man's dish" in this part of the world. It's E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E! |
Note: Please bring your own goggles with you! The water's crystal clear and the islands are not "overpopulated" as most PH islands are, now.
Since it's already late in the afternoon, we decided to explore the remaining islands the next day; and opted to look for a hotel where we could stay. The Fil-In couple (let's call them A and P) we were with already have their hotel bookings, while the Spanish couple (let's call them I & D) were just like us - no plans and all. A &P offered that we check the hotel where they booked, however they no longer have aircon rooms. We went to the other hotel near it and found out that there are still 3 aircon rooms available. So we all decided to stick together and got the rooms.
Name of Place: Arjan Beach Resort
Rate: P1,300/room/night - airconditioned (good up to 4pax)
Note: We had to ride at the back of a motorcycle to get to the hotels. Fare is at P20/head. We had a feast for dinner - too bad I haven't taken any photos. They have a "cooking" fee and the meat/fish/chicken that they offer to cook is per KG. The more you are in a group, the more you save! Imagine we paid P190/head for both this night's dinner and the next day's breakfast - approx P95/meal!
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| the view from where I lay down - duyan life is <3 |
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| zen defined. they have duyans around the place! |
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| accommodation |
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| one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever watched. too bad I was not able to capture the sky turning into orange and violet. |
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| Arjan Beach Resort in the morning. |
Another note: They do not sell red horse in this island. We opted for the island equivalent of Red Horse. Twas a fun night with the kind strangers that we've met. <3
Also, please bring your powerbanks; electricity is running only up to 6AM. Signal is weak as well. We were not able to access the internet during our stay. :)
SECOND DAY - ISLAND HOPPING PART 2
The first island that we went to during our 2nd day of island hopping is the sandbar. The sandbar disappears during high tide/in the afternoon, so it's best to go here in the morning.
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| with the kids |
Next is our favorite island: The Mini Boracay! This is where we stayed the longest! <3
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| with our very mabait na boatman. should you need his details, I still have his number! :) |
The last island that we went to is the mini-lagoon where we jumped off the cliff.
TIP: Bring your aqua shoes.
(Wish I could share with you a video of our jump but blogger here has a size limit for uploads). Well, I'll post it on facebook. :)
We went back to the hotel we're staying, had late lunch which costed us P135/head, packed up and decided to go back to the city with A & P considering that there's nothing left to do (we're done with the island hopping), plus we only have one day left which we could use for a city tour or for Guimaras. We took the bus from Estancia to Iloilo City (P170/head). We searched online for accommodation; and found a cheap hostel named The Guesthouse (P800/night/airconditioned room) near SM Iloilo.
We went to the Esplanade for a night walk and for dinner and well - iced cold beer.
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| found sharetea lol |
THIRD DAY - GUIMARAS DAY TOUR
Knowing that our flight is at night time on our third day, we decided to go to Guimaras for just a quick day tour.
We started our day with the famous Iloilo La Paz Batchoy @ Ted's. It was just one jeep away from our accommodation
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| P224.00 in total |
Then we went to Iloilo City Harbor (Ortiz Wharf) and took a 15-minute pumpboat going to Jordan Wharf. Fare is only at P14.00/head.
We've read blogs about having a tricycle to tour you around Guimaras for around P1,000 and up. We were even offered the same when we got there. Luckily for us, we were able to meet a driver who was willing to tour us in the city (we only have 3 destinations in mind) for only P300.00.
First Destination: Mango Research Center
Second Destination: Trappist Monastery where you can buy your pasalubongs
Side Trip: The Pitsop - where you can eat the famous mango pizza!
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| didn't know mango tastes good in pizza |
Third Stop: Smallest Plaza
And then we headed back to Iloilo City. Since we still have time, we decided to roam around SM Iloilo to buy more pasalubongs and eat merienda:
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| The Dandy! Fries with nacho toppings yay |
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| Bluejay Coffee. Iloilo's local coffee shop! |
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| Casa Mariquit, a heritage house named after the wife of the late Vice President Fernando Lopez, Sr. |
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| my cousin Dominic with bantay |
Overall, the experience was superb! The best trips are really those that you take unplanned. There's no amount of sad nor tired the salty sand and the pristine water of the beach can't take away. We went back to reality with our life tank full.
PS. Budgeting wise, we spent around P7,000-P8,000 in this trip per head (all in) but that's inclusive of the approx P3,500/head flight. Imagine if you could get a cheaper flight! Plus, pasalubongs are already included in that amount.
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