DIY Itinerary is always been like a gamble. Like you will never know what you are going to face when you arrived at your destination. Well, not in Guimaras Island!
Annual trip with the squad! Meet Neil and Carissa - they are couple and basically I never feel I was third-wheel to them because both of them are my friends.Well, we missed Rod in this trip. He's from Iloilo, but he has other planned trip.
The island is organized by logging in your names in their record book as visitors and they recommend you a driver and tricycle to tour you around the island for PHP1500! It's a good deal!
Here are the Top Guimaras Tourist Spots on the island:
Navalas Church
It is the oldest existing Roman Catholic Church in the Province of Guimaras that has survived the ravages of time; built in 1880-1885. A bigger bell that was more than four feet tall, formerly hang at the belfry was carted away and dumped into the sea near Isla del Siete Pecados by Muslim raiders. Only the façade remain untouched. source
Roca Encantada
The Lopez Family (of ABS-CBN) owns Roca Encantada – a mansion that welcomes paying guests. Our guide said this house appeared in several TV shows and movies. You can’t enter the master bedroom but you’re allowed to roam the lawn and take tons of selfies outside the house.
No tripod, but I used the tree-pod.
San Lorenzo Guimaras Windmill
We had an up-close view of the windmill. It was too hot to have photos under it.
Lunch Time
Guimaras Mango Plantation
Here is where Guimaras produces its world-famous mangoes. You'll appreciate ... Guimaras trip is not complete if u don't see their mango plantation and if you know the movie "Forevermore" of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa. This is where they shot the film.
Trappist Monastery Guimaras
The Trappist Monastery grounds is a peaceful and sacred enclave in Guimaras run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme austerity or strictness that chara.
Guisi Point Lighthouse
The Guisi Lighthouse is an 18th-century Spanish-colonial lighthouse built beside the beach. It was built to guide mariners passing the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait.
Guisi Beach
Guisi Beach may not have powdery white sand, but its rugged beachscape, aquamarine waters, and rock formations are what make it charming. Often included with a trip to the lighthouse, this is a noteworthy stop for those who want to see more of Guimaras. It is an ideal place to rest, relax, and unwind after wading in its waters or taking countless photos.
Finally! My video blog about my Coron trip last September is now up! I was happy to celebrate my birthday with an ultimate island hopping tour. With my friends Carissa and Neil of Island Trotters and Rod of Spot a Leopard. It was a great trip and definitely one for the books.
I've been planning to go to Coron after my solo trip in El Nido two years ago. Never had a chance to go last year because I had a series of out of the country trip. Lucky enough to go with my friends Rod, Carissa and Neil as we always have this yearly out of town trip. Our first trip was on the Apo Island in Dumaguete that I haven't blogged yet, but Rod did here: 5 Reasons To Visit a Stormy Apo Island The squad is planning to go to another destination next year crossing our fingers because the airfare going there is expensive.
It was great to finally spend my birthday in paradise! Sharing you some photos from my Instagram @jewelclicks for now. I have to catch up with a lot of backlogs in my blog. Forgive me.
I was refresh more than pressing the F5 button in my laptop keyboard when I went to Boracay Island last July. I was longing for a beach trip after April. I thought that was my last out of town because you will never know what lies ahead. Life lately was in a rollercoaster ride that you can still manage not to throw up when you reach the highest peak and going down landslide. BAM!
I leave to live. I stayed home for less than a month and left again to live. I remember my last year trips whenever I go I always go back. Now, whenever I'm home I always want to leave to look or find something I don't know yet. Isn't sounds crazy?
Honestly, whenever I go home I don't unpacked my stuff right away. It takes a month after or whenever I have to packed my things again. I find it tiring now. I even mastered packing my things couple of hours before going to the airport. I thought I will never get tired of this, but I guess I do now.
Booking tickets for less than a month trip is what I was up to. I still believe that spontaneous is fun, but I guess I don't find it any fun now. The excitement is there, the feeling is high, you are happy, but the impact after is kind a long-term than you were happy. These are experiences that you bring home and sometimes it became excess (emotional) baggage that you have to deal with.
Looking back, I don't have any regrets, I'm just happy and let me use this "feeling blessed".
Not "sometimes" I think "we should" go somewhere we can breathe and clear our mind somewhere we can relax and forget and leave everything we don't want to remember. After all, good or bad those are experiences that we have to encounter and will make us tougher, stronger and wiser.
I thought I will not feel this again, but I am on the rocks right now (with myself), I feel comfortable that I should be more aware of my decisions in life.
PS: Going out with the whole family! Mom's birthday too! :)
Hello! I thought I would not be able to go this year. BUT I DID and with friends. (Hooooraaay!) Finally they said "yes!" when I invited them, miracles do happen. (insert crying emoji)
We had a short trip because of the delayed flight going there. Instead of leaving in the afternoon and arrived in the evening, we left Cebu at night to make it short after two hours bus ride and 15 minutes ferry ride, we arrived at the island at 11:45PM. How was that?! So it made us more excited to see the beach and have fun. We also met Hendrix who is working for a year there and managing a backpacker hostel: Jeepney Hostel and Kite Resort - The place is cool and located at Bulabog beach, we love their swingers club where SUP Boards are the swings!
Meet the crew:
Neil, Rod, Hendrix, I, Cybil and Carissa (Jenesa at the back you can't see her. LOL)
Here's our VLOG: (Click HD)
How about my jumpshot video? :D
PS: I am currently now in Makati before going to my next destination. YAY!
Let's add each other on Snapchat for my daily adventures:
Finally sharing my memorable trip in El Nido, Palawan!
I told myself to post about this trip as soon as possible, but I want to keep it myself first because I left my heart in Palawan and definitely will go back to visit their other islands and of course, Coron!
This is the part two of my photo diary of my Palawan trip. You can read the first part here:
Moving forward, six hours away from Puerto Princesa City, you will reach the north part of the Palawan - El Nido! Make sure that you have enough travel time to go there and back to the city. It was a good thing to do the Underground River Tour first before I went there, so the hype and expectations will be more exciting because you don't know what will happen to you.
Why solo? WHY NOT? HAHAHA!
Warning: Photos overload in 3..2..1
Road Trip
I love road trip! I've been to North Luzon provinces and the farthest was Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte at the tip of the map of the Philippines. Therefore, this one was just easy peasy. Our stop over was in Roxas for pee break or if you want to buy something to eat. That was only for 15 minutes. We were just five passengers inside the Lexxus Shuttle Van with more that 80kph speed in a zig zag road of Palawan. Nice!
I arrived at 8PM feeling sick and starving. Tip: bring paracetamol or take vitamins if you're on travel. I checked in my things in a family room as my temporary room for the night because they were having their renovation. They have friendly staff.
Woke up feeling better and ready for island hopping.
The location was five minutes away from the proper town. I loved it. I stay here because of the sunset view based on the reviews I found on their website. The resort is secluded which I find good because you will have peaceful view.
Transferred to another room after my island hopping still big for a messy solo me.
Room rates have breakfast included and then if you want to eat dinner you have to go to Aplaya in proper town where there are restaurants located in beach front spell mini Boracay there.
Morning photos. So calm, perfect view while drinking coffee.
I watched the sunset until blue hour and realized that I have to eat dinner because it was almost 7PM time for dinner.
View from above
Transportation
Since I'm from 5 minutes away in proper town, I have to ride a tricycle to take me there. My first night was awesome because I met a driver whom I hired to fetch me and drive to Aplaya for dinner. Just like what I did in Puerto Princesa. His name is Ryan. He will just wait for you when you're done eating or chillin'.
Aplaya El Nido
Where to eat? When I arrived, It is true that there are so many restaurants and bars there to choose from. Since it was my first night and I feel a little sick I choose to ate at Aplaya Restobar because I find it not awkward to eat alone in their restaurant. Sigh.
Seafood sisig
I also tried Marber's Restobar full of foreigners on my second night. Their homemade tuna pasta was delicious! Then transferred to Aplaya Restobar to have kamikazee drink and went home.
selfie while waiting. lol. no one to talk to eh.
This is Aplaya in the morning. Also docking station for island hopping tours.
Time for Activities:
Island Hopping Tour C
Caera Tours managed my island hopping activities. Our first tour was Tour C - Hidden Beaches and Shrine these are Matinloc Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island, Tapuitan Island and Cadlao Lagoon.
Unfortunately I forgot to turn off the wifi of Go Pro so battery drained, good thing I brought my HD Cam same as Go Pro.
Brandon, our tour guide took my photos of my entire trip! Friends were asking me who's taking my photos. I taught Brandon how to frame me and I do my thing.
Helicopter Island our first stop
Okaaay...
Sunscreen what? No protection under the sun.
First underwater attempt not until jelly fish attacked us! I had rashes, but it was only minor.
The boat is good for 20 pax and we were only 8.
What do you mean?
Brandon under the sun, chillin'
I envied him, but I can't dare to do what he was doing hahaha!
Meet Brandon, my tour guide and photographer.
Matinloc Island this is supposed to be a good shot, but I was starving that time so...
Love these photos, but it was not an easy climb.
Panorama!
Lunch time with the crew:
(L to R) Charisse and David, Trio from Vietnam, me and Best friends from Taiwan.
Island Hopping Tour A
Another set of people in this trip. Yey! Tour A includes Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Intalula Island, Secret Lagoon and 7 Commando Beach. Meaning: swimming all day! Whew!
Literally, CHILL
First activity was kayaking for PHP300 and since I was solo of course, I paid for the whole amount and then our tour guide was with me, paddling, yey!
Selfie before Kayaking!
The coast was clear, perfect to take photos.
I found them and they are looking for Dory!
Underwater shots as always. Swimming like a pro!
Creative shot by Brandon.
It was low tide so we have to walk inside the big lagoon.
Lunch time with the Tour A crew!
Obviously, I am solo.
Fishes
Secret Lagoon
Just ignore what I am doing in this photo.
Group photos from Vian. I found her on Instagram.
7 Commando Beach
our last stop
Halo-Halo for PHP100
After I ate halo-halo, I said I wanted to be real so I ordered Margarita for PHP50.
Encouraged them to have a drink too!
Cheers!
(L to R) Brandon, I, Vian, Viel and couple from Dubai
I have to rush back to La Casa Teresa to catch up with the last trip going back to Puerto Princesa.
Holiday season is here! Enjoy your vacation with #Sassa!#Repost @jewelclick fresh from El Nido #Palawan! Check out her blogs at http://www.jewelclicks.com/ to know more about her #travel and #adventure!
Posted by Sassa Activewear on Friday, 9 October 2015
