GUIMARAS ISLAND..... Feb. 10-11 2012

       GUIMARAS PROVINCE


               Feb. 10 -11 2012








DAY - 1 Feb. 10 2012


We departed at NAIA terminal 3 at around 11AM via AIRPHIL EXPRESS.

And arrived at Iloilo International Airport at around 12NN.

Before we proceeded to Guimaras, we went first to SM Iloilo for our lunch.

We dined at Green Mango... and we ordered Chicken BBQ, Braised Beef and Pansit Canton as side dish. Also, the Crsipy Chicken, Pork Chop and Pansit Canton with my Tito "Nestor" Evangelista (my mother's youngest brother)

After loading up some protein and carb., we then now headed to Guimaras. Our access point, at the ORTIZ WHARF,  going to one of the main Ports of the island, the JORDAN WHARF.

As we had reached Guimaras at Jordan Wharf, our tour guide with his Tricycle waiting for us. He is not only a good tour guide but he can also be your Photographer. Believe me, he can make you pose on a perfect angle with the beautiful spot you visited.

You may contact him at 09084748122

By the way, his name is GERALD, you can trust him, he's good and doesn't charged too much on his fee. During our tour he charged us P900 (country side tour and to the resort where we checked in, and fetched us the next day to take us to Port going back to Iloilo).



As we started our journey as to what we can see at this Island.  Our first stopover at this Plaza.

And to the highland over looking the Mango Plantation.

Guimaras is very well known for producing the best mango, said to be the sweetest mango in the world.  So we stopped at this fruit stand to buy and try some.  HHHmmm....the taste, so sweet, definitely.  I tell you, Guimaras mangoes are really sooooo goood...(not the green one of course. hehehehe).

Our next at MUSEO DE GUIMARAS.

Besides the Museum is the GUIMARAS PROVINCE CAPITOL.

We then, visited next the TRAPPIST MONASTERY.

Residing Priest educated us how they manage the Monastery. Aside from the donation given by locals and the tourists visiting their place, they also generate income from selling their products at the gift shop like Mango Jam, Otap, Mango tart, Cashew Nut, Dried Mango, and some souvenirs.

 

 If you will visit the place, please buy some of their products, they are really good specially the Mango Jam and Dried Mangoes.  In that way also you can help them in maintaining the Monastery.

Also, the Monastery has a very beautiful and peaceful landscape to offer. So relaxing.

We dropped by at Camp Alfredo, an Adventure Camp.

And to the Place Overlooking ILOILO CITY.

And then to the Historical Site... The GUISI LIGHT HOUSE.

  

It was built by the Spanish government in 1894 -1896 as part of the Master Plan for the lighting of the Maritime Coasts of the Philippine Archipelago. The plan was aimed at lighting the Philippine Seas and channels to guide ships in and through the most important sea channels to the ports of Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu. Known as Faro de Punta Luzaran, the lighthouse served as a navigational aid to the fishermen and sailors cruising Panay Gulf.

Seeing this station outside the Guisi vicinity was very inviting...time to take a short break.  Good they had a very healthy drink that will quench our thirst. Zipping some mineral water of  fresh BUKO JUICE was so cool....sooooo refreshing.

After getting hydrated, time for us to move on again...to our final destination....At the.....


Villa Igang Beach Resort.

Since it was almost late in the afternoon when we got there at Villa Igang, and don't have much time to walk around at the resort because it was getting dark, we just stayed at the bench infront of our cottage enjoying the cool wind from the sea.

At that time, we were the only guests who checked in for an overnight stay.  Our room cost Php1,200.00 per night (no TV).


That was a tireless day for us , roaming around at this Province. We really enjoyed the beautiful places we visited, the beach, the surroundings, cool winds and all about the beauty of nature offers, specially the SWEETEST MANGOES.




DAY 2 - Feb. 11 2012


At last, the time had come for us to explore the resort. We had a limited time (6 hrs before check out) to see what Villa Igang has to offer around and to its nearby island.


So, we started our day at dawn to see this very fascinating scene from the shore.

The Chef had arrived, time to load up for some energy that we need for roaming around.


Dined with the captivating view at the seaside.

Our breakfast... The American way... Ham and Egg with the Sweetest Mangoes on the side.

After that worth remembering dining experience, we went back to our room to freshen up and to prepare for the next remarkable experience...



The Island hopping Adventure... go go go!

Our first stopped at IGANG MARINE STATION...

The station was established in 1974 primarily for studies on the breeding of tiger shrimp in pens. The major breakthroughs of SEAFDEC/AQD were the completion of the life cycle of tiger shrimp in captivity in 1975 and of milkfish in 1983.
New hatchery technologies have been developed for fry production of high-value species such as grouper, seabass, snapper, and pompano to cater to the needs of fish farmers.
The station also stocks abalone and sandfish for studies to improve their culture in sea cages. In addition, nearly 200 giant clams were released around the station to replenish natural stocks.

As we about to leaved the Igang Marine Station, the whistling wind comes, it seems the weather are changing its mood.  But we still have the desire to see the TURTLE ISLAND which next to our itinerary.  And so we go on....

On our way as we sailed, it became so windy.... the boat man came to me and discreetly told me that we need to discontinue our island tour because the weather was getting bad. I said okay and we need to hurry up, I was so frightened upon hearing what the boatman told me, I was thinking the safety of my wife and daughter.

What comes next.... big waves rocks our boat specially when we traversed at the open sea...

 That was a very horrible experience at the sea... Thank God for our safety. (we got so wet because of the waves).


As soon as we arrived at the resort, our exploration continued...

Ooops! breaktime... for something cold... Ice Candy and Suman...nice combination.

At the dock...

 After that tiring moments... time for relaxation.... swimming... swim swim swim...


A short trek going to the Pool area...

At the Pool...

Good thing the water was so warm...  we had fun  and felt so relaxed.

And for as much as we want to stay for a little longer, having fun at the splash of the water,  we really need to go, because it was almost check out time.


But wait, before we go... EATING TIME again..... yahooo!!!


Our Lunch... Sinigang na Pampano (fish).

After checked out... we dropped by again at Trappist Monastery to buy something that we can bring to Iloilo for our 3 days stay there.

On our way to Jordan Wharf... We got off from our service to take our last glimpse at the Mango Plantation.

A Quick walk around at....


Nueva Valencia Municipal Town.

And at Jordan Municipal Town...

Boarding at Motor Banca at Jordan Wharf...

We arrived at Ortiz Wharf  Iloilo City at around 215PM... Another Adventure await us at this city.


HOW TO GET THERE:

 1.  From Iloilo Airport take a Van going to SM City... fare P50ea... travel time 30-40 minutes. (you can also hire a taxi that will bring you directly at Ortiz Wharf)
 2.  Taxi from SM to Ortiz Wharf... fare around P100
 3.  Motor Banca to Jordan Wharf (guimaras)... fare P15ea... travel time 15 minutes.
 4.  Hire Tricycle/Tour guide that will bring you to different tourist spots... P900. (inclusive of you fare the next day in going back to Jordan Wharf going Iloilo City).