A Trip to the "Mango Capital of the Philippines" - GUIMARAS!!
When we visited Ilo-ilo January of this year, the original plan was to side trip in Guimaras. But after a lot of thinking and pondering, Bee and I decided to skip Guimaras and go to Islas Gigantes instead. We had an amazing experience in Islas Gigantes but I promised myself I'll go back and see The Mango Capital of the Philippines!!!
And so here it is...
Day 2 of our Bacolod-Guimaras Trip. October 6, 2013 (Sunday). BREDCO Port in Bacolod City is just near SM Bacolod City so going there isn't difficult. From SM City, there are tricycles waiting to take passengers to the Port. If you want to walk your way to the port, it is possible. Tricycle fare is only P9.
There are three ferries plying from Bacolod to Iloilo - Weesam, OceanJet and SuperCat. You can choose among them, just check out their departure date. That time, the earliest departure available for us was at 3:40PM via SuperCat.
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| check out their promos! |
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| ferry in pink! perfect! |
I enjoyed the free WIFI and airconditioned room while waiting for the ferry. It's my first time to ride in 2Go. What I like about this experience is upon leaving the port, a video is played about a little prayer for our safe journey and some safety reminders. The staff greeted us politely while we entered and exited the ferry. Restaurant is available for those who would like a drink (hot or cold), sandwiches, biscuits and chips for reasonable prices. Their portable restroom is clean too!
After an hour, we were in Ilo-ilo City............ for the second time!!
There are tricycles available just outside the port. A driver approached us and we asked to take us to the port (Ortiz Wharf) going to Guimaras. He charged us P14.
Iloilo-Guimaras route feels like a pretty normal daily commute as I see students, employees on board. If I live in Guimaras Island and would like to watch a movie or shop, I can just easily hop on a pump boat and after 15-20 minutes or so, I'd be in the Iloilo. Very accessible!!
It was almost 6PM when we arrived in Jordan Wharf. Expectedly, men offered their tricycle service to the resort (P250) and a tour around the island. Initial price of the tour was P1200 but because they're trying to beat the price of the other, the price went down to P800. Perfect!!
P250 fare is really really worth it! The resorts are too far from the port, around 30 min travel.
We didn't book any resort prior to coming but as recommended by the locals, Raymen Beach Resort is one of the famous in the island and the cheapest.
Bee and I settled in a cottage room for P700 (fan room with bathroom and 2 single beds). The room is just enough for a night. Super basic. The bathroom is not that clean but not that dirty, just enough that I can handle with for a very short period of time. The bed and mattress are fine, just enough foam to lay down. Same goes with the pillows and blanket. I mean, this is super fine by me. For the price, of course, I couldn't ask for more. Anyway, we'll be leaving at 7AM the next day for the tour, then back to Bacolod City right after.
Raymen Beach Resort also offers airconditioned rooms. They have a restaurant and last call for orders is at 7PM. Around 45 minutes later, our food were cooked. We ate like it was the first meal of our lives then burped to our satisfaction!! :)
That night, we had a bottle beer by the beach. Happy that we were in this island as we watch sea bubbles play on the shore and breath the salted air. It reminds me again why I love going to places and how much contentment and peace it brings in me.... (sigh)
I couldn't wait for our tour the next day!
Lights off!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Day 3 of Bacolod-Guimaras Trip. October 7, 2013 (Monday). We woke up early so we could swim in the beach. The beach in Raymen Resort is clean. The sand is powdery yellowish. I wish I could have stayed more but we had to move on. We packed our bags, checked out and bid goodbye. 8AM - start of tour.
Guisi Lighthouse
8AM. We started the tour in Guisi Lighthouse. The road to the lighthouse is steep and rocky, so our tricycle can only climb up to one point, then we trekked to reach the top where the lighthouse is. There is no entrance fee here but the caretaker is asking for some amount for the maintenance of the area.
P250 fare is really really worth it! The resorts are too far from the port, around 30 min travel.
We didn't book any resort prior to coming but as recommended by the locals, Raymen Beach Resort is one of the famous in the island and the cheapest.
Bee and I settled in a cottage room for P700 (fan room with bathroom and 2 single beds). The room is just enough for a night. Super basic. The bathroom is not that clean but not that dirty, just enough that I can handle with for a very short period of time. The bed and mattress are fine, just enough foam to lay down. Same goes with the pillows and blanket. I mean, this is super fine by me. For the price, of course, I couldn't ask for more. Anyway, we'll be leaving at 7AM the next day for the tour, then back to Bacolod City right after.
Raymen Beach Resort also offers airconditioned rooms. They have a restaurant and last call for orders is at 7PM. Around 45 minutes later, our food were cooked. We ate like it was the first meal of our lives then burped to our satisfaction!! :)
That night, we had a bottle beer by the beach. Happy that we were in this island as we watch sea bubbles play on the shore and breath the salted air. It reminds me again why I love going to places and how much contentment and peace it brings in me.... (sigh)
I couldn't wait for our tour the next day!
Lights off!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Day 3 of Bacolod-Guimaras Trip. October 7, 2013 (Monday). We woke up early so we could swim in the beach. The beach in Raymen Resort is clean. The sand is powdery yellowish. I wish I could have stayed more but we had to move on. We packed our bags, checked out and bid goodbye. 8AM - start of tour.
Guisi Lighthouse
8AM. We started the tour in Guisi Lighthouse. The road to the lighthouse is steep and rocky, so our tricycle can only climb up to one point, then we trekked to reach the top where the lighthouse is. There is no entrance fee here but the caretaker is asking for some amount for the maintenance of the area.
Guisi lighthouse was built in the 18th century. Because of its age, the entire structure is covered by rust and parts of it are disintegrated. There is a sign no to climb but because our tourguide said they permit tourists to go up, we gave it a try. We were extra extra careful though because some steps are just inches away from falling off.
Mango Plantation
The biggest plantation in Guimaras covering 240 hectares of land.
"Guimaras is the only place in the country that has been certified as mango seed weevil-free that its produce is approved for export to the U.S."
Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Abbey
The only men monastery in the Philippines was founded by the United States on 1972. They grow their own mangoes, rice and vegetables. They are famous in producing dried mangoes and jams. They also have a bakery.
To learn more about them, here's their website=> http://www.ourladyofnewhelfta.com/OLP/
Pitstop
Awarded for having the Best Mango-Inspired Recipe in 2009, their famous Mango Pizza is a must try! Other best sellers are Adobo twist (adobo with a taste of mango) and Spicy Romeo Pasta. They are all delicious!
Guimaras Trade and Information Center
Located at Pasalubong Center, Provincial Capitol, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras.
This is the heaven of pasalubong in Guimaras. Aside from food, they also sell T-shirts, key chains, ref magnets and display items.
Smallest Plaza
That's the end of our Guimaras tour. It wasn't the season of Mangoes so we no longer bought one. That's fine. What I enjoyed in the trip? I was really surprised to see their beach. It was more than I expected. I thought I was going to see another so-so beach full of sea weeds. In Raymen, their beach is great!! I also enjoyed the Mango Pizza. It's something unique and of course delicious.
The remaining half of our Day 3 was spent in travelling back to Bacolod City where we ate at Manokan Country (again) and delighted our tummies with desserts in Calea! Check it our here!
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