Bantayan Island

 Welcome to Bantayan Island!

This is again, one of the many solo travels that I have in our country, Philippines.

I came from Cebu City, took some habal-habal to the North Terminal which is at the back of SM City Cebu. The buses/vans have signages of its destination, you may ask the driver or "konduktor" if you are unsure of which bus to take. The current fare was between Php 165 - Php 185 something?? I forgot.

Travel time is 4 hours.

Upon arriving in Hagnaya port, I went to buy the ferry ticket.

As of March 2023:

Regular fare: Php 359.00

Terminal fee: Php 25.00

Total: Php 384.00

Travel time is 1 and half hour.

The blue waters and the white sand beach welcome you to the Bantayan island.

Upon arriving at Santa Fe port, I rented a motorbike for Php350/day. 

Just show your driver's license, and they will ask to leave your I.D.

The road is paved, and you can drive around for half a day. 

The town center is very near the port, and it is where all the fun stuff like food stall market, party clubs, sun rises and sun sets, too.

There are a lot of resorts, hostels, rooms and hotels around the area that you can book, rent. 

I drove around, looking for a less expensive room accommodation and found one for Php1,900 and Php700. 

It was a peak season, but I guess I am your adventurous solo diy traveler that looks for her accommodation once she gets there. I have done this "find-an-accommodation-when-I-get-there" in Coron, Bohol, El Nido, La Union, Baler, Siquijor, Siargao and so on.. except Batanes. 

My first day lunch.

There are a lot of seafood restaurant in the town center, also grocery stores and some tindahan.

I left all my stuff in my room accommodation and went driving around.

The Ruins

There is a white sand beach down the cliff when low tide.

I drove to Paradise Beach.

It's quite a rough road going there, and it is out of nowhere but it's worth it.

There is a small secret white sand beach during low tide in this portion.

I was here after lunch, so the water is quite high.

This is the Paradise Beach.

I stayed for a while under I got my tanned skin.

Then, went to Kota beach for the sunset.

This is a long stretch of white sand beach.

I also enjoyed watching locals prepare their banka for an overnight fishing.

I had sizzling dinner in the same food market. There are party/drinking clubs here as well.

Next morning, 

I woke up early to watch the sunrise in the same Kota beach.

Then, 

I drove to the other side of the island to find a coffee shop.

This is when I saw the Lagoon signage.

The boat fare is Php 100 round trip.

You may want to go there very early to enjoy the ocean lagoon by yourself.

The boatman is going to leave you there and you can hop in any boat going back.

There is a resort that is under construction at the end of the lagoon.

The entrance is Php 100, you can use the tables, beach chairs and hammock.

I arrived very early so I was able to enjoy the sand bar.

After some time, 

I went back to the resort and order a coffee, a breakfast.. 

to a local.

Then, chill facing the lagoon..

You can also swim in it.

There is a designated portion.

Then, change scenery to the other side that faces the ocean.

I went back to the town before lunch to catch the afternoon ferry.

I missed the Camp Sawi mangrove, Sta Fe Cliff Diving Spot, and Baigad Old Warf.

Total Expenses: 

Bus fare: 165x2= 330

Ferry fare: 384x2= 768

Hotel:(1night) = 700

Lunch = 200

Dinner = 250

Breakfast = 100

Lunch = 150

Scooter rent: 350

grand total: Php 2,848.

(not including redhorse, water, soft drinks, junk food, etc)

Goodbye for now and see you again!

Tambalisa island, Concepcion

Welcome to Tambalisa island or Pan de Acuzar island of Concepcion

It is locally known as Tambalisa island

This is a popular destination of Bulabadiangan island

One of the most beautiful sand bar islands of Iloilo

Iloilo to Antique access road via Igtuble

This was our most anticipated adventure during the pandemic, covid19.

We always travel through the provincial highway from Iloilo to Antique via San Joaquin to San Jose. 

This time, we tried the Iloilo to Antique via Tubungan - Igbaras - San Remegio.

We travel first from Iloilo city to Guimbal then up to Tubungan where the concrete road ends in Igtuble.

Igtuble in Tubungan is a picturesque scenery towering the concrete road above the horizon. 

Sunset here is very nice.

We went here few months ago and, we met this local farmer who told us about the rough road which connects the 2 provinces.

The motocross enthusiast used this access road. 

The concrete road ends after the watefalls.

It was a crazy adventure.

It was not raining but it was slippery.

There is this part that I cannot consider as a road as it is made of small logs??

Then, we ran out of gasoline along the way.

Good thing, we met this motorcycle guy who lead us to where we can buy 2 liters which they put in a bottle of coke. 

Thank you 💗

The good guy said we were in the mountains of Igbaras. 

The rough road was too much, actually. It went on for few hours.

Somewhere, the scenery changes.

We stopped a little bit for few photos and went on as the rain started. It was getting dark, too. 

I was using offline google map as there is no network coverage.

It was slippery, and he just bought the motocross 2 days ago, not an experienced driver at this point.

And, that was it! 

It was fun.

We continue our journey to Antique.

Then, Aklan.

Ah, life is good 🌸

Calayan island

Welcome to Calayan island

The rarely visited island of the country. 

12 hours Manila to Laoag

2 hours Laoag to Cagayan

6 hours Cagayan to Calayan island

You may fly from Manila to Laoag,
van to Claveria,
boat to Calayan.

or

I took the Florida bus
in Kamias Cubao to Laoag,
van from Laoag to Claveria
boat to Calayan

or

You may have the Aparri way
bus from Manila to Tuguegarao
van to Claveria or Aparri
boat to Calayan

*Florida bus have terminals in Sampaloc and Kamias Cubao
*RCJ bus terminal is in Sampaloc

Total expenses: P4,000
*the computation is at the latter end

2 days 2 nights
with 1 night and 1 day in Vigan

Day 1:

3:00 PM left Kamias-Cubao, Florida bus

Day 2:

3:00 AM arrival Laoag

3:30 AM van/ bus to Cagayan

5:30 AM arrival Claveria, Cagayan

6:00 AM departure

1:00 PM arrival Calayan island

1:30 PM checked in, late lunch and siesta

3:00 PM Sibang cove, swimming

5:00 PM Sunset in Nagudungan hill

Day 3

6:00 AM wake-up call, breakfast

6:30 AM start of island tour

7:00 AM Lusok cave

The entrance of the cave.

You may enjoy the cold water spa inside. 

9:00 AM Caanawan waterfalls

10:00 AM Bataraw waterfalls

11:00 AM Caniwara cove

Our gracious host, ate Connie, prepared our lunch. 

11:30 AM lunch time at Caniwara

12:30 PM after lunch - to Cababaan cove

This is one of the pristine beaches I've ever seen so far.. minus the crowd. 

2:00 PM Sibang cove and Nagudungan hill

This is one of my favorite spots here in Calayan. 

With the sunset, of course

5:00 PM end of the island tour

Personal notes:

The itinerary above is a perfect one
as this island is prone to keeping tourist stranded due to bad weather.

1. Pease make sure that your things are sealed with plastic or covered by zip lock - waves can get higher than your boat

2. No ATM machines - 1 EFTposh machine only

3. Make sure to travel between April to July - otherwise, enjoy the roaring sea

4. Smile - this is a shy and warm community

My travel period: April 2018

Day 1: change of plan

I left Manila around 4PM
arriving Laoag around 4AM,
transferred bus going to Cagayan.

I just asked for the next bus that will passed Claveria, Cagayan.
I almost missed the boat to Calayan as it departs exactly 6AM.

It's a good thing that there was a group of travelers who also missed it, therefore the big boat returned to take all 6 of us. 

This does not happen everyday. 

Accommodations are limited. 

I didn't secure mine as there are few tourist in this part of the country. 

I stayed with ate Connie's hostel. 

P350, fan room with toilet. 

This is one of the hostels. 

They are about 5 accommodations in the main street.
I also saw 1 near the beach. 

Food is also limited. 

There are no other restaurants,
except ate Connie's karinderya. 

Servings are delicious and affordable. 

You may request your meal in advance. 

My favorite is her halo-halo. 

I miss it soooo much 💕

Tour

All these coves and waterfalls are within the island. 

You can only go by boat as the road is not yet paved. 

This boat is good for 6 pax for P4,000. 

Ate Connie prepared the tour that comes with a guide and a packed lunch. 

My gang in Calayan
with ate Connie,
wearing the orange shirt🥂

Day 3

Same route: Cagayan > Laoag

with a stop over in Vigan

Total expenses: P4,000

Fare Manila Claveria - 500 x 2 = P1000
Fare Calayan - 500 x 2 = P1000
Food & accommodation = P1000
Tour = P1000

I just prepared an extra budget, 

just in case I'll be stranded. 

It didn't happen. 

Ate Connie: 09075447692

If you have any questions, suggestions.. 

please let me know ☀️

Next destination: Siargao