March 18 - 19, 2011
a trip with my former workmates/friends. it was a low key getaway. we just lounged and spent the day doing nothing. haha.
the weather during our stay was gloomy. hence, no sunset and sunrise photos were taken. though it was very windy, super sarap!
photo credits goes to my friends :) cheers to more travel getaway together! :)
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
Iloilo International Airport to SM Iloilo via taxi - 400 php/ride
*fare usually was 50 php/pax for the shuttle van from airport to sm but the lady offered us the whole van for 400 php. instead of 50 php each, our individual sharing will be 67 php. not bad! :)
SM Iloilo to Ortiz Wharf via taxi - 90 php
*i have no idea how to get there when commuting via jeep so we took taxi instead. avanza taxis can fit the 6 of us.
Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Port via boat - 13 php/pax
*after paying for the boat fares, you need to register the names of the passengers. just look for the name of the boat based on your ticket then aboard the boat. whole ride took 15 minutes.
Jordan Port to Villa Igang via multicab - 400 php/ride
*after arriving at the island, go straight ahead to tourist information then register. they also provided options what type of transportation you like.
*we asked kuya arnel, multicab driver, to drop by trappist monastery before going to villa igang.
kuya arnel - 09187793007
*multicab or any other vehicles have a designated unloading zone for villa igang. you need to ride their tricycle to reach the resort or walk for aboout 10 - 15 minutes. reason? because of the sof mud road.
fare - 10 php/ pax
photo credits goes to my friends :) cheers to more travel getaway together! :)
from PGH and beyond :D
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
Iloilo International Airport to SM Iloilo via taxi - 400 php/ride
*fare usually was 50 php/pax for the shuttle van from airport to sm but the lady offered us the whole van for 400 php. instead of 50 php each, our individual sharing will be 67 php. not bad! :)
SM Iloilo to Ortiz Wharf via taxi - 90 php
*i have no idea how to get there when commuting via jeep so we took taxi instead. avanza taxis can fit the 6 of us.
Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Port via boat - 13 php/pax
*after paying for the boat fares, you need to register the names of the passengers. just look for the name of the boat based on your ticket then aboard the boat. whole ride took 15 minutes.
ticketing area
alley going to the boats at the right side
one of the boats
inside the boat
Jordan Port to Villa Igang via multicab - 400 php/ride
*after arriving at the island, go straight ahead to tourist information then register. they also provided options what type of transportation you like.
*we asked kuya arnel, multicab driver, to drop by trappist monastery before going to villa igang.
kuya arnel - 09187793007
*multicab or any other vehicles have a designated unloading zone for villa igang. you need to ride their tricycle to reach the resort or walk for aboout 10 - 15 minutes. reason? because of the sof mud road.
fare - 10 php/ pax
signage
road to villa igang
villa igang's tricycle
Villa Igang to Jordan Port via multicab - 500 php/ride
*charges more because according to kuya arnel, he has no passenger going to villa igang so he's more "lugi". we agreed plus we dropped by the "mangoes" market prior to jordan port.
Jordan port to Ortiz Wharf via Ferry boat - 13 php/pax
*longest 15 minutes of my life.hahaha!
jordan port's loading/unloading area
ACCOMMODATION
we stayed at Villa Igang for 1 night. I was actually not expecting anything grand about the place. All I want is a decent and clean place to stay for a night. The place exceeded our expectation. My friends, especially, were delighted with the place.
we got the aircon room good for 4 (2 single beds and 1 double bed) with additional 2 mattresses for 2400 php/night
room for 4 - 2000 php
extra mattress - 200 php
single beds
double bed
bathroom
here's my overall view of the resort:
PROs:
- room is wide and relatively clean
- staff is accommodating and nice
- not crowded, we get to enjoy the place amongst ourselves
- resort is clean
- many spots for photo ops
- room is kinda old
- bathroom's sink is not working
- blackout that lasted for an hour
our room was at the 2nd floor
resort's shore
left (reception&restaurant)
other side of the resort
TOURS
one of recommended things to try in Guimaras Island is the island hopping. on our second day, we availed the resort's island hopping services.
400 php for the 1st hour; 150 php for the succeeding hour
we informed the staff that we wanted a 2 hour island hopping tour. we went to Pawikan sanctuary, an island cove and ave maria island.
6 seater boat of villa igang
Pawikan Sanctuary
first stop of our island hopping tour. no entrance fee. just a donation for the sanctuary.
some photos
Island Cove
our boatman don't know the name of the cove. my friends explored the cove while i waited inside the boat.haha!
Ave Maria Island
there's an island entrance fee of 5 php/pax. nice place for sunbathing and swimming. though very rocky beach shore.
i must say that Villa Igang itself is a tourist spot! lots of places perfect for photo ops. we absolutely love the resort's dock :)
Trappist Monastery
another tourist destination at the island. nice place to buy pasalubongs.
there is kuya arnel's multicab
"Mangoes" Market
i included this stop as guimaras is known as the home of the sweetest mango! as of this entry, i have tasted their ripe mangoes. i must say, it's really is sweet :)
just tell your multicab/tricycle driver to drop by the market to buy mangoes.
70 - 80 php/kilo
ordinary box - free
Guimaras boxes - 40 - 80 php/box
ITINERARY
Day 1 (March 18)
8:35 am - ETD Manila
9:50 am - ETA Iloilo
10:00 - 11:00 am - travel to Iloilo City
12:00 pm - Lunch at Mooon Cafe
1:00 pm - travel to Ortiz Wharf
1:30 pm - travel to Guimaras
2:00 pm - check in Villa Igang and then beach bumming
7:00 pm - dinner at Villa Igang
Day 2 (March 19)
7:00 am - start of island hopping
9:00 am - prepare and brunch
10:30 am - travel back to Jordan port
12:00 pm - back to Iloilo City
COSTING
plane fare via Cebu Pacific Air (Manila - Iloilo): 614.56 php/pax
Plane fare via PAL (Iloilo - Manila): 1,061 php/pax
the following costs excludes plane fare and pasalubongs...
FOOD
staff of Villa Igang asked us what we would like for dinner. we ordered one of everything.hehe. sinigang na isda, grilled pork, chicken adobo, buttered shrimps, rice and softdrinks. total bill was 926 php for the 6 of us.
serving was small and the taste was nothing spectacular.
sinigang
chicken adobo
buttered shrimps
grilled pork
platter of rice
just like for dinner, we requested to have "paluto" for our brunch. we ordered tocino, tapa, eggs, rice and drinks. total bill was 770 php. i forgot to take pictures as i was too excited to eat. boo!
FASHION
since i was avoiding getting another tan, i opted to wear something beach-y but can still cover my arms/legs. hehe :)
also, my floppy hat serves as a great cover plus a cute beach accessory.
it was also my first time to wear high waisted bikini bottom. i feel kinda fat and it kinda covered the fatty area. haha!
maxi dress to cover my legs
long sleeved floral tunic shirt to cover my arms
high waist bikini
the floppy hat
Final Thoughts about Guimaras Island
i must say that this trip was one of the most relaxing beach trip ever! the non - crowded resort helped a lot. for me, an overnight stay is enough when staying in guimaras.
as of this entry, i have tasted the well - known mangoes that guimaras offers. it's truly sweet and yummy.
if asked if i want to go back to guimaras, maybe not anytime soon. hehe :P
9 comments
Hi Madel!
We share exactly the same thoughts! I'm not going back anytime soon too! Haha! But must say their mangoes are superb and the inasal is waaaay different. :)
Nice hat btw! Cheers! :)
gian: thanks! :) aaaw, wasn't able to taste their inasal. perhaps next time :)
did you tried the mango cookies sold at the trappist monastery? sarap nun!
Guimaras is one of the best travels I had! thanks for sharing your experience...
by the way, i like your site.. i've added u on my links.. and followed u too...
pinoy adventurista: thank you! i didn't see any mango cookies at the trappist monastery. boo :( will definitely look for it next time :)
I'm doing our IT for bacolod-guimaras-iloilo trip on July. And this post of yours is definitely a big HELP to me. ;) Thanks for posting every single detail of your trip. Keep it up! Cheers!
g-nang: hello! have fun with your trip! :)
Thanks Madel! :D
I highly recommend Kuya Michael he is our Tourist guide/ Tricycle driver/Multicab Driver/ Photographer. He is very nice and honest. Feel free to call him next time you visit Guimaras. He will fetch you on time at Jordan Wharf and greeted you with his warm smile. Here is the Contact no. of Kuya Michael Selorico -- 0908 324 6835.
just like for dinner, we requested to have "paluto" for our brunch. we ordered tocino, tapa, eggs, rice and drinks. total bill was 770 php. i forgot to take pictures as i was too excited to eat. boo! old gold earrings design , head pieces for races , jewelry boxes wholesale , faux fur scarf
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