When in Guimaras, it would be a sin to overlook the island resort of Costa Aguada. This resort contained in the island called Inampulugan offers first class amenities and carefully developed and maintained surroundings. This island is four to five times bigger than the Nagarao Island, and has a vast mountain that's best for trekking and biking. Some of its attractions that we were able to spot are the mini-zoo, the mangrove plantation and the thriving community that produces soap and other materials made from coconut. The resort, and the whole island so to speak, is self-sufficient ---they grow their own vegetables and fruit trees, raise animals and even culture crabs. You will never undermine their capability to live independently when you try their ice cream made from coconut milk and meat. I promised myself to come back to this island soon, by then I swear it will be more than just a day-tour.
Leaving Costa Aguada was hard but the thought of our next activity pushed me to hop my way to the pumpboat. It was time for island hopping and sea adventures!
There are many island resorts in Guimaras, and each has its own uniqueness (and variation in accommodation costs, of course). Island hopping is favorable and will not cost you any, except for paying the boatman. Resort owners and operators are very friendly, and some of them will even tour you around their area without expecting anything in return. Exploring the coastal attractions is equally refreshing, especially if your boatman will bring you to the best snorkeling and swimming areas.
While trying to look brave as I clutched my left arm on the pumpboat and did some stokes on the water, I saw huge facilities over the sea. Curiosity brought us to the fishery research sub-station with the acronym SEAFDEC. Good thing that the research staffs were accommodating enough to welcome us aboard their floating “laboratory.” This sub-station takes care of the biggest bangus, lapu-lapu, red snapper and sea bass I ever saw ---almost two to three feet long, and about four kilos! I should have had asked to take home even a kilo of any of the fish (of, course, it could not be possible because those fish are under study!)
After braving waves and depths, we sampled the land adventures. First on this new set of itinerary was visiting the Trappist Monastery, a community of Trappist Monks. As you would normally expect of a monastery, it is a blissful place suited for individual or group retreats. But what you might not assume is that this monastery produces and sells delectable homemade jams and goodies like mango and calamansi marmalade, and mango cookies. Before leaving the monastery, I wasted no time in sampling their delicacies, hmmmm, want some?
Next stop was the Farm Tourism Enterprise, which is being developed by the Department of Tourism. It is a kind of resort for people interested in experiencing the typical life of farmers and fishermen. Though considered a resort, this property still maintains the unspoiled natural beauty of the mountains that it looks like a typical farmer’s land. Tourists will live in bamboo cottages and their everyday itinerary composed of going to the farm and planting together with the farmers or fishing together with the fishermen. After the day’s work, they can refresh themselves on the cool water of Macopo falls, a small waterfall down the mountain that dump into a lovely swimming hole.
Before end of the tour, we managed to visit the largest mango plantation in Guimaras, the Oro Verde. It is a privately owned plantation and visit to this property needs special permission. With the help of the Tourism staff who asked permission for us, we were toured from the nursery area to the mature trees. But we were unfortunate that mango season was over and no more fruit left on the trees. Anyway, we still caught some in the local market when we passed by before leaving the province.
Our final stop was at the Caliraya, Nueva Valencia (a town in Guimaras), the home of bag weavers who produce export quality pandan and piña bags. Our two hundred pesos bought us one big and two small bags that if bought in a commercial store may cost not just double but triple the amount.
It was the end of our second day in Guimaras. Cramming the weaved-bags and mango delicacies on our suitcase gave me a hard time, but nothing beats the uneasy feeling of leaving this province that showed me what rustic setting is all about. As we boarded the jeepney that would bring us to the Jordan wharf, and as I experienced for the final time the bumpy and rusty roads, my eyes were set on the direction of where we left off.
No comments:
Post a Comment