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.
Showing posts with label Guimaras islands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guimaras islands. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Guimaras, More than Just Mangoes (Part 1)
I know my country produces the best mangoes (somehow subjective, of course)and I took this fact for granted, until I visited Iloilo and found myself delighted with the mouth-watering mangoes they served me. Upon knowing those mangoes came from a former sub-province of Iloilo that can be reached within 30 minutes from the city's wharf, I wasted no time in planning to see this most promising province with the name Guimaras!
A place where mango tree population is greater than its inhabitants, Guimaras takes pride as the Philippine exporter of mangoes. This province is composed of a small island and neighboring islets (some are as small as 50 square-meters) resting between the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Both Negros and Iloilo are best jump-off point to Guimaras.
From what was supposed to be just a weekend getaway in Iloilo, we extended it for another two days to accommodate my yearned adventures in the so called “mango state.” Ilongos (natives of Iloilo) I met attested there are more than just mangoes in Guimaras---that further thrilled me to discover the rest. Would you like to join us? Pack your bags, and let’s go!
But before boarding the motorboat that would bring us to Jordan, the capital of Guimaras, let me give you this tip: don’t get annoyed if after you stepped on the land of Guimaras the local coastguards would inspect all your luggage. They are not alarmed about Swiss knife or any metal objects, what they are guarding most are their mangoes ---they are watchful not to have their mangoes crossbreed. The point is, you can bring mangoes outside of Guimaras, but you can never bring in even a single one.
If you happen to have no idea of the best resort or getaway in this tiny province, you can conveniently drop by the provincial tourism which set up a small office beside the Jordan dockside, basically to provide immediate help to tourists. There are more than a dozen resorts in the coastline boasting of white beaches, but if you prefer more serene and rustic setting you definitely are my kind. Let’s go to island resorts!
A 100,000 square-meter islet in the southern side of Guimaras, called Nagarao Island Resort was our destination. One and a half hour jeepney ride from Jordan wharf across dusty roads brought us to a small private pier where I got really amazed with the unique way of announcing our arrival. We raised a red flag to signal our coming to the staff of the resort almost a kilometer away! With that initial experience I immediately felt the simplicity and candor of the place we were heading.
Less than 15 minutes later a pumpboat arrived and fetched us. While our boat nearly approached the islet I drew out my neck in getting the best view of this destination that promised to be a rustic and peaceful haven. Though I almost got elongated neck, still I could not see cottages or even a single dwelling in the islet because it is literally amid lush vegetation!
After docking, the resort staff led us to the sandy walkway underneath mangroves and pandan trees (a local plant belonging to the coconut species). It was only then that I saw its “hidden assets” ---cottages made up of local woods and bamboo, a small plain swimming pool, and the “main bungalow” that holds the common dining area. Don’t expect landscaped gardens and 5-star hotel accommodation, but I tell you, this place has a character of its own that you would never learn how to describe. Well, we can get started by calling it “a paradise lost.”
Before sundown we started to wander around the place through following a hiking trail. 30 minutes and we were able to see the whole islet. No manicured lawn and well-groomed flowers---there is actually nothing that will tempt you to take a second look, except when you reach the hills and cliffs of the trail. From there I was trying to picture the corals revealed on the beach during low tide. The place is devoid of pretensions of technology and creative designs, it is plain nature…and that makes it captivating!
One more thing that makes this resort more special is the way it serves its guests. We were actually treated not as visitors but as part of one big family. We ate our meals together with the rest of the tourists (local and foreign alike) in a long dining table that accommodates at least 20 persons. Service is very personal, it’s like living in an ancestral house with kind and reliable housekeepers. Most of the tourists are regular vacationers and what kept them from coming back is the feel of being in a “home away from home”.
Except for island hoping and snorkeling which are best in the morning, there are not so much activities you can do in this islet in the afternoon. Serene and simple living is what this islet boasts about.
After dusk I waited for the moonlight while enjoying the night sea breeze at the garden-bench beside our cottage. On our cottage’s left is an inviting view of the beach while a soothing sight of the trees and grass is on the other side. From there I clearly saw the waves crashing on the coast and forming cloud-like illusions on the sea. As the moon slowly rose, I felt being put to sleep by the lullaby created by the sounds of the waves and night birds. I felt almost dreaming.
A place where mango tree population is greater than its inhabitants, Guimaras takes pride as the Philippine exporter of mangoes. This province is composed of a small island and neighboring islets (some are as small as 50 square-meters) resting between the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. Both Negros and Iloilo are best jump-off point to Guimaras.
From what was supposed to be just a weekend getaway in Iloilo, we extended it for another two days to accommodate my yearned adventures in the so called “mango state.” Ilongos (natives of Iloilo) I met attested there are more than just mangoes in Guimaras---that further thrilled me to discover the rest. Would you like to join us? Pack your bags, and let’s go!
But before boarding the motorboat that would bring us to Jordan, the capital of Guimaras, let me give you this tip: don’t get annoyed if after you stepped on the land of Guimaras the local coastguards would inspect all your luggage. They are not alarmed about Swiss knife or any metal objects, what they are guarding most are their mangoes ---they are watchful not to have their mangoes crossbreed. The point is, you can bring mangoes outside of Guimaras, but you can never bring in even a single one.
If you happen to have no idea of the best resort or getaway in this tiny province, you can conveniently drop by the provincial tourism which set up a small office beside the Jordan dockside, basically to provide immediate help to tourists. There are more than a dozen resorts in the coastline boasting of white beaches, but if you prefer more serene and rustic setting you definitely are my kind. Let’s go to island resorts!
A 100,000 square-meter islet in the southern side of Guimaras, called Nagarao Island Resort was our destination. One and a half hour jeepney ride from Jordan wharf across dusty roads brought us to a small private pier where I got really amazed with the unique way of announcing our arrival. We raised a red flag to signal our coming to the staff of the resort almost a kilometer away! With that initial experience I immediately felt the simplicity and candor of the place we were heading.
Less than 15 minutes later a pumpboat arrived and fetched us. While our boat nearly approached the islet I drew out my neck in getting the best view of this destination that promised to be a rustic and peaceful haven. Though I almost got elongated neck, still I could not see cottages or even a single dwelling in the islet because it is literally amid lush vegetation!
After docking, the resort staff led us to the sandy walkway underneath mangroves and pandan trees (a local plant belonging to the coconut species). It was only then that I saw its “hidden assets” ---cottages made up of local woods and bamboo, a small plain swimming pool, and the “main bungalow” that holds the common dining area. Don’t expect landscaped gardens and 5-star hotel accommodation, but I tell you, this place has a character of its own that you would never learn how to describe. Well, we can get started by calling it “a paradise lost.”
Before sundown we started to wander around the place through following a hiking trail. 30 minutes and we were able to see the whole islet. No manicured lawn and well-groomed flowers---there is actually nothing that will tempt you to take a second look, except when you reach the hills and cliffs of the trail. From there I was trying to picture the corals revealed on the beach during low tide. The place is devoid of pretensions of technology and creative designs, it is plain nature…and that makes it captivating!
One more thing that makes this resort more special is the way it serves its guests. We were actually treated not as visitors but as part of one big family. We ate our meals together with the rest of the tourists (local and foreign alike) in a long dining table that accommodates at least 20 persons. Service is very personal, it’s like living in an ancestral house with kind and reliable housekeepers. Most of the tourists are regular vacationers and what kept them from coming back is the feel of being in a “home away from home”.
Except for island hoping and snorkeling which are best in the morning, there are not so much activities you can do in this islet in the afternoon. Serene and simple living is what this islet boasts about.
After dusk I waited for the moonlight while enjoying the night sea breeze at the garden-bench beside our cottage. On our cottage’s left is an inviting view of the beach while a soothing sight of the trees and grass is on the other side. From there I clearly saw the waves crashing on the coast and forming cloud-like illusions on the sea. As the moon slowly rose, I felt being put to sleep by the lullaby created by the sounds of the waves and night birds. I felt almost dreaming.
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