Guimaras Island
Unknown
May 22, 2010
We found ourselves heading out to Guimaras Island on the first flicker of light of Sunday morning. The journey was short and sweet, a 15 minute boat ride from Iloilo City. Upon arrival on the island, we hurriedly boarded a jeepney that maximized it's seating capacity by cramping all of us 30 passengers inside. During the trip, I battled cramps and endured an uncomfortable seating position for an hour before we reached Brgy. Lawi in Jordan town. From there, we took another boat ride for 20 minutes to Barras beach. There, we found a lovely resort situated in a tiny islet dotted by wooden cottages perched atop a rocky path leading to a perfect magnificent of the sea.
When we finally reached our destination, we immediately decided on what to eat. While waiting for our lunch we strolled around and saw the beautiful view of the sea from the island. From atop a rocky hill, facing the sea, from the small trail leading to the cabins and looking back at the shore and even from a small window overlooking the sea. Each scenery were unimaginably wonderful.
Well, I guess the pictures shows what I mean by the views being beautiful. After lunch we swam, paddled, laid around as I listened to the interesting conversation between my friends Aileen, Chin and Mina. Tinay and her German hardcore backpacker Ben cozy up under a coconut tree with Ben's pet rooster "Tagay".
I just sat there and savored the beach vibe. (listening to other people's stories is one way of getting to know them better - and I did liked what I learned about them in the process). After a while, I walked further around the tiny island.
I just sat there and savored the beach vibe. (listening to other people's stories is one way of getting to know them better - and I did liked what I learned about them in the process). After a while, I walked further around the tiny island.
While waiting for the sunset I listened to Backpacker Ben's story about his travels around the world, as he puts it "before he goes back to his normal life" back in Germany. I was amazed at how foreign backpackers have more knowledge about the places in the Philippines than most Filipinos do.
Most of us would dream about going to another country when there's so much places to go and see here. Ben was talking about the lost opportunity of going to Cuyo Islands, which if you consult the map you could see that it lies somewhere in the small group of Islands between Cebu and Palawan.
Most of us would dream about going to another country when there's so much places to go and see here. Ben was talking about the lost opportunity of going to Cuyo Islands, which if you consult the map you could see that it lies somewhere in the small group of Islands between Cebu and Palawan.
We met a man from Oregon who says he was reading a book about the different phases in a man's life. Among the phases of one's life were the warrior phase and the wanderer phase. He says he currently belongs to the wanderer phase. I would love to live that phase as well. It is still my dream to set out on a long journey on a lengthier time as currently, much to my dismay, I can only travel during long weekends because I need to go back to work and live my normal life.
However, I'll make sure someday to experience that wandering phase for like a year or two. Probably map out places that most foreign backpackers do when they go to the Philippines. To thread on the less traveled route and avoid mostly touristy areas.
By nighttime, we lit up a small bonfire while burdened by little guilt that we're contributing to global warming. It turned out fun though as Chin, Mina and Tinay made funny chicken slash fire dances around the bonfire while Aileen and I just watched them while laughing our asses of.
If you have an additional day or two to spare it's more rewarding to explore the rest of Guimaras island, as I understand there is still a few places around the island that are more isolated. Go check out the Mango Research Facility and the old Trappist Monastery. Transportation around the island. It is easy to get as there are a lot of jeepneys, multicab and tricycle that serves different routes all day long.
*The room we got cost about 1,500 and is good for 5-6 people. A bit expensive for 2 people, so be sure you come in fives. It's a fan room with an average bathroom but comes with a magnificent view.
. I tried La Paz Batchoy on both Ted's and Deco's (both located at Valeria Street). I'm not suited to be a food critic as I rarely encounter a food I didn't like. However, I still gave Ted's and Deco's a high mark for their La Paz Batchoys. 
like 
and 
. Thriving with activity, seeing people from all walks of life engaging each other in their daily resonance and eaves dropping on conversations that echoes back in your ears like buzzing sounds and wonderful catchphrases. Chaotic for some, romantic for others. Well it could be romantically chaotic as most cities in the Philippines would present to visitors. Some would love and find it indulging, while others would like to escape from and settle on a more quiet and lazy setting of a tropical island. 
, he travels by spending as less money as he could. He ditches beach resorts in favor of sleeping in a tent, he wont buy food and would rather cook pancit canton on his stove. He calls these rules as part of his "Backpacking principles". 
. It was a special trip because I saw with my own eyes the place where my mom grew up. According to her, this was the place where she spent here happiest and formative years with my uncles, aunties and my grandparents. 
