CHIVALRY

...is dead. No, really.

Holy Week Getaway Plan Post II

So for the past two years we have been going to two destinations for our holy week getaway. Come to think of it we have always been going to two places on a vacation like Siaton & Dumaguete, Hongkong & Macau, and Singapore & Malaysia, etc... (one just isn't enough for these adventure junkies).

Our next stop after Camotes was Bantayan island. It was going to be my first time there, and unfortunately that was also the year that nothing fun was happening at all after the strict imposed rules for Holy Week by former Governor Garcia. Nevertheless I was still excited to go there the first time and RB couldn't wait to meet up with his friends (he's been spending holy week there with them for the nth time!)

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When we got to Danao after the boat ride from Consuelo port, the next agenda was take a bus to Hagnaya Wharf and take the boat to Bantayan Island (Fares at that time from Cebu City was Php150 for aircon bus, we paid about Php100 from Danao). After luckily waiting for a bus to pass and the loooong bus ride that took 2-3 hours from Danao (probably 4 hours from Cebu City), we finally got to the port and had time to spare and eat our late lunch on a tabi-tabi sugba stall. Now I've never been one to eat on places like this or commute to long distances without a private car, but I then realize there's no experience like being out there and making 'halobilo' with our locals. A one hour trip to Sta. Fe, Bantayan by boat and yes, for the second time I was mesmerized by the beauty of the long shoreline. It was an amazing view, I couldn't wait to get out and lounge by the beach and get in the water.

We rode a tricycle and went to where RB's friends were. They were staying in a nearby house by the beach that was rented out for the holidays. RB was saying 'hi' to everyone as usual, Mr. Popular that he is. When we got there we met Borge, his girlfriend Kring2x, Chino and his boys (I say this because he always seems to have 2-3 guys with tattoos with him).

                                    

                                                                
                                                 

We didn't have a room booked (again) hoping we would find one where they were staying in. As luck would have it, there was a group leaving the same house his friends were staying in, just as we arrived and we got to haggle the room for a mere Php700/night, thanks to the 'tihik' RB and his haggling skills. Time to enjoy the place, we immediately changed and headed out to walk by the shore and take pictures. It was a very beautiful sight, and I would say it was probably the best and most beautiful beach I've been to plus the heat of the sun made it sparkle. I enjoyed every minute basking under the heat and being in the water.

                                      
                                      

 

                          

I distinctly remember who took this. HAHA!

After getting back and resting for some time, I met my good friend Ian who was also in the area. He was with his other friends staying in an old shabby house, and they got the whole area for for Php500 only! It wasn't too bad, I was happy and entertained by their craziness.

                                           

                                              

As it was nearing night time, we changed and visited a nearby chapel to light our candles as it was Good Friday. We had a simple dinner in the rented house since we can have food cooked there. As tired as we were, we rested after dinner and didn't realize we slept already. We woke up at dawn about 1-2AM and looked for our friends who were in their room too. Some 'funny' moments at that time that I can't really post here. But we were able to gather for a while and talk about what to do the next day, island hopping perhaps? We then proceeded back to sleep after a bit of chatting here and there (there was really nothing going on that time outside, boo).

The next day was pretty early again for us, RB and I headed to the wet market(his no miss place) while the rest were still sleeping. We checked the local products and ate sugba-sugba again, the easiest and still yummiest (not to mention cheapest) food to eat on vacation. We headed to the beach again and scouted for boats that would bring us to the Virgin Islands. His friends were there too, and after getting a good deal, we agreed to have about 30 minutes to prepare and head out.

                                          

                                          

We couldn't be more excited since RB hasn't been to the Virgin Island ever, even if he's been to the place a couple of times already. An enjoyable boat ride and a scenic view, we were made to choose between two Virgin Islands, the one with Php300 entrance each person plus boat fee or the one with no entrance... Of course we chose the one that wouldn't cost us anything :) It was just as beautiful.

We didn't waste a second not to enjoy the water. We even borrowed some man-made floaters from some local kids in the area.
                                                    
                                                    

                                         

Chino had his guys buy some food to grill in the not so nearby wet market. As they grilled and prepared our food, the sun, sand, water was incredible. We were so tired that we couldn't wait to eat boodle style. My, my, we had the best squid we've ever had to date. It was juicy, sweet, and cooked perfectly. We had fish and some meat paired with RB's best sauce. After a few hours, we headed back and even slept a bit on the boat (talk about tired).

                                      

                                      

                                     

When we got back we decided to go to the central area riding the tricycle/jeepney ride, I really couldn't tell, but somehow we fit 8 people inside. We visited a really old church and went to another market nearby. We went around, got some cash from probably the only ATM there =)

                                              

We got to rest a bit before another cooked dinner, and as history repeats itself another unrealized sleeping time. I didn't even bother waking up at dawn, although RB went out for a bit and checked... Still nothing. In the early dawn about 3-4 AM we decided to go to the shoreline but some drunken people who got unexpectedly mad at us made us go back to the house =(

We just got out when the sun was already there and went around the area before we headed back to the city. Although short, my first holy week getaway turned out to be quite an adventure. It was nothing I expected it would be and it was perfect in its own way.

We got on the tricycle about late morning and rode the boat back to mainland. We then rode the long bus ride home again to the city. There was a lot of sleep going on and stopped after about 4-5 hours in SM mall.
                                         
                                         

                                                   

We couldn't wait to go home and have a good rest after all the adventure-seeking activities.

                              

It was such a great time that I couldn't wait for the next holy week to come.... Now that, I'll tell you about in my next entry.

Chao for now!

Xarie

Holy Week Getaway Plan Post I

Summer is right around the corner, which means a Holy Week getaway should be in place. Quaint Demeanor and I are trying to figure out where to go for this year. A place by the beach, untouched territory, where the party will be but definitely not the too crowded ones (insert Moalboal here, HAHA!)

Suggestions are appreciated... and as we think about the perfect getaway for Easter weekend, I'll take you to a look on how we spent it years back and maybe you could get some ideas too on where to spend your Holy Week 2013. 

Flashback 2011, when I was a fresh out of college and finally allowed to go on an out of town trip without the parents... Camotes created such a buzz at that time that it would be crazy not to go.

We packed our bags on a Holy Thursday and went for it! Okay but before that, I did make some research about how to go there and boat schedules to the island. From SM Cebu you ride a jeepney to Danao and you get off at the pier, that simple. Although you could take a bus from the terminal in North Reclamation Area. Fare for jeepney would cost not more than Php30 at that time, not sure now though?

As usual, we would be late for the said time but no worries, we still had big and excited smiles on our faces. When we reached the pier, the sight we were not ready for was flocks and flocks of people lining up for a boat ticket. In my mind I was like 'Noooooooo', a naive holy week adventurer did not have a plan for this. Since the boat leaves every 2 hours, I kept calm and asked the boyfriend to help line up to get us tickets. With our wit and charm, we were able to get tickets from a man that supposedly reserved it for someone else for the after lunch trip, but didn't show up... Score! We paid P180 for the non-aircon ticket, and the aircon ticket costs P200. (Prices may not be the same at this time)

 

It was a bit of a wait for our 1:30PM trip, but we lounged under the trees and relaxed. We ate by a nearby wet market where they had fresh seafood...eating it by the bay was perfect by the way. Finally, the boat arrived and yes, there was a lot of pushing and kids crying... you cruise through because you know it will be worth it. Yes, after a 2-hour boat ride, it was. We met a habal-habal driver in Consuelo port that cost about P150 to take us around the area to look for a vacant place to stay in. We should have booked in advance but we took the long shot, although I did scout for names of the recommended places here so we were familiar with it.

                        

On the habal-habal

We arrived at Santiago White Beach, and lucky us, we were able to talk to the owner of a small rest-house  It had 3-4 
rooms that were already packed, but they had the option to take us in for a tent stay that would cost P500. Looking at the view, we couldn't say no. It was already a good deal and the tent would give us easier access to the beautiful beach. The landlady and everyone there was very nice, they had very good accommodation from pillows, blankets, charging privileges, and even breakfast. (On a slightly bad note, cellphone signal is so bad in that area BUT I wouldn't mind since I prefer not to get any calls or text when on vacation). It was already late afternoon so we walked by the beach since it was low-tide. We  built some sandcastles with the local kids and enjoyed the sunset. At night, there were fairly a lot of happenings along the slightly long shore. We walked to Santiago Beach resort which was the tip of the shore, and we ate sugba-sugba nearby. Then we went to the nearby church where there was a concert happening right across it. There were a few people we knew from Cebu who turned up and we enjoyed the night away. Going back to our tent, we had nothing but relaxing waves of the sea and the cold blow of the wind.

Warning: Tons of pictures coming

                                                                                                                 
                                            

              

                                             
                                              

               

                

               

               

                                            

                                            

                                            
                                            

We had an early start to our day since we were leaving later in the morning (already!) to catch up with some friends in Bantayan. As we were waiting for our breakfast to be served, RB talked to the habal-habal driver outside to test how he could do on a motorcycle since we thought we could rent one and go around the island for 2 hours before we leave. He did good and couldn't contain himself the whole time we were eating since he couldn't wait to get on and ride away. So when we were ready, we put gasoline in the motorcycle and hopped on. We went straight, turned, and Aaaaahaaaaaaa!!!! Ok, so an accident had to happen since apparently the dogs and chickens there don't get out of the way even with a motorcycle coming towards them. So I screamed and RB panicked and we crashed into a wall. It was quite embarrassing, so he hurriedly got on again but I didn't want to since I got scared and I hurt my toe. The driver came to check on us and asked if RB was okay, when I looked at him he was bleeding on his lip and on his hands with scratches. I thought that was the end of our little journey but thankfully the driver offered to take us around despite our injuries. We were so grateful to get out of there (oh, the embarrasment hahaha!)

Lip Injury

                     

  

   

To catch our 11AM trip, we can go to one spot only which was Lake Danao Park. It was quite a long ride, that's when we realized that Camotes is a big island and so many places to go to. It would be best to bring your car or motorcycle there and explore it by yourselves, or you could rent a van but certainly not a motorcycle since it would hurt in the butt for all the long rides. We stopped by Mangodlong Beach Resort which was very beautiful as well and we arrived at Lake Danao and washed our scratches off there in the restroom. Maybe the adrenaline made all the pain go away since it wasn't painful at all. We enjoyed the view for a while and took some pictures before heading back to Consuelo Port where we would be taking the trip back to Danao. We arrived on time, and although this is the end of the Camotes adventure (and still hoping to go back to visit more sites, the caves, and more of the beach)... at this point, we couldn't wait to meet up with our friends who were already in Bantayan. I'll be talking about how we got there and our Virgin Island adventure on the Post II of the Hoy Week Getaway Plan.

Mangodlong Beach 

                                      

One thing is for sure though, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Camotes with a better itinerary. The beaches were definitely an A+ and the people who were very nice, friendly, and accommodating helped us enjoy our short stay in their island.

Boat to Danao Port

                                                   

Xarie