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