B.I.G Day 1 (mostly Guimaras Island)

Sept. 13, 2013

We arrived at the airport at around 6:15am via Tiger Airways, 30mins earlier than the ETA. We were blessed to have seen this sunrise while boarding the plane. It's really a majestic view over the sea of clouds. :)

After alighting the plane, we fixed ourselves a little then went on to our journey. There are two ways to reach Bacolod downtown.  One is by van and the other is by DIY commuting. Instead of riding the van right outside the airport, we opted the cheaper way by walking a little to the gate(left side) of the airport and rode a tricycle to Silay Highway.

Walking towards the airport gate 

Signs going to the tricycle queue

The tricycle driver brought us to  Zulueta cor. Rizal St./Silay Highway, he told us to walk towards the main road and ride a jeep to the Silay Terminal. Upon arriving at Silay Terminal, ride another jeep with signboard Mandalagan/Bata to reach Bacolod Downtown/ BREDCO Port. Luckily, an old woman accompanied us as she was also on her way to BREDCO.




After alighting the Bata jeep, the old woman told us to ride the pedicab. But you can actually walk towards the BREDCO port if you're used to walking long distances. Upon arriving the port, the old woman told us to buy a round trip ticket because this will save us money. She added that Weesam Express offers the cheapest fares among the other fastcraft agencies. She even gave us fresh rambutans! We believe she was our angel for this trip because she helped us a lot :)

At the ticketing counter, we bought the roundtrip ticket and it was a good thing that there was no need to indicate what time we will ride back to Bacolod. This means we can go back to Bacolod at any time we wish as long as Weesam still have their trips. We chose the 8:30am trip and it takes an hour to reach Iloilo. Unlike other fastcraft/ferries that I've rode, this one was a bit pricy for me. However, while I was inside I realized that the money I spent was worth it because it was actually comfortable. I actually did not notice that the ferry was already moving and fell asleep on our way to Iloilo. I noticed that the seats in the middle were closer together meaning there is less space for your legs/bags in front of you. I suggest while buying the ticket, tell the agent to give you a seat at either sides of the ferry.

Our ticket Iloilo-Bacolod

Upon arriving at Muelle Loney Port in Iloilo, a lot of barkers/tricycle driver will talk you out to ride a tricycle to Ortiz Port. But do not be decieved like what happened to us where we paid 25php each! You can actually walk from the port towards Ortiz. Maybe it will take another 5 mins.

After paying that tricycle driver, we bought our tickets to Guimaras. Upon paying, the lady at the counter gave us tickets and a cardboard written with "Rice Guimaras-2". At first we did not understand what the cardboard was for until we saw the name of one of the boats, "Rice Guimaras-2." Apparently, this was a way for you to know which boat to ride and it was like your boarding pass to the boat heading to Guimaras. It takes around 15mins to reach Jordan Wharf in Guimaras from Ortiz Port in Iloilo.

When we arrived at Jordan (prounounced as Hordan), Kuya Mai, our tour guide/driver was already waiting for us. We first ate at a carinderia near the port and mind you, the food was delicious and it only cost me 27php! After having a sumptous meal, our first stop was Bala-an Bukid.

As a mountaineer, I was surprised that it was actually featured in Pinoy Mountaineer. It was classified as a minor climb and according to Kuya Mai many people actually come here for pilgrimage.

The trail towards the top was actually a bit shady and literally just a walk in the park

 Disclaimer: We are used to climbing harder trails so it was just a walk in the park for us.

There was a cross at the top because many devotees do pilgrimage here

It was also noticeable that the rocks found in the mountain looks like coral/like the ones found under the sea which indicates that it is possible that parts of Guimaras was actually submerged in water before.

An overlooking view of Guimaras on the way to the summit

I wonder how they were able to build this church on top of the mountain

There is a rewarding view of Iloilo upon reaching the summit

After Bala-an Bukid, we headed to Ambakan Falls and Cave.

I enjoyed this walk towards the cave because we had to cross some rivers and climb an almost 90-degree trail just to reach it. It was really challenging! Kuya Mai also told us to tie the leaf of the grass as seen in one of the pictures here so as to ward off evil spirits/bad elements.

When we arrived at Ambakan Cave, I was a bit disappointed. The place smelled awful and it was obvious that the people there did not know how to take care of the place. Writings can be found on the walls and bottles of alcoholic drinks and wrappers are on the floor.

There was nothing really special about this cave except that there was a part there where we had to literally crawl just to pass through. After reaching the end of the cave, I felt that the climb all the way here was not worth it.

After that not-so-easy trail to Ambakan Cave, a dip in the water was a good way to rinse off all the dirt and perspiration in our body. We enjoyed our stay here at Ambakan Falls especially the boys because of the "unlimited jump" from the falls to the basin.



















These two were like brothers playing around, jumping in the falls over and over and over again. After an hour or so, we left the place and headed to Daliran Cave.

Daliran Cave was much better than Ambakan. We were awed by how big it was, by the stalactites and stalagmites and how the place was taken care of because live limestones with flowing water can be found inside. However, we saw a snake skin inside! Scary!

Facade of Daliran Cave

After exploring the place, we figured that we were running out of time. There was no more time to visit Roca Encantada because we wanted to see the sunset at Guisi Lighthouse.

We hurriedly left the place and went to Nueva Valencia as fast as we could. But first, Kuya Mai offered to buy ourselves some food first so we bought their famous Mango Pizza from The Pitstop Restaurant. Burgers are also available inside and we also bought some. They tasted pretty normal but the pizza was one of a kind especially with the cashew nuts as toppings.

It was almost sunset when we arrived at the Guisi Lighthouse but at least we were able to reach the place just in time. Thanks to Kuya Mai for racing all the way up just to reach the place.

The breathtaking sunset of Guimaras

I am acrophobic and climbing all the way to the top of this steep and old lighthouse was a challenge! Only two people at a time were allowed to climb because the structure was really old and it seems like it might break anytime. However, I managed to get on top and the view was rewarding. :)

View from the top

Me and my boyfriend beside the Old Guisi Lighthouse

Me and John inside the Lighthouse

The ruins of the place

We were really tired by the time that we reached Raymen Beach Resort. We paid the necessary amount for the place and checked in our room. They have a restaurant inside the resort and that was where we had our dinner. Kuya Mai told us that there are carinderias outside that were cheaper. The prices at Raymen Restaurant were considerably ok thinking that I am in an island and the food tasted pretty normal as well. My friend ordered a mango fruit and we got to taste their oh-so-famous mango. It is known that these mangoes are being served in the White House of Uncle Sam. The taste of their mango was good and it was different from the normal. I just can't pinpoint it but there was something different with it. Maybe because of the right amount of sweetness as a mango should be or the less pulp it has? I don't know. Basta it was different and I'm proud that it is being exported to different parts of the world. :) So that dinner wrapped up our day in Guimaras :)

Kuya Mai -09236389891