ExPloRinG GuiMaRaS IsLanD!

I’ve been to this island for many times but this particular trip is one the best. I got the chance to explore the beauty of the small neighboring islands and enjoy the clean water with my good old friends..

Having some “Survivor Mood” in Ave Maria Island..

 Wading through the shallow waters while enjoying the view.. 

 Low Tide..so all we had to do was just to take pictures.. I was really in the mood for swimming at that time.

Showing my balikbayan bestfriend, Gledith Penaflorida, that It’s More Fun In The Philippines! 

 Wanna try exploring the coves of Turtle Island…

The poor old Pawikan.. he has to suffer being disturbed by so many people in one day.. But then, I need to grab the opportunity of taking pictures with him/her.. (5 pesos per picture)..

 I tried lying in the cold cave floor.. hmmmmn… kinda relaxing…

 It’s safer swimming outside the caves than inside.. We could see some coral snakes lurking in there.. 

A sumptuous seafood dinner and some slices of sweet Guimaras mangoes are the best way to cap a tiring trip.. 

THE RUINS of the past…..

I’d been so stressed out with my job as a nurse so I decided to go to Negros to have some relaxing moments with my college barkada. Our group’s original plan was to go directly to Mambukal Resort in Murcia. However, we arrived in Bacolod a little early so we had some time to roam around the city and go to the famed Ruins of Talisay, Negros Occidental.

The place is very accessible. You can ride a jeepney from SM Bacolod going to Talisay and then just a short tricycle ride going to the park. The first time we saw the facade of The Ruins, we were in awe. It was a sight that filled me with reverence. 

The garden in front was well-kept and the whole place was very good for picture-taking. The mansion registered well in the camera.

Maybe, the only drawback in this place is its expensive entrance fee (P60). ^^, Because of that, we wasted no time. We immediately took pictures outside and inside of the mansion.

Its history is also well-documented. I learned that the wealthy sugar baron named Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built the mansion in 1900’s for his wife. When WW2 broke out, the guerillas burned down the building to prevent the Japanese from using the place. The only remaining part is the concrete structure that still stands to this day.

There is also a small bar/restaurant inside where guests can chill out and have some good bonding time.

The welcoming foyer is an evidence that the mansion has withstood the test of the rough past.

The place is also perfect for wedding receptions and glamour photoshoots. (I don’t know how much the rent is for special events but probably it’s a little costly.)

The pictures alone are perfect proofs that we really enjoyed our trip to The Ruins!

SaNdBaR BeAcH ReSoRT - A Sweet Summer Sojourn

Life in the city can be very taxing….and sometimes we need to get away from our grueling work and have a good vacation in a tranquil place.. A short stay in Sandbar Beach Resort in Bulubadiangan, Concepcion, Iloilo is what I think a perfect example of  a great summer sojourn.

Much have been said about this tourist spot considering that it’s one of the favorites of the Neo students. I’ve been in this island twice. The first was on the year 2011 (March I think) together with my Korean and Japanese friends while the second was just recently with my college best friends. Though the travel going there can be onerous since it is situated in the northeastern part of Iloilo and it takes about 3 hours to travel by bus from the city, the trip was really worth it. One can say that the island really epitomizes how beautiful the Philippines is.

The island prides itself for its white sand, clear blue waters, and its renowned long shifting sand bar.

It also offers a picturesque view of the neighboring islands including the great Mt. Manaphag in Pan de Azucar island.

Visitors and tourists can enjoy water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, fishing and island hopping.

They also have picnic areas good for 10 or more people.

When our group arrived there, we wasted no time. The love for picture taking is our common interest so we immediately got our cameras ready.

The sandbar is so inviting so we instantly waded through it even though the sun was scorching hot. Wading through the sandbar during high tide makes you feel like walking in the middle of the sea.

Nap is such a luxury for us so taking a nap in a hammock while enjoying the fresh sea air is so indulging.. Idle moments never feel this good..

Exploring the back part of the island is a must-do for first timers. One can find marvelous rock formations which can be challenging to climb but enables you to have a clear view of the open sea. I tried it before with my students and this time, I wanna share the same experience with my friends.

Going around the whole island is such a great accomplishment considering the difficulty of climbing these big boulders. we survived the trek, but my 2 pair of slippers didn’t. I had to buy a new pair in Concepcion market when we went home.

Giant clams are grown here by the beach owner. (This picture is quite a great moment captured by Aki’s good reflex. hehehehe) They make sure that the clams are in a suitable environment. As seen in the pic, corals already formed on the clam’s shell. 

Beautiful coral formations can be seen on the clear waters during the early morning low tide. We waded about half a mile while enjoying the early morning sunshine.

They only have 3 cottages so they can only accommodate few visitors…which means spending a night there is so peaceful. All you can hear is the calming sound of the waves. 

I’ve been here twice and I’m still open to the idea of going here again in the near future.