Guimaras: Ave Maria Island

With its pristine white sand and groto-like island look, no wonder this island was named after the prayer that gives praise to the miraculous beauty of Mother Mary. Ave Maria Island is located on the western part of Guimaras, with approximately 3 minutes away from Tiniguiban Island, around 5 to 7 minutes from Guimaras' SEAFDEC and roughly 10 minutes from Raymen Resort, where we spent a night.

Ave Maria Island is kind of a deserted island in the middle of Panay Gulf. But with its white sand beach, it will be hard to miss it and not spent a day.

Guimaras: Tiniguiban Island

A 30- to 40-minute boat ride from Raymen Resort and 10- to 15-minute boat ride from Guimaras' SEAFDEC, the next island that we got to visit during our island hopping at Guimaras with our boatman Kuya Wheng was this small island called Tiniguiban.

According to the caretaker who welcomed us on our visit, this small island is privately owned by a man named Jose Martinez. According to him, Mr. Martinez is living in Manila now but tends to visit the place once in a while, checking out his home that he built in this very peaceful island.

Guimaras: SEAFDEC

When we visit Guimaras, one of the activities that we were looking forward to experience was the island hopping. We were lucky to meet this boatman , Kuya When who toured us to seven of the most amazing sights in Guimaras. And to start sharing to all of you the amazing trip that we had with Kuya When, I'll start it with the first destination where our motored boat took us - SEAFDEC.

SEAFDEC stands for South East Asian Fisheries Development Center. It is a government-owned facility that takes care and cultures fishes for the livelihood of the locals and at the same time a spot to visit here in Guimaras.

Guimaras: Raymen Resort

I'm honestly saying that I spent quite a huge amount of time looking for a nice place to stay in Guimaras. And even though, there's a handful of good choices, may it be a resort or just a plain pension house, Raymen Resort served to be the best choice for us - first-timers on the island.

I came across Raymen Resort way back in 2009 when I read news about the oil spill in Guimaras. The place was kinda affected by that spill, which I thought was really a grave threat to the people living there. But when I came across Raymen Resort again this year, and saw it on Pinoy Adventurista's site (btw, thanks for the great help!), I was amazed to see how they managed to gain back its glory!

Located at Alubihod, Nueva Valencia, Raymen Resort offers wide varieties of rooms and cottages that are perfect for a day trip or an over-night stay. And prices are really friendly despite the fact that it is "the best" resort for vacationists like us.

A Rainforest Called Guimaras

I've been dreaming to go to Guimaras for a long time, thank God, it was answered last June 30 when I and two of my superfriends decided to spend our post-summer trip there.

I have big expectations about this province, really, because after that oil spill thing, I've read how the province gained back its glory and I can't really wait to see it.

We flew from Manila to Bacolod via Cebu Pacific piso fare then we took to boat rides from Bacolod to Guimaras. The first boat ride was a SuperCat ferry ride, which is Php250.00 one-way and Php400.00 two-way. Since our return flight for this vacation was from Bacolod to Manila, we booked  the two-way trip from Bacolod to Iloilo, Iloilo-Bacolod. Van drivers from the New Bacolod-Silay Airport were all familiar as to where the SuperCat Terminal, so you don't have to worry about that, you just have to inform them what terminal you are going. I believe there are also other ferry companies that offer rides from Bacolod to Iloilo and back, so it's really up to you which one suits you best.

The ride from the airport to the ferry terminal is roughly an hour, and the schedule of the ferry from Bacolod to Iloilo can be checked at their websites, so you can really plan your trip there. From the Supercat Terminal in Bacolod to the SuperCat Terminal in Iloilo is another one-hour ride. I suggest to have something for your tummy before taking the ferry.

Dr. Jose Rizal Weekend!

I know not all of us Pinoys adore him that much, but I know that we still have some respect for him. And on his 150th birthday celebration, I hope that we respect the attention that he is getting these past few days from different organizations - government and non government.

Tomorrow will be a very busy day for Manila and for the whole country, I guess, because as early as 5 in the morning, people are expected to flock at Rizal Park bearing flowers for the national hero. Yes, this will be the very first time that National Park Developments Committee will be allowing non-VIPs to get a chance to offer flowers to the monument of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal.

Capas National Shrine Stopover

Part of the itinerary that we had during our trip to Mount Pinatubo last June 4 was to pay a visit to one of Capas, Tarlac's priced tourist spot - the Capas National Shrine.

Capas National Shrine was built in memory of thousand of Filipino and American soldiers who died during Japanese occupation here in the Philippines - one of the bloodiest thing that our fellows went through during the Japanese time.

Mount Pinatubo: 20 Years After

This is my first visit to Mount Pinatubo after it's disastrous eruption 20 years ago. And this is also my first attempt to go on trekking, so if you find this entry kinda "maarte", sorry, but it is my nature. Heheh.

Anyways, I am thankful to be one of the bloggers who got to be part of the Akyat Pinatubo of Let's Go Sago because seeing Mount Pinatubo has been a part of my dream destination since I heard of its majestic outcome after its disastrous eruption.

In order to enjoy and see Mount Pinatubo in a hassle-free way, it is very important to have an itinerary and stick with it. It would also help if you have local contacts there because you'll get an update from them when it comes to the weather condition there and availability of the 4-by-4 trucks, which are the only means of transportation to get inside the vicinity of Mount Pinatubo.

A Day Before Tsinelas Festival

Before heading to Lucban, Quezon, part of our itinerary before seeing the colorful Pahiyas Festival was to drop by first at the Tsinelas Capital of Laguna - Liliw.

It was Tita Marissa's idea (our companion, Abe's aunt) to dropped by here, and of course, since I love to travel, I don't mind stopping by here. It was my first time to see this place and I barely know anything about it, except maybe that they sell good quality and very affordable slippers. Hehe.

Let's Go Sago to Mount Pinatubo!

Last year, after I created this travel blog for my all my travels and R & R, I promised myself to see Mount Pinatubo. But some stuff in my life didn't go so well that I have to postpone and to postpone and to postpone every trip that I wanna do in my life. 

But one positive thought keeps lingering in my mind, and that is I will travel with all my might and promises to see the country even on an empty pocket. ^_^  And one destination that I promise myself to see... MOUNT PINATUBO.

Luckily, one trip that is just so perfect for budgeted-travelers like me is about to commence as Let's Go Sago celebrates its second year! Wee!

Congrats, Sago!