We had a very eventful day at Guimaras and it was finally time to go to our resort to do some relaxing. We had a reservation at Villa Igang and it was a place that is not yet spoiled. I've done some 'extensive' research for this trip and I stumbled upon this place in one of the blogs that I have read. I gave several other choices a call but I liked Villa Igang. It is not a big place, I can say this is pretty rustic and intimate. It's just a piece of paradise in the midst of little islands surrounding the province.
Let me share what Villa Igang has along the way down here:
That's more than a handful of starfishes! We picked each one, some are near the shore and some submerged in the water. But after this photo op, we carefully returned them in the water. That's what we call respect. Hehe =)
These starfishes are rough and big. We observed them when they move and how the minute tentacles, or legs, come out from underneath so they could wiggle or move around. Creepy yet awesome!
A cave that is open on both ends. The other side faces Villa Igang's beach while the other end has an entrance that lets the water in from the open ocean.
So nice to just sit in the water and have a tete-a-tete with a friend or two. In our case, all four of us. There was also a starfish in the water with us and 'he/she/it' allowed us to play with him. =)
The water was not that cold and it was such a nice feeling because the water was crystal clear as well. My initial fear was of sea snakes but fortunately, there was none, I think. Well, what you don't know won't hurt you. right? =)
Low tide. I love it when its low tide as I'm not a good swimmer. Actually, I just stay near the shore. Chicken! Better safe than sorry.
So peaceful around here.
Villa Igang has a dock that caught our interest for photo ops. What's so special with this was that, when dusk came, we just sat at the edge of the wooden dock, just listening to the soft crashing of the waves at the shore. With that as our background, we swapped stories while also lying down at this dock and staring at the starlit skies. Beautiful!
A failed jump shot that was not captured by the camera. Haha!
There it is. A piece of paradise. There's also a beach, but its a bit rocky, at the other side of that stairs. Choose your spot! There was just a couple of foreign tourists relaxing at the beach and our group. Simply relaxing, that's all I can say.
I wondered what was the name of the beaches at my back.. never got to ask it from the resort people though.
Our room with all our mess. Tee-hee! We got 5 beds in this room. =)
Our simple dinner. Sinigang and fish and shrimps.
Our companion by night who crept near our table while the others were having a short drinking session. Gotcha!
The view at Villa Igang early the next day:
The entrance to Villa Igang
Overall take: Even if Villa Igang is a much smaller place, you will definitely feel at home and at peace here. If that is what you are after, then this is the place.Not to forget to mention that their rate is very affordable as well. We just paid for P2,300 for the room, for all 6 of us. Winner! =)
Villa Igang Beach Resort Poblacion Nueva Valencia, Guimaras 0926-3753634
Guimaras is an oasis of nature-ly things to do. Drive around the countryside, taste the best mangoes in the whole wide world, laze around the beach, go snorkeling, meet face-to-face with sea creatures such as tortoises and such big fishes and a whole lot more! That's Guimaras. Just a stone's throw away from Iloilo. Specifically, 15-20 minutes boat ride away.
To give details on our earlier itinerary (whole story here http://luvleegurl.blogspot.com/2012/01/day-3-guimaras-day-tour-bacolod.html), we were able to visit:
1) the Smallest Plaza
2) Pasalubong shopping (mangoes! mangoes! mangoes!)
3) Museo de Guimaras (it was closed, bummer! but had photo ops)
4) saw some great OL (overlooking) hotspots
5) Trappist Monastery
6) Guisi Lighthouse
Whew! For this new place, I wanted to give this place its own blog as we really had a great time here. It's Guimaras' nature fun and adventure..Camp Alfredo! It' a camp site and they have a zip line too! Of course, we have got to try it. Good thing someone has mentioned this place to me a month before our trip so I was able to research about this.
It was such as exercise for me to go around Camp Alfredo as everything is located uphill and downhill so my legs were taut with strain afterwards but it was all worth it. If I remember correctly, we paid like P500 each to experience the zipline and the hanging bridge. But I think they have different rates now, much lower I think.
So anyway, here goes the Camp Alfredo experience:
the downhill trip first going to the bar/resto and the admin office
Scaredy-cat Melvin. Shame on you, big guy! haha! Kidding! =)
Ryan the photographer/videographer who chronicled the entire trip. Thanks mucho again!
We are so ready. At this point, we walked uphill again. Cardio exercises here!
Ryan first who gave it a try
Then yours truly. Zip lining while wearing a skirt =D
Then Mayen's turn. I could hear her shrieking even from the other end. Haha!
Melvin's was a bit of a slow ride. I guess it was nice coz he really took in the moment
300 meters of zip line. Not that impressive but it was worth a try. Anyway, the feeling was exhilarating as you speed by. It was nice to give it a shot again and again until you get tired and the adrenaline leaves your body. =)
Then after the zip line, you have to go back to base through the hanging bridge. Loved it! But was scared at the same time. Just the smallest of moves created a reaction from the bridge. The fear of falling is exciting! It was such a rush to actually finish it after a few, yet, long minutes at the bridge. See the expression of fear on my face?! Funny! =)
Will try more hanging bridges in the near future! Face thy fear! =)
Getting nearer..Almost there at the next stopover which is a big and tall tree
After the hanging bridge, you have the option to come down either by zip line again or by rappelling. I chose zip line, no way am I gonna rappel wearing my skirt. Though even if I was not wearing a skirt, I would still choose zip line. Haha!
Melvin did rappel going down. He was happy. He did the zip line, the hanging bridge then rappel his way down. Nice!
We were all famished afterwards so we had our lunch here at Camp Alfredo. This was my order. I thought it was like a rice meal but I was so wrong. But well, I liked it.
All my other companions had the chicken inasal as they took an instant liking to the inasal from Bacolod. For this order, it was not the same like in the Manokan Country stalls but it did served its purpose. It was just a-ok.
Fun! Fun! Fun!
Overall take on this side trip..a THUMBS UP! We can really say that we experienced the best that Guimaras has to offer to its visitors aside from their great beaches.
We started early, woke up at 6am then took turns at the bathroom. It was nice to just laze around at the hotel room and just take our sweet time, however, our itinerary could not wait any longer and our Guimaras guide, Kuya Gerald, has already texted us. We have a long day ahead of us. Yey!
From the EON Centennial Hotel, we took a cab going to the wharf and it was just a short ride. That's primarily the reason why I chose this particular hotel, because of its proximity to the wharf. Also, it's a very nice hotel. I originally wanted Sarabia Manor as they also offered budget accommodations but they were fully booked already. Iloilo Buiness Hotel was another choice but the price was not right for us. I've stayed in both hotels so I guess a new hotel experience was a welcome choice.
So here's our story for the day:
The boat ride is just a 15-20min trip and priced at less than P20/pax. Nice! So easy to go to Guimaras!
We own the boat! Well, for 20mins at least. Since we did not want to wait any longer, we paid for the boat's occupancy in full.
Welcome indeed =)
Our ride..all 6 of us! Amazing how we all fit in along with our bags =)
Cramped at the back but ready for the adventure, nonetheless.
2nd stop: Pasalubong shopping. All products are made from Guimaras' world famous MANGOES. =)
Got the Mango Ketsup and Mango Jam. I also bought mango-flavored Piaya, by the way. Different from the Piayas that I grew up eating but its definitely delicious as well
This is where we shopped for pasalubong
3rd stop: Museo de Guimaras. It was closed, darn, so we just took photo ops.
Our tour guide/driver Kuya Gerald was so awesome! He volunteered in taking our photos , drove cautiously, knowledgeable in the island life and famous! A lot of the locals know him. =)
Another stopover place, but nothing caught our fancy so we just moved on to the next stop
Roadside overlooking spots. So relaxing!
4th stop: At the Trappist Monastery, one of the monks prayed over us and it worked, we all had a great stay at Guimaras. This monk definitely had no qualms, he was so accommodating. I guess he was so used to dealing with all kinds of visitors as this place is a tourist spot to all those who go here. =)
It was solemn here. A nice place to meditate, if you have the time. Since almost all who goes to Guimaras are bakasyunistas, they rarely have time to ponder on deeper things. But well, they can also do it at the beach. With the soft waves at the background, you can do all the meditating that you need anywhere you like.
More mango products to choose from! Mango Otap, etc.
Looks like broccoli to me, but they're mango trees. So pretty to look at =)
Of course, a jump shot should not be missed! Good thing vehicles do not pass that often in this road
OL, short for overlooking! A sight to behold..
A bit closer shot
I guess this is the part where we last saw Harold's bag (we do not have any idea how it got lost! ).
5th spot: Guisi Lighthouse. Honestly, I was not in awe of this spot. I guess during its heyday, it was beautiful, but now, one has to be really careful not to get a scratch or the same because the metal is already rusty. I wanted to climb up, however, my common sense got the better of me. But I'm happy with our visit here as the view here is spectacular as well. And the ruins surrounding the lighthouse provided a nice provision for photo ops. I wished I could see the view atop a lighthouse, well, there's always a next time. =)
The words of warning are so obvious. We just followed suit. =)
Nice surroundings. Hide and seek, anyone? =)
Thanks kuya Gerald, for taking this photo =)
A new lighthouse is being constructed. In the future, I hope to climb that one =)
Ahh, country life. I could stare at that view for a very long time.
The beach awaits..
A grueling trip..because of the tricycle ride, haha! But fun still! Despite one of our friends losing his baggage (with his IDs on it), we still enjoyed the trip, even Harold. Carpe Diem, right? =)
CREDITS: Ryan Reyes - for the awesome photos Kuya Gerald - our very mabait tour guide/driver/part-timehotographer. He gives affordable rates. His number is 0908-4748122.
