An experience I will never forget. Here are some of the pictures we had during our trip. Enjoy!
While we were at the boarding area of NAIA Terminal 3, there was a woman who asked about our itinerary. She looked nice and like a mother to us so we talked to her. She later found out we did not have any hotel bookings, hence, she offered her house and left us to decide the amount we would like to give. We could not decide so we said we wanted to see the house first. Jeez!We got on Cebu Pacific plane to reach Busuanga and then rode a van going to the town proper which took us almost an hour trip for Php 150 per person.
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| Going up to Mt. Tapyas which is a 30 minute trek from the town proper. |
She and her husband were very accommodating. The house was actually for tourist inn once the construction is done.
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| A huge cross seen at the top of Mt. Tapyas |
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| A panoramic fantastic view overlooking the town and the neighboring islands. |
After an early morning trek to Mt. Tapyas, we headed down to an office to book for our island hopping. I forgot the names of the islands we visited but there was a package deal for the whole day visit to the different islands. Amount per head depends on the islands to be visited. We did not know any good island so we just paid the cheapest package deal inclusive of lunch and tour guide fee on that day. We tried to haggle for a lower price and the owner told us she would be giving it the next day. When we went to the port, the boat aboard some tourists inside was ready and only waiting for the two of us. Good thing they were all nice and understood when we apologetically explained we just came from Mt. Tapyas. :)
We were 8 inside the boat. Two locals as our tour guide and captain of the boat, a couple from Spain and another couple from Manila. On our way to the different islands, we talked with the other tourists about their stay and the places they already visited. We also learned from the foreigners that they paid at least Php 3, 500 for that day's island hopping only while the other paid Php 10,000 for three days inclusive of 2 days island hopping tour, meals and accommodation in an inn. For us, we paid less than a thousand peso per head for that day's tour only. They were surprised about it when we told them.
It was on this day that I enjoyed especially snorkeling. Wow! It was my first time to see those sunken ships, different lively corals, different school of fish, etc etc. Though those sea creatures look beautiful, I was still nervous every time I thought I got near them. I felt like they could just swallow me anytime.
On our second day, we took another package which was second to the most expensive deal just so we could see the difference. We kept on bargaining with the owner to lessen the price as she promised. She actually changed her mind because the islands we will be going were a bit far and depends on the entrance per head and per island. We got late again and the boat was only waiting for us. Jeez!
We saw familiar faces as we approached the boat and they were waiving and joking about us being late. They were the Spanish couple. Someone (couple from Manila) from the other boat containing at least 20 tourists who were mostly Koreans waved and teased us being sad to be separated from us. They wanted to join us but they were declined by the man who booked them for that trip.
We entered the boat and met new faces this time. A couple from Thailand (a German and Thai), a tanned skin teenage girl sitting next to an older man (Briton or Aussie, not so sure), our captain of the boat and another tour guide for a total of 11 people. On our way, the German asked this Brit/ Aussie man if the girl beside him was his friend. When he said yes, their conversation continued. When I looked at the Spanish couple, they were smiling towards us.
We went at the back end of the boat and found our tour guides busy grilling the fish. We talked and joke with them while taking pictures. We learned from them that they know the young girl and lives in this place.
We stopped on our scheduled first island visit and had our swimming. We bonded with the others especially the Spanish couple and the tour guides. Later that day, the young girl joined us already while the two guides kept on teasing her about her friend. This gave us the chance to talk to her about them. I and my friend did not want to lecture her on what she must and must not do. We only advised her to be wise. We were surprised when she asked us questions and our opinions. We shared our thoughts based on our experience dealing with different people.
Now comes the picture here there and everywhere moment. Everyone was busy posing and taking pictures when suddenly, this Brit/Aussie man approached the German who had a nice DSLR camera and asked him to take picture of him with the young girl. I think at that moment, everyone had their own opinions already but just kept it to their selves.
Back to the islands. There's not much difference with out first day island visit except for the Barracuda Lake. The water is a mixture of fresh and salt water. We were not able to visit Culion Island which they say was once the world's largest leper colony. We did not have much time for the travel since it would take at least a day to be able to enjoy the island..so sad.
I hope to go there again in the future.
