The Inviting Waters of Mantalip Reef

Bindoy, Negros Oriental
May 31, 2014

Mantalip Reef is a marine protected area located in Bindoy, Negros Orental.  It's a rising tourist destination and can be reached via pumpboat for roughly 30 minutes from Domolog pier.

How To Get There

1. From Dumaguete pier, exit to Rizal boulevard and wait for the Ceres bus bound to

Canlaon, Guihulngan, Mabinay, San Carlos or Bacolod.  If you want to secure a seat since it would be a two-hour ride, take a tricycle (locally referred to as pedicab) to the bus terminal.  Bus fare is Php77.00. Descend at the Domolog Public Market. You'd see the sign board at your right. 

2. From Dumaguete Airport, exit to the highway and wait for the Ceres bus at Shell gas station.  Descend at the Domolog Public Market.  You'd see the sign board at your right.

You can then wait for your boat ride at the cottages behind the public market.  In case the boat gets delayed and you can't wait to take a dip, you may enjoy the waters at the pier which we did.  Note: It's not a typical pier so you can expect that the water is as clear, though not as enticing, as the one in Mantalip Reef.

Everyone stayed still on the boat while waiting for the Mantalip Reef Inn to emerge in sight.  The thought that it's in the middle of nowhere sent shivers in me as there was a recent reported earthquake in the nearby island of Cebu. Questions ran through my mind as to what could possible happen if earthquake strikes on a high tide at night, roughly 30 minutes offshore. It was a smooth ride nevertheless and all those hesitations were replaced by excitement upon seeing the inviting clear waters, and the view of the starfishes and corals of different colors.  When we got to our destination, the very first thing we did was savor and capture the scenic view with our lenses.  Not long enough, three of us were enjoying the waters while the others prepared dinner.  Since it was nearing low-tide, we had to be careful with our steps as one simple hit on the corals could leave us with some scars.  It's advisable to wear aqua shoes or slippers especially on a low tide.  We got up as soon as darkness struck as there was not enough lighting in the place.  The place was run by four solar panels so if you have gadgets or any electronic devices, it's best to take them fully charged because the generator only runs for an hour and there's only one available outlet.  Everything we had was cooked and boiled on charcoal and portable butane gas stove.

I was without proper sleep for more than 24 hours, so after dinner and some chat, I, together with a few, retired on my little space while the others stayed late for some drinking session.  The room was good for 2-3 persons but there were available mattresses which one can use while sleeping under the stars.

    

I was the first one to hit the waters in the morning.  It was irresistible!  And it just kept getting better when it reached high tide, when the water went beyond the platform we laid on below.

Bathing in the sun til our skin gets burned has never felt that good.  Kidding!  It was only for pictorial purposes.  Of course we can't let the chance pass by without having a great photo with this picturesque view.  Thanks to Mhike for taking this one.

It was a perfect weekend getaway- a place so relaxing and surrounded with overwhelming beauty.  See for yourself!

 

For reservation inquiries, contact the Office of the Mayor thru 405-3011/531-0883 and look for Joel Verna. 

A Cold and Rainy Sunday in Tagaytay

Travel Date: July 21, 2013
Destination: Tagaytay City, Cavite Province

Since I knew that it might rain in the afternoon, we planned to leave early morning for Tagaytay. It normally drizzles in the afternoon because of its geographical location according to one of the articles I've read in the net (which makes me recall that it'd actually rained too when I last visited in 2008) and much so it's rainy season.  But because of a very busy week, we didn't want to interrupt our sleep by waking up early. 

There's no direct trip from the metro going to Tagaytay but there are numerous ways to get there.  Buses going to Nasugbu (Batangas) pass by the city and one can just ask the driver to drop off Olivarez.  One can also take a bus to Alabang then take an FX to Tagaytay.  

We started our way from the JAM liner bus terminal right under the LRT Gil Puyat station, on board the bus bound for Balibago (Sta. Rosa, Laguna).  With Php61/pax, we arrived at the Balibago wet market after 35 minutes.  From there, we took a jeepney going to Tagaytay for Php40/pax and was on the road for roughly 45 minutes with a good view of some modern buildings, green fields and the pineapple plantation on the way to the city proper.

 upper right's my sister Hanna, cousins Yasmin and Bea, lower left's me and cousin Michel

From the drop off point, we took another jeepney going to People's Park in the Sky- our first stop for the day.  If I could remember clearly, the fare was around Php19/pax.  There are also tricycles that can take you to the different spots but could cost higher. 

It was said that this place used to be called 'Palace in the Sky' and was intended by the Marcoses for the former US President Ronald Raegan's visit which never happened. 

 entrance to the park- Php30/pax

 owners of the road
 

 one of the waiting sheds to the hilltop

True enough, it had started drizzling while we were on our way to the park.  And since it was past 1PM, the first thing we thought upon reaching the top was eat.  The structures were old and rusty which amazed me at first but reaching the main viewing deck where the restaurant was at was disappointing.  The place looked dingy and abandoned but good thing is the toilet was clean and maintained.

The food wasn't really good but not bad either.  With rice, 2 viands (rellenong bangus and sinigang na baboy) and 3 cans of soda, we spent Php850.  We may not have enjoyed the food, but our eyes had so much with the picturesque view of green fields on one side and the taal lake on the other.  But not after the fog though.  It was close to freezing we had wished we brought jackets.

zero visibility of what's down the hill

 the old amphitheater

 posing with our new memorabilia shirts 



the sacred heart of Jesus

Well, there wasn't really much you can do here but savor the scenic view of the lowlands.

 ain't this wonderful?!

taal lake

 

another view of the taal lake and volcano

We left the park at late afternoon and dropped by Picnic Grove for some sight-seeing just before heading back to Manila.  Though the weather wasn't really cooperative, we had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company and having been blessed to see once again, mother nature's beauty at it's finest.  

We finally got to Olivarez by 7pm and 1.5 hours later, we arrived in Baclaran.  Another hop in another bus and we were home. 

Big and Little Dora Explore Baguio

Travel Date: Nov. 18, 2012
Destination: Baguio City, Benguet Province

One of the popular names that come up when it comes to tourist destinations is Baguio.   It's on our to-do-list since when we were first working in Fairview back in 2005.  Plans remained plans.  My friends and I have gone back to Negros (our home province) with no Baguio.  So I came back for my new job and still planned of going with or without company.  Almost a year had passed since I got back and still no Baguio happened.

Then one day after work, my cousin and I had thought of going somewhere to unwind during our rest days.  And ta-dah! Baguio came to mind.  No itinerary.  Just go wherever our steps will lead us.  This is what I love about not planning our trips.  So I came home on a Saturday night from work and took a power nap.  My cousin had already slept the whole afternoon.  How unfair! 

By 23:45, we were heading out to the Victory Liner bus station in Cubao.  First bus leaves at 00:15 via SCTEX.  This is a faster way but we thought Php715 was too much for a one-way trip.  So we took the next trip that leaves at 01:00 for Php445+Php50 that I can't remember if it was for a terminal fee or for insurance.  After 7 hours on the road, we should still get to Baguio at early daylight.  You may check out the following link for Victory Liner's daily schedule and fare: http://www.victoryliner.com.

So we arrived at Baguio at roughly 07:30.  I've definitely smelled the difference!  The air was truly fresh and the climate was cool. 

We went out to the street outside the terminal, no idea where to go or where to start.  Then a man approached us and took us to the booth near the bus station and introduced us to the different packages they offered.  Php2500 can take us to their tourist spots the whole day, strawberry farm not included but we were able to haggle with our tour driver who also did the honor to be our official photographer.  So after the negotiation, to the blue cab, we hopped in. 

First stop was the famous Lourdes grotto to thank for the safe trip.  There's a winding and steep asphalt road leading to the grotto but to make the experience worthwhile, we chose to climb the 252 steps to the top.

Apart from the fact that this a famous pilgrimage site, this is also a great place to be at for peace and quiet.  I love the view here, don't you? 





Next stop is the Ten Commandments tablet atop Dominican Hill.  Measuring 152.90 square meters, this has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest in the world, according to the World Record Academy.  See how small we are in the picture?



Right across the Ten Commandments tablet stands the haunted hotel.  It seems that this abandoned hotel is filled with a lot  lost spirits.  We were trying to get in but it felt so heavy and creepy we had cold feet.  I thought we probably need Melinda Gordon (Jennifer Love Hewitt in Ghost Whisperer) to help the souls cross over.

look closely...do you see something?

Now it's time to take a peek at the dwellings of the Ifugaos.  Let's see what's inside Tam-awan village.



 with our driver/photographer Rodrigo (had a local take this photo)

Entrance fee to the village is Php50/head, tour guide admission is free.  They have in-house artists who have the coolest sense of humor who charge Php100 per solo sketching.  I never thought posing for a sketch was fun.  There never was a dull moment.  So you judge how the sketch turned out :)

More to come...



Blogger's Preface

I treasure relationships. I love celebrating family and friendship.  I love traveling.  And I love looking back at memories.  I love seeing and experiencing the beauty and wonders of mother nature, and the amazing works of mankind.  I go solo and I also care for company.  Here goes the adventures of the itchy feet, documented!