Looking for some summer getaway? Planning a summer escape was never easy especially if you and your friends have a schedule problems. Why not try an unplanned summer vacation? On the spot summer escapade is much more exciting than planned ones. Try to explore an island you've never been before...
TIP no. 1: Search a Place you want to explore. Google is such a big help, from the location, to the place to stay and most importantly on what to expect.
It was an wise impulse going to a place nearby. A short road travel so that you could get there easily and you have a lot of time to spend in the island, more time to explore the place and bond with your friends. Since were from Miagao, it was just a 2 and a half hours travel from Miagao town Proper to Antique Wharf. We rented a Van from Molo Bus Terminal bound to Antique so that we could travel straight and the driver drop us off at the Wharf and instructed us how to get in the Island. According to the driver it is a 4-5 hours travel ride from the Molo Bus Terminal for backpackers and would cost you 200 pesos one way but a private car would take you 3-4 hours depends on the speed.
Tip No. 2: Make sure that your driver knows where to drop you off.
Upon arriving at Wharf, you have to register and pay for the environmental fee of 30 pesos each. make sure to get your receipt.
There are boats at the Wharf, but since we have a contact in the island, he arrange us a pump boat going to Mararison. It would take you 15 to 20 minutes to get there and a fee of 150 pesos per person, back and forth. So you need to get the name and contact number of the pump boat driver for you to arrange the time of your departure.
Tip No. 3: Plan a tentative time of departure and inform the driver 1 hour prior to departure from the Island so that you wont wait that long.
THE MARARISON ISLAND:
The view was captivating, the white sand feels and a little trekking at the other side of the island is a must!
We unload our stuffs at the place where we will be staying for a night. Maam Gasings welcomed us to her place. We rented her house, it is good for 8 to 10 pax it has 2 bed rooms, a kitchen, 3 bathrooms and a receiving area. Just don't expect a cozy place to stay. Since we were 15 in a group Maam Gasing suggested if half of us could stay in her friends place but we decided to stay together and just place a mattress at the receiving area. The house is a 2 minutes walking distance to the beach.
We had our late lunch at the house, we rested for an hour or two before we had our trekking. You should ask for someone who could assist you to find a tourist guide ahead of time. 50 pesos per head and 5 person per tourist guide. An additional 50 pesos fee per head for the pump boat.
Tip No. 4: No tourist guide no trekking. Since they know where to take you and they could assist you to go to cave and a tour to the island via pump boat on the other side of the island.
Tip No. 5: Find a place near the beach. I suggest bring a tent and you can build it at the beach area, this can help you feel the beach and sand.
We also rented a bamboo Hut where in we could have our dinner for only 300 pesos. And you could have bonfire too..
Tip No. 6: Have someone cook food for you so that you could enjoy your vacation. At the island there are talipapa where you could buy fresh fish and some seafoods but i suggest you bring some food. We bought Squid for 200 pesos per kilo. Cooking Charge of 500 pesos (Dinner and Breakfast).
Tip No. 7: Since the water for bath in the island is limited, try to conserve water for your bath after swimming.
Tip No. 8: Enjoy the beach.
Night swimming is Fun the water is cold and you will enjoy the stars. Morning view was very relaxing, calming sound of the beach, aromatic smell of the sea. Over all, our stay at Malalison is something i could call an Adventure.
People to Contact when going to Mararaison Island:
Renante (Van) - 09100710278
Moting (Pumped Boat) - 09107615919
Maam Gasing (placed we stayed) - 09282399227
JD Bakeshop
I realize how I love JD when I went to Bacolod to continue my degree on one of Bacolod Nursing Colleges.
Aside from Pastries and Cake I love their Chicken Meals especially the one with Ensaylada and their Chicken ala King, a must try.
When you visit JD try their Mushroom soup for me it is a soup and Appetizer as one, It comes with Iloilo's Famous Biscocho...
The last time I went there for a snack I tried the newest addition to their menu, Cake in a Cup. Looks inviting though plus it has added ice cream and chocolate syrup on top.
This is my JD experience... 👍
