Beach Placid Resort, Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island

Getting to Bantayan Island, Cebu

We arrived  at Mactan International Airport a little over 9:30AM. After picking up my backpack and battling my way amid the sea of  passengers, I moved on to the lobby  where I met the rest of the crew: Lancy, Kat and Louie.  With everyone present, we hailed a cab to take us to the North Bus Terminal.

From the North Bus Terminal, next thing you need to do is get to Hagnaya Port which is the jump-off point to Bantayan. There are two ways to do this: either take the Ceres bus or take the V-hire (van). Between the two, the bus is the cheaper option but relatively slower because of the many stops. Buses leaves the terminal every hour starting 5:30AM to 7:30PM. Travel time is 3-4 hours with fare of Php 150 for aircon buses and Php135 for non-aircon buses.

If you want to take the van instead like us, bear in mind that you will have to wait until all the seats are occupied before the van leaves. Once the van is full it will take about 2 1/2 – 3 hours to get to Hagnaya Port. Van fare is around P140.

When you reach the port, catch the ferries or RORO bound to Sta Fe. Ticket prices range from 140 – 200 depending on the type of ferry. Take note that the last boat bound to Bantayan Island will leave before 2pm so it will be wise to get there before that time else you will have to spend the night at Bogo, the closest town to Hagnaya Port.

Fishing pond near Hagnaya Port.

Our RORO ride from Hagnaya Port to Sta. Fe was painfully slow. We were even joking that maybe it will be faster if we swim instead. LOL! Aside from the speed, the CR was giving off a repulsive smell that was too strong to ignore. So in order to escape from the stench, we went up to the upper deck and took seats on a wooden bench beside the open rails.

Almost two hours later, our boat thankfully touch land. We’re finally in Bantayan! We’re finally in paradise!

First glimpse of Bantayan. One word. WOW!

My Bantayan Island travel buddies: Lancy, Kat and Louie.

Prior to the trip, we already made a 3-day reservation at Beach Placid Resort so we didn’t have to trouble ourselves finding  a place to stay in. The resort reservation also includes free pick-up and drop off from the pier which was a big plus since we don’t have to rent a tricycle anymore.

Beach! Finally!!!

First thing we did after checking-in at our rented cottages and dumping our bags was to run to the beach and check out the waves.

Fine white sand met our eager toes and water in shades of cyan and cerulean blue  filled our eyes with excitement. Tropical trees dotted the beach every few steps providing respite from the scorching heat of the sun and a hint of green against the endless blues. Only a handful of tourist were  lurking on the beach at that time, either sunbathing or just dozing off on a beach chair under the shades.

Sea, sun and  sand. And without the crowd!!!

Lancy, sticking to the shade. :)

The Backpack Chronicles’ obligatory shot at Sta Fe, Bantayan Island. Excuse the hair. :P

After our quick inspection of the beach, we headed back to the resort’s alfresco dining area to eat. Everyone was  hungry by then because it was already past 3 pm and we have not eaten lunch yet.

Very tasty Bicol Express. Yummy!

L: Pork Sisig. R: Fish fillet in cream sauce.

Since we were on a budget, we just ordered 3 dishes for lunch: Bicol Express, Pork Sisig and Fish fillet in Cream Sauce. Everything was delectable except for the fish fillet which was a little too bland for our taste.

NOTE: Meals in Bantayan Island can get a little bit pricey. Simple meals in the resorts will cost you from Php 100 – 200. If you want to find cheaper food, better go to the town instead.

Kat and Louie trying to doze off. :)

With our stomachs satisfied we excitedly head back to our cottages to change into swim clothes. After that we immediately went back to the beach, hoping to do a bit of swimming before sunset comes… only to find out that it was already low tide. Toink! The water has receded and we had to walk quite a long way to get our knees wet. LOL! So much for swimming!

Because of the low tide, we abandoned our hope of swimming and contented ourselves by frolicking in the knee-deep water and building sand figures. When we got bored of that, we stalked the two locals fishing in the shallow waters.

Fishermen in Bantayan.

We approached the two fishermen and asked them if they had any luck. They were fishing in the shallow waters after all and we doubt that there were any fish lurking in those parts.

To our amazement, they did caught a lot. They even caught a Sea Horse and a Puffer Fish as well as other weird-looking fish! Galing nila ate at kuya, kahit sa mababaw nakahuli ng isda! Slow clap, slow clap!

Sea horse and Puffer fish

After our brief encounter with the fishermen, we decided to head back to the shore and just laze around on separate beach chairs. The sun was setting on the opposite side of the island by then and the tranquil sky was starting to bleed with colors.

Before coming to Bantayan, I already heard a lot of wonderful things about this beautiful island situated in North-western Cebu. People kept saying that it was the perfect place to slack-off during summer; with clear blue waters, white sand beaches and a relax vibe. Because of this, I kept my expectations of Bantayan on a pretty high scale.

After our first day in this island, I found out that every good thing they say about Bantayan is true. It really is the perfect place to beach bum and spend a few lazy afternoons just dipping in the clear blue waters or just dozing off on a beach chair. Bantayan’s laid back feel makes it the perfect place to just forget about everything, do nothing and just relax.

To be continued…

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Joanna Jane Liwag

Learn how to survive in the jungle by immersing in a 3-day SURVIVAL SCIENCE camp at JEST Camp, Subic on May 17-19. Here, you will learn the essentials in keeping yourself safe, scouting for edible food and making fire and shelter. Participants will also learn how best to act during worst case scenarios. Sounds fun, right?

All kids 7 and up are welcome to join. Participants forming a group of 3 will also get special P500 discounts each off their registration fees.

To enroll for this program, kindly send an email to inquiry@themindmuseum.org with the following details:

Name of participant/s:
Age of participant/s:
Contact and email of participant/s:
Name of guardian:
Contact and email of guardian:

For those wanting to check out The Mind Museum itself, a special promo also awaits you. For every purchase of 5 regular  tickets, you will get an additional extra ticket absolutely FREE!

So what are you waiting for? Tag your family and friends along and experience why summer is more fun at The Mind Museum!

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Joanna Jane Liwag

Map showing all the interesting spots in Sagada

Below are some of the beautiful places you shouldn’t miss while in  Sagada.

1.) Kiltepan Peak

Swaying pine trees. Pristine blue skies. Spectacular view of the rice terraces. Gorgeous Cordillera ranges as a backdrop. These are just some of the reasons why Kiltepan Peak is among the most visited places in Sagada. Add to that a serene view of a sea of clouds – reminiscent that of Mount Pulag – settling in and partly covering the Cordillera ranges in the early mornings, accompanied by a beautiful sunrise.

A wide clearing in the area also serves as the perfect camping ground for those wanting to spend the night under the star-studded sky. For those planning to do a picnic, this is also one of the best places to do so.

2.) Sumaguing Cave and Lumiang Cave

This extraordinary caving system is one adrenaline-pumping experience you shouldn’t miss. Rock formations depicting a turtle, a crocodile, a cake and several other unique formations will surely amaze you. Add to that the feeling of exhilaration and excitement as you climb, crawl, swim and slide your way into its chilly depths.

Be forewarn though that Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves are not for the faint-hearted, persons with acrophobia (fear of heights), claustrophia (fear of confine places), history of high blood pressure and other heart ailments because some places requires strenuous exertions while others are elevated and cramp.

3.) Bangaan Rice Terraces

Just 30 minutes drive from the town proper lies another interesting landmark, the Bangaan Rice Terraces. Although the rice terraces here is not as popular as its cousins found in Banaue, Batad and other places included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, still the place is an inspiring testament to the diligence, determination and hard work of our mountain-dwelling brothers.

TIP: Be sure to visit this place a week after the planting season started because the rice terraces are generally off-limit to visitors during those times.

4.) Bomod-Ok Waterfalls

An hour’s trek along the magnificent Bangaan Rice Terraces will inevitably lead the tired travelers to the mighty brilliance of Bomod-Ok Falls. Spend an hour or two relaxing and swimming on its shallow depths or by doing a picnic on the big boulders surrounding the area.

5.) Lake Danum 

The perfect place to catch the sunset in Sagada is the mysterious Lake Danum.

Here, a tranquil lake which looks more like a pond, sits at the middle of a verdant clearing with pine trees dotting the background. Aside from being another perfect spot  for doing a picnic, it also serves as a jump-off point  to Mount Ampacao. A few minutes walk to the right will bring you to the side of the mountain where tourists can view the dramatic setting of the sun.

6.) Hanging Coffins in Echo Valley

One of the icons that made Sagada an International tourist draw is the local’s unique way of burying their dead. For more than 2000 years, the Applai tribe which is Sagada’s indigenous people, honor their deceased by suspending the wooden coffins on the side of the cliffs. The locals believed that by doing so it will be easier for the resting souls to ascend into the heavens because it is closer  to it.

Not every local is buried this way but instead only the people who contributed a lot for the community are treated with such honor.

7.) Bokong Falls

Another not-to-be-miss spot in Sagada is the miniature waterfall more popularly known as Bokong Falls. Compared to the majesty and  grandeur of Bomod-ok, Bokong on the other hand only reaches to a height of 6 feet tall but with a depth of 20 feet. Its height and depth makes it an ideal “jump-off point” for tourists needing an adrenaline surge.

Be sure to check this waterfall during the rainy season so there will be more waterflow.

Although it was an arduous 12-hour drive from Manila, visitors both Filipinos and foreigners alike still swarm to Sagada like bees to their hives. And I really couldn’t blame them… I mean, who wouldn’t fall in love with a place packed with such wonders?

 Savoring Sagada. February 9 – 13, 2012. A series of posts featuring the charms and beauty of Sagada; the place, the culture and the people. With travel buddies Lancy, Elaine, Kat, Mage, Julie, Eileen, Jim, Piolo and Louie.

Part 1 :  En route to Sagada 
Part 2:  The Savory Pinikpikan
Part 3:  Surviving the Challenges of Sumaguing Cave
Part 4:  Chasing Bomod-Ok Falls
Part 5: Must visit places in Sagada 

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Joanna Jane Liwag

The overnight stay comes with a free buffet breakast and use of other facilities, such as the pool. Plus you will get a magnificent unobstructed view of Taal Volcano straight from your own veranda. Cool, right?

If you want to know more about our personal experience in Taal Vista, you can check it out HERE.

How to join? It’s super easy! All you have to do is like some pages, tweet about the giveaway and share it on Facebook. So what are you waiting for? Join now!

Overnight Stay for 2 at Taal Vista Hotel!

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Joanna Jane Liwag

Schedule starts as early as 6:30 AM so be prepared to come early to avoid missing any fun.

Each ticket cost Php250 and are sold at the gate or via SM Ticketnet Outlets. You may also call  833-3264 or 384-0085 for any ticket inquiries.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013 Joanna Jane Liwag