Five more days and it will exactly be a year since I wrote something in this blog...it's either I have been too busy or too lazy...well, that doesn't matter anymore...I know now what I will be writing now, at least for the next couple of months :-)
A little over two weeks ago, I found myself checking all the local airline websites...and ended booking a ticket to Bohol and Cebu for last weekend's escapade. The plan was to fly to Tagbilaran on a Saturday and cross to Cebu that same afternoon and come back Sunday.
I was sure that for the nth time I'll be burning my tickets. But the best of me persisted and ended up hopping on a Cebu Pacific flight to Tagbilaran, Saturday, 17 March, 8:30AM...flight was delayed for nearly 30 minutes...not a good start, I thought.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by a gang of tricycle drivers, Manong James was the most persistent of all...we agreed at 250 pesos, airport to the Pier in Panglao as I wanted to cross to Balicasag Island. It was almost 11am when we reached Panglao and I was afraid that I will not be able to follow my itinerary (that's the beauty of solitary travelling, no worries when things don't go as planned...no one throwing a tantrum). Panglao is nearly 20km from Tagbilaran.
TIP: If you're a little low on budget, from the airport take a tricycle to the city center, then take a bus or a jeepney to Panglao, fare is 20 pesos per head. Once in Panglao, take a tricyle or a motorbike to your destination, fare should not be more than 50pesos per head.
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| Traversing the Panglao Hi-way...yes, it's a hi-way :-) |
Upon reaching Panglao Pier (located at the back of the Panglao Cathedral) I was told that there were no boats regularly plying the route to Balicasag (except during the fiesta season in May). Mang Hermes Milay suggested that I checked-in at Alona Beach and he'll have me picked up at 5am for some dolphin watching and island hopping. Dolphins??? Cool. We closed the deal at 1500pesos (was surprised to find out the following day that the boat can accommodate a little over 20 people...and I had it all for myself). I paid 250 advance, for gas.
TIP: No worries about giving advance to local folks...just make sure you ring the number they give you before you leave.
I asked Mang James to stopover at the cathedral (uttered a little prayer of thanks...and shot a couple of pixs) before taking me to Alona Beach, additional 50pesos...300 all in all.
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| The facade has lost its glory but inside check out the Sistine-like ceiling |
Reached Alona almost noon...was tired and hungry...I'd been to Bohol and Panglao several times but the resort I use to stay was fully booked - Alona Tropical Resort (well recommended)...I walked the whole stretch of Alona Beach (Alona Beach is about 1/4 of the total stretch of the famed Boracay Beach).
I settled in at Playa Blanca Resort (beach front) for 800pesos (fan room)...I got a whole nipa hut with a bathroom that could fit 10 people. The hut comes with a verandah to dry your clothes, inside is a fan, and two beds (no TV)...use the aircon and you end up paying additional 500...I settled for the fan :-)
TIP: There are cheaper rooms about 100meters from the beach at 500pesos. Alona Beach is not a long stretch. Check out the resorts before checking in. If you're ready to splurge check out Vida Resort. For the more affordable yet classy check out Alona Tropical Resort.
I wanted some good food...I was hungry and dead tired...I scouted for a good resto...but I had to wait for 30-45 minutes and had to shell out about 500 pesos...I didn't mind the price but I was dead hungry...so I settled at the cafeteria-canteen in front of the Playa Blanca resort...one of the best decision I made during the trip..food was yummy and very affordable...95 pesos for lunch...and 65pesos for merienda.
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| Veggie, meat, a cup of rice and a canned pineapple juice = 95pesos. I had fried chicken and pansit (noodles) for merienda = 65pesos |
TIP: On a tight budget, there are several canteen like shops along Alona Beach...just walk the stretch.
After lunch, I hit the beach...put on some sunblock, took my underwater camera for some testing, and read Aleph by Paulo Coelho...a long deserved relaxing vacation at last! :-)
I've always wanted to try to get a massage on the beach...and there were a number of "Manang's" just waiting for my sweet "yes"...the Manang I picked said she'll be using herbal products...she scraped my sole real good...but what was the red stain? metaiolate? waaaahhh!!! For 300pesos I should have just gotten a body massage...well, it was one for the books...will not ever try to have my sole scraped again. :-)
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| The following day, soles were very dry and chapped...and darn I forgot to bring some lotion... one week now and it's still very dry...next time, I'll settle for a body massage. |
After 4 hours of laying on the beach, taking several plunge in the cold Panglao waters, and 60 pages of Paulo's book, I was sleepy. I hit the cot.
Overall Assessment of Alona Beach:
Alona Beach is the most famous stretch of beach in Panglao Island. It's nearly a quarter long of the famous Boracay White Beach. A number of resorts operate in the area which will satisfy every single traveler's taste. I highly recommended, Vida Resort, Alona Tropical, and Playa Blanca (ordered by affordability with the last being the most affordable). Most resorts cater to divers.
Night life is not as vibrant as Boracay, which is good. Only a few resorts and bars stay open after 10pm. I checked out one bar, forgot the name, and they serve Margherita Pizza better than Aria in Boracay (and for half the price too).
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| Dinner time...250 Pizza and 70per bottle of San Mig Light (I finished 3) |
BALICASAG ADVENTURE in the next post.
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