2012 Travel Series No. 4: Part 1 - Guimaras and Iloilo

Travel Date: 13-15 April 2012
With: Tatay, Nanay, Daniel, Nica, Ella, and Alexa
Destinations: Guimaras Province and Iloilo City

I started bringing my family to trips (which requires flying) in 2008 in Cebu.  Bohol was for 2009, 2010 was Boracay, last year it was in Davao with this year in Guimaras and Iloilo.  I usually schedule the trips either in August to coincide with my father's birthday, or in September to coincide with my birthday, or in October for my mom's birthday.  Well, the real reason is that it's low season during this time of the year.

However, we would more often than not endure either very cloudy skies or heavy downpours, especially in 2009 when we got stranded in Bohol (and we needed to ferry to Cebu) because of typhoon Ondoy.  So,   this year I decided to let them experience a good summer trip without having to worry about any downpour.  Here's an account of our sojourn to the provinces of Guimaras and Iloilo.


PART 1 - Guimaras Province

The kids were all excited for the trip (as they always are).  They were already in the airport a little past 8am, too early for the 10:50am flight, while I was still at home packing my stuff.  In 2008, I had 9 companions (since my sister was unmarried at that time and I only had a nephew and 2 nieces).  The following year and until last year I travelled with my parents and the same 3 kids back in 2008 (even though I already have 8 little angels).  However, this year, Alexa tagged along so I had to baby sit two adults and 4 active kids.  I should consider putting up a day care center maybe I'll make more money.

NAIA Terminal 3 - Nanay, Tatay, and the kids all set to go

The kids showing off their plane tickets.

As always the flight was delayed.  Luckily I brought my Galaxy tab to keep the kids busy while waiting for the flight.  I should be getting another iPhone and bring my MacBook for the next trip so that they can play Angry Birds to their hearts content without fighting over for their turn on the Tab :-(

I need 3 more Tablets :-(

Alexa's first flight...she insisted on sitting beside me...she dozed off the entire flight.

We arrived in Iloilo a little past 12nn.  The new Iloilo Airport looks like the new Davao Airport.  I guess we now have the same contractor for all airport construction in the country.  The airport is way better than the old one.  However, I was not prepared for the news that the airport is now more than 30kms. from the city (the old airport was a stone throw away from SM City Iloilo) passing through 4 towns with a travel time of approximately 45 minutes by cab at Php500.00.  Yep, taxi from the airport to the city and vice versa is 500pesos and they have all the right to charge that much - no complain there.

Arriving in Iloilo

The cab took us straight to the jetty for a ferry ride to the island province of Guimaras.  If I remember it right the jetty was located in downtown Sta. Barbara.  The ferry ride is about 15 minutes and cost 14pesos per person and each boat can accommodate up to 50 passengers.  The ferry in Guimaras is located in Jordan wharf.  Note that there is another wharf in Buenavista which serves the other side of the island and is a much longer route.

A Department of Tourism (DoT) booth will greet you at the entrance (or more of the exit) of the termini where you will need to register and pay a minimal fee of 10pesos per head (not sure if I did pay, can't remember anymore, just assume that there is, for better budgeting).  From the DOT booth one can rent an aircon van for 1000pesos, a multi cab for 450pesos, or take the public jeepney for 20pesos each.  Rates are set and are non-negotiable.  We opted for the multi cab to Raymen Resort at Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia.  The ride from Jordan to Alubihod is about 45 minutes traversing on 3 towns with beautiful landscape and scenery of mango orchards as far as the eyes can see.

The multi cab can accommodate up to 11 people.

Raymen Resort

The new wing...nice rooms

The last time I was in Guimaras, in Raymen Resort, was in 2002 and there was only one other resort at that time.  Now there are four and one will be opening soon.  The entire stretch of beach, which is roughly 500 meters long is said to be owned by one family with ownership divided among the children.  Raymen is the most developed (in terms of number of rooms and amenities), room rates ranges from 1000pesos to 3000pesos with huts from 400-800pesos, and is the most popular resort on this side of Guimaras.  Good thing we did not extend our stay since it was fully booked for the Guimaras Mango Man triathlon event happening the following day.

All set and excited to plunge

Raymen's hospitality can't be rivaled even by the most expensive 5 star hotels in the city.  The staff treats guests like family with everyone always ready to help and look after your needs.  Another best thing about the resort is the canteen/cafeteria that offers snacks and meals that will satisfy even the most discerning palette.  We had a feast for lunch for only 1000 pesos (serving of fish soup, grilled fish, pansit, rice, drinks, tortang talong, and the sweetest mangoes on this side of the world).  I paid a total of 3500pesos only for 2 lunch, 1 dinner, and 1 breakfast which included a plateful of lobster, which I bought , fresh and alive, from a fisherman along the beach for the best bargain ever - 600pesos a kilo.

600 pesos a kilo of lobster...the best bargain

The resort also offers island hopping tour at a price of 450pesos for the first hour with an additional 150 pesos for any hour in excess.

Off to island hopping

The nearest island is about 10 minutes away from the resort where one can go snorkeling and fish feeding.  There are not many varieties of fish in this area as corals, sadly, are mostly dead.  We did get to see lots of territorial fish and other varieties of small fishes, including a school of bisugo :-)

Ave Maria Island

A captured "pawikan" for photo op rental.  Give a tip to the local kids who takes care of the turtle.

In Summary:
1/ To reach Guimaras Island from Manila, book a flight to Iloilo thru Cebu Pacific, Air Phil Express, Zest Air, or Philippine Airlines
2/ From the airport take a taxi to Sta. Barbara jetty in Iloiloi city, fare is 500pesos (no meter)
3/ Take the ferry ride to cross from Iloilo to Jordan wharf in Guimaras, 14 pesos per head
4/ Take a multi cab for 450pesos or an air-conditioned van for 1000pesos from Jordan wharf to Alubihod (fares for farther distances varies, check with the DoT booth).  Make sure to get the number of the driver so that you can be picked up from the resort back to Jordan since there are not many multi cabs within the island.
5/ If you took the public jeepney, at 20pesos, from Jordan wharf to Alubihod you will need to take a tricycle or a single motorbike from Nueva Valencia crossing to Alubihod beach (not sure about the fare but maybe not more than 20pesos)
6/ Island hopping cost 450 for the first hour and an additional 150pesos for each hour thereafter