Ever the kibitzer, I did not bat an eyelash when I got the invite to join the MAPEH group on their "capability building" in Isla Gigantes. Way long before Frank or Yolanda devastated these group of islands, I've been dying to sink my feet in the much advertised ivory sand, swim in the pristine waters and eat my fill of scallops.
Jen arranged for transport and accommodation, we just had to wait and enjoy the trip. We took the last bus trip going out to catch the first vessel set for the Dumangas Port.
The morning was already frigid yet the AC dial seemed to be glued at freezing temperature. Sleep was elusive.
The van was waiting at the port when we arrived. The 2-hour ride to Carles was uneventful owing to our sleepless night. By 8, the sun dominated the skies that having some halo-halo while waiting for the boat is imperative.
Even before parking our stuff at the inn, we stopped at a number of islets and had our photos taken.
Our first stop was at Isla Pulupandan. Two-thirds of it is covered by sand while one side is fringed with wide boulders which became an instant favorite backdrop for photos.
Our second stop was Cabugao island, known to be the most photographed island in the group. It has a long white beach with hills on both ends. A viewing deck was under construction (obviously). Here, there was a long queue in order to take this kind (left) of shot.
The shoreline as seen below is lined with young coconut trees. They may have been planted following the devastation that Haiyan brought about years ago.
Interesting too were scores of stacked flat stones towers under the shade. But they were too many really to be amusing.
Our third stop was at the sandbar of Bantigue island which we didn't enjoy as we were still in our travel clothes at the time. We watched locals bring out loads of scallops from the deep and cooled off with a tube of ice candy which the local kids sell to tourists.
I forgot the island where our inn was in. It was a fishing village alright and the beach was not so inviting. Lunch awaited on a long table teemed with crabs, scallops, and fish. I think I finished five crabs...hihihi.
Jen arranged for transport and accommodation, we just had to wait and enjoy the trip. We took the last bus trip going out to catch the first vessel set for the Dumangas Port.
The morning was already frigid yet the AC dial seemed to be glued at freezing temperature. Sleep was elusive.
The van was waiting at the port when we arrived. The 2-hour ride to Carles was uneventful owing to our sleepless night. By 8, the sun dominated the skies that having some halo-halo while waiting for the boat is imperative.
Even before parking our stuff at the inn, we stopped at a number of islets and had our photos taken.
Our first stop was at Isla Pulupandan. Two-thirds of it is covered by sand while one side is fringed with wide boulders which became an instant favorite backdrop for photos.
Our second stop was Cabugao island, known to be the most photographed island in the group. It has a long white beach with hills on both ends. A viewing deck was under construction (obviously). Here, there was a long queue in order to take this kind (left) of shot.
The shoreline as seen below is lined with young coconut trees. They may have been planted following the devastation that Haiyan brought about years ago.
Interesting too were scores of stacked flat stones towers under the shade. But they were too many really to be amusing.
Our third stop was at the sandbar of Bantigue island which we didn't enjoy as we were still in our travel clothes at the time. We watched locals bring out loads of scallops from the deep and cooled off with a tube of ice candy which the local kids sell to tourists.
I forgot the island where our inn was in. It was a fishing village alright and the beach was not so inviting. Lunch awaited on a long table teemed with crabs, scallops, and fish. I think I finished five crabs...hihihi.
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