That Annual Summer Splash - Days Three and Four

Day Three (Culasi-Malalison Island) - In response to Culasi's robust campaign of Malalison, I was able to get hold of their Tourism Officer a week before the trip was realized. We have not decided about the day yet that I had to call for cancellation and rebooking until everything became final. I was in charge with the activities and accommodation but I had to coordinate with Atty regarding transportation which at the time not yet in place.

Since our driver was a local, he suggested this place I read on the internet. It was new and some of the rooms are still under development (I learned later that the owner worked closely with my cousin-in law at an LGU office).

Already clad in our respective swimwear, we weren't prepared for the welcome that the LGU has prepared for us. The Mayor himself met with us in his office to personally advertise Malalison, what the local government has done so far and what they plan for it in the future.

The short ride to the island from the local port was over too soon. It was uneventful as it seemed sacrilegious to break the serenity. The water was so calm it was like staring back at a dark looking glass.

A day is just too short to completely explore the small island. For the eight hours that we spent there, I had my fill of swimming, freshly caught and grilled fish (some of which we brought to the inn for dinner), hiking through a web of man made tracks by the mountainsides and going back to join the others by walking through the stony beach.

Day Four (Bugasong/Miag-ao) - It's ironic that I passed this place many times before but has not actually went down to explore it. On our way back to the big city and to our different final destinations, not only did we marvel at the UNESCO site that is the Miag-ao Baroque Church but visit UP as well. 

That Annual Summer Splash - Days One and Two

For this year, in addition to our foursome, Bossing Van, Tata and Mek2 joined our mainland Panay exploration.

Day One (Iloilo) - We started out at a time convenient for us mountain dwellers which is just right to catch the brunch buffet at Afrique's. To pass time, the UPV high school alumnae walked us around the city campus while the resident professor took us shopping. Our first night away from home was spent at Manang Daphe's where we were regaled with stories that I personally will not tire hearing over and over again.

Day Two (Tibiao) - When with these girls, comfort is foremost in the traveling musts list. So, we hired a van for the long trip to Tibiao. The thing is, if the highlight of your trip is rafting, summer is not the time to do it (Look at the waterfalls. It tells a lot) Luckily for us, our only objective is to get "cooked" in the vast pans. And since we are the only visitors that night, we were able to have our fill of the experience.
It was only the following morning that it dawned on me how far we were from civilization and that anything can happen :)

The place is safe though, being owned by a local provider of tour packages that included river rafting, rappelling up and down the waterfalls and fish spa among others.