Work and Play in Japitan, Escalante

Even with starting late, we still left a baggage at the North Bus Terminal. And the baggage has a name. He's called Glen. That was not for lack of trying. He changed numbers. No wonder that I got no response even after sending multiple smses in a span of three hours. When he finally made himself felt, we were two towns away already from where he was.

It was my second time in Escalante. I was with Tatay and Nanay on a road trip to the north in search of cane points some twenty-five years ago the first time I went there. Then, we stopped for the olds to get coffee while I scoured the shops for some souvenirs. I got myself a photo of Romnick Sarmienta and Harlene Bautista. Oh, tell me about it!

After missing rafting at Tibiao, I finally had my fill of the exercise. It was awkward at first but once you catch up with the rhythm of paddling, everything else falls into place. The longest I've been with was an hour. Charmaine and I ventured as far as the next resort just beyond the cliff. The sun was already scorching and the tide high before we decided we had enough.

Since the resort was owned by the big boss, we were treated to a life of ease. Excluding the salad preparation for lunch during our arrival, the rest of the chores were left to the caretakers. 

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.

Adrift in Sipalay Sugar Beach

Our day started with a much needed sleep after a long and exhausting discussion slash debate on issues like labeling/boxing a person, definition of normal, movies and series mainly with subjects on violence and psychological thrillers (which I have very little to contribute given that Dexter, Hannibal and the like never did appeal to me).

Since we started late (noon) with no idea of the bus schedule, we waited almost an hour at Bangga Patyo for the Hinobaan-bound bus after missing the one that passed by at the same time that we alit from La Carlota. All the buses that passed by in the direction we're going are filled with commuters to its narrow alleys that we expected the same. Luckily, we got on an air-conditioned bus in which we spent more than four hours standing, from our starting point to our point of destination. The only respite we had was the short stop at Kabankalan for a late lunch.

So, Driftwood Village was on the same stretch of beach as the Takatuka Lodge which caught my attention a few years ago. To get there, either you take a trike to Nauang from Molina bus stop (P100 for the trip which took about 15 minutes) and a paddle boat to cross a narrow span of water separating the island from the mainland (P10-15 per head for a one or two-minute ride) and walk about 500 meters along the shoreline or share a motorboat with other travelers from Sipalay Tourism Office.

It was already past five when we arrived at the resort, tired and hungry. We ordered Ham and Chicken sandwiches while we freshened up and get ourselves ready to witness the sun set at the beach.

Sunset was a magical experience, fleeting and elusive. We stayed until the stars came out and embarked on another night of word sparring with Marlo and Annie in the hammock and me opposite them.

When morning came, we started the day differently. Me swimming, Marlo strolling and Annie sleeping. We convened at the breakfast table. Food was good and the serving size can feed two. I had sausage which I failed to photograph having missed dinner the other night. Coffee was an experience in itself. It was strong (not as strong as I'm used to but it can hold its own) with nutty, chocolatey flavor. It was a good morning until news of home reached my consciousness and soon came the time for us to part ways: Marlo to Dumaguete, Annie to Bacolod and home for me and see about an ailing dad.