Bantayan - Malapascua - Kalanggaman 2015

It was around 5 pm when we checked-in at GV Hotel in Cebu, thanks to the hospitality of Lei, who made early arrangement so we'll have a place to freshen up, rest a bit and leave our things with.

Then Lei brought us to South Road Properties for our dose of sunset.

Then we head to Zubuchon for dinner, of course LECHON!!!

Lei invited other IG Friends to join us for dinner and we were lucky enough to be graced by their precious time. :)

photo credits to: @awesome_lei

Then we head to La Vie to chill for a bit before we head back to the hotel to take some rest.

I have always been so curious about this place...

photo credits to: @awesome_lei

Well, finally! :)

We need to be at the North Bus Terminal by 3 am so we checked out as early as 2:30am and went directly to the terminal.

Ceres offers a bus that goes directly to Bantayan Island that costs 200 php/pax plus the RORO fee of 170php/pax Too bad it was almost full when we got there and the next trip would be 10:30 am.

We took the Ordinary Bus that costs 132php /pax and we left around 3:30 am.

We arrived in Hagnaya Port around 6:40 am and took the RORO boat to Sta. Fe. around 7 am.

Then the beautiful beach of Bantayan welcomes us as we approach the port after an hour of boat ride.

We took  a multicab that brought us to Mayet's Resort. It's like an elongated tricycle that can fit up to 12 pax.

After we checked-in, changed clothes and do other personal thing-y, we are now ready to have our Brunch.  We took the multicab again and it brought us to the town/market of Sta. Fe.

After we ate, Kuya John, brought us the bicycles  & motorbikes we requested.

Then we started biking the town of Sta. Fe, the view is just breathtaking.

Yosh learning how to bike :)

After a few more cycling, we were exhausted because of the heat of the sun since it was almost 1pm, We decided to go back to the resort, took some rest and drank some water to energize.

Then we're back on track! :)

We went to an abandoned house, take a picture

photo credits to @dudeinorange

and decided to swim, the water was so clear and there were no other people except for our group.

Afterwards, we went to Ogtong Cave and we continued our very relaxing water-dipping session.

photo credits to: @dudeinorange

The water in Ogtong is very refreshing and really cool!

We wanted to watch the sunset that day

 but unfortunately it was cloudy and the sun didn't show up that much that afternoon.

And because it's lowtide.... this view :)

photo credits to: @dudeinorange

We washed up and  rode  our bicycle again and head to where we had our lunch, then we moved to a nearby restobar and had a bottle of beer each. :)

We were ready as early as 5:30am,

Sunrise at Bantayan

but it was low tide so we waited for the boatman to pick us up, we're off to Virgin  & Hilantaga-an Islands but due to time constraints,

photo credits to @dudeinorange

we just choose to spend more time at Virgin Island.

We were back in Bantayan Island around 10 am

and we went straight to have lunch.  

We were ready to leave by 12 noon and we were just waiting for our boat that will bring us to Malapascua Island.

I was amazed how big our boat is. Party Boat it is!!!

photo credits to: @awesome_lei

It took us only about 2 and a half hours to get to our resort in Malapascua -WhiteSands Bungalows.

Wow!!! Malapascua! :) Finally!

Back Beach

After we checked-in we decided to walk around the island,

Front Beach

The gloomy weather and the calm water of Malapascua....

it was gloomy that day so there was no sunset again. :(

We just decided to have our early dinner.

Our call time was 5 am and we were ready by then, but our boat was stucked since it's lowtide, we can't leave until 9 am the boatman said.

We decided to walk, and fortunately got this awesome view of sunrise, though it was a bit gloomy that day.

We had to wait, some of us decided to walk around and look for a place to eat but I think that was too early and stores open around 7am, then finally we found this store where we bought some instant noodles and they cooked it for us - FOR FREE :)

photo credits to: @makoi_my_word

We went back to the resort and I had a small talk with Ate Melda, the resort's Manager.  I told her what i felt about the delay of our scheduled trip, we're supposed to go to Kalanggaman but since the boat was stucked, we had to wait until the water comes up.  I appreciate the sympathy she and her mom were giving us, later on I received an email from the owner of the resort- Kurt, he was worried about our situation and apologized for the delay, Wow!!! such a customer service, making sure everything's well taken care of despite his distance to us. :)

Before 10 am we were on the boat traveling to Kalanggaman Island, our most awaited destination.

It was drizzling. The waves were strong I can feel it, but thank God our boat is big enough to make us feel so comfortable.  My friends were drinking while on the boat.

I took us only 1.5 hours to get to our piece of Paradise.

And the view...

The view <3 ....

I felt like crying...  It's sooo beautiful!

There is no electricity, food and drinking water in the island,

if you're deciding to go there, just bring everything you need and leave it in your boat.

It was cloudy,

but few hours later, the sun is up. Yey!!! swimming time.

We agreed to leave by 3pm in time for our sunset watching in Malapascua,

we found a small chapel

but...

disclaimer: i didn't force them to do this... they agreed ;) :p
( photo credits to @dudeinorange)

It was so hard for me to leave just yet, I can't....

I've spent another hour exploring the other end of the island together with some of my friends

Our PARTY Boat!

and so we decided to move back to  Malapascua island.

Kalanggaman Island from a far.... #sepanx

Everyone's having fun on our way back to Malapascua Island.

photo credits to @dudeinorange

We had a side trip to the lighthouse but we couldn't come closer because it's almost lowtide again.

Then,

in God's perfect time.....

A very rewarding sunset <3

I was in awe :)

photo credits to: @dudeinorange

We were all packed by 5:30 am but I don't think I'm ready to leave the island...

not yet,

Our humble house for 2 nights

I haven't explored it that much, and it's so hard to leave the very accommodating and friendly staff of WhiteSand Bungalows.

The sky in on fire before we leave... and it seems like it's about to cry
anytime soon maybe because we're leaving?? :'(

Bye Malapascua...  for now.. :(

We were about to get off at Maya Port but since it's lowtide we took the small boat to bring us to the port.

From there we took a CERES non aircon bus and it took us forever before we reached the City.  With this, I suggest take an aircon bus or better yet a van because I'm sure it'll take faster.

The non-aircon bus had a lot of stop over and we couldn't get a serious answer from the driver.

After about 5 hours of travel from Maya port, we're back in the city.  We had a quick lunch, bought some 'Pasalubong' waved our goodbyes and took a cab to the airport.

THE SAND of the Islands:

Bantayan:

The sand in Bantayan is white and fine.

Malapascua:

taken during sunrise (that's why a bit pinkish)

The sand in Malapascua is finer than that in Bantayan but it's not as white.

Kalanggaman:

The sand in Kalanggaman Island is white but mostly made out of shells and corals and it's not really fine nonetheless, the Island is just soooo Beautiful. 

My Jam Packed Itinerary

Day 0:

5:00 pm - Checked in at GV Hotel
5:30 - sunset watching, photo op
7:00 - Dinner
9:00 - wine tasting
11:00 - Doze off

Day 1:

2:30 am - Checked out
3:00 - ETA Cebu North terminal
3:30 - ETD (ordinary Bus)
6:20 - ETA Hagnaya Port
7:00 - ETD from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island
8:00 - ETA Bantayan Island
8:40 - Checked in at Mayet's Resort
10:00 - Brunch
11:00 - bike around the town
1:00 pm - back to resort (REST)
2:30 - Bike to Abandoned house /swim/cliff jumping
4:00 - explore Ogtong cave/ Swim/photo op
5:30 - washed up/ prepare for dinner
6:30 - Dinner


Day 2:

5:30am Sunrise watching
6:00 - ETD to Virgin Island
6:40 - ETA  Virgin Island ( Beach bumming, photo op, enjoy the swing, buko Juice...)
9:30 - ETD to Sta. Fe
10:00 - ETA at Mayet's Resort
10:30 - Early Lunch
12:30 pm - ETD to Malapascua
3:30 - ETA at Malapascua
4:30  - walk around/ explore Malapascua
6:00 - Dinner
8:00- Free time


Day 3:

10:00 am ETD to Kalanggaman Island
11:30 ETA enjoy, beach bum, photo op, explore Kalanggaman Island
4:00pm - ETD
5:30 - Sunset /sidetrip to Lighthouse in Malapascua
7:00 - dinner
8:30 - FREE TIME


Day 4:

6:00 - ETD to Maya Port
6:40 - ETA
7:00 - ETD to Cebu city
12:00 pm - ETA
1:00 - Lunch
2:30 - Buy Pasalubong, coffee, (free time)
3:30 - Go to airport (bye bye Cebu)
6:30 - ETA in Manila

Estimated Expenses: in Philippine Peso (php)

• Bus to Hagnaya Port - 132 (non aircon)
• Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island - 170
• Terminal Fee - 10
• Multicab to Mayet's Resort- 20/pax 
• Tricycle Environmental fee - 10/multicab
• Mayet's Resort - 230/pax/night  ** (1,800/8pax - additional 250/pax/night) aircon room
• Bike/ Motorbike Rental - 150/350 =24 hrs rental
• Ogtong Cave entrance - 100/pax
• Boat to Virgin Island - 190/pax ** (2,000/11pax) 
• Entrance Fee - 500 first 2 pax, 100/pax for succeeding guests
• Boat to Malapascua - 365/pax  **( 4,000/11 pax)
• WhiteSands Bungalows - 315/pax/night  **(1,200/2 pax/night- additional 150/pax/night) fan room
• Boat to Kalanggaman - 455/pax  ** (5,000/roundtrip/11 pax)
• Environmental Fee (Kalanggaman Island) - 150/pax
• Snorkeling Mask - 100/pax
• Lunch/Dinner - 150~ 250 /pax/meal
• Boat to Hagnaya Port - 80/pax     (but we rented the same boat the we used in Kalanggaman, we paid 1,100 for the whole boat)
• Small Boat - 10/pax
• Bus to Cebu City - 163/pax (non aircon)

Follow me on Instagram for more photos of my escapades:

@aizeecream