The first time I planned this Puerto Galera getaway was on the last quarter of 2011, but things have gone awry. No worries, anyway for it was a blessing in disguise since I double-booked my ticket on an 11-11-11 promo, and I was also destitute of know-how’s about the distance from the airport in San Jose to Puerto Galera. I already hoisted a white flag for the effort and accepted openly that the November 11, 2011 booking was rather unlucky. Few months later, Zest Air cancelled its San Jose, Mindoro operations, and because of that, a refund was made.
I also learned from a pastor who hails from Mindoro that it would take a 9- hour-ride from San Jose town in Occidental, Mindoro to Calapan, plus a couple of hours travel from Calapan to Puerto Galera. That would have spoiled my 3-day beach leisure had the cancellation was not made by Zest Air. In the end, I was lucky.
I also learned from a pastor who hails from Mindoro that it would take a 9- hour-ride from San Jose town in Occidental, Mindoro to Calapan, plus a couple of hours travel from Calapan to Puerto Galera. That would have spoiled my 3-day beach leisure had the cancellation was not made by Zest Air. In the end, I was lucky.
This year-end vacation takes several considerations. First, it was my first time in Mindoro and a fitting end to the question of how beautiful the beaches are. Second, Zackie, a Swedish comrade whom I have not seen for 19 years is in Puerto Galera. Its nearness makes travel by land and sea possible without advance booking like most of my travels by air. Third, a reward for myself is reasonable and deserving.
After my brief Christmas visit to my mum, I toured Ate Jet for two days in Camarines Sur and Legazpi City. Before going back to work, I dropped off at Turbina around 3:30 in the morning of December 31 and transferred to a Batangas pier bound bus. Before sunrise, I was already able to purchase my ticket with Minolo Shipping Lines for Php 260 plus Php 50 for environmental fee and Php 30 for terminal fee. It was the first trip that left the port at 6:30, and arrived at 7:40 at Muelle port.
CHURCH AND EXCAVATION MUSEUM
I walked few meters away from the port and the church was built on an elevation that overlooks the bay of Puerto Galera, voted as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The church was just an ordinary one but the bay views were stately and awesome.
Beside the church was the excavation museum which is supposed to be opened from 8 am to 5 pm. Alas, it was thirty minutes past but it was still padlocked. I sufficed the effort with a solitary shot outside the small church managed museum.
Beside the church was the excavation museum which is supposed to be opened from 8 am to 5 pm. Alas, it was thirty minutes past but it was still padlocked. I sufficed the effort with a solitary shot outside the small church managed museum.
LOMI HOUSE
Mimicking day one of my itinerary from a travel blog, I was reminded of the “lomi”. My hunger led me to Burp’s eatery. I could not remember a particular name for the lomi house in the blog. When I queried of the best tasting lomi in town, no definite answer was given. Anyway, the lomi was good with inviting simple toppings and it was my first breakfast or any kind of foodstuff eaten in Mindoro.
TAMARAW FALLS
I flagged down a tricycle that brought me to the terminal going to Calapan. The winding road drive lasted for 30 minutes. I was thinking all the while that a short trek would emanate from the drop off point, only to be mesmerized by the beauty of the cascading falls that suddenly appeared before my expectant eyes. I got off the jeepney straight away and my Php 10-peso change was handed in to me on my descent. I paid Php 50.
The waterfalls are situated along the road to Calapan and a bridge connecting the road. It was my first time to see a kind of waterfalls effortlessly. No trek. No sweat. Lifeless replicas of the elusive tamaraws are seen in the vicinity. There were about four tamaraw buffaloes around.
The water from the shallow basin crosses underneath the bridge which created a man-made water terraces as the swimming pools. A pavilion, huts and umbrellas are available for picnickers. I did not brave go down the slimy staircase because it rained the night before and the water was murky. To top it, I enjoyed the falls very much than any other falls I've visited.
SWENGLAND BEACH RESORT, BIG LA LAGUNA, SABANG, PUERTO GALERA
Tourists going to White Beach are serviced with shuttle vehicles. On my part, I may take a jeepney or a trike that would take me to Sabang. Then from Sabang, a walk along the beach lines en route to Small La Laguna, and will exit Big La Laguna, Oriental Mindoro is a suggested option. I did the opposite route. I was lucky enough to have joined a private outrigger boat with a woman with a large haul of food stuff for the New Year. I was the only paying passenger charged at Php 25 direct from Muelle port to Swengland.
I checked in before 2 pm. I was assigned at room 205, a standard room booked with a voucher coupon at asiatravel.com. The room was superb and the linen and bedding were thick and fragrant. Since the owners are both Swedish and English, I was not surprised that the toilet was as big as the room with hot and cold shower.
A QUICK HOBNOB WITH ZACKIE AND JUN AT SWENGLAND
We all rendezvoused at the beach-front of Big La Laguna between Zackie’s resort and mine. While exchanging spirited greetings and a barrage of questions, we ended up at the second floor of my resort. Zackie was with her son Isaac and daughter Annie while Jun was with her wife and children. Nicklas, Zackie’s hubby joined us at the middle of the get-together.
The friendship drink for the hour long table confabulation was a bottle of beer. It was fun recounting memories of the past, singing Swedish songs and asking about our Ugna-friends’ whereabouts. There was no other option for fun as each one has a plan for the incoming year. Jun’s resort was at White beach, distant from ours, and Zackie has a dinner date for the New Year. We took souvenir photos before parting ways with a hug. The moment was nostalgic and I saw them off walking through the white sands of Big La Laguna and vanished from my sight.
CRITIQUE ON THE NEARBY BEACHES
Sabang, the port area, was the filthiest and foulest-smelling beach. The beach area is small and narrow. The water is not conducive for swimming. Waste materials are almost everywhere and the pipes where the dirty wastes are dumped are visible.
Small La Laguna has better quality of white sands, but half of the cove is stony and mossy which can blight and deprive you of some beach pleasures.
Big La Laguna, where my resort was, has the best swimming spot in Puerto Galera. The best quality of white sands is found here. At times, shattered corals from the many reefs rob the beach with its natural beauty. I was somewhat lucky to have booked my hotel accommodation here and aside from that, Zackie’s resort was just located closeby.
Food is extremely expensive in Puerto Galera that you would consider taking in as many foodstuffs as possible if you want to free yourself from pricey foods. It is, I suppose, tailored for the foreign tourists who own most of the hotels there, and they still find the price very cheap.There are more old tourists around than the younger ones.
There are more divers than swimmers as the bay contains around 40 diving spots. I think the influx of foreign tourists is for the love of scuba diving and not for the beachfront alone for there is no reason for such thing. A little later, I was able to assure myself that I enjoyed my short-term vacation, and if I be given the chance to return someday, I would consider White beach, and do island-hopping and perhaps try scuba diving, though chances are remote.
Welcome 2013!
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