Puerto Galera is the prime tourist destination in the island of Mindoro especially because it is so much closer to Manila and boasts of a number of diving destinations. So who would have thought that going beyond this border, following an off-the-beaten track, there lies a tropical paradise waiting to be explored?
My sister and her co-employee friends were on to a beautiful island they had only known from an officemate. A relative of whom is a local of Sablayan town (the biggest in South-east Asia). The teaser was this remote island 20 minutes from their town, a wide range of activities to choose from, and certainly beyond reach of the city that control their busy days most of the year.
Their exciting trip began when the plane left the group. One of them took the time checking out the closet for the best swimwear (hehe) and ended up paying for eight people's land and sea transfers (huhu, that was pricey). What could have been an hour of unincidental plane ride towards the island, turned out to be a tiring yet fun, awakening and at the end exciting land and sea transfers thru Batangas city, Abra de Ilog, and Sablayan-a welcome sight after the long journey through rural and at times untamed roads.
From the rustic and scenic port of Sablayan, it was all for them a escape to paradise. Tucked in the sea surrounding this bay is an island where curvaceous sand and tropical forests converged, where easy trails fenced the boundariesa and the luscious paradise perfectly complemented with the dive spots scattered around and doubled up by the nearby Apo Reef National Park.
They all stayed in cottages separated only by palms from the sea where she and her husband played around the huge hermit crabs, and sang along with the crickets at night. She even played me the music of the morning waves of the sea as they greeted her when she went around a bend and discovered for herself a powdery white-sand cove, a contrast to the coarse sand from where they were staying. Indeed, one can never have enough to explore around but in the end it is the laidback simplicity that drives its visitors up to a paradise they never have known before. And ultimately, all these are so much worth of all the hours and humps of travel.
Getting there:
Bus to Manila -Batangas City Pier(175.00) - 3hours
Batangas City Pier - Abra de Ilog (192.00) - 2hours
Abra de Ilog - Sablayan (250.00)- 3hours
Sablayan - Pandan Island (100) - 20 minutes
Alternatively, the resort can arrange plane transfers.
Accomodation:
on the island: Pandan Island Resort (700-1500)
in Sablayan: Albert's Place, Emily Hotel, LandManz Hotel
Special Interests:
Libauo Lake
Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park
Sablayan Prison Farm
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