The scorching sun and humid air of Iloilo greeted us as we disembarked the plane. The relief of landing at Iloilo International Airport was quickly replaced by a surge of urgency. Our flight was delayed for hours because of the thunderstorm. It was late, and the sky was darkening rapidly, and we had to reach the Parola quickly. After we claimed our luggage, I immediately booked a Grab to take us to Parola- the ferry terminal.
Our journey to Guimaras Island began here, at Parola, the bustling port where ferries departed for the island paradise. The students are heading home after a long day mingled with weary workers. All united by the shared destination and the anticipation of the relaxing journey. The ferry trip from Parola to Guimaras Island takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
Before we even set foot on the island, we contacted our pre-booked driver, a local who promised to transport us to Raymen Beach Resort in his tricycle.
Our arrival at the Jordan Port Guimaras was almost dusk. As the ferry docked, the driver spotted us amidst the throng of disembarking passengers. He was waiting for us, his bright red tricycle a welcome splash of color. He quickly helped us with our luggage, loading it into his tricycle. The tricycle, however, was smaller than we anticipated. Unlike the tricycle in our city, which can accommodate eight to ten people, this one was more compact. It was smaller than we had imagined 🤣.
There are four of us, all large size or even XL, plus our bulky luggage. We somehow managed to cram ourselves into the small tricycle. One squeezed onto the back of the tricycle driver, while I found myself perched on the back, holding onto some of our bags. Our luggage precariously balanced on top of the tricycle, tied with a rope.
The ride itself was already an adventure. The tricycle bounced along the narrow, winding roads, the driver expertly navigating the twists and turns. The hour-long journey was a whirlwind of sights and sounds, and we even passed a vibrant concert. We were excited and planned to watch the concert, but impending rain spurred us onward to our accommodation. The location was some distance from the heart of Guimaras. Darkness enveloped us as we navigated the dimly lit streets. In some areas was complete darkness. Only our tricycle headlight and occasional lightning illuminated our path. The final stretch to Raymen Beach was shrouded in shadows.
Exhausted and hungry after our travels from Davao City to Iloilo and then to Guimaras, we quickly checked into our room (after I finalized the payment). The helpful staff at Raymen Beach Resort guided us to our second-floor accommodations. After settling in, we headed to the restaurant, relishing a much-needed meal.
Refreshed after dinner, we strolled along the beach. Unlike the brightly lit beaches of Mindanao, Raymen Beach possessed a quieter, more intimate ambiance under the night sky. Despite the darkness, we soaked in the atmosphere, capturing photos of the few people moving about.
The next morning, we woke up early, aiming to capture the beach's beauty before the crowds arrived. At 5 a.m., we had the beach almost to ourselves, taking advantage of the quiet to capture stunning photos.
We documented the fishing boats, local crafts, and delicious native delicacies. The sunrise painted the sky in vibrant hues, providing a breathtaking backdrop for our photos. Our swim was brief, as we had other destinations planned. After a short but memorable time on the beach, we returned to our room, preparing for our next adventure.
Some photos were edited in Canva
