Hello Steemians! Ready for another summer adventure?

First of, have you noticed?

Longer days than nights.

Increasing body temperatures.

Everyone's all sweats and can feel the beating heat of the sun.

YES! SUMMER IS HERE :)

Let me take you to one of the best summer adventure I had. It was actually one of my first trip outside of Negros and a memorable one.

ImageCredit

This trip was part of a birthday celebration of my friend Lourdes. And being the “unica Ija” instead of throwing a party at their house, her parents decided to go in a trip with her friends. Perfect time to relax since we just finished our mind rattling health case defense. Most of the expenses were shouldered by Lourdes’ parents except for the fare. So everyone was so excited for the trip.

LOOKING at the map, Guimaras Island seems to be a small island. In fact, with only 60.457 hectares in land area, it is considered as one of the smallest island-provinces in the country. It has five municipalities with Jordan as its capital.

ImageCredit1 ImageCredit2

Guimaras Island is a favored destination by both foreign and domestic tourists because of its picturesque beaches, waterfalls, springs, off shore islets, and its famous mangoes, which is considered one of the sweetest in the world. Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest and youngest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros.InfoCredit

How to get to GUIMARAS

Negros Occidental to Guimaras

Take a ferry at Pulupandan Wharf in pulupandan to san Lorenzo Guimaras,. Travel time is 45 minutes with 75 Php fare. The ferry leaves 5 time a day . Alternatively , you can also ride a ferry at Villadolid Wharf to nueva Valencia. Travel time is 2 hours with 150PHP fare, and the ferry leaves daily. InfoSource

Manila to Guimaras Via Ilo-Ilo

From Manila, airlines like PAL and Cebu pacific fly daily to Ilo-Ilo City. And from ilo-Ilo city, you may take a cab to the Wharf of your choice (Ortiz or Parola Wharf).InfoSource

Cebu to Guimaras Via Ilo-ilo

Take a ferry or fast craft to ilo-ilo from cebu city. Once you’re in Ilo-Ilo , Head to Ortiz Wharf and take a ferry to jordan , guimaras.InfoSource

Where to stay in Guimaras

We did not book a hotel during our time of our visit but we actually stayed to one of the islands (Sorry i can't remember the name) of which there was no electricity at night, no parties and no loud noises. More on spending the night relaxing and talking to your friends. But for those who prefer getting an accommodation, you can try these:

1. Zemkamps Chalet - New site in San Miguel Jordan,Guimaras Island
Click here to check room rates
ImageCredit

2. Raymen Beach Resort - Sitio Alubihod, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island
Click here to check room rates
ImageCredit

3. Jannah Glycel Beach House – Talisay, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island
Click here to check room rates
ImageCredit

Guimaras Island Hopping Tours

During our visit, Guimaras was not that developed and tour packages was not yet available so we just made our own itinerary and we only had a few to visit. But for first timers you can check this out:

The standard rate for Island Hopping in Guimaras is:
Boat for 6 People: PHP 400/ 8 USD for the first hour and PHP 150 / 3 USD every succeeding hour.

Boat for 10 People: PHP 500 / 10 USD for the first hour and 150 PHP for every succeeding hour.

From Jordan port, you can hire a tricycle to Raymen Beach Resort where you can rent a boat for island hopping. Or you can also charter a tricycle to Brgy. San Roque to avail the Island Hopping which is part of their eco-tourism program.

The typical island hopping tour now covers the following island/Beaches: (some we were not able to visit due to high tide and limited time.

Pawikan feeding and Caring Station (PAWCAFS)

We went to Pawikan Caring and Feeding Station situated in a nearby community. It was my first time to touch a pawikan and it's quite heavy. When you visit the station, make sure to bring extra money as they encourage any monetary donations for maintenance of the facility.

AVE MARIA CAVE

On the other side of Ave Maria, we took a dip in a white sand beach. There we had our traditional jump and shoot travel photos. :)

BARAS BEACH and CLIFF

Before going back to our place, we had a stop over the baras beach and was able to experience the beautiful view on top on the cliffs. It felt like you're one with everything you see.

On our way back to the island, we passed through other interesting places like properties owned by foreigners,inhabited islands and lighthouse.

And on our way to the wharf port to Negros, we saw a few locals at the salt Farms in San Lorenzo, they gave us some information about salt-making. Sebario Salt Farms is covered by the Guimaras Agritourism Circuit.

As what my friend's mom said before we went home, It's more memorable and intimate to celebrate any occasion with your family and friends in a place like Guimaras. Not the usual birthday parties in your house or eating in a fancy restaurant. You can share the best moments that you will surely bring with you for the rest of your lives.

This was my first time to travel outside Negros and it's like coming out of my comfort zone and embrace the beauty of nature. I was glad I had the chance to experience this kind of adventure specially with my dearest friends. And seeing the natures's raw beauty makes me realize how magnificent Philippines is. I really hope locals and even visitors would maintain the cleanliness of the islands., so that the children of the next generation can still see this.

Save , Love and Protect Mother nature!

Are you Summer Ready?

Share your thoughts!