It was unbudgeted and unexpected, but I believe in the saying that these kinds of trips are undoubtedly memorable and perfect for those who see the positive side of them. Without thinking about what could have turned unwell, we boarded the ship after inquiring and paying at the counter. We almost missed the ship since we decided that late in the morning to take the trip, but luckily we were entertained quickly. We had our tickets secured and entered the ship as fast as we could. This was the most nervous and thrilling trip I have taken in this life, but I did not allow the feelings to take over the excitement that existed in me at that time.
Bantayan Island is always a top-tier island destination in the north of Cebu and is undeniably rich in tourism and natural destinations that can easily lure tourists and visitors locally, nationally, and internationally. I have heard of this island ever since I was a kid, but my parents could not afford a ticket or two, so I was not able to visit this island until last week. Coming to Bantayan Island means you will have a 55-minute to 1-hour travel across the Visayan Sea, possibly passing Hilantagaan Island and Virgin Island within sight. That is how short the travel is from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island, especially when the weather is good and clear.
When we traveled to Bantayan Island, the weather was as vibrant as the sea. The golden light, the vast blue sea, and the sound of the ship's engine still linger in my memory as if it is still fresh. We sat on one of the passengers' benches, perfectly overlooking the whole ocean, with slight sun on our legs and an island music playlist perfect for that day.
When we arrived at the port, this is what greeted us: a perfectly clear blue beach beside the port, almost looking like it is not beside a port, with fine white sand. San Remigio, our hometown, is home to fine beaches, but Bantayan Island completely altered my perception of what a fine beach is. From our first step outside the ship to our travel to different places and destinations that I will share soon, Bantayan Island did not disappoint me when it comes to stunning waters.
Without further ado, we rented a motorcycle when we arrived at the town proper, and we did it online. Motorcycle rentals are popular here since they give tourists access to destinations without the frustration of public transport. Motorcycle rentals range from 350 pesos to 500 pesos for one day, and prices depend on the type of motorcycle. In our case, we rented a Fazzio for 500 pesos and paid 1000 pesos since we rented it for two days. It allowed us to visit as many spots as we could, and we were so happy with our decision.
This is the inn where we stayed for two days, which was recommended by the owner of the motorcycle since it is cheap and affordable but still of good quality. He was not lying when we arrived because the fan room was only 500 pesos, and still, it was perfect. The only difference is the fan and air-conditioning, but the fan room is still cozy and cool since the island is windy and has cool weather at night. We only went to this inn whenever we wanted to rest and take a bath, but most of the time we were outside, exploring the island and making sure we spent most of our time with its beauty and culture.
Bantayan Island is home to many popular destinations like The Ruins, Kota Park, and Blue Lagoon. Many of them were visited by us during the trip, and writing this blog made me excited to share everything with you one by one and let you see and experience the beauty of Bantayan Island through my narratives. We arrived on the island in the afternoon and rested for two hours before completing our preparation and going out to explore it.
The first place we visited on day one of this Bantayan trip was the local market where food stalls are installed. We were very hungry after sleeping, so we decided to eat first and find some stalls that are affordable yet of good quality. But before going to these food stalls, I asked my boyfriend if we could buy slippers at the nearest public market since I forgot to bring one, and I did not want to wear shoes so I could fully feel the island life.
After that, we went to the food stalls located at the Sta. Fe covered court and ate tuslob-buwa, a Filipino dish with the main ingredient of pig’s brain sautéed in sauces included in the package, paired with puso (rice wrapped in coconut leaves). The buwa, or the viand, is unlimited, and only the puso is bought whenever it is not enough. You can see my boyfriend cooking it in the photos since I was not able to try this until that time on the island, and I figured out why people love this cheap dish—it tastes great.
The island has many markets at night, and you can see them stretched across parks, ports, pantalan areas, and even on street sides or boulevards. They sell seafood everywhere, as well as island dishes like local rice cakes and refreshing drinks such as lemonades and fresh fruit shakes harvested from the farm side of the island. Many souvenirs, bracelets, bags, and other items are sold 24 hours, which reflects the truth that this island really considers tourists in their daily life and is undeniably a gem in Cebu’s tourism.
At night on our first day on the island, we visited its port, the famous Sta. Fe Archdiocesan Church, and bars and pizza shops, but I will be writing about them in another blog to avoid overwhelming you with my Bantayan trip. Rest assured, you will be seeing more of the beauty of this island in my next blogs. I hope to see you in the next ones because surely you would not want to miss the stunning and famous spots in Bantayan Island that you may have heard of but never seen in a complete image.
I hope you enjoyed my blog and consider supporting it in any way you can and want to. It is great to have been sharing my trips with you for a while, and I am excited for the next one. Hold on to this narrative until then. See you, dearest Hivers!
How to Get to Bantayan Island:
Assume you are at the North Bus Terminal in Cebu City, where most tourists start their trip toward the north. Look for a bus labeled “Hagnaya/Lambusan.” The bus will take you north, and once you arrive at Hagnaya Port, you can ask the bus driver where the port for Bantayan Island is, and you will meet many aspiring travelers to the island. Pay at the counter, board the ship, sail the Visayan Sea for 1 hour to 1.5 hours, and step foot on the island of Bantayan. Welcome—you have arrived home!