Posts Tagged ‘Guimaras Island’

3 days/2 nights Itinerary for Guimaras Island

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

guimaras

Readers of this blog often ask me about room rates for some resorts I have featured here while some asks for sample itinerary.

This post is for one reader who emailed me asking if I can help her craft their itinerary in Guimaras Island. True to my promise and to promote this island as a freelance writer, here it is. Take note that this IT is for those bound for Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

Day 1

* arrival in Iloilo City

*transport from Iloilo Airport to Ortiz port ( where you can take a boat to Guimaras; travel time is 45 minutes -1 hour)

* arrival in Jordan port then proceed to the resort of your choice ( you can take some photos along the way which will make the trip a  little bit longer)

*swimming

* after lunch..boating ( visit Bat Caves and SEAFDEC fish sanctuary, Turtle Island)

Day 2

* rent a motorcycle to Guisi (about 400php back and forth; driver will wait for 5 hours)

*Guisi Beach and Lighthouse

Day 3

* Trappist Monastery for pasalubong

* if you still have time, you can explore the city of Iloilo

For accommodation, I suggest Villa Igang Resort.

I hope this helps..just follow the link to the posts I wrote for more information..and forgive me if this is not as good or organized as those prepared by travel agents, I’m quite in a rush to finish some tasks as a freelance writer..enjoy! :-)


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Trappist Monastery in Guimaras

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

DSC_0552

Guimaras Island keeps its serenity and tranquility even with its booming tourism industry. It is not a surprise why there is a monastery located in this peaceful Visayan Island – the Trappist Monastery.

The Trappist Monastery in Brgy. San Miguel in Guimaras Island is the only monastery of its kind in the Philippines. Run by monks who follow the strict doctrines of St.Benedict, Trappist is the common term for the Order of Reformed Cistercians or the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. The word “Trappist” came from the La Trappe monastery in France where it was founded.

trappist

The Trappist Monastery in Guimaras was founded in 1972 and its lot was donated by Doña Juanita Javellana Ledesma and her family in memory of her late husband, Don Oscar R. Ledesma. The families of the Javellana and Ledesma are one of the most affluent families in Iloilo City which is in the neighboring island of Panay.

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This monastery holds retreats especially during the Lenten Season but this abbey is also popular among tourists. It is peaceful and quite as expected from any monastery, and with pine tress all over, it is a soothing experience to walk around and pray in its chapel.

trappist

The Trappist Monastery in Guimaras is one of the popular destinations in the island. I think you shouldn’t leave Guimaras without buying the products from the monastery. After all, I think the gift shop located close to the entrance is the unofficial souvenir shop of Guimaras.

Here you can buy pasalubongs like mangoes, jams, jellies, delicacies and other souvenir items. Like other Trappist monks, they get their income from these products that they make from materials and ingredients found in their monastery.

You can see and even converse with the monks there. If you spot from the photo above (it’s not that clear), the monk is the cashier. Sadly, our official photographer was not able to take shots of the monks..Nevertheless, a visit to the monastery is the best way to seal your retreat in the paradise island of Guimaras.

How to get there

From Iloilo City, take a 20 minute boat ride to the port of Jordan in Guimaras Island. The monastery is 20-30 minute ride from the port. All drivers knows the monastery.

Related Articles

Alubijod, Guimaras

Guisi Lighthouse

Guisi Beach

Villa Igang Beach Resort

Guimaras Island

Photos by: Ace Francisco


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Alubijod, Guimaras

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Alubijod Cove

Guimaras island has captured the interests for both local and international tourists with its unspoiled scenery and landscape and of course its, secluded beaches yet to be explored and discovered.  If  you are visiting this island for the first time with a tight budget, Alubijod is the place to go.

As someone who has been to this island many times and met people who’ve been there, Alubijod is always their local destination in Guimaras. For one, this small cove of white-sand beach was perhaps one of the first to be “commercialized” with three resorts lined along its short coast.  Local tourists, simply call is as “poor man’s Boracay” making it the most popular beach in Guimaras for young travelers.

I have been to Guimaras four times already and my first three visits was with Alubijod.  Personally, I would try to explore other resorts other than those in Alubijod but still I recommend first-timers to choose Alubijod. Why?

First, there are many things that you can do in Alubijod without taking so much time planning your itinerary. Aside from swimming, resorts like Raymen’s Beach Resort have their own restaurants. Island hopping is one of the fun-filled activities that you can do in Guimaras and you can easily rent a motorboat along Alubijod.

alubijod

If you want to explore the other parts of Guimaras, there are many tricycles that you can rent just outside the resorts of Alubijod. Lastly, it is cheap to stay here compared to other resorts in the island; its affordability is the main reason why many people would choose to stay here while in the island of Guimaras

Getting there

From Iloilo City, take a 15-minute boat ride from Ortiz port going to Jordan. Alubijod is located in Nueva Valencia which is 45-60 minutes away from Jordan Wharf, Guimaras by tricycle, jeepney or multicab.

You can also charter one boat directly to Alubihod from Iloilo City which would take 1 hour.

Resorts in Alubijod

You can choose to stay among the three resorts found in the area. I just found out during my last trip to the island last July that the resorts were owned by cousins.

Raymen’s Beach Resort – (033) 338-3177/ 09185207271

Rico Beach Resort – 09184210943

Alubijod Cove – (033) 396-0028

Last thoughts

There are cottages that you can rent overnight if you are really in a tight budget or in the mood for some backpacking adventures. A word of advice though, during peak season this place would tend to get noisy especially at night with guests singing their favorite videoke songs.

Related Articles


Villa Igang Beach Resort

Guimaras Island

Guisi Beach: Simply Breathtaking

Travel Back in Time with Guisi Lighthouse




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Travel Back in Time with Guisi Lighthouse

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Rusty but proudly stnads like an old soicalite still proud of her past status quo

Rusty and worn-out but proudly stands like an old socialite still proud of her past status quo

Guisi Lighthouse is another must see if you are in Guisi Point in Guimaras. The beach of Guisi is one of the best especially if you are the type of a beach bunny who wants to just relax and unwind. The lighthouse is located on the far left end of Guisi beach and is top part is visible from the beachfront.

Stairs inside the lighthouse but you are forbidden to go up

Stairs inside the lighthouse but you are forbidden to go up

Why is this a local attraction?

Well,it might be just a tall rusty tower that can be sold to the nearest junkshop but this lighthouse has been standing for more than 300 years. Yes, you read it right. Three centuries and still facing Panay Gulf.

Guisi Lighthouse was erected during the Spanish times to help Spanish ships sail as it enters the gulf. As an extra package to this place is the so-called “Guisi Ruins” which really awed me when we first arrived. As a history aficionada, it was like seeing the ruins of Pompeei right before my tired eyes.

For a small fee of 10 pesos, you can assume that you have found a national treasure and heritage. The place is well maintained by the caretakers and they are friendly enough to answer your questions about the place.  To fully put justice to this place, you should visit Guisi Lighthouse yourself.

Perfect location for a haute couture photo shoot

Perfect location for a haute couture photo shoot

Around the lighthouse is a settlement for those who used to manned the lighthouse.  If you want to go back in time, then is visit Guisi Ruins. You can still see some baked red bricks with some roots growing between blocks and never have I admired moss before..

Taking a walk around Guisi Lighthouse with the loud splashing of the waves gives that romantic and relaxing ambiance.  If you are alone with a lover..it would be a seductive and tempting place. If you want to relax..take a seat and you can surely tinker some positive thoughts. That time, I wish I have a cup of coffee as I feel the soft caresses of the breeze while facing Panay Gulf.

For see more photos of Guisi Lighthouse and Guisi Ruins, click here

photos courtesy of Ace Francisco

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I Got Published!

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
photo by Ace Francisco

photo by Ace Francisco

Yesterday, I was high over the rainbow..my article about Guisi Beach was published last June 21. This is something special to me since the site is a travel site that features unique “experiences” around the globe.

I consider it as a big leap in my career as a freelance writer since it is my dream to become a travel writer. Writing plus travel..it is heaven for me. And to travel with the best people of your life, what more is waiting for me in heaven?

My high school friends went to Guimaras Island last June 6-7 and part of my goals for that trip was to write about Guisi Beach. And as a freelance writer, I can’t help but jot down something about my our experiences in Guimaras.

To read my article, click here

I owe my friends for making it possible especially Ace, who captured great shots from Guisi Beach. Without his superb photos, my article wouldn’t come out as excellent as it is. Also for my girlfriends, Joanne, Cyril and Pitch.

Again, thank you guys!

Guisi Beach

For more photos about Guisi Beach click here!


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