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| Guimaras Sign |
On my first day in Iloilo, I decided to leave it. Just kidding. I visited its neighborhood island, Guimaras.
Prior to my trip to Iloilo, I've arranged a motorcycle tour with Kuya Cherald (found him online as referred by a blogger, now I'm referring them, yes) but he was not available so his brother, Kuya Charlie was the one who accommodated me.
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| Boat to Guimaras |
At 6:00 AM I woke up, shook my slight fever away, took a bath, and headed to Parola Wharf (Ortiz Wharf was closed for repair when I was there). I met Kuya Charlie after taking my breakfast in Teray’s, a karinderya near the port. I tried this weird slimy vegetable soup called Lasway, which I think is a derivative of the word Laway (saliva). Surprisingly I liked it despite the inclusion of my most hated veggie, okra.
Continuing my journey story, Kuya Charlie fetched me after my breakfast. Paranoid as I was, I took a photo of him and sent to my family (yah know, just in case I go missing).
1. Smallest Plaza
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| Smallest Plaza Guimaras |
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| Smallest Plaza Guimaras |
Our first stop was in the Smallest Plaza where a monument of teenage Jose Rizal stood. I was so surprised to know it was Rizal, Kuya Charlie was laughing at me. This is where he first showed me his (and perhaps other Guimaras guide’s) mobile photography skills. Maybe I was just naive of the tricks we can do with our mobile cameras but I was amazed with the twinning effect of panorama.
Anyway, the Plaza was small and simple, that's it.
2. Windmill
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| Guimaras Windmills |
Next, we travelled a long journey to the Windmills. Not so fun fact from Kuya Charlie, these windmills are owned by Megacorp which uses the energy to power their err-megabuildings. Only 5% or the energy were given to the locals. Oh if only the government has money to spare for windmills to generate free energy for our fellow men. Oh wait, they have!
The windmills were ginormous! Though I haven't seen one before so I didn't have a comparison. The size of one of the elesis is half the size of the trunk (info ℅ Kuya Charlie). I didn't bother knowing the amount of energy each windmill generates coz errr. What I can say is that the place was gloomy since it was drizzling when we get there. It often rains there, as per my guide, maybe because of the excessive wind it attracts. Just kidding I have no idea, just trying to be scientific!
3. Guimaras Sign
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| Guimaras Windmill |
The windmill was a 30-min ride away from Jordan so it took us another 30 minutes to go back. Our next stop was the Guimaras sign in Jordan, Guimaras Capitol. Here, once again Kuya Charlie demonstrated his phone photography skills by multiplying me.
4. Pit Stop
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| Mango Pizza at Pitstop Guimaras |
This is a must!!! I will review this on the next blog but I'm telling you it's awesome. It was located near the Capitol (I love saying that, it feels like I'm in Hunger Games) but there are other branches in Guimaras and Iloilo. Their specialty was mango pizza and other mango-flavored dishes. Tip, make this your last stop and don't order more than you think you can eat or better yet, let your guide join you. Kuya Charlie was too shy to join me, I just bought him a drink.
5. Mango Plantation
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| Mango Plantation Guimaras |
There was no entrance fee in the plantation but you need to register. Since it was June, the mangoes were already harvested and only a few once were left with their imported paper cover. As per Kuya, the papers from other country (LOL I forgot what country it was) were waterproof to avoid tearing during rain.
6. Overlooking Guimaras
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| Overlooking Guimaras |
On the way to Nueva Valencia, we stopped by an overlooking site, which was the best spot according to Kuya Charlie. Actually I forgot what he said I was too sleepy. Also, my phone's camera didn't give justice to the beauty of the place.
7. Guisi Lighthouse (Ruins) - Faro de Punta Luzaran
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| Ruins in Guisi Lighthouse Guimaras |
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| New Lighthouse Guisi Guimaras |
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| Old Lighthouse Guisi Guimaras |
It took us about an hour to get to Guisi Lighthouse in Nueva Valencia that I almost slept in Kuya's back, but oh my goodness was it worth it. The view was jaw-dropping I can feel the waters before it even touches my skin and even before I go down to the beach.
Anyway, the lighthouse! It was called Faro de Punta Luzaran as said in the signage. They placed a new lighthouse since the old one was already ruins (or ruined?). I don't know why ruins make a great place for photoshoot but they are.
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| Ruins in Guisi Lighthouse Guimaras |
8. Guisi Beach
With my sleeveless blouse and cycling (yes, I was not wearing any undies), I took a plunge in the clear blue yet a bit dirty water. As usual I found plastics and other garbage in the sea and shore. What is wrong with people? I took a swim for about 30 minutes while my guide took a nap by the shore.
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| Line of Garbage in Guisi beach Guimaras |
9. Trappist Monastery
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| Trappist Monastery Guimaras |
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| Trappist Monastery Gift shop Guimaras |
As I was dripping, we headed back to Jordan for our last stop, Trappist Monastery. This time I actually took a short nap at the back I didn't even notice we were near the Monastery. Kuya said the owner of Monastery also has a mango plantation where the mangoes used in processing of mango-flavored goodies came from. Awesome! I bought a lot of pasalubongs for family and coworkers.
At around 2:00 PM, Kuya Charlie dropped me off in Jordan port, and I went back to Iloilo. It only took me a total of 5 hours for the solo day trip since I spent a short time taking photos in each stop and just chat with Kuya about trivia.
TIPS and NOTES:
- Boat fare (Parola to/from Jordan) - 14
- There are jeepneys you can ride to other places in Guimaras but you have to wait as there aren't much.
- You can ride a jeepney from port to Jordan proper for 15
- Prices of mangoes depend on the season. Avail of their special carry-on boxes for 40 pesos. It can be hand-carried in Iloilo airport (but not in Caticlan, as per a friend)
GUIDE/S INFO
- Cherald- +639084748122
- Charlie- +639461966887
- Motorcycle ride w/ guide - 800
- Tricycle ride (max 4 pax) - 1500
- Van (group) - I forgot I'm sorry, just kindly ask them
Have you been to Guimaras? What is your favorite spot? Have you tried swimming without undies? It's gross, try it!
Help me pay the bills. Pin these!
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| Guimaras |
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| Guimaras |
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| Guimaras |
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