By JULIUS P. VICENTE
March 20, 2011, 1:39am
Europeans love the beaches of Puerto Galera. (Photo by MEL CORTEZ)
Scenic pocket beaches. Marvelous dive sites. A perfect getaway.
This is Puerto Galera if you would describe this paradise in a few words.
But not many people know that this province in Oriental Mindoro offers so much more.
Puerto Galera has more than meets the eye because this small fishing town has 13 highly explorable barangays. Perhaps, if you were really a wanderlust person, you surely wouldn’t go just for diving and beach bumming as there are many other nature’s wonders waiting to be discovered – especially at the highland part of the province.
Coming from Manila, it takes only two and a half-hours by bus going to Batangas Pier. From there, a ferryboat will take you to the Muelle or Sabang port, which is another one and a half hours. People who are unfamiliar with the place can solicit advice first from local tourism officers to know more about cheaper taverns and transport fares for their preferred destination.
Since the center of Barangay Sabang is already crowded and known for loud nightlife, we opted to stay in the more serene 10- hectare Coco Beach located at Sitio Bihija. Coco Beach general manager Liezzel Ceralde said that their place prides itself with a cozy ambience, with bamboo and nipa hut rooms complemented with warm Filipino hospitality.
Guests and visitors, who are mostly Europeans, love the combination of Filipino aesthetics and the Carribean charm of the resort, says Ceralde.
Aileen Bareng head tourism officer of Puerto Galera advised us that having a “perfect escape” doesn’t mean staying in one tourist spot. She suggests that we should stroll around the highland part of the municipality and discover their rich culture and natural wonders.
First, we explored Barangay San Antonio, known as an island within an island. It is the only barangay isolated from the rest. There, you could see the towering rock formations and underwater caves and below it are the throngs of fishes. This place is best for snorkeling.
As we went back to land adventure, we headed to Tamaraw Falls along Barangay Villaflor to gaze at the spring waters coming from the undulating hills of Puerto Galera. This tourist spot has a man-made pool and picnic cottages that complements the thick foliage and windy ambience of the surroundings.
Another ideal place to visit is the Ponderosa place at Barangay San Isidro. It is the highest peak of the municipality, standing majestically at about 2,000 feet above sea level. The nine-hole golf course and the splendid 180-degree view of Puerto Galera plus the epic waters of Verde Island Passage make for a refreshing sight.
To meet the natives, the Mangyan Village of Iraya Tribe at Sitio Talipanan is the best place to go to. This is where you will see the Nito vine handcrafted products made by the Mangyans themselves. In addition, Talipanan falls is just a 40-minute trek up from the tribe’s location.
The beaches at Barangay Aninuan, meanwhile, boast of the perfect sunset view. At the nearby town of Barangay Talipan, the pizza of Luca’s Italian Restaurant is a must-try for a unique gastronomic experience.
As we capped the night, we stayed at Buri Beach Resort in Sitio Balaruan. This luxurious resort is nestled amid a spectacular landscaped gardens and modern villas that will truly lull you to serenity. In the morning, a nice view of Batangas Channel will come to view, making you completely forget the bustling and maddening city life.
Puerto Galera Mayor Hubbert Dolor, meanwhile, said that Puerto Galera offers not only the best beaches and sea but the mountains and other splendid vacation spots as well.
“We want our place to be the most visited municipality in the country as we offer different activities and added attractions all year round. We are going to have various adventures like the coming zip line, mountain trekking, and many more.”
Every year, an estimated 350,000 tourists, both local and foreign, head off to Puerto Galera. With the rush of tourists, the local government is planning to increase the Environmental Users Fee (EUF), from P50 to P120, for a more effective environmental preservation and maintenance system in garbage collection, dumpsite maintenance, endowment and general fund, and among others.
Source: Manila Bulletin
No comments:
Post a Comment