By Luci Lizares
Saturday, May 7, 2011
MY CONCEPT of Guimaras was always associated with mangoes, but I never realized the Wealth of Wonders in our neighbor! Despite its proximity to Negros, this was my first trip ever! (FOR SHAME!)
From the Iloilo port, we were transported to the Jordan pier. From the onset, I was already charmed. I loved the wooden carts used by the "porters". It is so local color. Then we had a whole pump boat all to ourselves for just P500, as we ate peanuts still hot from the frying pan and the rest feasting on kamunsil.
Guimaras was less than 30 minutes away and the island with its lush hills beckoned us. As we docked, we were advised to head for the Tourism Center. The ladies on duty were welcoming and asked if a foreigner is among our group of six. I was wondering which foreigner they are talking about and just then, Anna Balcells in her fluent Ilonggo shocked them all by saying that she is a native Talisaynon.
Guimaras is so aware of their tourism potential that they have uniform rates for multicabs and even boat rentals. The drivers and the boat boys served as tour guides as well. KUDOS TO THEM!
The foremost agenda of this trip was for a reflective and spiritual journey at the Trappist Monastery. Having done that and emerging with glowing halos, it was time to explore this new territory.
The private resort home of the Montinola family at Bella Cove in Alubihud was highly recommended and rightfully so. It was a home away from home and we had meals cooked accordingly to our request from binacol to langka turron for dessert.
The Montinola home is a perfect respite. It is private and overlooks a fish pond. To the right of the house are two cabanas that can house a family of four or more each. To the left and proximal to the pond is a gazebo with hammocks where one can spend the day either reading a book or just meditating. A grilling pit huge enough to roast a calf is close by.
Conceptualized and built by the family's patriarch, Eduardo Montinola, the homey complex is complete with a zoo in the back garden that has peacocks and ostriches and eagles and more displaying the adventurous spirit of the gentleman. The main house is a mix of Malay and Balinese influence with a touch of Tudor thrown in. At the heart of the living room is an aviary where birds of myriad colors flew and chirped. After a sumptuous evening meal, enveloped in luxurious yet wildlife ambience, we all retired anticipating a coming full day of island hopping!
Our banca fetched us right in the landing of the fishpond. Thank GOD for the high tide. We were very impressed with our boat boy who belonged to an association and he knew every nook and cranny cove of the many islands. We breezed through many, stopping at some small isolated coves with immaculate white sand for the sun worshippers in the group to take a quick dip or snorkel!
Then we passed through a cave which was a miniature of the Underground Cave of Puerto Princesa but nonetheless sporting stalactites and stalagmites. We saw a very pretty island reminiscent of Mama Mia and our very resourceful boat boy who apparently was a relative of the caretaker allowed us to beach our boat and see the place. We toured the house which had a 360 degree view of the whole island!!!
GEEZ.................we were in love with the island! The owners, a German and a Filipino, died almost simultaneously last year. Oh Dear! The island was bought about 20 years ago for just P20,000.00. We asked boldly if the island was for sale! We all pretended to be Meryl Streep!
After circling through the many islands, it was time for lunch and to Nuvea Valencia we headed with lunch awaiting us at RayMen. The place was literally crawling with people but they accepted advanced order for our meals. So we came in famished and ravished over the best squid paella we have ever tried.
To further enhance our exploring, we passed through the Turtle Sanctuary and for more environmental learning, a stop at the SEAFDEC where giant spawners of lapulapu, sea bass, pompano which were truly were too large to be true. This is a sea ranch and has been operational for many years.
The trip back home to Bella Cove was truly an experience with the tide so very low and it was almost an "amazing race" segment of how we survived the higher than knee deep soft mud that practically sucked us! This added to the adventure as we laughed ourselves hoarse while balancing ourselves.
But nonetheless, the 4 days 3 nights we spent in Guimaras was truly an experience. It had all the ingredients for a happy holiday: a spiritual encounter, an educational learning experience, an environmental session, white sandy beaches, endless munching and devouring of great food, feeling Meryl Streep at that spectacular Mama Mia island and a fabulous home to go home to at the end of the day! BLISS INDEED!!! Thank you LORD!!!
Guimaras is truly a new find! This is a new place in our corner of the Philippines that is welcoming, less maddening than Bora with pristine shores despite the growing number of tourists. Ironic as it may seem, we arrived in Guimaras in time for their Manggahan festival but we never went near the fiesta site.
Guimaras is really more than just mangoes and I believe a second trip is in order to explore more and enjoy more this beautiful island which is our next door neighbor! Indeed: WOW GUIMARAS!!!
When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on May 07, 2011.
No comments:
Post a Comment