Last weekend, we went to Puerto Galera together with my Tomweb friends, Nico, JZ and Elaine. Allan can’t join us since he will go to Bicol to take care of his lola. Marcel is reviewing for her board exam to be a certified lawyer. Jan is as of now is wandering in the ocean and I don’t know his exact location is. We will meet him once he arrives in Manila in May or June I guess. We’ll have another set of getaway by then.
Anyways, will give you the details of our escapade. Our budget (Me and Andrew) is Php 5000 all-in.
Our call time is 5:00am in Jam Liner, Kamias Quezon City. The bus left around 5.30am. Bus ride cost us Php 175. So Php 350 for the 2 of us.
We arrived in Batangas Port around 8:00am. It is advisable to get a boat ride when you reach the Port area and do not commit to those who go inside the bus. We rode Brian Shipping Lines and gave us Php400 each round trip ticket fare so Php 800 for the 2 of us. However, there will be additional charges such as the environmental fee which is Php 50 and terminal fee which is Php 30. So that cost us Php 160.
The boat was supposed to leave by 8.15am but it was delayed and left around 9.15am! If only we knew that it would be like that, we could’ve rode the bus at 7am!
It was around 1 1/2 boat ride from Batangas Port to White Beach Puerto Galera. We arrived around 11am. The sun was too high and all the UV rays are kissing our skins! Fortunately I brought my umbrella which broke down before dinner. We went to the resort to check in. We stayed in Tamaraw Beach Resort that is beside White Beach since we don’t like to mingle with many people. True enough, even though it’s hard to transfer to White Beach to Tamaraw Resort, it was worth it. The place is relaxing and you’ll notice that most of their guests are foreigners.
After checking in, we went to White Beach again to eat lunch since it’s cheaper than Tamaraw’s meals. Plus, White Beach has more options. We ate in one of the ihaw-ihaw in the area and ordered drinks in the place where we seated. Upon billing out, we were surprised to know that a Coke 1.5 liter costs Php100! We can’t do anything about it since we already finished 2 1.5 liters of Coke. I ate inihaw na hotdog plus manggang hilaw and Andrew ate chicken kebab that cost us Php215 including our contribution for the Coke.
After paying, we stayed there to maximize our 2 1.5 Cokes. We just left the restaurant around 3:30pm. While strolling the beach, Elaine and Jz wanted to eat some halo-halo for dessert. I saw a scramble nearby and ordered 2 for me and Andrew. He was surprised to know that it tastes good. I love the scramble even before! It cost us Php50 for that.
Then I also saw the walking advertisements that I normally see in Ortigas. I get to try to carry one of those. The shoulder straps are comfortable enough to carry the big ads but I think you’ll still feel its weight after some time.
So we went on and look for our spot in the beach. Since we are with Nico, our group’s official photographer we of course have our own share of photo ops.
After that we stayed in White Beach right before sunset. We should be trekking our way to Tamaraw Resort before the sun comes down since it’s dangerous to go there in the dark. So on our way to Tamaraw Resort, we again had our own share of photos with the rocks, the water and the sunset.
Then when we arrived in the resort, it’s already dark and we’re ready for dinner. We have no choice but to order in their restaurant. I had chopsuey and Andrew had pinakbet for dinner. That meal cost us Php 236. After eating we stayed there for a while and had a good dose of laughter talking about Chuck Norris! He has one hell of a round kick I must say.
The next day, we are off to Island Hoping! I woke up early and prepared ahead of them so I can take pictures of the resort. It was a fine day, cool breeze, warm people, cool sand and water, and wonderful sound of the ocean. I also got up the Life Guard’s chair!
We first ate our breakfast in the resort. I ordered Bangusilog and Andrew had Tapsilog. Breakfast cost us Php220.
After that, around 8:00am, we went island hoping! The boat cost us Php1500 for all so since we’re 5, we divided it equally so that cost us Php600. We went snorkeling in the Coral Garden and hired a small boat to take us around the area. That boat is normally Php200 but we told that will get it if they’ll give in to Php100. So for that, we had Php200 for the boat ride.
We have a bread for fish feeding so you’ll see below that Andrew is feeding the fishes and they’re all going towards him.
After that, they told us the Underground Garden which I haven’t heard of until last weekend. Since we’re on a tight budget, we didn’t bother to go there. But it’s kinda interesting. We’ll try that some other time.
So after the snorkeling, we went back to our boat and off to the next island which is the Sand Bar Resort. It was a nice place but you need to pay Php20 for the entrance and if you’re going to use the restroom it will cost you Php5 per head. So for that, we shouldered Php40.
Since it’s getting late already and we need to check out at 12:00nn, we went back to the resort after that island. We were satisfied enough with the fishes and the corals so it already made our day. Besides, the sun is too high again that time since it’s already 11:30am. We went back to Tamaraw Resort to take a bath and pack our things going home. We payed an deluxe room plus additional bed (Php2500 + 300) Php 2800 divided by 5, we payed Php1120 for the 2 of us.
Then we trek our way to White Beach since the boat will be there. We’re scheduled to leave Puerto Galera at 3:00pm. So we took our lunch in Manalo’s restaurant which I think better than the other day. It’s cheaper and the place is more ok than the other. I had Inihaw na Liempo and Andrew had Inihaw na Manok. That cost us Php 190. Then it was right on time that after eating our lunch, the boat was already there and was waiting for us!
But I have to get some scramble again before going home so I ran to the store and bought 5 scrambles for all of us. Some of us went up already so that they won’t be leaving without us. So I payed Php 170 for 5 scrambles since I got the biggest size which is Php 35 each. Then again, as we go up the boat they charged us Php 10 each for the terminal fee. So for that Php 30 for me, Andrew and Nico. Then the boat left the moment we got inside the boat. Hehe.
Then when we arrived in Batangas Port, we looked for a bus going to Cubao. We rode the Ceres Liner, the blue one because I like the interior design. It’s new I think.
From Batangas to Megamall cost us Php 333 since it’s Php 166.50 each.
We all had a good time. We are hoping that when Jan arrives in June, we will do this kind of adventure again!
All in all, the trip cost us Php 4711. Not bad.
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