Blogs from Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines, Asia
March 21st 2012
From Boac on Marinduque we caught the ferry back to Lucena and then jumped on a bus to Manila and asked to be dropped off somewhere convenient to catch the bus to Batangas. The driver dropped us at Santa Tomas and we stayed there in a short time roadside hotel which was actually pretty good. Up early at 6am next morning we caught the bus to Batangas. Unfortunately we arrived at Batangas Port early on a Saturday morning along with hundreds of people weekending from Manila! Was total chaos in the Port Depature area. Every time a boat departing was announced on the tanoy 200 people rushed the only door available and nobody got anywhere! Had to literally fight our way to the front and force ourselves through the door! By the time we had managed ... read more
September 9th 2010
This photos was taken from our House in Sigayan after the heavy rains, ... read more
Silly crab on boiling shore
Published: September 7th 2010Asia » Philippines » Mindoro » Puerto Galera
September 7th 2010
This photo was taken from Small Tabinay in Puerto Galera. It was 5:49 in the morning when I decided to join to pull the pukot (fish net in semi circle being drag to the shore) when I spotted this crab, I grab my camera and did some good shot... If you can see, she looks like on top of boiling water due to fine bubbles created by a mild wave splash.... read more
March 28th 2010
A number of unpleasant surprises awaited me on my journey to one of the most spectacularly beautiful countries on earth. The first was when I realised I only had a 100 HKD note and needed the correct change of 33 Dollars for the bus, so I lost the whole lot. The second came when I the bus went to the wrong terminal and I had to withdraw more money to take a taxi to the right one. The saga continued when I had all my beach vitals taken off me in the airport as I stupidly forgot about the bastard terrorists cocking everything up for us all. I had foolishly decided to store my mosquito repellent, deodorant, sun block and after-sun in my hand luggage in case I had my bag lost like as I did ... read more
March 26th 2010
Hello! This is just a short message to let you all know I am fine in yesterdays 6.1 Mindoro Earthquake. It struck the island I am staying on and caused 6-7m tsunamis across the bay all the way to Manila (and unfortunately to the pier I am due to arrive on tomorrow). There is some damage in Metro Manila area but as of yet, no one has been reported dead. It happened during the day and was pretty large, so most felt it and got out of buildings ok. Many fear the worst is still to come however so I will be sure to report back asap any other news. I also got stranded in the ocean during my Manila-Mindoro crossing for a few hours as my grossly-overloaded ferry split in two and lost its engine/propellor. ... read more
The good, more bad, and certainly not at all ugly...
Published: March 28th 2010Asia » Philippines » Mindoro » Puerto Galera
March 25th 2010
After a few drinks to steady my nerves of the rocky start to the Philippines, I took in my surroundings. This place was paradise; huge mountains covered in tropical forests, palms and flowers stretched far into the distance and swept down towards the clean and empty white sands. I trawled the beachfront bars and restaurants to find myself some friends. With no luck and sitting alone, I was a target for the beach vendors peddling their massages and crappy necklaces. It was becoming very frustrating and I couldn’t find anyone to help me put sun tan lotion on by back, so I walked back to my room to write my journal on my balcony for a while before I couldn’t bear the silence and loneliness and went back to chat to the vendors some more! I ... read more
March 23rd 2010
Landing Manila from Palawan Island, instead of sleeping the night in Manila we made an escape to Angeles City-the famous red light district of Philippines. Angeles City was once the base of US airforce. Although it is an hour distance to Manila we made it three hours by bus because of Manila's traffic jam. Late at night we could only spend one hour at the bars street and slept the night at Woodland Park Hotel. Early in the morning we started for Manila again and onward to Puerto Galera by bus +boat. We spent two nights on the White Beach and visited Puerto Galera and Sabang . We took a half day tour to Coral Gardens at The Puerto Galera Bay and we had the chance to see a turtle there. On march 21st we took ... read more
June 14th 2009
With friends... we had the beach/place to ourselves! It's a very far ride but worth it :)... read more
My trip to the Motherland
Published: April 8th 2009Asia » Philippines » Mindoro » Puerto Galera » Coco Beach
April 8th 2009
Call me what you will: part of the Filipino 'Diaspora' ; an 'Oreo Cookie' astride two (or more) cultures or by my nickname 'Bong'. When I travel back to the place where it all began; it is ironic than in the smog of Manila is where I can breath again. A peace comes over me like I belong somewhere. And so, dear companions gathered for a literal and metaphorical journey in search of a shared experience. Sometimes we luxuriated in surroundings so comfortable it was almost surreal. So much so in fact, that periodic escapes were necessary. Such was the case in Puerto Galera and Donsol. In Camarines Sur is where we met the displaced of another kind ... newly unemployed Bankers ... refugees of the Financial Crisis pa... read more
