Puerto Galera, Mindoro - Summer Fun

White Beach Puerto Galera

A perfect getaway from Manila is Puerto Galera. A place where you can enjoy the summer breeze and ease your stress for a cray night life. It's very affordable and so easy to go to this amazing place. It's like my summer routine to go here with my friends or even alone to escape from the big city. To go to Puerto Galera here are the things you need to do:

source: http://www.puertogalera.org/getting-here/

Go to any of the following bus terminals in Metro Manila:

1. Bus Terminals near the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia), Pasay City – nearest Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Domestic Airport.
2. Bus Terminal near Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
3. Bus Terminal in EDSA corner Kamias Street, Quezon City.
4. Bus Terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Ride the air-conditioned bus going straight to Batangas pier via CALABARZON Expressway. Travel time to Batangas pier will take more or less 2 hours and the fare is less than 200 pesos.

Upon arrival in Batangas pier, go to Terminal 3 and find the ticket booth of the ferry going to Puerto Galera. At Batangas Pier, passengers are required to pay the Terminal Fee worth 30 pesos per person and the Environmental User Fee for tourists going to Puerto Galera worth 50 pesos per person.

Puerto Galera has 4 major points of entry, namely, Sabang Pier, Muelle Pier, Balatero Pier and White Beach. If you are going to Sabang, choose the ferry that will go directly to Sabang Pier. If you are going to White Beach, make sure that the ferry will go to White Beach.

There are many shipping companies plying the Batangas-Puerto Galera route. The major passenger ferries are: FSL or Father and Son Shipping Lines, MSL or Minolo Shipping Lines and Galerian Lines.

The maximum capacity of an outrigger ferry is from 60 up to 120 passengers. The ticket costs 250 to 280 pesos, one-way.

The first ferry trip to Puerto Galera is 7:30 am during the normal season and every hour thereafter, one or 2 ferries depart until 4:30 pm which is usually the last trip to Puerto Galera.

If you happen to disembark at the wrong pier or landing site, there are tricycles that you can hire to bring you to the resort of your choice. 

For assistance, call our tourist information Hotline: (043) 287-3101 or Mobile: 0917-7771418.

If you want to go here in private or with friends without using a public transportation, you can hire a private transport also. Here's what you need to do:

The favorite mode of transport of tourists who upon arrival at the airport would like to be whisked away from Manila all the way to Puerto Galera.

Aircon Van One-Way = PhP 4000.00	Chartered Outrigger Ferry One-Way = PhP 4000.00

An air-conditioned van will be waiting at the airport or your hotel to pick you up. The driver will be at the exit or the lobby carrying a sign with the name of the guest.

The van will go straight to a private beach in Batangas called Berberabe Beach or Leah Beach where an outrigger ferry is waiting for you to depart to your destination in Puerto Galera.

Although there is no time requirement and you leave upon your pleasure, it is advisable to leave during daytime rather than nighttime since the Coast Guard only allows daytime trips for outrigger ferries. However, it has become a regular occurrence when nighttime trips are done especially when the passengers are tourists going to Puerto Galera.

Costing:

	ONE-WAY	ROUNDTRIP
AIRCON VAN ONLY	4000.00	7600.00
OUTRIGGER FERRY ONLY	4000.00	7600.00
VAN AND FERRY	7600.00	15000.00

To book the PRIVATE CHARTER service – please click HERE

For more information, please call – TEL: +63 43-2873101 or Mobile: +63 939-9387818 (Smart)

White Beach Lodge	VM Beach Resort	La Solana Suites	Francesca Resort
Blue Water Lodge	Villa Del Car	Agbing Resort	Marco Vincent
White Beach Resort	Sea Jewel Resort	Lan-Sei Resort	Dreamwave Hotel
@ Sabang, La Laguna Beach and Coco Beach
Coco Beach Resort	Tropicana Castle	Mermaid Hotel	Garden of Eden
Seashore Lodge	Sabang Hill	Capt'n Gregg's Resort	Angelyn's Resort
Steps & Garden	El Galleon	Jeremy's Lodge	La Laguna Villas
La Laguna Beach Club	Big Lalaguna Resort	Scandinavian Resort	Campbell Resort
@ Other Locations in Puerto Galera
Sunset at Aninuan	Amihan Villa	Puerto Nirvana Resort	Punta Del Este

I am sharing these pictures so that you will have an idea what you will get when you go to this charming Island.

Perfect Sunset

 I asked my friend to take this picture and "yeah" he had a hard time! haha

Just an ordinary day at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Pancake Burger (Bacon, meat loaf, eggs and butter) It was HUGE, am telling you! Worth the price!

Fire Dancing happens every 7PM. Watch the video here:

One crazy night. Friday nights at White Beach, Puerto Galera is the best!

Cheers!!!


I hope I gave you enough information about White Beach, Puerto Galera. You can also enjoy a waterfalls nearby the seashore. It's an hour away . To know more, Click here: 

Hundred Islands - Alaminos, Philippines

The Hundred Islands National Park in Brgy. Lucap, Alaminos City, Pangasinan is 250 kms. from Manila.

This National Park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with 123 islands. However, only three (3) islands have been developed for tourists namely: Governor, Quezon, and Children's Island.

Of the three (3) Islands, only the Governor's Island keeps a Guesthouse which is ideal for family use. It has 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, comfort room/bath and kitchen. Linens, water (4 drums), generator lighting, ceiling fans, dining and cooking utensils/equipments are provided for.

The bahay kubos at Children's Island are for budget travellers as it consists only of screened bedrooms with kerosene lighting and one (1) drum of fresh water and linens. Common areas are provided for dining and cooking as well as for toilet and bath.

Quezon Island is for picnickers and campers.

At Lucap Point (Mainland), the main building houses a conference room and accommodation facilities. A tower-type building near the Lucap Park housed an Information/Business Center at the ground floor which controls the flow of tourists to the said Islands.

My Personal Experience:

I had the most challenging backpacker experience because I wasn't prepared. I didn't my research and I just decided to go there with my friend because I miss the beach. Well, well, well.... No rooms for rent available because rooms are so limited and its pre-booking(on the islands), expensive food on the islands, fresh water was like gold and toilets were "okay". However, I still had a great camping in one of the islands with my friends. We were laughing all night because of what happened.

The islands were amazing. We all had a great tour!

Tips:

Buy some groceries before going to the islands and don't forget to buy gallons of water. If your'e not comfortable sleeping on the sand or inside a tent you should bring a good mattress so that you wont get a back pain the next day.

To give you a glimpse of what you will see there right before your eyes, watch these videos:

How to get to Hundred Islands, Alaminos, Pangasinan: 

Alaminos city is four to five hours away from Manila. Victory Liner Bus in Cubao has hourly trip every day to Alaminos for P393.First trip is 4:00am and the last trip is 11:50pm.  

Rates: 

The tourism office developed a standard boat rental rates and fees for island hopping.  

Day Tour          

Entrance Fee - P20/pax          

Small Boat (1 to 5 persons) – P800          

Medium Boat (6 to 10 persons) – P1000          

Big Boat (11 to 15 persons) – P1100 

Overnight Tour           

Entrance fee - P 40/pax           

Small Boat (1 to 5 persons) – P1400           

Medium Boat (6 to 10 persons) – P1800           

Big Boat (11 to 15 persons) – P2000

For Reservation you can contact this number:
Ellen : 0908 - 563 - 1215

KOH TAO ISLAND: You won't be alone for sure.

One of the famous islands in Thailand. You name it, expect you can get it. 

My official post every time I go somewhere.

Going to this beautiful island is not so difficult. There are so many travel agencies all over Thailand that can take you there regardless which part are you in Thailand. Since I am staying somewhere at Chumphon it was an easy access going to there.

 It was 6 days before New Year's eve when we decided to go. Just got lucky one of the locals booked a boat ticket for us  going to Koh Tao.

Normal fair is around 700 Baht for the fast craft that will take you an hour and a half to the island from Chumphon pier. There so many ways to get there; there's an over night boat - 400 Baht and a normal boat around 500 Baht. 

Pinnacle hotel.

I never felt that excitement since we were waiting for our ferry going to Koh Tao. I mean, I always travel back home via ferry but that time it was different. Fast ferry didn't bother me back home but to my surprise; It was a puke boat! I mean it! It was like you're on a roller coaster for an hour and a half. Me and my friends didn't throw up (Yey!) but the people around us were like dying to get to the island ASAP. Not to mention the puke smell(sorry if you're eating). Well, we survived! We all got there alive and kicking and restless.

One fine morning. So relaxing!

The 2nd hotel we stayed after we were ripped off of that first hotel.  This hotel is so good and much affordable. 

Since we all are tired when we got to our hotel we didn't argue much with the price as they were ripping us off. They are charging us 2,800 baht per night but we were told by a local friend who booked us it's just 1,800 baht (bless her heart; the lady at the lobby).  

First few drinks on our first day. yum-yum!

We just chilled somewhere near our hotel on our first day. Eat some thai food (expensive hey, we were used to eat 35-40 baht per meal but in Koh Tao its doubled).

Lady Boy Show in Koh Tao

Entrance going to Nang Yuan Island, Ko Pangan

During the night - the island turned into a party haven. You will see people from different races from different countries. It was like come one come all party -EVERY NIGHT! The food are  pricey as it's a commercialised island.

Daytime in Koh Tao 

Western food are not much of a problem in Koh Tao. You can even eat Mexican food anywhere. Clubs are everywhere with different genre. If you want to go to a full moon party you can always go to Koh Pangan which is close from Koh Tao. That's one of the options too once you get to Koh Tao and you can't find any accommodation - especially during peak season.

Pork BBq with corn - one of the restaurants near the shore. This was fantastic! 180 Baht - a little pricey but 'twas so delicious.

Baby back ribs in a Mexican restaurant - $450 Baht. Trust me, it's all worth it!

Normal night in Koh Tao

I've met so many people around the islands everyday and I got the chance to talk to them and shared some ideas one way or another.  For almost 2 weeks that I stayed on the island I can tell that the island is divided into three; family place, honeymoon place and crazy party place. Unfortunately, we were stayed in a family place so we needed to walk every night to go the place where we belong. It was a good exercise though to make it positive.

That guy must be shocked. I forgot to turn off my flash and he stood at me like he wanted to beat me. LOL

During the New Year's Eve, we were expecting less people as they might go to a full party. Hell no - most of them I guess stayed in Koh Tao and celebrated their New Year's Eve. Well, I find it even better. More people, more fun! We started our New Year's eve by watching a lady boy show. It was amazing. What a performance!  Then, my friend Sarah brought enough lanterns for us so we let them flew before midnight. It was a little hard because it was a little windy. Good thing some locals were there t help us. We bought a local whiskey and a bucket of mojito that made our night more exciting. We danced like no tomorrow. 

Free shots if you pass this limbo on fire.

Yeah, this girl is literally on fire!

Pub Crawl - sticks and stones yow! LOL!

I jumped on a skipping rope and crossed under a limbo rock on fire! Yes, on fire! I got some few burns the next day. 

One of the scenes you will get if you will do snorkelling all over Koh Tao for a day. We paid 600 baht for the tour.

While waiting for our boat to get us back to Koh Tao. 

Before we left Koh Tao we went for a day trip snorkelling. It was okay. Maybe because Koh Tao isn't that good for snorkelling but diving. I enjoyed the Koh Pangan tour though. That island is so dope. Two islands  connected to each other through an aisle of sand. They have an entrance fee of 100 baht to get there but I think it's worth it. The island was so clean and beautiful. Such a paradise!