Floating Cottage in Guimaras Island | My Iloilo Travels by Reynan Lim

Have you ever been wondering, going on vacation with your family, relatives, and friends in Guimaras? look, I discovered something new. Floating Cottage in Guimaras.  Please bee good to me, I don't have good English.

This cottage is seriously floating when the water level starts to rise and no worries it's not that it's in the middle of the sea and it's deep. The cottage is actually surrounded by the sandbar which can only be seen during night time when the water levels are low and it is surrounded by nets so that you can be sure of your safety and of course no marine creatures can enter the area such as jellyfish, if the wind is strong and creates bigger waves then you don't want to consider swimming with a jellyfish. 

The place is nice it can hold at least 40 persons the last time I ask them so you can bring as many relatives and friends you can bring. On the other hand, the cottage is open for everyone, many tourists who are renting a pump boat for an island hopping might join you in the cottage so better don't leave your things unattended or put all your things together on one side of the corner. 

The cottage has life jacket so that you can still swim in the water even if it rises to 6 - 7 feet deep. Be careful every time I went here we always caught few sea urchins lurking around the area, so better know how to swim like your snorkeling or wear your goggles so that you can have a 100 percent visual underwater. The sea is rich in marine life outside the sandbar so if you want to go outside make sure you can swim back to the cottage.

How to go there? 

From Iloilo City you need to ride a pump boat going to Jordan Guimaras, you can have your ride at Ortiz and Parola if the waves are not good in Ortiz because sometimes the waves are just too high and strong. 

I always contacted kuya Cherald every time we will go to Guimaras especially going to the floating cottage. We rent his van that cost 3000 pesos from Jordan warf going to Sitio Talabahan. Travel time would approximately about 1hr 30mins to 2hrs. From Sitio Talabahan you are going to ride a bangka maximum of 10 persons per bangka and costs around 500 pesos per bangka (pump boat). From Sitio Talabahan travel time going to the cottage would be approx. 5mins and that is the nearest point where you can have your ride going to the cottage. The pump boats will wait for you in the cottage and if ou plan on staying long then you can tell them what time are you going back. 

Food

For the food, you can now bring your own food, there is also a 50 pesos worth of entrance fee to the cottage by the way. Or you could contact ahead responsible persons in the cottage if you would like them to prepare a food for you.

Overall Experience

My overall experience is great, I had fun, it's exciting. You will really enjoy it. You will say hey what's good in a cottage but the rich marine life can make your swim better if you bring snorkeling gear.

Here are some of the pics I want to share during our Floating Cottage Escape last August 25, 2017.

Day Hike To Brgy. Igcabugao Igbaras

Hike to Brgy. Igcabugao Igbaras Province of Iloilo

"click next arrow or center mouse to scroll"

Looking for a place to go Hiking? waterfall dipping, spelunking, rock climbing or a place where you can experience nature to its fullest?

Igbaras is one of Iloilo's nature hub. 

widely popular for it's mountains Mt. Napulak, Mt. Lobok, Mt. Taripis where you can find natural attractions such as various waterfalls, marble caves and rock climbing sites.

Overall Hiking Experience

It was awesome, and literally breath-taking (because of the thin air and the high altitudes. Heh? Heh?) Even though the place we went to was just as the base camp, the 3.4km hike to the top took us a lot of effort and perseverance our limits were put to the test, considering that most of us were amateurs.

For the beginners out there, Brgy. Igcabugao might be the best option for your first hiking trip. This was recomended by my good friend who happens to be a seasoned mountaineer.

When you get to the peak of Igcabugao, from there you have a variety of destinations to choose from. You can go spelunking in different caves, visits various waterfalls, take a dip at the underground river, go rock climbing and many more. I tell you, it is definitely worth it!

How to get to Brgy. Igcabugao Province of Iloilo

There are many ways you can choose from to het there, here are a few suggestions.

First Option:

You can ride an Igbaras Jeepney at Iloilo Super Market or at Mohon Terminal at Oton, transportation should be around 40 - 50 pesos per head. Instruct the Driver or the Conductor that you will Log-in at the Igbaras Police Station. (as it is required by the Dept. of Tourism)

Ride a solo-motorcycle going to Brgy. Passi Igbaras, the fare should be around 100-120 pesos. From there you can start hiking up to Brgy. Igcabugao. But if you want to go directly to the top you can still ride the same motorcycle for a total of 150 pesos per head from the town proper. And as for the trip down, you can either hike down by foot or ride a single motorcycle going back to the police station for log-out for another 150 pesos via single-motorcycle. Getting a tour guide is recommended. 

Second Option

You can hire a private van or a local jeepney going to Igbaras.

First Login to the Igbaras Police Station and go directly to Brgy. Passi, from there you can either choose to ride a single motorcycle for 100 pesos or hike up to Brgy. Igcabugao on foot.

Duration of hike going up to Brgy. Igcabugai is 2 hrs. At most.

Places to go along the way to Brgy. Igcabugao

The popular Nadsadjan Falls - check google image for photos.

My Iloilo Travels is a blog by Reynan Lim featuring places, events, culture, business and more about Iloilo City and It's Provinces. He is not a good writer but he is inspired to share to the world through the internet the experiences of his adventure and the knowledge of what he knows about it. 

Special Thanks to Bernard Anthony Pe for the official Editor in Chief of this Article.

Manggahan 2015 Agri - Trade & Tourism Fair at San Miguel Capitol Grounds Jordan Guimaras

Photo Credit to Sir Nonoy Taclino for the picture

It has been my dream to go even for a half day experiencing and knowing what Manggahan Festival in Guimaras is all about. Yes it's true, in my whole life this is actually the first time. My friends and relatives always invited me to join them going here few years back, but I always said no. 

Going here is not planned at all, it was just a quick "Ok let's go" while I was having coffee with my fellow blogger of Iloilo Today at Bo's Cafe inside SM City Iloilo. He said that we are just gonna go there and buy some sweet yellow mangoes. Since I wanted to so the talking is done. 

As a first timer in this kind of festival, I insist myself to really enjoy everything, every moment that was happening and learn how to buy the good mangoes.

Along the Entrance this wonderful welcome post welcomed us showing the many mango fruit stands and other Guimaras products inside.

Before entering the gate, I was so excited from outside going in you can smell the fresh scent of all the mangoes.

Panorama View of a small portion of what's inside the capitol ground

Indeed Guimaras Manggahan Festival is a great feast a half day trip that I will always remember. One of my favorite part is buying a mango shake and two kilos of ripe yellow mangoes which I am going to make my mom a mango float that day because it was her birthday. 

More photos from Manggahan 2015 Agri - Trade & Tourism Fair.

Sweetest Guimaras Mangoes

Mango Mascots

Me trying to learn how to sell some sweet mangoes

Picking up Star Apples at Brgy. Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo

Me holding a branch of star apples

I grew up knowing what star apples look like, but for my entire 21 years of existence I never tried to eat one star apple. My mom loves to eat this fruits, she would always force me to eat even just a little bite but I won't. Not until February 21, 2015 when my classmate wants me to join them go the house of our school librarian at Brgy. Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo. 

It was my first time going to Cabatuan and the first time I went out with my classmates. They told me they are going to pick fresh star apples directly from the three. Star Apple Tree bears much fruits during February and March. Out of curiosity on what star apples taste like, this time I am going to eat one for a change.

So there we go we picked almost bucket full of sweet rounded violet star apples comes with different sizes. It was an afternoon of fun talking and eating this wonderful fruit. 

I always told myself that there is always a first time for everything and Indeed it is so true. 

Cabatuan also offers their one best food known as "tinuom" best served in seazers talabahan and leah's tinuom. I'll be writing a separate story for this so keep in touch with me.

How to go to Cabatuan? 

If you're living or staying in Iloilo  City proper you need to ride an Ungka CPU Jeepney going to Ungka Terminal then transfer to a jeepney going to Cabatuan. Or you can ride a taxi.

More photos of Cabatuan Iloilo.

Cabatuan Church also known as San Nicolas De Tolentino Parish Church

Rural Landscape a view facing front from Brgy Ayaman Cabatuan Iloilo

I Support Tri-Sikad Driver in Iloilo | Doing Everything to Live

Tri-Sikad Driver | A stolen shot of a driver going to Ortiz Street
This picture was taken by Reynan Lim and on the streets of Iloilo City.

I always notice them, every corner street around the city, they are called tri-sikad drivers. One time I was asking myself on how much money could they earn in that kind of living? Do they have a family to feed, and so on. I am always curious. 

I grew up going to school and back riding this vehicles "tri-sikad" I don't know what is tri-sikad in English but it is obvious at the picture. 

I tried to ask one of these drivers on how much can they earn everyday, 150 - 200 pesos and more. Now everyday I would always ride a tri-sikad going to school and giving them at least 20 to 25 pesos per ride. 

I admire these kind of people, working hard for them to live in a city like this. They are able to feed their family, enrolled their children to college and have time to be a father to their family. 

How about you do you support them? for me I am supporting them and I am proud to say that they are also part of my inspiration to continue, never give up because one day everything will be just fine.

How I celebrated my summer 2015 | By the beach at San Joaquin Iloilo

Summer is the hottest season in the Philippines, people would usually go out to the beach or go somewhere else cold to escape the heat of the sun. For example Bucari Leon also known as the little baguio of Panay, Malalison Island in Antique known as the little Batanes, Nogas Island and more.

Every time I go online with my social media accounts I always see photos of my friends enjoying the summer vacation but not for us graduating class we are under deadlines and deadlines of research to prepare our way to become future professionals in the society. to cut the story short ..... 

We found out that there is an holiday coming, this means no classes and time to rest. We took this opportunity together with some of my classmates and one staff of our school to have a summer getaway even for just a day. and we did. 

We went to San Joaquin we decided to bought raw foods and just cook it later in the beach, we had fun. I brought my 2 person dome tent in case the girls will change into their swim ware. San Joaquin has one of the most clean waters here in Panay, it has also a lot of marine sanctuary where we can witness different kinds of sea life creatures. We can also do scuba diving and snorkel.

More photos from San Joaquin

The Historic San Joaquin Church

Campo Santo De San Joaquin

HALO-HALO at 5G's Halo Halo Lapaz Iloilo City

Summer is about to end I hope cause it's so hot outside when I go out and do the things I have to do for the whole day. The sun kills my skin makes me little by little darker. Later that day I went to my favorite halo-halo store in the city located at Lapaz Market "5G's Halo Halo."

What is halo-halo?

Halo halo is a popular food here in the Philippines, it comes with many sizes depending on how they serve it. It is mixed with crushed ice, mango, water melon, zagu, kidney beans, jellatine, banana and more. It is indeed a perfect food to eat during hot days like this; and not just during hot but also rainy days well it depends.

I like to eat here at 5G's because in a small amount of money worth only 35 pesos you can enjoy the sweetness of the fruits plus the coldness refreshing your day.

How to go to 5G's Halo Halo?

If you are living in the city proper downtown here are the following jeepneys you can ride.

• Lapaz
• Jaro Liko NFA
• Jaro Like Tagbac Terminal
• Jaro CPU
• Ungka CPU

For directions on google maps click "me"

Guimbal Celebrates 13th Bantayan Festival | Schedule of Activities

Photo Credit to:  Gian Tamayo | Simply Iloilo

13th Bantayan Festival Guimbal Iloilo Schedule of activities from April 7 - 11, 2015

April 7 (Tuesday) - Foundation Day

• 2.00 P.M.  -  Liturgical Services  - Catholic Church (Venue)
• 3.00 P.M.  -  Grand Parade / Floats and Street Dancing Competition - Poblacion (venue)
• 7.00 P.M.  -  Opening Program and Drum Beat Competition - Amphitheater (venue)

April 8 (Wednesday)

• 8.00 P.M.  -  Search for Anyag Kang Bantayan - Amphitheater (venue)

April 9 (Thursday)

• 8.00 A.M.  -  Boat Racing / Porma Balas - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 11.00 A.M  -  Pinta Lawas - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 2:30 P.M.  -  Re-Enactment of the Moro Raids "by Tribu Igsibad, Champion Bantayan Festival                      2014 Tribal Dance Drama Competition" - Bantayan Beach Resort (venue)
• 8:00 P.M.  -  11th Bantayan Film Festival - Amphitheater (venue)

April  10 (Friday)

• 8:00 A.M.  -  Motorcross and 4x4 Off-Road Competition - Guimbal River (venue)
• 8:00 A.M.  -  Musical Concert with Artists featuring Akiko Solon and Tee Jay Marquez -                                 Amphitheater (venue)

April 11 (Saturday)

• 3.00 P.M.  -  Tribal Dance Drama Competition - Poblacion (venue)
• 5.00 P.M.  -  Merry-Making - Rizal Street (venue)
• 8:30 P.M.  -  Awards Night and Fireworks Competition - Amphitheater (venue)

and from April 7 - 11 Food Festival and Agro Fair -- Public Plaza (venue)

video by Simply Iloilo | Talakata

See you in Guimbal 13th Bantayan Festival.