Bantayan Island - an island all yours...

Ron and I have been looking into a 2 to 3-day getaway to just unwind and savor the pleasures of traveling. So we ended up in Bantayan Island at the northern tip of cebu, which is just about 4 hrs away from the city.

The Travel
We left Cebu City for Hagnaya at 4:20 am and arrived at the wharf at 6:40 am. This trip was suppose to be around 3 hrs travel but the bus driver, i have jokingly named ‘Raikonnen’, indeed has the power steering of a formula one driver and picks up passengers like having the pit stops...:)).

As soon as we arrived at the Hagnaya wharf, we were catered into a very small boat – which seems to have a capacity of only 20 people and around 45 of us were jam-packed there. It was odd. The sea is a literal arm’s reach over the edge of the boat! But in a few minutes, we were transferred to a much larger ferry floating at sea.

Sta. Fe at Last
We arrived in Sta. Fe at around 8:30 am, took our breakfast at the wharf and went our way through the tricycle drivers touting us for a ride to the resort or for a motorcycle rental. We finally closed a deal for a motorcycle rental at 150 pesos for half a day and the driver sent us off to Kota Beach Resort—the resort most popular for its beachfront due to huge sandbars. Cottages in the resort costs around Php1, 600 to Php2,300 (non peak season) depending on location (beach front or not) and is good for 3 persons. We got a beach front cottage adjacent to the restaurant and the beach view was just so relaxing you can actually lie all day at your verandah.

The Food
Read many not-so-good reviews about the food in the resort so we went to look for a good lunch outside. We ended up at Marisquera O’Portuguese which serves just amazingly delicious seafood soup - tons of shrimps, fish fillets, crabmeat and scallops in cream of potato soup served in a huge bowl which could probably feed 3 to 4 people. The meal costs us around Php499.


The Island's Must-Sees
We also found the Lawis Boardwalk at Madridejos Kota Park beautiful, so we took some time to take pictures— and just right in time when we reached the far end of the boardwalk, a row of 6 yellow fishing bancas paraded the seas. Their color was just simply spectacular in the clear blue waters.

The Sts. Paul and Peter Church built in the 1500s is also a must-see in Bantayan—so we took a couple of pictures before we went back to the resort. Spent the rest of the time swimming and settled for dinner at the restaurant. Despite of the quite not-so-good reviews, i found dinner at the resort fairly good and the service okay—probably because there were only quite a few guests around. I actually find the resort staff very accommodating and helpful—they assured me jellyfish sting is nothing deadly and gave me the whole bottle of vinegar to dab on my reddened arms.

The Sun's Setting and Rising
Sunset at the resort was not quite spectacular that day but at least we enjoyed its sight at the sandbar and took lots of pictures before hitting the hay at almost midnight.
Early morning in Kota is one such refreshing sight though. The sun rises from behind the mountains of Cebu City forming shadows at the horizon, sand bars are formed and ripples of white sand spread from one beach to another ... an early morning stroll along the beach would surely give delight to that tired little soul in you.

After a good generous breakfast of garlic rice, bacon and farm fresh eggs, we had all the time swimming until almost midday. We headed then to the port to catch the 11:30am ferry and was able to catch up a 2pm bus bound for Cebu City.

Indeed, a totally refreshing weekend getaway. No traffic...no deadlines...no e-mails...quiet beach... good food...cool breeze...and a totally wacky travel partner :)). If you wish to follow the wanderlust in you, please be reminded of a few things:

• the island has only 1 ATM but resorts accept credit cards
  
• bring your camera always! there are lots of good finds along the way—old houses... sports jersey collection at Marisquera’s ceiling... fish drying...lots of trees without leaves along the highway..etc. etc.


• of course, lots of sunblock, a pair of goggles and a good piece of swim wear. Just be careful of these orange, slimy creatures called jellyfish! they sure sting!

*more photos at the gallery.