Romblon Trip Part 5 (Roaming Around San Andres and Going Back): October 27 to November 1, 2016

Last day of adventure, 3 destinations in San Andres!

A shoe-shaped rock formation surrounded with emerald water.  That is Sapatos point (a.k.a. Sapatos Island or simply sapatos).  Sapatos is a Filipino word which means shoe.  It took us 30 minutes to reach this place from the jump off.  There is also another rock formation in the area which locals are calling as "Tsinelas" (Slippers) because of its slipper-like structure; unfortunately, we forgot to take some pictures.  

Sapatos Point at a distant

Sapatos point close shot

Group shots

 A falls which was converted into a water park; that is Mablaran falls.  We wade! We Climbed! We enjoyed!

Mablaran Arc

Flowing

The "Pool"

Way to the top

At the top group pics

A series of boulders and white pebbles beside a beach...

The bridge at Bangkox2 Beach

In Bangko Bangko

This is a perfect place to wait for the sunset while enjoying moments of silence.  That is Bangko Bangko Beach.  This was the last place we explored and one of my favorite.  I will definitely go back!!!

Feeling rich! 

Duo Post

Rock Formation

Solo Pics

"Life is a magical journey, so travel endlessly to unfold its profound and heart touching beauty" - Debasish Mridha 

The sunset at Bangko-Bangko

Sunset

Sunset

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Going Back

Souvenir shops at Odiongan Port

At Odiongan Port

At Odiongan Port

At Odiongan Port

Day 5 Actual Itinerary

6:00 AM - Wake up Call 
8:15 AM - Departure San Andres to Sapatos "Island"
8:50 AM - Arrival Sapatos Island
9:30 AM - Departure Sapatos Island to Jump off
10:00 AM - Arrival Jump off; Departure to San Andres (Dave House)
10:15 AM - San Andres
11:30 AM - Departure to Mablaran Falls
12:00 AM - Arrival Mablaran Falls
2:30 PM - Departure Mablaran Falls to Bangko Bangko Beach
3:10 PM - Arrival Bangko Bangko Beach 
4:45 PM - Departure Bangko Bangko to San Andres
5:30 PM - Arrival San Andres

Day 6 Actual Itinerary

6:00 AM - Wake up call
7:45 AM - Departure San Andres to Odiongan Port
8:30 AM - Arrival Odiongan Port (bought some additional pasalubong, waiting in the terminal)
12:30 PM - Departure Odiongan Port to Batangas Port 
7:50 PM - Arrival Batangas Port
8:50 PM - Departure Batangas to Manila
11:00 PM - Home Sweet Home

Budget for the entire tour: 2,500 pesos per pax (excluding accommodation fees, thanks Dave! :P)

Note:
1. Entrance fee in Mablaran Falls is 10 pesos.  The rest of the destinations we visited on Day 5 were free of charge.

2. For a cheaper price of marble at Odiongan Port, you may contact Irene Gervacio: 0912-831-2813.  She is selling souvenirs at a lower price compare with the other stores.  Although it is cheaper to buy in Romblon Island, again, the differential cost is only minimal. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*I would like to thank Dave for organizing the entire tour.  Till our next adventure!
** I would also like to thank Mary Joy and her mother for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality during our Stay.  Thanks for the 5 days "CHEERS!" 

Romblon Trip Part 1 (Going There)
Romblon Trip Part 2 (Bosay and Looc Fish Sanctuary)
Romblon Trip Part 3 (Romblon Island)
Romblon Trip Part 4 (Calatrava)

Photo Credit: Santi Cabangon, Sherryl Joy Malatuba, Kristoffer Dave Domingo, Aries Andrada, Katherine Malatuba, and Mary Joy Ganan

End

- JSC

Romblon Trip Part 4 (Calatrava): October 27 to November 1, 2016

At the Calatrava Port.  Taken via action cam

We visited some of the relatives of Dave upon our arrival in San Agustin.  We also made a side trip to the Busay falls of San Agustin, but, left the place after taking some photos.  The falls that time was not in its best condition due to a rain last night.  

Our 4th-day-afternoon itinerary was allotted for island hopping at Calatrava Cove.  We were able to explore the pebble shoreline of Guindawahan Island; and the crater-like body of water and rock formation of Tinagong Dagat.  


Guindawahan Island

In this island, there are no sands........

Guindawahan Island taken from Tinagong Dagat

just pebbles, rock formations and turquoise water 

Joy and her "Pa cute" post

Mt. Payaopao at the background

We did not stay in the island for too long.  Afterwards, we went to the Tinagong Dagat, the island at the other side.  

Tinagong Dagat (Hidden Sea)

The Lagoon

Inside of this island is a saltwater lagoon.  This is a great place to have group picnic while enjoying a scenic view.  We stayed at the place until sunset.

Other Pictures

Entrance to Tinagong Dagat

At the Rock Formation

Joy grilling our foods for the picnic

Fresh from the sea

Group picture while having a "cheers"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other side-trip photo

St. Augustine Parish

Busay Falls in San Agustin

Day 4 Actual Itinerary

5:30 AM - Wake up call (breakfast, pack up)
8:00 AM - Departure Romblon Port to San Agustin Port (Pump Boat)
9:00 AM - Arrival San Agustin (Roaming Around, visiting some relatives of Dave, a short trip to Busay Falls)
11:30 AM - Departure San Agustin to Calatrava (Center)
12:25 PM - Arrival Calatrava
1:00 PM - Departure Calatrava Port to Guindawahan Island
1:45 PM - Arrival Guindawahan Island
2:30 PM - Departure Guindawahan to Tinagong Dagat (Just in front)
2:45 PM - Arrival Tinagong Dagat 
5:30 PM - Departure Tinagong Dagat to Port
6:15 PM - Arrival Calatrava Port
6:20 PM - Departure to San Andres (Dave's House)
7:00 PM - Arrival San Andres (Dinner, Socials)


Note:

1. Fare from Romblon to San Agustin is 100 pesos via pump boat.  The first schedule of departure is at 8 AM.

2. There is an entrance fee in the Busay Falls of San Agustin:  10 pesos for the residents of the place; 30 pesos for tourist; and 100 pesos per cottage.

3. Fare from San Agustin to Calatrava is 50 pesos via pimple bus.

4. We paid 1500 pesos for the island hopping in Calatrava.  There is a 20 pesos entrance fee in Guindawahan Island.  There are some islands that we did not able to explore due to time constraint.  It is better to start the island hopping early.

Romblon Trip Part 1 (Going There)
Romblon Trip Part 2 (Bosay and Looc Fish Santuary)
Romblon Trip Part 3 (Romblon Island)
Romblon Trip Part 5 (Roaming around San Andres and going back) 

Romblon Trip Part 3 (Romblon Island): October 27 to November 1, 2016

The town of Romblon

Arrival / Fort San Andres

We arrived in Romblon, Romblon at 7 in the morning, and allotted the whole day for island hopping.  We were able to visit Fort San Andres as side trip since it is only 20 minutes away from the port.  

The main entrance

Fort San Andres, together with Fort Santiago was built during the Spanish era.  Fr. Agustin "El Padre Capitan" De San Pedro (ORSA) initiated the construction of the 2 bulwarks, in order to protect the town against moro mauderers  (source: commemorative plate of Fr. Agustin in Fort San Andres).  Today, it is one of the popular landmarks in the place, where visitors can witness a 360 degrees view of Romblon Island.

Attack!!!

Group selfie 

Different Views at the fortress

We stayed in the place for an hour.  Afterward, we had our early lunch and bought carved marbles at the souvenir shops near the port.  It was already 10:45 when we commenced our island hopping.

Island Hopping

Cobradror Island

The Arc of Cobrador

The virgin island of Cobrador was the first place we explored.  The island has an extended white sand beach surrounded with crystal clear water.  Honestly, I'm grateful that this place is still underdeveloped.  All the things that we saw were the natural beauty of that place; away from the usual crowds of other well-known destinations.  The place is still alive! 

Cobrador Island

Cobrador Island

Under the Sea

Circle of what?

Mandatory solo shot :D

Alad Island

This is the island where we stayed a bit longer because we waited for the "right time (low tide)" to go to Bonbon Beach.  Some of us took a nap; others explored the area and captured moments. Dito na rin inabot si Aries (call of nature :P).  There are several sea urchins in this island, so I didn't dare to go at the distant parts.  

Pictures taken from Alad Island

Marbles

One of the mining sites of marbles can be found in Alad.  "Parang halaman dito ang marmol, tumutubo lang" (The marbles here are like plants, they are sprouting) - according to the local.  I took some raw marbles as my souvenir.

Bonbon Beach

Bonbon Beach was our last destination.  It has a long stretch of sandbars which connecting the beach to another island (Bangog) during low-tide.  We taught that low tide happens during the afternoon (around 4 to 5 pm onward).  It was a mistake!  We learned from the people, that the best time to explore the place is before and an hour after lunch.  This is the time when a full stretch of sandbar can be observed.  Anyway, the scenery was still great.  We waited for the sunset before leaving.  


Pictures Taken

Solo pics with Mr. Starfish

The selfie king

Bang-og Island

Photo Ops

Where are the sands?

Bonbon Island connecting Bang-og Taken By Joy dated November 18, 2016 :D

Day 3 Actual Itinerary

2:00 AM - Wake up call waiting for the dimple star bus going to San Agustin
3:30 AM - Departure San Andres to San Agustin
4:50 AM - Arrival San Agustin Port
5:00 AM - Buying of a ticket, early breakfast 
6:00 AM - Departure San Agustin to Romblon Island
7:00 AM - Arrival Romblon Island (short tour, visiting Port San Andres, etc.)
10:45 AM - Start of Island Hopping
11:40 AM - Arrival Cobrador Island 
1:20 PM - Departure Cobrador Island to Alad Island
3:25 PM - Departure Alad Island to Bonbon Beach
3:50 PM - Arrival Bonbon Beach
5:00 PM - Departure Bonbon Beach to Port
5:30 PM - Arrival Port (Wash up, socials, etc)

How we went there?

1. Take a dimple star bus going to San Agustin from Odiongan.  (In our case, we waited the bus in San Andres).  Fare is 150 pesos per head if coming from Odiongan, and 100 pesos per head if from San Andres.

2. Take the RORO boat in San Agustin going to Romblon Island.  Fare is 80 pesos per head and first trip is at 6:00 AM.  If you miss the first trip, you can still take a pump boat going to Romblon (100 pesos per head). 


Note:

1. There is an entrance fee of 20 pesos per head in Fort San Andres.

2. We paid 2500 pesos for the cost of boat rental in Island hopping (8 pax).  

3. Expect series of crashing waves.  They will rock the boat :P

4. Marble is cheaper in Romblon, Romblon, but differential cost of buying in Odiongan is minimal.  It is more practical to buy souvenirs at Odiongan Port, if you have other planned itinerary.  It will save you from carrying heavy load.

Marble Shops in Romblon

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** I would like to thank Mr. Johnny (Dave's friend), for giving us free accommodation during our one night stay in the island.    

Romblon Trip Part 1 (Going There)
Romblon Trip Part 2 (Bosay and Looc Fish Santuary)
Romblon Trip Part 4 (Calatrava)
Romblon Trip Part 5 (Roaming around San Andres and going back)