The original plan was to have a relaxing beach bum at boracay but a friend of mine told me that instead of boracay, why not try Isla Gigantes at Iloilo. She said that the island can also be reached from kalibo.
I always wanted to explore Gigantes Island, so this brought happy tears on my eyes. Without any doubt, I searched the web for directions, maps and blogs. Luckily, I found some blogs but they were all “estimated”, so i guess the kalibo-route isn’t that common to the visitors of the island yet. It is said that the iloilo-route is the most known way to Gigantes island.
This didn’t scared me at all, in fact, it excites me. I told my partner (Rence) about the change of plan and he accepted the challenge (Feeling amazing race- hehe!)
Thankfully, another friend of mine referred the resort where they stayed in when they went to Gigantes island. He gave the contact number of the person; I immediately called to book a reservation. We booked at Bulobadiang island resort. Apple who was the one i called was very accommodating. Since we are coming from kalibo, i had a lot of questions. Apple was very helpful and so i was able to make our itinerary for the trip.
Itinerary done and we are good to go!
Our flight was supposed to be 3:15PM but thanks to Cebupac (charot!), there was a 3 hours & 15 minutes delay. They gave us Pampabawas-init-ulo snack, a cup noodle and a bottle of water. In short, Itinerary flashed down the toilet.
So eto na nga, the adventure begun…
We arrived at kalibo airport at 7:30PM. Hailed a tricycle to drop us at the van terminal. As expected, the last van bound to roxas have already left for the last trip at 6:30PM. Rence decided that we spend the night at a lodge near the van terminal so we can leave for roxas city first thing in the morning. We stayed at Center parkway lodge.
We are informed that the first trip bound to roxas city is at 5:00 AM. It is very important that you arrive at the terminal before 5:00AM because exactly 5:00 AM the van left though it is still not full. Travel time from Kalibo to Roxas city is 1 hour & 30 minutes.
6:30 AM we arrived at the roxas city terminal where the vans and buses bound to estancia are. We opt to ride the van since we don’t know how long really is the travel time and we don’t want to miss the commuter pumpboat at estancia port.
Exactly 7:00 AM as what the driver said, the van left bound to estancia (Oha! Infairness, on the dot sila parati. pag sinabing gantong oras go na, gora na talaga!) Travel time from Roxas city to Estancia port is 2 hours & 30 minutes.
We actually expected the travel time to be 4 -5 hours as what is estimated on the blogs i’ve read. We were sooooo early! (Kaloka!) We ate brunch at endielinas resort, roam around, talked to the locals (ika nga eh, do as the locals do) and took photos of the port.
Around 11:00 AM, Ronron, our cheerful guide from Bulobadiang island resort met us at the passenger pumpboat terminal, chitchat, paid 5 pesos for the terminal fee and 80 pesos for the boat fee then waited until 1:00PM. Oh! There is only one commuter pumpboat per day that picks up passengers so better be early on the terminal. Or you can hire a private boat for around 2,500 pesos.
It was already 3:00 PM when we arrived at the resort. They served us with coffee upon arrival.
Bulobadiang Island Resort is located in a private island that is 10 mins away from the Gigantes island mainland.
A picturesque view of a mountain side, overlooking the sea bahay kubos greet us. It was such a beautiful place. Plus the owner and caretakers were very hospitable.
Our home for a couple of days has one bed (good enough for two), a CR and a balcony that is overlooking the sea.
Since it is already afternoon, we decided to start the activities the next day. This was a great idea because we got the chance to explore the island. We walked along the shoreline and took advantage of the scenic view by taking a lot of photos. Star fish of different colors and sea urchins were scattered around!
Dinner time! (Favorite part ni Rence: Chibog time!)
We expected sea foods and we got it, they served us Grilled scallops, Fried Linggiro, and Sizzling scallops (sobrang panalo nung sizzling scallops!)
The next day, sunshine greet us good morning. We had breakfast by the beach before we start the island hopping. Ronron was our tour guide. We recommend him! His contact details are posted below.
First stop: Bantigue Sandbar
Second stop: Cabugao Gamay Island
Third stop: Antonia Beach
Unfortunately, Tangke was closed for the visitors due to maintenance and cleaning.
After the island tour, we headed back to the resort and ate our lunch first before the lighthouse tour and Bakwitan cabe speluking.
Lunch time! Chibog time! So much serving for two persons! (sobrang sulit!) They served us Grilled Wasay-wasay, Large Crabs, Grilled Pusit and Sinigang Linggiro. We were so full after eating, we just wanted to relax and sleep but the lighthouse and cave are waiting for us.
The lighthouse and the bakwitan cave is located at the mainland. We did the spelunking first at Bakwitan cave. While exploring the cave, Ronron gave us trivia and facts about it. He was also kind enough to take our photos to some spots with great view.
The lighthouse. We rode habal-habal to get to the lighthouse. The kids along the way are so happy and very friendly, they waved at us and greeted us as we passed them. It was like entering a different era upon seeing the lighthouse. It is said that the structure was made of shell and egg whites during the spanish era (1890’s) so imagine the stability of it. They constructed a new solar powered light house beside the old one, their plan is to make the old one into a museum and a cafe.
It was already raining so we decided to go back to the resort. Perfect timing as Ate Grace who prepared our foods already cooked us dinner.
Dinner time! Chibog time! And then again, seafoods paradise. Scallops express, Adobong pusit, Baked scallops with butter & cheese and breaded Linggiro was our dinner. (Uuugghh! Sobrang sulit! Sinabi ko na ba yon? Haha!)
Early morning the next day was our last day. It was sad that we are leaving such peaceful place but we can always go back! We will definitely go back! 🙂
The passenger pumpboat leaves the mainland of Gigantes island at 8:30 AM and it is the only passenger boat that leaves the island per day. It is advised that you should be on the pumpboat 30mins before it leaves to secure a seat.
Our flight to manila is also at Kalibo airport since we were supposed to go to Boracay. We just went back to estancia terminal and rode van to roxas then at the roxas terminal, we rode a van again to Kalibo.
This trip was priceless. Bonds tighten, memories created & love tank full. It was really an adventure for us and we will surely do it again! 🙂
Bulobadiang Island Resort (Highly recommended)
Contact person & numbers: Desiree Decano / Apple Decano
0927-998-3354
0910-473-5853
0998-553-9083
0912-841-4914
Tour Guide: Ronron Decano:
0910-304-6961 or you can request for him at Bulobadiang Resort
Expenses: Kalibo, Aklan – Estancia, Iloilo (Airfare not included)
Tricycle rental from kalibo airport: (2 pax) Php 100.00
Center Parkway Lodging (Kalibo) Fan room/ 2 pax: Php 550.00
Van from Kalibo to Roxas (1 pax/ 1 way): Php 120.00
Van from Roxas to Estancia (1 pax/ 1 way): Php 75.00
Estancia Port Terminal fee (1 pax): Php 05.00
Bulobadiang Island Resort: (2 pax) Php 6,560.00
Includes: Fan room/ 2 pax (There is no aircon room – you won’t be needing it anyway) 3D 2N – Passenger pumpboat fee – Island hopping (Bantigue Sandbar/Cabugao Island/Antonia Island), Mainland tour (Bakwitan cave/Lighthouse) – 2 Breakfast – 2 Lunch – 2 Dinner
Tour guide tip: Php 500.00
Other meals we ate and snack we bought along the way: Php 1,000.00 (Mababawasan pa yan depende sa inyo, we love eating eh hehe!)
Pasalubong: Depende na din sayo ‘to 🙂
Our budget for this trip was Php 12,000.00 for 2 persons. but basically, you can go to this paradise if you have Php 9,000.00 to Php 10,000.00. Too good to be true right? 🙂
The Adventures and Misadventures of two sole-mates 