A Day Visit to Guimaras Island

So before going back to Manila through our 5pm flight, I should never have missed the beauty of the Guimaras Island which is just 15 minutes boat away from Iloilo City. A day before the actual visit, we viewed the island from the top pagoda of Bureau of Customs Building (formerly known as the Aduana Building).

 You can see from the photo above the Iloilo City Hall and the overlooking island of Guimaras.

As early as 6am on the 6th of April, we took the second trip transfer to the island from Ortiz Wharf that cost only P15 and off we went for a short island tour to Guimaras. Upon arrival at the port of Jordan, there is a tourist information center where you can contract a day tour in a multi-cab, jeepney or tricycle, depending on you choice and budget.

 We started the tour on the southern part of Guisi where the famous Lighthouse and Guisi Beach can be found.

 I have to have a shot in this very rustic lighthouse tower.

 Photo below shows a view of the ocean from the lighthouse..

 Trekking down the Guisi Beach

 Then we trekked up again to go to our next activity..the island tour.

 A view of the Alubijod Beach where we contracted a boatman and started our island hopping tour..

 The Turtle Island as the boatman says..

Down to Ave Maria Island to start with..the sun is cooperating for it was not very hot when we started the island tour

 The Cave Island which was a bit small, a big boat cannot enter and passed through inside.

 I forgot what this island is called but it had a grotto on top of it which I forgot to take a souvenir photo.

 The mango farm along the way and the famous sweet Mangoes from Guimaras!

Our last stopped is the Trappist Monastery where we pray our special intentions and buy some souvenir items in their shop before heading back to the port and hurriedly packed up for our flight back to Manila. Ciao!

Churches in Iloilo : A Never Too Late VIsita Iglesia

My first time in Iloilo is definitely an adventure..no planned itinerary, no new set of clothes and no extra cash. It was really just a side trip for an official order at work to attend the quarterly convention of PAGBA held in the city.

So one day before the convention, me and a few comrades decided to traverse the countryside and made a leisure-style Visita Iglesia on the famous churches of Iloilo City.

We started it off to the southernmost part of the proviince, the San Joaquin Church. From the city proper we rode a PUJ to the terminal and rode an ordinary vintage bus bound to Antique (along the way you will see the long stretch of Sulu Sea.

Unfortunately, the church was undergoing restoration when we came so we didn't appreciate much the beauty of the church's facade. We walked through the side and saw the sports arena overlooking the Sulu Sea.

 There was a newly-established Garin Farm owned and named after the incumbent congressman of the said district. The entrance fee is too expensive though for the time we arrived so we just took photo from its gate.

Our next stop is the fascinating Miag-ao Church. This church, I can say, and its facade, doors and patio is a good place for romantic photoshoots. 

 This door is awesome!

Next stop is the Guimbal Church..there was currently a float parade and mass dancing in connection with the  Bantayan Festival going on when we arrived.

The we returend to Iloilo City proper and ate at the famous Deco's to try the city's Original La Paz Batchoy.

 Saw this Portuguese-inspired building along the walking roads of the city

Next stop is the church located just beside the Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City, the San Jose Church. It was already closed when we came since it was past 9pm already.

  The church and the plaza is fronting the Iloilo City Hall..great lighting at night

Then off we went to gothic-inspired Jaro Church now..

 The amazing features of this church is the separate bellfry found on the other side of the road.

We dropped by the newly-established Esplanade on our way to Molo.

 Best to visit at night because of the serene lights and peaceful ambience.

Our last stop is the Molo Church..there were lots of young bystanders even if we arrived almost late past 10 at night.

Off we go back to our lodge to rest.

Next post: A Day Visit to Guimaras Island