My Solo Adventure at Mactan Island Cebu Day 2

My Solo Adventure at Mactan Island Cebu
August 3-5, 2006

Day 2. August 4, 2006

For the past 2 days, this is where I usually eat breakfast - at McDonald's. Why? Because it is very near Mactan Pension or Ace Pension, and it opens at 7 am.

Mactan Pension and Ace Pension are near each other. Both are fronting Gaisano Mall.

At Angasil Pier, I rented a big boat. I think it can carry 20-25 people. Actually I just negotiated the price of the boat rental. I got it at P 2,200. Coverage: Gilutungan Island, Sulpa Island, and Olango Island Bird Sanctuary. Well, it would have been cheaper if I had other friends to share the cost!

From Angasil Pier to Gilutungan Island. These are the views you can possibly see along the way. At the start of the boat departure, you could easily see Vistamar Beach Resort. Along the way, you could see the Tambuli Resorts, Hadsan Cove, and Marigondon Beach. I was also able to spot Vano Beach.

From the approach to Gilutungan Island to Gilutungan Island proper, these are the views you could see. I was told that I will have to pay for the entrance fee at the snorkeling area. And also I knew (from previous internet research) that I have to pay a fee for my underwater camera. But luckily for me, nobody came to me to ask for the fee. Maybe they were very busy because of the numerous guests snorkeling there (see the numerous boat). Most snorkelers here were foreigner - Koreans. It is sad to think that only foreigner like these Koreans can afford the beautiful snorkeling spot at Cebu. Even the local I talked to in the Ace Pension (he works here) was not able to see or visit Gilutungan Island. I would understand why: 1) the tour cost is expensive - usual boat rental is P 2500 - 3500. 2) there's lack of accessibility to that area - this would have been solved if tour agency promotes a local for this place. I keep comparing Mactan Island with Puerto Princesa (PP). What a big difference! At PP, you could go for island hopping at Honda Bay (3 islands) for P 1,500 only! This includes the aircon van service, the boat rental, and a packed lunch! At Mactan Island (Lapu-lapu City), no tour agency offers this kind of tour package. I talked to 3 tour agency at Lapu-lapu City, and they don't have this kind of package. They mostly cater to foreigners and private groups that customizes their itinerary. This is really sad for local tourist like me. With that experience, I salute Puerto Princesa for their tourism programs and efforts. Oh well, this did not stopped me on going to Gilutungan Island. :p

These are my underwater shots at the marine sanctuary of Gilutungan Island. The water beneath was a little cloudy due to the numerous snorkelers like me. It was a festive atmosphere of snorkelers. Underwater, there are numerous small fishes. Although I forgot to bring bread with me, there were other people who brought their bread. With that I was able to capture the fish which comes for the bread. I usually saw big parrot fish. I would rate the snorkeling place 4 stars (5 stars being the highest). There were also big fishes - big angelfish, just like the one I saw in Sutukil, other big fishes that I don't know what they are called. There were also divers beneath… hehe. It was on the later part of my snorkeling that I saw many big fishes when my film was empty!

After Gilutungan Island, I went to Sulpa Island. I actually didn't like this island because the boat cannot go near the shore because of its shallow waters. I have to walk in the knee-deep waters. The island is almost made up of stones. The sandy part is not so spectacular - for me. Be careful of sea urchins when you walk here. I saw many small sea urchins hiding is some stones or corals. By the way, the island have huts for rent for P 50. I didn't bother to stay here because I felt it's not worth it. I took my packed-lunch in the boat instead.

After this, I was supposed to go to the Bird Sanctuary at Olango Island, but I deviated from this. I am not really a bird enthusiast, I am more a beach enthusiast. I may not enjoy the swampy scenery at the mangrove area. So, I decided to feed my curiosity. Ever since I saw the Public Boat to Olango Island, I was always wondering what's it's like on the other end. And that's where I went. I told my boat drivers that I want to see the Stilt Restaurant. What I don't understand until now, is that why they don't want to go there. They suggested that I take a tricycle or habal-habal to go there. So that's what I did. The pier at Olango is much better than at Angasil. My companion (from the boat drivers) told me that the tricycle take P 90 for a special fare. So we looked for a habal-habal, but we found a tricycle and bargained a fare for P 20 each passenger. When we reached the place (at Bgy. Caw-oy), there were 4 stilts. There were transfer boats going to the stilt restaurant. The transfer boat is free provided you eat at the stilt. I think they just get commission from the restaurants. In my case, I didn't eat, I just gave the transfer boat man a P 40 tip. Due to my foolishness, I misplaced my spare battery. And my digital camera was almost battery empty. And I was just able to get these pictures at the Stilt Restaurant.

At that place, I saw boats parked there. The big boats can park there. I just forgot to ask them why they don't want to go that far. Maybe because of my bargain on the boat rental. Well, I could have added the boat rental fare if needed. The barrio at Olango Island is quiet but spooky for me. I always remember someone saying to me that don't accept food or drink from the locals there. I actually don't know why but this thought made my impression of the place spooky. When we left Olango Pier, I paid a docking fee of P 50.

After Olango Island, I went back to Angasil Pier, then back to my lodging at Mactan Pension. This tour cost me around P 2400 (my most expensive tour so far).

At Mactan Pension, I took some pictures of my room. My room is small but ok for me. You just have to choose a room here and pick those with stone wall. The one with wooden walls (I think it's called formica) are the one that looks infested with rats and cockroaches. Well, my room (Room 104) have 4 stone walls.

Being alone on a tour like this have it advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: I can go to places I like or places I am curious about without consideration of other people's like because I am all alone. Disadvantage: I have no one to share the cost of boat rental. Although what I learned here I can use for any possible future trips here.

All in all, it was a great adventure trip. Highlight is the snorkeling at Gilutungan Island. It doesn't end here yet. I still have Day 3.