Pandan Island / Apo Reef Tour - April 28, 2007

Day 1 Pandan Island / Apo Reef Tour

My day 1 begins at night. It was 8pm that I rode a bus from Imus Cavite going to Buendia-Roxas Blvd. and then to Buendia-Taft. I arrived 10pm then rode an ac bus going to Batangas City Pier (Fare=PHP 146). I arrived Batangas Pier at 12mn only to find out that the Ferry to Abra De Ilog will depart at 4am but tickets can be bought at 1am. When 12:45am came, there was already a long line. Due to passenger's insistance, the ticket booth opened earlier. Terminal Fee is at PHP 10. At the terminal, I slept there in the row of seats. I put an alarm in my cellphone to be sure that I would not be left out.

As early as 3:30am, the ferry started boarding. We walked a long walk before reaching the ferry. The ferry is a RORO type (Roll On Roll Off). While it was dark, I was able to doze off. When the sun started to rise, I immediately took pictures of Mindoro by the sea. I can outline that those lands are Puerto Galera and Abra De Ilog.

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Here's a picture of the ferry - Montenegro Shipping Lines. By the way, the fare is PHP 160. If want an ac room, you add PHP 28. The ac room is best during hot weather and if you want to take a nap.

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Approaching Abra De Ilog Pier, this is my first time I saw Abra De Ilog.

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Upon arrival in Abra De Ilog, I asked if there's a van going to Sablayan, but they were always saying the van is going to Mamburao. (Although I learned afterwards that there is really an ac van going to Sablayan). Until I ended up riding up a mini bus (Fare is PHP 160). The road to Mamburao is cemented, therefore it was smooth ride. The bus made a 30-min. stop at Mamburao.

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Inside the mini bus…

After Mamburao, the roads gets slightly rough and dusty. When approaching the town od Sta. Cruz, the road becomes cemented again. After Sta. Cruz, the rough and dusty road is now longer. At the approach of Sablayan, at the town of Pag-asa, our bus had a flat tire. It was almost a 30 minutes stop over again.

At this point, I can conclude that the car can pass through this slightly rough roads. Also after the flat tire was repaired, I got bored. I can't wait to reach Sablayan, at DJ Resort (The resort arranged to me by Sablayan Ecotourism - Tel no. 0910-467-4915, email: ecotourism_sablayan_occmdo@yahoo.com.ph ). The bus that I rode by the way has a route of Abra De Ilog - San Jose. The next stop over was at Sablayan town. After the bus ride I took a tricycle to DJ Resort (Fare = PHP 10 *overpriced). Finally at 11am I arrived DJ Resort.

My room at DJ Resort costs PHP 160 per night.

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Upon arrival they gave me a free buko juice! I looked around the resort. They have ac rooms, fan rooms, open cottages, tree houses, somekind of a stilt cottage, and eating area.

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When I told the owner of DJ Resort that I would walk and take a look around town, they offered me a ride behind the motorcycle. Good thing I availed this because the distance of the town center is quite far. I was used to walk in Coron and El Nido towns. But here in Sablayan the town is big just like Lucena or any developed "bayan" (town).

Here's the VIDEO of my motorcycle ride.

Here's the Sablayan Ecotourism Office.

Then I was brought to Parola Park. In here I was able to glimpse the two Pandan Island - Piqueno (South) and Grande (North).

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After Parola Park, I was brought to the Sablayan Pier. This place is called the old town.

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By the way, the motorcycle tour was an "extra mile" given to me by DJ Resort. I like this resort. I would recommend this to anybody who wants to visit Sablayan.

On my own, I walked. And took pictures of the other lodging inns of Sablayan. I was able to get some of the contact number and rates of the lodging inn, but not all of them.

Here's 22 Cups Beach Resort (formerly Red Rock Resort). Tel no. 0916-908-7162

Here's Along the Beach Resort. Tel No. 0927-503-4690 Room Rates. PHP 300-600

Here's Emily Hotel. Tel No. 0916-649-4024 Room Rates. PHP 120-250

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Here's LandManz Hotel. Tel No. 0910-428-4569, 0918-534-9809 Room Rates. PHP 200-1,200

Here's La Sofia Apartelle.

As sidetrip, I took pictures of the Pandan Island Information Area.

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And the sablayan welcome sign.

And the sablayan hanging bridge and its river.

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Also the Sablayan Market where I bought some fishes for my food on the following days. DJ Resort would cook for me.

Going back to DJ (by the way pronounced as Di-Gi not Di-Jay) Resort, I took a tricycle, pronouncing right my heading, which is DiGi Resort. Fare = PHP 8.0 only.

At DiGi Resort, I took more pictures. And there I met the group that I will join for the tour (also arranged by Sablayan Ecotourism - not bad for their service).