In the Philippines, like Menorca

After two weeks staying at school, we arrived to the weekend. On Thursday night, we decided to go to Camotes, the islands we would want to go on the weekend when a typhoon would hit some parts of the Philippines. It was in a hurry and from the initial of eight who had to go, finally we were only five. Well, it should be more expensive, but affordable. It was organized “hour by hour” that on Friday afternoon, two Korean mums and their sons and daughter decided to join us. Five persons more! We had to decide what time we had to leave the school. There is a ferry at 5:30 am and another one at 8:30. The following ferries arrived too late to Camotes. Taking the 5:30 am ferry meant we had to leave the school at 4 am. Finally, we decided this option to arrive at the island at 7:30 am and we could benefit to see more things!We rented a van with a driver who drove to see the more important (and touristic) places of the island.

But on Friday, to dinner, a Taiwanese mate invited us to join with him and other Taiwanese students and went together to dinner. We went to a Filipino restaurant. When we knew what restaurant it was, Maria and me started to laugh. It was in front of the place where she had the fright (when she nearly fall in a path) some weeks before!! The sunset views were spectacular.

The restaurant at sunset view

After dinner we had to prepare the backpacks because at 3:40 am we would be getting up and leaving.

The truth is we were a little bit unlucky. In the Philippines, the same thing happens as in Menorca when the weekend arrives. After a sunny week and good weather, all Saturday morning there was raining. Indeed, when the rain stopped we had finished the excursions and we were under roof. But after all, we enjoyed the excursions!

Sunrise from the ferry

First of all, after getting off, we went to the hotel to check-in. After, we went to see another resort (I won’t write about our resort, because except the swimming pools with great views over the bay, there aren’t anything more interesting to explain, neither the wifi!).

While we were going  to the hotel, Maria and I sat beside the driver amazed. There were a lot of people sweeping the road. They were cleaning it of leaves which had fallen the day (or days) before! Anything similar about what we had seen until now, where the muck and rubbish was habitual. 

The second resort had a small beach and rocks where people can walk and enjoy the views. It was not special, but it was the first stop.

One of the views from the second resort

After the resort, we went to “Danao” lake. The interesting thing in this place was to rent a kayak and go around, but the weather was not the best to encourage us to do it. We walked around in a path, we had the lunch, and continued with the visits.

Waiting for the lunch

This time we were going to the best place, where we really wanted to go! A cave with an inside-lake where we could swim. But yes, at every place we visited (except the resort) we had to pay a Fee and sometimes an entrance. It was not expensive (entrance to the cave plus fee cost ₱25.00 less than 0’50€ each one), but they take advantage well of the tourist visits.

Main entrance of the cave

Just after  we entered the cave, we saw it is an active cave and it is still growing. Water was falling from the roof like rain! When we arrived to the lake we didn’t think about it, directly to the water! It was not too cold (we thought it would be so much!).

Detail inside the cave

After five minutes inside the cave, more visitors arrived and we decided to get out from the water. There was filling too much and we had to continue with the visits.

A good bath always is good

Next stop, the town of San Francisco, where there was a fruit market and a tend where you could buy food (bbq, said the driver). At that moment while we were in the market, was the moment with more intense rain, but we did not mind it, we decided to enjoy a mango (19₱, 0’35€) and a beer (30₱, 0’56€) instead.

When we arrived to our resort, we decided to go to see the beach (this is public and huge!) We walked in the shallow water, our feet got wet, and we finished in one of the “Restaurant -bars” that are there in the beach, drinking beer with our mates.

Walking in the water

A beer with the dog company

After that, we went to the room and to dinner. We had to wait for the dinner. Exactly two hours! We supposed if it was because they didn’t have enough plates or cutlery for all the tables. We were some people who arrived at the same time to dinner.

On Sunday we didn’t get up late, but we neither got up early. We didn’t have anything on program. Initially, Maria and I would like to dive, but we had to get up very early and we preferred to sleep more. We thought swimming  in the beach was enough.

Finally, we enjoyed the sun on Sunday

And that we did. The most surprising thing from the underwater bottom was the quantity of sea stars there were. It was not difficult to find 3 or 4 together.

We found this kind of sea star everywhere

Aside of sea stars, we saw “nemos”

After a shower (with cold water because it not was hot) we went to have lunch, to do the check-out and direction to the harbour to come back to school.

Maria's version

At the end we found what I thought was the Philippines!! Camotes - the first very clean island and with incredible people!!

From all the visits, the most incredible was the cave, because it seems it is growing, but after all, they have it open for the public. :)

I must learn to be patient! Here you have to wait for everything! But step by step and with calm we do it all hehehehehe

More pictures:

Views of the bay from one of the swimming pools

One "San Miguel Grande" (one liter) to lunch

Views of the island from the ferry

Saturday morning inside the ferry and a little bit sleepy

Resort’s beach which we visited

Sunset arriving to the harbour