Iloilo In 2011 — I LOVE!

I Love Iloilo!

Iloilo I LOVE!

The trip to Guimaras, Iloilo in June has been by far the most ‘crowded’ I had in 2011. There were four of us traveling: me, Janyl, Jun and Sheila. All four came in via Cebu Pacific set at different time schedules. Sheila came in earlier and had time exploring Guimaras alone. While the three of us had a delayed flight (what’s new?) going to Iloilo City. What was supposedly the time for exploring the city just went to endless waiting inside NAIA’s Terminal 3.

Arriving at the Iloilo City Airport, all three of us went straight to SM City Iloilo to purchase a few stuff prior to departing for Guimaras. Hunger didn’t stopped us from savoring Lapaz Batchoy. I didn’t had enough time to capture a photo of the first food we tried in Iloilo but it was a gastronomic experience that I’d rather forget. After buying stuff, especially mineral water, we hailed a cab from the mall going to Ortiz Wharf where we were met by pump boats going to Guimaras Island. It was a 15-minute P12 ride from Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Wharf (pronounced as hor-dan). From Jordan Wharf we met a couple of transportation options going to Nueva Valencia, Guimaras where the nicest beach were situated. There were jeepneys (good to hold at least 20 people), mini-jeepneys (good for about 15 people), tricycles (good for 4 people) and the habal-habal (good for 3 people including the driver). Since there were only three of us, we decided to spend P250 for a tricycle ride that would take us from Jordan Wharf to Raymen Resort in Nueva Valencia, Alubihod, Guimaras.

We were met by plain fields and mango farms along the 2-hour journey. Whew! Since it’s the habagat season, the rain didn’t stopped itself from welcoming the three Manileños to Guimaras Island. It was a mixture of excitement, disappointment, discomfort and hunger that brought my enthusiasm to possibly the lowest it can get.

Beach-front of Raymen Beach Resort

Upon reaching Raymen Beach Resort, I immediately asked for the receptionist to show us the room I reserved. To my disappointment, she told me that they have given the room to another guest since we didn’t came on time, but they still have another one reserved for us just in case we showed up. The room was situated at the very back of the beach 😦 and we were crowded, in the sense that the room is quite small to fit in four people.  We however had a glimpse of their mango shake, and surprisingly all four of us immediately shouted,”Let’s have one, for Christ’s sake!”

Me and Janyl enjoying the Guimaras mango shake

The mango shake I had was by far the sweetest that I have had in my entire existence. For only P90 it was a heavenly treat after the gruesome two-hour travel and the disappointment from not having to get what I have reserved for. It’s even better than an afternoon delight 🙂 good thing the resort offers one of the best mango shakes in all of the island. Dinner followed shortly after the afternoon snack since they have an early cut-off for serving dinner.