My work colleagues used to plan a trip that never really worked out at the end. And surprise, surprise! Fortune Island was one of those trips that finally happened.
L o c a t i o n
Fortune Island is located at Brgy. Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas. If you are familiar with Nasugbu, it is just around a 3-hours drive from Manila, accessible thru Tagaytay. In our case since we were in a large group, we rented a van from Manila. We met at 5am at Makati area and arrived at Brgy. Wawa before 8am. There were some formalities to do before you can ride a boat going to the Island. Names should be listed and an environmental / entrance fee to the Island must be paid. Boat ride was around an hour and a half.
During this time, Fortune Island was starting to get noticed and the registration area gets really busy and crowded at times so better come early.
Boats that will bring you to the Fortune Island.
The water was calm at the morning. Rides was smooth and really peaceful. :)
Fortune Island became popular due to its Grecian Acropolis - inspired ruins atop of a hill. This was part of a former exclusive resort built in this Island. Though this resort is no longer here, the ruins had been continuously drawing an attention to all the curious traveler and photographer.
This was the first thing that will greet your eyes. Creamy pebbled sand, a broken rest house and the Greek-liked ruins from afar.
Without dropping our bags, we started ascending to the ruins thru the man made steps.
The 360 degrees view on the ruins was definitely a highlight. And of course the ruins itself if you want those IG worthy photos.
It was difficult sometimes to take a solo shot without anyone in your background because the platform where the ruins stand was not that wide.
After taking a lot of photos, we went to the diving spot on the other side of the ruins. It was a long walk from the hill that was surrounded by stones.
There were few people already lining up to jump. We went there to just witness the people and the view. Not that brave to do a jump.
After some time, we looked for a place to rest and eat. Fortune Island, unfortunately didn't have a lot of plants and trees. It was open and bare. We got a hard time looking for a shaded place. Later on, we found a little area with small trees around but not enough to cover all of us. And if you came a little late, all possible shaded place will be already taken so you will end up toasted under the sun. :D
You can spend a night at Fortune Island but there was no accommodation to cater you so it will be a bring your own tent and food. There are few umbrellas along the shore for public use but with the direct heat of the sun, it won't be a lot of help. If you plan to stay longer especially around noon where sun was art its hottest, bring your own sun protections. Anything like big umbrellas, hat, sunblock, glasses or tent. And take note, though they have a rest room in the area, it was untidy and there was no clean water that can be used.
Though the sand was not fine, the water was clear and clean. At the end, its the one that matters.
Here we were after much needed rest, we run into the water and took a dip. But it was still hot so we used an umbrella. :D
Make sure to coordinate with your boatman the time of your pick up. They are only allowed to dock to take and deliver the tourists.
We stayed at the Island until 4PM. Not sure if it was a good idea as the waves going back was rugged, one of the scariest boat ride that I experienced. It was the opposite of the water in the morning. Our boat is going up and down massively. Everyone was silent in the boat for the last one and a half ride, praying for our safe return. Hahaha. But everything was good, thank God no one got harmed. :)
For the honest verdict, Fortune Island was a nice experience but it was not something that I would like to repeat again. Unless of course the water will be fixed as hygiene is one of the essentials of traveling to all the ladies like me. And if tress will bloom around, it will be a nice place to stay at.
x o x o
Faith
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