Guimaras which is known for the sweetest mangoes and luscious tourist spots had been one of my destination goals. When I got a chance to visit Iloilo, I made sure I won't missed it, and so I did. Though there was a change in the original plan but nevertheless, I was glad to spent one whole day exploring the Island.
LOCATION
Coming from the Iloilo Town Proper or Downtown, you can opt to ride a public jeepney or taxi to Ortiz Wharf. In our case, we hired a taxi from our hotel directly to the Wharf. From there, we purchased a ticket to Jordan Wharf, Guimaras. For the 15-20 minutes pump boat ride, the ticket was around P15.00 per head in one way. Yes, that cheap, I was also surprised! The boat was big, I think can accommodate 30 passengers at a time.
We didn't arranged any tour prior to our arrival at Guimaras. Our plan was to find an Island hopping tour when we came. Unfortunately, it was raining and Xander, our 3 years old little traveler was uneasy at the boat ride so from there, we just decided to do a land tour of the Island. We hired a trike for the whole day tour.
R o c a E n c a n t a d a
Roca Encantada which also means as "Enchanted Rock" is an ancestral house built on a huge elavated rock of the Lopez clan that serves as a tourist spot since it was declared as a heritage/historical house on 2002. Though the facade didn't really fit with the word "heritage" because of the modernity it looked, but the house had been there since 1910.
The house overlooked an Islet of the Seven Sins or Siete Pecados
The house also offers this picturesque view of El Retiro Beach
There was no entrance fee on Roca Encantada. The place was relaxing though didn't have much to do inside.
N a v a l a s C h u r c h
A short trip from Roca Encantada is the Navalas Church, located at 5 Navalas Rd, Buenavista, Guimaras, the oldest Roman Catholic Church and only existing heritage church in Guimaras. The church was built in 1880, and was said to be made from native corals and stone. We only got a chance to see the facade as the church was closed when we came. The church was surrounded by stone wall and watch tower is placed in front of the church.
S a n L o r e n z o W i n d F a r m
Also located at Guimaras, these 27 pieces of windmills are somehow part of tourist spots in the Island. Towering high and built in farms, you can actually see them even in the roads. Though there was nothing to do here but to take photos, there was something astonishing standing beside those giant structures.
G u i s i L i g h t h o u s e
With a purpose to guide everyone passing Panay Gulf, this lighthouse was built during Spanish colonial era, considered now as the second oldest lighthouse in the Philippines. It is located at Brgy. Dolores, Nueva Valencia. The current look of the lighthouse shows its age as it is now deteriorating and rust already eat almost the whole body but the stair were still intact and some of the visitors had climbed it to have a better view of the whole Island. Beside it was a ruins of the former settlement and where a new lighthouse was built.
Xander had fun roaming around.
The ruins overlooked the stunning coastline of Guisi Beach which you can also visit.
These palm trees made the guisi beach more stunning, don't you think?
A l u b i h o d B e a c h
Another pretty beach can be found in Nueva Valencia, Alubihod beach is said to be the most popular beach in the Island. It is a public beach and has it's own resort and restaurant with cute nipa cottages. It rained that day so the water was a little faded but the beach looked promising.
The shore was around 500 meters long and though the sand was not as fine, it was nice and clean.
Loved these cottages surrounded by palms.
M a n g o P l a n t a t i o n
Of course for our final stop, we can't missed a mango plantation. We visited one of the plantation at San Miguel, Guimaras. Mango season was already over when we came so most of the trees were fruit empty. But it was such a nice feeling being surrounded by a lot of mango trees. The place was pretty relaxing and was empty when we got there.
After the tour, we went back to Jordan Port for our return at Iloilo City. Though we didn't see Guimaras on the way we first planned, we were satisfied with our tour. Gumaras was rich in nature and history. And since the island hopping never happened, it gave me a reason to have another visit.
If you are curious where we stay at the City, you can check the Urban Sands Hotel blog.
For City tour, I compiled interesting spots in Iloilo blog.
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