Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times. - Asian Proverb
It was last April 2021 when my first sea travel happened. However, it wasn't far enough but still a nerve-wracking experience to go out of my shell. My first travel outside my comfort zone is to the alluring island of Bantayan, Cebu. Come with me as I share with you how my travel goes.
Traveling is fun and exhausting at the same time. Fun for you will have another memorable experience to share with the world and exhausting because it takes time traveling and a lot of preparation needed for a certain travel - your budget allowances, your food and travel expenses, and to what your OOTD or Outfit of the day😉. But rest assured you will truly enjoy and forget your load of work.
Together with my friends, we book our rooms one week before our travel. And because it was too close to the date of our travel, it was not an easy plan as what was expected from us. So we had to book two different places to stay there for no available rooms for our 3D2N vacation. Our first place is the Rica's Bed Space which is a low-cost space, while the other one is a little bit pricey but cozy and spacious.
On the first day, we didn't want to waste time and wanted to explore the place already. So we went straight to Jelly's Haven Resort in Sta. Fe after dropping all our bags in Rica's place. Though it's very hot, the eagerness in us to see the beauty of the island excites us more to go out and traverse the place.
It's just a few meters away from the place where we stay. Using the google maps, we reach the place. And oh! from the name itself, feels like heaven. The fine white sand will be seen at their entrance gate. For a day's use at the place, we need to pay the entrance fee of Php150.00 or 2.67 USD.
As you can see inside the place, the piled umbrellas above look elegant as we pass the entrance to the beach. And the aesthetic designs near the beach are fabulous as well. Worth your visit. Looking at the sparkling blue water is tempting. I believe traveling to this place for the first time is worth it.
Our next destination is the famous Omagieca Obo-ob Mangrove Garden which is a famous tourist spot in Bantayan. With the entrance fee of Php55.00 or 0.98 USD, you can tour around the place. Here, you can see a lot of planted mangrove plants around the area. If you are bombarded with a lot of work lately and you need an extra green place to stay, I believe this place is best for you. You can see greens all around the area which heals to your inner soul and wandering heart.
You can walk into the inner beauty of the mangrove garden by crossing their bamboo pathways. It was quite amazing how people created magic to enhance the place. Walking into the inner portion of the garden, you can take a beautiful picture of its OMAGIECA signage. OMAGIECA stands for Obo-ob Mangrove Garden Integrated Ecotourism Conservation Association. Mangroves are important to our environment as they serve as home for fish and protect the shorelines from damage against storms.
After a couple of minutes of walking, you can see this signage "CAMP SAWI". Some tourists will not last walking with this vast aisle of bamboo and maybe this sign says it all. If you do not go on you will not reach your destination so "SAWI" means losing the chance to see the inner beauty.
On the end portion, you can also see another sign that says, "CAMP WAGI", which symbolizes that you are winning your battle. The chance to see the Mangrove Tunnel and be amazed at the natural wonders around you.
On the second day, we had the chance to explore the famous "The Ruins" of Bantayan Island. Typically, the ruins in other places stand for old remnants of Spanish colonization in our country but on the Island of Bantayan, The Ruins are a typical German House that was ruined by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
Near its place is an amazing cliff-jumping area. If you love cliff jumping, well this place suits you. But if you wish to have a little bit of swimming, yes you can go down and swim on its fine white sand.
Lastly, one will not end its Bantayan Tour without visiting the famous Kota Beach Resort of Sta. Fe. Its vast shoreline is very popular with all tourists. The creamy white sand and sparkling blue water will catch your attention and ignite you to swim around. If you wish to stay near the place, a resort is ready to accommodate you anytime. You can check out the place and inquire.
Sitting near the shore and talking with your friends is a wonderful experience to be done here. If you are bringing your kids with you, for sure you will enjoy roaming this vast shoreline enjoying the whole day round.
Even how many times I've heard about the beautiful Island of Bantayan, nothing beats seeing its magic for the first time with your naked eyes. The capturing beauty and the memories you surely treasure for the rest of your life.
That's all for my first travel to the majestic island of Bantayan, Cebu. This is not the last for sure and we will explore more.
Have a nice day everyone 😊