Guimaras: The Trappist Monastery and the Famous Guimaras Mangoes!

Another hour of tricycle ride from the Guisi Lighthouse did not help my already sore body.  It’s a good thing that the monastery has a souvenir shop where we could spend our aches away.  Nothing beats retails therapy.  Hehe.

It was pretty tranquil within monastery grounds but the noise from speeding tricycles was a bit annoying.  It’s seldom that we hear chirping of birds and crickets so that’s how I felt.  Like any other monastery, monks rarely (or never) go out in public.  In the Trappist Monastery, there’s a designated monk to welcome visitors and even man the cash register at the souvenir shop.  You can leave prayer intentions with a small donation for their charity projects.

But the compelling reason for anybody to go to Guimaras is their mango.  Try to google Guimaras and you’ll find their claim to have the world’s sweetest mangoes.  We tried it and even bought 10 kilos of unripe mangoes to take back to Manila.  Verdict:  It’s sweet alright but I grew up eating the mangoes of Bataan and Zambales so I’m not sure if Guimaras mangoes are the sweetest.  These mango variations all have thin skin and seed so I think a machine should just be used to test the sweetness.

I didn't enter...i just had to take a shot.

Guimaras: Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins!

My back was already aching from the long tricycle ride but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face because I was after all, setting foot for the first time at the Guisi Lighthouse and Ruins.  Located in Nueva Valencia, the trip took almost an hour but had the roads been better, it’s an easy 30-minute ride.

Our guide suggested a route that would take us to the beach first.  The sky was overcast so it was an easy stroll.  I was intrigued by the black sand that I initially thought of as oil spill remnants…but it was really black sand upon close inspection.  We climbed a rickety make-shift ladder with no idea that at the other end we’d find a breath-taking old structure.

Built in the 18^th century, this lighthouse had probably guided hundreds of ships cruising along the Guimaras straight.  I was in that senti-moment when I saw a cargo ship passing by.

The old lighthouse is full of rust and might just crumble anytime which is why there’s a sign warning brave tourists against climbing at the top.  But the imminent danger was not enough to stop us from seeing the view from the top.  Foolish, yes, but we saw something that only a few are lucky enough to see.  The danger was definitely worth it.

There’s another lighthouse that’s modern and in very good working condition.  Though a bit off, sticking out of the ruins, it gives you a perspective of both old and new, the past and the present.  Which made me think…what kind of lighthouses will they build a hundred years from now?  Or will there be lighthouses a hundred years from now considering the advancement in technology?  Wala lang senti-mode lang.

This is definitely my favorite part of our Guimaras adventure.  

 

Guimaras: DOST Turtle Sanctuary; Ave Maria Islets & Beach and Baras Cave!

There’s a bit of a swell but A and I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to go island-hopping.  It was a safe ride because we had a very able boat captain and his jolly assistant.

First stop was the DOST Turtle Sanctuary which I would like to call Turtle Spa. Hehe.  We saw how the caretaker gave one green turtle a good scrubbing.  Leaving a small donation is highly appreciated to help them with the expenses in the sanctuary.

And then we’re off snorkeling.  We landed in a beach in one of the Ave Maria islets where we saw a stray cat.  I don’t know how the cat survives when no one lives in the islet…it must have learned how to fish. Lol!  The current was slightly strong so it was easy to maneuver ourselves to the open coral reefs, thank goodness for the floaters!  We saw some nice corals and fish but I’ve seen better snorkeling sites so this one’s just so-so.  And because of the current, it took us a while to get back to shore.  We should’ve just asked the boat man to meet us halfway.

I liked the stop at the Baras Cave.  It reminded me of the underground river tour in Palawan where the boat easily fits inside the cave.  But don’t expect too much because there’s just a few meters of navigable waters inside.

 

Pagong na kung pagong...pampered naman! :-P

Guimaras: Raymen Beach Resort!

There are several other resorts in Guimaras but since the boat that we’d take island hopping was in Raymen then might as well stay there, right?  It was a good decision in the sense that despite the very simple accommodation provided, they made up with the very helpful staff.  I was satisfied with the restaurant food and the huge portions are worth mentioning though backpackers may find the prices a bit steep.

I was also glad to note that there isn’t any trace of that awful oil spill in August 2006 and I just hope that they were really successful with the cleanup and not just a cover-up.  I still shudder at the thought that that was the worst oil spill disaster in Philippine history.

The beach is okay with fine white sand but not Boracay-fine.  And it’s quite assuring that there’s always a lifeguard on duty.

Should my itchy feet take me back to Guimaras, I would definitely stay in Raymen again as I felt safe and cared for during our stay there.