MisterShauniverse: Sandbar

5/08/2019 12:49:00 AM

US-USAN ISLAND, GUIMARAS

Yung feeling mo naka-jackpot ka sa Lazada kasi ang Expectation vs Reality ng lugar ay 100% legit!

Ususan Island is one of the islands in Guimaras that is an open secret to people living in nearby provinces. It’s visible from our main island in Negros and the place is not as frequently visited by tourists and locals alike. Why!?

For me, it’s a good thing when I get to visit a place and I get to enjoy and embrace all the good vibes by myself. Less people, less chances of having photobombers in your photos.

How to get here:

Since we’re from Bago (city next to Bacolod), the closest part of our main island to reach this beautiful haven is from Pulupandan or Valladolid. It’s an hour and a half boat ride going there and seas are calmer in the morning, around 6am-7am. We depart from Valladolid as there are outrigger boats you can rent from there. (If interested, PM and I’ll refer you for an affordable boat rentals in Valladolid).

First to caught my attention when we reached the place is the sandbar. My eyes were drooling trying to figure out the best spots to take a selfie, and they’re everywhere!

You’ll just have to pay for the docking fee (boat parking) and the cottage (entrance was excluded, credits to our boatmen as they know the owner). Expect no electricity and wifi data connection (call and SMS text only). Who cares when you have this gorgeous island? It’s good to detox yourself once in a while away from your smartphones and social media and dig in to the beauty this place is serving you. Your Facebook and Instagram posts can wait when you get back to the main island.

You can also do island hopping to nearby islands but we prefer to stay and maximize the opportunity to have this island for ourselves. We get to circumnavigate this tiny island in 20 minutes and swim like there’s no next time.

We’re 8 together with our millenial Tita Terry who tag along and brave the seas to take a break from our busy and/or monotonous schedules. We spent roughly around P300 per person for the boat and entrance fees (libre bangka and bangkero; thanks to Genesis and Toto Genaruto).

Make sure to bring enough food and water (ice is a must) to sustain the whole day there. No stores or merchandise available in the island. You can cook and grill your foods there. People in the island are friendly and ready to assist you.

This gets a little lengthy. Feel free to PM me or comment down below if you have questions. 😘

2/24/2016 01:29:00 PM

KALANGGAMAN SANDBAR | PALOMPON, LEYTE

"Pak! Pak! Pak! Ganern!" Indeed, it's so magical and so beautiful for me not to strike a pose and become an ambassador of the island. Since I started traveling solo last 2012, this would be the 3rd time I am celebrating my birthday with Mother Nature. It's a great feeling that you're able to do something or visit a place for the first time especially on your birthday.

From Lake Danao in Ormoc City, we proceeded right away traveling to Palompon and checked in at around 6PM at one of the hostels there. It took almost 2 hours from Ormoc City Terminal to Palompon; the jump point to Kalanggaman if you're coming from Leyte. You can also reach the island if you're coming from Cebu through Malapascua.

Check my Lake Danao | Ormoc City blog entry.

The yellow building is Palompon's Tourism office where you need to book your boat and pay the Environmental and Entrance Fee to the island. During Peak seasons, you need to book in advance to make sure you'll get a boat secured for you and your group. The terminal is just close to their Tourism Office so you don't have to worry where to get off the van. Expect no posh accommodations and there would only be a few in Palompon so make sure to secure one. Roughly around P1000/night, there were 2 across the streets; Pacci Hotel and Love Travellers Inn. We chose the latter since Pacci told us they ran out of towels and they only had 1 room left with a small bed for 2.

As a backpacker, you don't spend a lot with your accommodation since most of the time, you're out communing with Mother Nature. Which is very true; we secured the room at 6PM and checked out early morning to catch the 6am boat ride.

It is suggested that you better leave at dawn for higher chances of encountering the dolphins going to Kalanggaman. Unfortunately, that day wasn't destined for us. It took us almost an hour to reach the island that boasts a long stretch of sandbar and turquoise blue waters.

From afar, I can't contain my excitement and wanted to jump off the boat from what I can see. It's literally a 50 shades of blue. The island is well-maintained from trash because from the Tourism Office, they'll provide you 2 plastic bags where you can segregate your trash from biodegradable to non. By the way, boats are a little expensive but reasonable if you're in a large group. We rented an outrigger boat good for 15 pax at P3,000 for a day tour but there were only 2 of us. Ironically, I even paid twice as much for the boat ride compared to my flight (care of promo fares).

Unfortunately, they don't have public boat transfer if you're traveling alone. Either you pay the boat all for yourself or you ask other groups and join them. The catch though, you have to adjust to the group with regards to the time they want to leave the island.

Upon setting our foot to the powdery white sand of Kalanggaman, we search for our perfect spot to settle. You don't have to rent a cottage. You can even just settle under the trees and enjoy the sun, sand, and the summer breeze. Another thing, food is very limited in the island. Secure your food and drinking water from the main island in Palompon to sustain the duration of your stay.

The island is really blessed and stands out among others I've been to. Feast your eyes to what the island has to offer and why you should have it crossed out from your travel bucket list.

And of course, I cannot let go of the chance to get myself photographed in this scenic and captivating heaven on earth. My "kaladkarin" friend when it comes to traveling, Larry, was surprised why I have a bag with me. He cannot believe I was prepared for a photo shoot.

We stayed until 1PM and had to leave so we can still catch the last trip going to the province of Biliran. Sadly, due to bad weather on our 3rd day, coast guards in Biliran did not let us sail going to Maripipi and the Sambawan Islands. On a happy note, it's another reason to come back to Leyte. Definitely, the province has more to offer for the wanderlusts.

Total Expenses:

Love Travellers Inn (2 beds aircon room) - P1300/2 = P650
Boat Transfer (good for 15 pax/day tour) - P3000/2 = P1500
Food and Drinking Water - P300/2 = P150
Day Tour Fee - P150

TOTAL P2,450

Tips:
1. During peak season (summer), be sure to reserve boats in advance. Chris Montebon (Tourism Officer) - 09173037269. There are times that they'll ran out of outrigger boats and you can't cross the island.
2. Bring food, water, powerbank, sunblock, tent (overnight)/blankets (daytours). There are nipa huts for P500 or tables (P30) and chairs (P10) that you can rent.
3. Be friendly. I read negative experiences of some travelers with the tourism staff but I cannot complain how we were assisted.
4. There's shower room in the Tourism Office after you sweat, the sand, and salt in your body.
5. Leave early morning (530am-6am) for higher chances of encountering the dolphins in Palompon.
6. Use the trash bags they provide. Leave no trace that you visited the island.

Auxiliary (Roundtrip):

P3,000 – for 15 pax maximum
P3,500 – for 25 pax maximum
P4,000 – for 30 pax maximum

Day Tour Rates

International Tourists – P500
Local Tourists – P150
College Student Tourists – P40
High-school Student Tourists – P30
Elementary Student Tourists – P20
Senior Citizen Tourists – P120

Overnight Camping Rates

International Tourists – P750
Local Tourists – P225
College Student Tourists – P60
High-school Student Tourists – P45
Elementary Students – P30
Senior Citizens – P180

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