November 5, 2006, 1AM, I drove to Oakwood Premiere Suites to pick-up my two travel companions, Harold and Meric. The trip to Pandan Island was decided by my good friend, Harold and I just a few days before the scheduled trip. Harold and Meric are supposed to go to El Nido on that weekend but found the airfare expensive. So I suggested that they go to Pandan Island instead. I went there with my dive buddies two years ago and we all fell in love with the beauty of the island. As they are both not familiar with the place, I was invited by Harold to join them. I thought I needed a break and so there I was, with my backpack and skin diving gear at the back of my SUV, I drove to Oakwood to pick them up. We were trying to catch the 4AM ferry trip to Abra de Ilog.
There was no traffic, so we arrived at Batangas Pier at 3AM. I parked the SUV at the park and sail area of the port. We bought our tickets for the ferry operated by Montenegro Shipping. A one-way ferry ticket costs Php 160 plus Php 28.50 if you opt for the air-conditioned section. The ferry is also used to transport trucks, passenger vans, and private vehicles to Mindoro. As we go up to the ferry, we proceeded directly to the AC section and thought that there were only a few passengers but we were wrong. The area was filled with passengers who were all sleeping on the benches. We found a spot for the three of us and immediately slept through the 2 1/2 hour ferry ride to Abra de Ilog. I took Bonamine an hour before that, as what I normally do when I take a 12-hour bus ride, just so I won’t have a hard time sleeping and just wake up when I arrive at my destination. I realized it was a mistake as it was only just a two-hour ferry trip. Harold had difficulty waking me up and was feeling really drowsy when we went down.
I got a porter to carry my bags as the Bonamine was still working on me. He brought us to a van transporting passengers from Abra de Ilog to Sablayan. Sablayan will be our jump-off point to North Pandan Island. At least it saved us from a bone-shaking 3 1/2 hour bus ride to Sablayan. One-way fare to Sablayan is Php 210/pax. Our van driver, Pastor Ben, didn’t seem to care about the bumps and curves on the road but we were fascinated with the scenery provided by the rice fields and nice mountain backdrop. It only took us 2 1/2 to get to Sablayan. After purchasing gallons of purified water for consumption on the island, we were dropped-off at the Pandan Information Center. I was teasing Harold and Meric that it’s our destination already. They both gave me stern looks as they went through all those and that is what they will get? Then I finally pointed at them the island and there was a sigh of relief. We hired a motorized banca for Php 150/way to take us to North Pandan Island. It’s only a 20-minute banca ride.
As we arrived on the island, we were greeted by Janice, the receptionist/ bartender. She gave us our “welcome drinks” and the orientation. Meal times are as follows: Breakfast - 7 to 11AM; Lunch - 12:30PM to 3:30PM; Dinner (buffet) - 7PM to 9PM. Strictly no short orders after 3:30PM to give Manang and her crew to prepare the sumptuous buffet dinner. We checked out the cottages and decided to get the detached bungalow with a private toilet and bath on the left side of the island.
We spent the whole day chillin’ out at the beach. We gazed at the stars from the sandbar after dinner. The full-moon provided a romantic setting to the limited lighting on the island. The next day, we finally decided that we will go to Apo Reef. We were hesitant to go at first as we found the boat rental expensive. We are being charged Php 5000 for the whole day but there will only be three of us sharing as the other group went there the previous day already. Well, since we were there anyway, might as well maximize our stay there. We arranged for a boat with Dominique, the French owner, for our Apo Reef trip the next day. This needs to be booked at least a day in advance. Harold and I decided not to dive in Apo Reef anymore as the dive shop required a check-out dive around Pandan Island which would cost us another Php 2,000 each for one dive. So everything was set for our Apo Reef trip the next day. The plan was to leave the island at 7:30AM and leave Apo Reef at 3PM so we would be back at the resort by 5:30PM and make it to the 730PM van trip from Sablayan to Abra de Ilog for the 12 midnight ferry trip to Batangas Pier.
During our last buffet dinner on the island, we had the chance to chat with the other guests. Guests who go there are mostly foreigners. Knowing most Filipinos, they wouldn’t go through the long travel then be accommodated at a resort where only basic amenities are provided. Water supply on the island is salty so the resort only provides ample fresh water to be used for rinsing and freshening up. We met Hans and Petra, the German couple; Devin, Dave, and Mark, the British adventure guys; Carol, the dive shop in-house dive instructor; and the Austrian group of old men with their Filipina companions. We exchanged stories about our travel experiences and I took it as an opportunity to promote other areas of interest in the Philippines not frequented by tourists. It is also surprising that these foreigners know more about the Philippines than most Filipinos do. This is what I like about traveling. I get to meet a lot of people and learn about their cultures and get travel tips from them as well in case the wind blows me to their part of the world.
November 7, 2006, 6:30AM, the alarm sounded-off. We got ready for our trip to Apo Reef. We had a quick breakfast and our boat was already there waiting for us. We left the island just in time. As we left early, the water was calm making our travel time shorter. We chanced upon dolphins on our way. After an hour and a half of banca ride, we can see the Apo Reef lighthouse from afar. We just can’t wait to get there. Apo Reef never ceases to amaze me.....fine white sand, crystal-clear water, diverse marine-life, nice and colorful corals, and the gentle sound of the waves and chirping of the birds our IPOD simply couldn’t beat. We snorkelled, went up the lighthouse that provided us a breath-taking view, balanced ourselves on the bamboo bridge along the mangrove trail, had a balsa-ride on the lagoon, and enjoyed the sun, sand, and clear water. We had one hell of an amazing time at Apo Reef. We definitely would go back and spend the night there the next time.
Despite the confusion and hassle on our van ride going back to Abra de Ilog, we were able to make it to the 12 midnight ferry trip. We arrived in Manila at 5AM. I slept for two hours, then I got ready to go to work. I didn’t mind the hassle and the hectic travel plan, all I can remember was the great experience I had. Life is short, make the most out of it. There are too many places in the Philippines and in the world worth going to. Nature is free, enjoy it but also help to protect it for the next generation to enjoy.
For photos: http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/555448740CIY or http://community.webshots.com/user/Angelfish77
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Ging Masinda
13 November 2006
Contact Details:
Pandan Island Resort: Dominique or Mel: (0919) 305 78 21; www.pandan.com
Van (Abra de Ilog to Sablayan and vice-versa) : Pastor Ben (0906) 6893222
Boat to Apo Reef (c/o Manong Nestor or Manong Clifford): (0928) 3269180
