Over the past 3 years of my stay here in the Philippines I’ve traveled a little, although not as much as I would have liked due to work limitations. Angeles City being what it is, quite a small place with not a lot to do other than the infamous night life so called “entertainment district” I’ve made it my aim recently to get out of town at least 2 weekends every month.
It costs a bit, I could do it cheaper if I rode public transport etc, but I like the luxury and comfort as well as flexibility traveling by my car affords. As well, the safety as I don’t 100% trust the busses here for the way the drivers operate the vehicles and it’s not unheard of busses to be held up either.
One of my favourite places to get away to is Oriental Mindoro. It’s a 3 hour drive from Angeles City to Batangas port where there are several operators running banka boats out to various parts of Mindoro. Popular is Puerto Galera, although I would say there isnt much there in the town of puerto Galera itself. I now usually take a boat instead directly to Sabang. Sabang has many dive resorts, and a lot of Koreans going there nowadays as well as many other visitors from all over the world. Sabang itself isn’t that nice. The sea is a bit dirty there and the beach not the cleanest. However, 10 minutes walking along the coast into small la laguna and big la laguna you can find crystal clear waters, nice corals for snorkelling just meters away from the shore line and many dive resorts.
I’ve stayed twice in “Coco Beach” resort. This is quite “exclusive” one of the more expensive resorts along the Sabang/Puerto Galera coastal area. It will run you at 3,000 peso or more per night but includes breakfast. The rooms are delightful if you choose the hilltop suites. The views are great across the palm tree forest and down to the beach. being hilltop rooms does mean it’s a bit of an excercise to get up to your room, and some nights I wonder how I made it after a few too many cocktails by the pool! Also remember to take with you what you want when leaving your room as it’s a long walk back! It is very good though, excellent facilities, nice pool thats open 24 hours, good food, tennis courts. It’s quite a get away. Plus a private beach.
However, as it’s a bit pricey I save it for “special ocassions” when family visit for example and they want a bit of luxury. For my weekend jaunts where I’m staying over one or two nights only I opt to stay in small la laguna. It’s convenient being only 10 minutes walk from where the bankas drop you off in sabang. Operated by a firendly chap from the UK called Gary, and some friendly staff working in the bar and kitchens it’s quite a homey little place. Right on the sea front, only accessible by walking, free wifi and a choice of fan or aircon rooms. It’s basic, but sufficient with hot water and a generator for the brown outs which are all to frequent an occurance in the rural areas of the Philippines.
Every night there is a very excellent all you can eat BBQ buffet and on Saturday nights there is an all you can eat Indian buffet which I must say has some very good currys cooked by Garys partner. There is a dive shop attached tot he place as well so you can go out and experience scuba diving, and even do full PADI accredited courses there. I personally am not so much intot he diving, but I do not mind a bit of snorkelling. A few hundred peso can hire you a boat to visit the coral gardens where an hour can be spent swimming around admiring the corals and fishes that inhabbit these tropical waters.
Anyone interested to stay there, the resort is Sunsplash in small la laguna. Gary can be contacted on garynorthrop@gmail.com and their website is www.blueribbondivers.com. If you can’t find the place give Gary a call on 0915 700 9193. I can thoroughly recommend a stay there at Sunsplash!
So what else is there to do in Mindoro? Well I like to rent a motorcycle and drive up to Tamaraw falls. I don’t bother with the touts that try to rip you off. It’s easy to find the falls as they are right by the road, you can’t really miss them. It’s only 20 peso entrance fee and the cool refreshing mountain water is very nice to swim in on a hot day. You can climb up and sit beneath the falls as well for a “water massage” which is very invigorating.
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