Bantayan Island, Cebu – June 11, 2010

Every now and then, the Lakwatsero is “kaladkarin” (Kaladkarin: One who is easily invited on trips). Last week, a fellow traveler, photographer, and adventurer, Johnny Benitez, asked me if I would like to like to accompany him to Bantayan Island while he was in Cebu on business. I told him I would think about it. Around an hour later I texted that I was ok. I filled for leave at work and booked my flight online.

Bantayan Island was a destination I really had not heard a lot about. It wasn’t even on my bucket list of places to go. But as I got into researching about this place, I am so glad I went on this trip. As it is the tail-end of summer, the cross-roads for back-to-school for some, with the rainy season just recently declared by PAGASA, this pretty much almost the last official beach trip for the year.

Bantayan Island is part of the province in Cebu. It is give or take, 3-4 hours away from Cebu City up north.

From Wikipedia:

Bantayan Island is an island in the Philippines located at the western portion of the northern tip of Cebu Island. It is politically a part of the Province of Cebu. The island can be reached by ferry from Hagnaya Wharf in San Remigio, Cebu, or from Cebu City, or from Cadiz City in Negros Occidental.

The island is composed of three municipalities:

• Bantayan, Cebu
• Madridejos, Cebu
• Santa Fe, Cebu

 

View Bantayan Island in a larger map

Getting There

To get there was surprisingly easy. Doing a little research I came upon the wowBantayan.com website and found that the author had documented the simple  3-step instructions READ HERE.

But we didn’t quite get to taking the bus. We were running a little late when we got into a cab to take us to the bus terminal. Our taxi driver made an offer to drive us there for P2,500. Johnny wasn’t hot about it, but hey, I pay for convenience (note: I later found out that a hired van would cost just around P1,500} We took advantage and made a few stops for food and bodily requirements.

After getting to the town of San Remigio up north, we found ourselves at the Hagnaya Port by in just 2 hours (as opposed to the 3 hour bus ride).

We quickly bought our tickets (P140 regular, P150 aircon) and casually had some local barbecue.

The boat ride just took about 1 hour. The sea was calm and the ride was quite smooth.

Kota Beach Resort, Santa Fe, Cebu

The resort sent a vehicle to pick us up. Moments later we found ourselves at the Kota Beach Resort. While our cottage (below) was not directly in front of the beach (there was a cottage in front), it was still in a great location.

Before the sun went down, I wanted to take a few pictures along the beach just before sunset set in. Most of the pictures below are just in front of the resort.

 

I actually took a lot of pictures of that dog as he just sat there staring at another dog in the distance.

I like the strategic location of Kota Beach Resort. I also like the ambience. It is not a high-end place, but its proximity by the beach and the tasteful wooden cottages really give it a very relaxing feeling. This place, albeit simple, is just great! (I found the resort through the wowbantayan.com website: http://wowbantayan.com/wowhome/index.php?page=hotels-resorts)

Ok… we rested up a bit. A little Facebook… wash up, then we were off to hunt for food for dinner.

Next: D’Jungle Restaurant: http://lakwatsero.me/2010/06/12/djungle-bantayan-island-cebu/

Day 2: http://lakwatsero.me/2010/06/19/bantayan-island-day-2-around-the-island-june-12-2010/

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