Mindoro or Mina de Oro literally means mine of gold. Well, i wasn’t sure of that. but I am positive that Mindoro has one priceless treasure – Puerto Galera.

Puerto Galera a province in Oriental Mindoro is considered to be one of the hottest summer destinations here in the Philippines. It was my first time this year to come to this well-known place to relax from all the day’s work and of course to satisfy my itching-for-vacay feet.

There are a lot of Beaches here in Puerto Galera. Sabang, Tamaraw, White and the infamous Talipanan Beach. I think it was the last stop of the ferry boat and well-known among bloggers. I actually googled about Puerto Galera and I saw on pinoytravelblog about Talipanan. Right there and then I decided to go to that place and I was happy about my decision.  My company doesn’t seem so (most of them are boys so normally they would want to go where the chics are.). What I love about this beach is that you can relax, unwind almost as if the island is yours. Very few people  go here, most of them are foreigners and peeps who just want a peaceful environment.

We went snorkeling at a dive site where the boat man brought us. I was so excited! I put my snorkel gadgets on, then I dived and saw these cute school of fish and the colorful corals alive and pretty! Because of that spectacular beauty, I forgot that I was breathing with my mouth,  I said “WOW” out loud! Sheesh I drank a lot of sea water. I have to remember shutting up even just for swimming. Haha

after snorkeling, we asked the bangkero to drop us inWhite Beach. it is perfect for those who love the crowd and nightlife. The probability to see someone you knew was indeed a fat chance.  Another good thing about White beach is that there are a lot of  restaurants to choose from. It’s like a small city in there.

We weren’t able to try the hike so we just stayed there and enjoyed the beach. Just near our place, we found a beautiful semi-lagoon where you can swim.  There were naturally hewn rocks, oh ith was so beautiful! it  has an amazing formation. I dunno why but I do love rocks. I remembered when I was like around 14 when we went to Calapan, Mindoro. I swear I brought home about 20 hand-sized stones. Haha my mother went ballistic.

The beaches in Puerto for me were just fair, not like the other beaches I have been to. But what is superb about the place is the dive site. It was very splendid. Fish of different sizes and colors, corals that are darn pretty! That underwater beauty on your very own eyes you could almost touch it (be wary though some of them stings).  It was really a wonderful experience.

Activities

Banana Boat Ride – Php 200.00 /pax
Island Hopping / Snorkeling -  Php 1500.00 – 2000.00 boat rental add Php50.00 for  snorkel set
Parasailing – Php 1500.00 – 2000.00 – 1-2 persons

Night Life – Taste the famous Mindoro Sling (I love that drink) available in Tanduay or Bacardi 250.00 – 450.00 per pitcher.
Massage – around Php 200.00
Jet Ski – I wasn’t able to get the rates for these. Sorry
Trekking  to the falls – 150.00 – 400.00

How to get there

Estimated time of travel – 3-4 hours

You can ride a bus going to Batangas Pier in Buendia or Cubao. You can also rent a van. We ride at Buendia which costs Php 166.50 one way.

From Batangas Pier, you can chose from different ferry boats. In our case we ride at Commandos. One way ticket costs Php 250.00 but you can buy a round trip ticket for Php450.00.

You have to pay Php50.00 for Environmental Fee (I dunno maybe for some preservation fund or something) and another Php10.00 for the Terminal fee.

Where to Eat.

Urgh! This was our dilemma during the trip. What I don’t like about Talipanan is that you can’t get a decent meal despite the fact that the prices are doubled save for Luca’s Italian Restaurant.yum!

We had to pay 100.00 for a breakfast meal and there servings are very small. Luca’s is quite pricey but the servings WOW! Big enough for 2. Plus it was very Italian. Tomatoes, basil, olive! Mmmm! I love! At Luca’s prices ranges from 140 – 200 for pasta dishes and 350-500 for pizzas around  14-16inches in diameter

Where to stay:

If you are to stay in White beach you need not to worry about reservations because there are a lot of hotels and rooms that are for rent  ranges from Php800 – Php2500 per night but during peak seasons the prices goes way way highter.

At Talipanan, we stayed at El Canoneros – fairly nice. The toilet is clean. Our room cost about 4000.00 for 10pax add 100.00 for additional person. Aircon and has five double-size beds.
Contact Miss Sally – 09164322430

Bamboo Beach House is pretty much more decent though but has a bit higher price.  Around 2500.00 for 4pax.
Contact Miss Juvie – 09175620992

Lakwatsera Tips:

If you are on a tight budget, bring your food and drinks. It is really expensive there. Prices here in Manila are usually doubled. like a 1.5liters of cola in Puerto costs Php 75.00 – 80.00.  a lot of restos there allows packed meal and they also have cooking services so no worries.

Bring underwater camera if you can. I really wished I should have brought one so that i could show you Puerto Galera’s underwater beauty.

If you want to escape your busy life for a while,  go to Anawangin- an undeveloped paradise where you can relax and pretend that you are part of the LOST drama series (without the dharma initiative). haha!

Not so far away from San Antonio Zambales, is the Anawangin Cove.  The island grows a lot of pine trees and is covered with white sand which is part debris from Mt. Pinatubo. The beach is not really that safe because of the high current on the island.

I have seen the island for the first time last year May3-4 2008 together with several friends of mine. I was actually amazed by what I saw.  The pine trees grew perfectly well and that it was surrounded by mountains, which made it look as if you are being embraced by Mother Nature. Anawangin is one of God’s most beautiful creations and needs to be taken care of.  Apparently, the island wasn’t safe from the garbage not just from the campers staying on the island but also from the garbage that drifted from other seaside’s as well. Some areas there were covered with wastes. It made me sad and when the boatmen saw me taking pictures of it they said to me that it will be soon cleaned (hopefully) and that it came from other beaches as well, since the current is very high in that area the wastes ended up there.

I am promoting the beauty of the island so much because it is God’s gift for everybody to see. But it is also our responsibility to take care of that gift.

How to get to Anawangin:

From a Victory Liner Station (Sampaloc or Caloocan Terminal) ride a bus going to Sta Cruz or Iba. Fair is around Php250.00

Go down to San Antonio Town Proper. From there you can ride a tricycle that can get you to Anawangin. Php30.00

There are 2 ways to get to Anawangin: By boat or by hiking. You can ask the tricycle to bring you on the place where you can ride the boat or start the hike.

As for our case, we rode a boat going to Anawangin and the back and forth together with trip to Capones and Camara Island cost 800.00Php – Php900.00 each. Maximum of four on one boat.

Upon arriving at the island, you have to pay Php50.00 to the island caretaker. Which gives you privilege to use the water pump and the comfort rooms.

To go back, just ride a bus going to Olongapo from where you rode the tricycle. Then ride a bus going to Manila at Victory Liner terminal in front of Chowking.

What to Bring:

Tent or Hammock. – be sure that you bring something where you can sleep. it is an undeveloped island. No electricity. Very very low to no signal, no internet (haha).

Flashlight

Fire starter – unless of course you are well skilled to produce fire from sticks and rocks!

Food and Water – Yes. You have to bring your food. There are no markets there on the island. But the care taker provides some necessities that you might want to buy:

• 1.5L Softdrinks – 70.00
• 8×12x4in ice – 80.00
• Purified Water (1 jug)- 200.00
• Charcoal – 40.00
• Firewood – 200.00

Cooking Set and Pocket knife

Lakwatsera Essentials – click

Your own glass plate and cutlery set – so that we can minimize out waste contribution. The glass as much as possible is well-suited with hot or cold liquids.

Trash bag – so that you can bring your waste and properly dispose it on the main island.

Lock for your tents. Always keep your things secured.

Mosquito repellent.

TIPS and Must-dos:

Travel Light. Bring the necessities. As much as possible put everything in one back pack.

If you are to bring meat (poultry or pork or beef), Boil it first in water and salt or spice it up (whatever you want) and then put it on the freezer. This naturally preserves the meat.

Reserve tickets as early as possible and arrive at the station at least an hour before the departure. Sometimes those people who have brought their tickets end up standing because there are some undisciplined chance passengers that may took your seat. Even if you have a ticket (how crap could they be).

Bring a bandana. Bandana is one a useful tool in case of bone and muscle accidents. Plus if in case it gets cold. 80% heat loss of the body comes out from the head. It will help you from getting cold.

Keep your areas clean to avoid insect swarm your areas.

Swim near the shore. sometimes the current is very high and the water is very deep.

Tour around the island. there are lots of places you can find very interesting.

After camping make sure that you fire is gone and put a marker so that people won’t accidentally step on it.

Make sure you leave no waste on your camp area.

Lakwatsera Estimate Budget:  Php2,000.00