Wallflower of the Jeepney: Trekking

What a better way to start our 2012 right? To TRAVEL!
One of my family's resolution this year is to travel and to have lots of bonding moments together despite our busy schedules. But don't get me wrong! We are a very close and intact family =) we are like barkadas! Some even refer us like siblings having fun altogether!

We wanted to explore more of the Philippines. We know that our country has the best thing it has to offer! We want to walk and run and see more of Pinas! And to start off, our first destination this year: PUERTO GALERA.

(Pardon some of my photos. Since my digicam isn't working well with us during our trip, I have to rely mostly on my cellphone camera.) --- ;P
This would be our first island trip. We really don't have any clue on what we are about to see or experience. I just let Google direct ourselves (read: researched about Galera). Days before our travel to Puerto Galera, we booked for a resort for us to stay with. With the help of Metrodeal's offer:

Perfect for us! Perfect for three persons! Ohyeah lezzdudizz!

We chose Tribal Hills Mountain Resort as our sanctuary. At first, I was hesitant because it's a Metrodeal offer. With all our past experiences with them about failed advertisements, we still go for it. Metrodeal boasted that: Embark on a unique getaway with today's MetroDeal, which entitles 3 persons to the relaxing place of Puerto Galera, where you will stay 3-days/2-nights at Tribal Hills Resort for P3,999 instead of P8000. Included also are breakfasts, transfers and a breathtaking Aninuan Falls trekking tour. Nestled on a hilltop in Puerto Galera 60 meters above sea level, you will get a unique chance to experience a different world full of white sand beaches located near the hotel, panoramic views and lush green sloping valleys. --- OK. I'm getting scared now.

Whatsoever, we wanted to enjoy the sand, sun and water of the island! So if our sanctuary is not that good, who cares? Just as long as we reach the white beach, we will be so happy!

January 2, 2012 (FIRST DAY)
Waking up early in the morning is the worst task our family will be doing. We are too lazy to wake up at 3 in the morning. So instead of getting up and packing our stuff, we slept for about a couple of minutes (read: 1 hour). Up we go and totally fixed ourselves around 5am, we went to Buendia Bus Terminal and boarded. It's a good thing that there's Jollibee in front of the terminal, we forgot having breakfast.

You could choose your own bus lines from the terminal. For us, we chose JAM transit going to Batangas Pier. Ticket costs Php 166.50 ($3.81). So that's almost Php500 for three pax ($11.43). It took the travel almost an hour and a half going to Batangas Pier. That long travel time can have you go for extra sleep or make you appreciate the scenery while aboard the bus.

Upon arrival at Batangas Pier, everything is clean and organized. People boarding and arriving from different terminals are organized. I must say, it is well-maintained.

Tribal Hills Resort informed us to choose either Minolo or Gallerian Lines for our RORO boat going to White Beach. From the terminal, several lineup of RORO liners are there to choose from. Terminal staffs told us that KEM Shipping Lines (M/B Green Voyager) is about to depart that time so we chose them. Our RORO boat costs Php 450/pax for a roundtrip tour ($10.28) so that's Php 1350 for 3pax ($30.85).

However, we weren't expecting that we would be paying additional fees such as the Terminal Fee and Environmental Fee. Price range are as follows:

TERMINAL FEE. Terminally-ill rated fee. LOL, just kidding.

ENVIRONMENTAL-USER'S FEE. Not environmentally and passenger friendly fee. Again, LOL

I mean, are these additional fees necessary? Enlighten me on these fees, please. I feel like we were held-up or something. You paid for your boat, why these fees?

Moving on, we were too excited boarding our RORO boat because it's our first time riding one! We each took photos of one another going down the boat (and even manongs were posing for a snap! LOL)

Mom, me and bro with manong behind us! Told us to SMILE after the count of three. HAHA!

This is mom doing the pose of the moment!

And me, well, doing the pose of the moment!

RORO boat ride isn't that bumpy as what everyone has been telling me. As far as I could remember, it's a smooth-sailing trip, or it's just me getting too giddy with the ride. Whatever, I love our boat ride with M/B Green Voyager! Big thanks to them!

As we were approaching the island, I cannot contain my excitement! I feel like I'm a kid again! I can't wait to feel the sand on my feet! I AM SOOOOO GIDDY!!!! I AM BEYOND EXCITEMENT!!!

ME!!! With arms spreading for Puerto!!!

"Feel the sand, feet!!! FEELITTTTTT!!!"

See the beauty of White Beach, Puerto Galera! IT IS PARADISE! A VERY BEAUTIFUL PARADISE!

OK ok ok ok. I knoooow. We just arrived yet I am so excited enough! HAHAHAHA! Can't blame me though, this is my first island trip!!! Hahahaha! (Pardon if I'm messing around with the HAHAs)

We called our resort, Tribal Hills, upon our arrival at White Beach. They told us that our check-in time will be at 2pm. We arrived the beach around 10am so that gives us a lot of time to explore around. Oh, did I say we're famished with the long ride going here? YES, WE ARE SO HUNGRY :| Not to worry, there's a lot of restaurants around White Beach offering sumptuous island food!

For our first eat-out at the island, we opted to eat at Badboys restaurant. From the interiors of the restaurant, you'll be enticed to eat here --- especially for me since there is a lineup of BOOKS there! Yummy treats for tummy and brain!

I saw a Swedish copy of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' here. The owner gave me an English copy of it to read with. I told him I have a copy at home and never finished it since it got me puzzled with those economics thingy stuff. WHATEVER! BOOKWORM talking now!!!

After lunch, we were advised by our resort to go to our pick-up point and wait for our shuttle ride. This cool jeep (or truck) came for us!

Your heavy-duty truck can go up, up and awaaaay! Riding here makes your trip more FUN especially when you're seated at the back!

It's an uphill (or downhill) ride going to the resort! Mind you, you have to grip onto something stable or you might fall! Hahaha!

ARRIVAL AT OUR RESORT!
Remember I told you that I was a bit scared because it's a Metrodeal Offer? Fret no more because, Tribal Hills Mountain Resort is... PARADISE! An oasis in the mountains! An alluring and charming treat for the eyes! Perfect for relaxation and vacation! Two thumbs up!

Indeed, it's a double treat for us! One, because we were at the most beautiful island of Puerto Galera and secondly, our sanctuary lives up to our expectation. It's worth our pay. I would really recommend Tribal Hills Resort to my family and friends whenever they would visit Puerto Galera.

Standard Room. I think the biggest standard room I've ever seen. (Pardon, the sheets were messy because of us. LOL) What I don't like are the pillows. It's too flat, not enough for a good night sleep. Well, so meh. I'm meticulous with my pillows.

Cable TV. Cute interiors.

Checking-in at Room no. 5

Spacious shower and toilet area.

The resort is Wi-Fi ready. Unfortunately, from our room we have weak signal so we have to search for areas with strong ones.

The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Although there is no service phone in the rooms, we have to look outside for someone to help us with our needs but they're just around the resort. We're not big fans of ordering food from where we are staying at but the free breakfast we have is a hearty one (photo later), enough to make you satisfied. Although one thing kept us annoyed. We asked for a hot water and we were charged Php10 ($0.23) per cup. I mean, that's just hot water. Why being charged for it? I've been to a lot of resorts and hotels and they never charge us for one. I think they should rethink about charging guests for hot water. But in overall, I'm giving them my 4.5 stars out 5.

After unloading our stuff in our room, we went back to White Beach via Tribal Hills' shuttle service. They have a schedule on when will be the free shuttle be. If you are to ask them to tour you around places beyond the said schedule, there will an additional charge of Php200 ($4.55).

January 3, 2012 (SECOND DAY)
Free breakfast at the Treetops Restaurant!

Tocilog and longsilog with a cup of coffee

Treetops Restaurant inside the resort. Great location with a perfect view of Mt. Malasimbo

After having breakfast, we were scheduled to have our trekking tour going to Aninuan Falls. TREKKING is one thing I love whenever I go places so this has got my nerves perked up. Consider this activity as your morning exercise!

MEET YOUR PRO --- ME! Hahahaha!

The trip going to Aninuan Falls took us almost an hour of trekking, with no stopovers. For beginners, I think they would somehow have a hard time keeping up because of steep slope of rocks and would be muddy and slippery when it rained. If my memory serves me right, you'll have to cross by eight rivers. It's a very tiring and exhausting walk, but the destination is worth your panting and exasperation. The falls is magnificent. Breath-taking scenery.

Be ready with your Php20 ($0.46) as entrance fee to Aninuan Falls.

This coconut drink is NOT your welcome drink. Each costs Php50 ($1.14)

And here's my mom with lola, a native who sells the coconut =)

YES. You have to go back to the resort with the same walk-path as before. But nevertheless, it's worth your walk. Walk the walk. Shed off some pounds!

Of course, Puerto Galera will not be complete without the nightlife! So after resting at the resort, we went down at White Beach to see what Puerto nightlife is all about (Oh, and also pig-out!)

Souvenirs for your loved-ones!

The night is young and the party is just starting.

Fresh seafood goodies!

THIS GUY MADE MY NIGHT! I love fire zipping ♥

January 3, 2012 (LAST DAY)
BOO-HOO! Last day at the island :(
My family will surely miss it here. Our last activity for the day: more swimming!

Magnificent view of Mt. Malasimbo from Tribal Hills Resort

"WE WILL BE BACKKKK!!!"

Puerto Galera is one beautiful and wonderful destination in the Philippines. It's one among the many wonders you could visit here. Puerto Galera is located on the northern part of the island of Mindoro in the province Oriental Mindoro. It is about 130 kilometers south of Manila and 14 nautical miles from Batangas City. In total it has 12 coastal villages or Barangays and one mountain district.