Puerto Galera: White Beach and Talipanan Beach, 2015

The quiet side of Puerto Galera, Talipanan Beach. Taken in front of Mountain Beach Resort. (c)FayeHusena

This trip was supposed to be a solo trip, the "soul searching" type but I thought why not invite a good friend to travel with me, my best friend! It was our first time to travel together after being best friends for more than 15 years now! Plus she tagged along her boyfriend with us. It was less than a week to prepare but thank heavens for all the detailed blogs I got to read that I was able to do a D.I.Y. trip for us. We woke up extra early to catch the 3:30am bus to Batangas Pier. I did not want us  to get stuck in the Manila traffic and the long lines (just in case there would be any). I actually failed to sleep well the night before as I was very excited to go to Puerto Galera plus this is my first time to travel with my bestfriend! Haha!

All aboard with my best friend via Alps Bus bound to Batangas Pier!

After sleeping for 2 1/2 hours, I mean travelling (hahaha I'm a heavy sleeper on land travels) we got off at Batangas Pier and walked our way to the ticketing booths. Here's a snapshot of what it looks like:

Left: Ticketing Area; Center: Waiting Area; Right: Walkway to the boat

There are several booths assigned per Shipping Line. We bought ours at Minolo (they have a list of scheduled trips for the day). So we got roundtrip tickets which you have to confirm; once you get to Puerto Galera go to the Minolo area and choose the schedule you want to take back to Batangas. After buying the tickets, we paid the terminal and environmental fee in a seperate booth in the same area. We proceeded at the waiting area, not so sure at first how they inform the passengers when it's boarding time but there were men who call out first names - apparently those were names of the boat which is written on your ticket. The funny thing was we were wondering at first why they were calling out first names of people Hahaha! Then I realized there's a name written on my ticket which means that's the name of the boat you are assigned to. LOL Anyway, once called, board the boat immediately so you can get good seats! As always, best to get a seat at the front area, far from the motor which can get really noisy. The whole sea travel lasted for about 1 and 1/2 hour. 

White Beach, Puerto Galera (c)FayeHusena

Of course I had to take a photo of the beach right after I alighted the boat! I wasn't expecting that the beach that is just 1 and 1/2 hour away from Batangas is beautiful! (Except for the fact that the main beach is crowded with sellers and will not stop bugging you!!) We roamed around the white beach and took photos before we ate our first meal on the Island. It is noticeable how developed the area was, hence, the prices of the commodities are also high. If you will travel alone, expect to pay up to 200-250 for a complete meal. Good thing I traveled with my companions and we split the bill to three people! :)

First timers at Puerto Galera! (c)Aaron

Top View of White Beach, Puerto Galera (c)FayeHusena

After roaming around the white beach and buying cute hats, we hired a tricycle to bring us to Talipanan Beach where I booked our accommodation beforehand. Along the way, I asked the tricycle driver to stop for a while so I can take the top view shot of the White Beach. It looks amazingly beautiful! I can stay in this place if only I could hahaha!



I recommended to my bestfriend that we stay at Talipanan beach because there are less people there, we can enjoy some peace and quiet while enjoying the beach. But unlike the white beach, the beach in Talipanan is rocky. So I suggest that if you decide to go to Puerto Galera to swim, stay at the hotels by the White beach. There are several accommodations to choose from in Talipanan; from budget hotels to economy class and luxurious ones as well. Since we planned our trip just a week before we left, I had a hard time booking a room because all of the mid-range priced hotel/lodges are fully booked! We ended up in a lodge named Mengie's White Sand beach resort that has a small beach front. We paid P1,500 (peak season rate) for a room that has 1 king size bed and added a mattress since there were three of us. The room was a bit old; there were newer rooms but of course, it was already fully booked. I forgot to mention that we went there during the famous "Malasimbo" that's why most of the hotels doesn't have vacancy. :)

Left: Beach front of the resort; Middle: Mengie's Beach Resort Sign before you enter their restaurant area; Right: Me and my bestfriend just hanging out by the beach :) 

WHAT TO DO:

For our first day, we just decided to chill, sleep and eat Halo Halo by the beach while sun bathing! Such a nice day ahead of us. It was just pure bliss to just sit there in peace while I watch the boat, the rock and the sand move by the rhythm of the waves. And since we were only here to stay overnight, we just had to enjoy the place without all the extra-curricular activies except for the Island hopping and snorkeling we did for Day 2. We capped off our afternoon chill by eating at the El Canonero resort beside our accomodation. We ordered pizza!!! Yahoo!

We ate pizza at El Canonero Resort.Yum!!!

There's another resort right after El Canonero - Luca Miramare, an Italian restaurant and a lodge in one. I have read several blog that says it is famous for its Italian food offerings. Too bad we were not able to try their food but we'll surely do when we return to Puerto Galera. 

If you are more of the activity type of person you can do other things like:

• Trail to Talipanan Falls
• Visit the Mangyan Village
• Do Water Activities (most of which are available at the White Beach)
• Island Hopping with Snorkelling at the Coral Garden (Long Island, Munting Buhangin with Hidden Cave, Maniknik Beach)
• Beach Hopping (White Beach, Sabang Beach, Aninuan Beach, Talipanan Beach, etc.)

Here are some photos from our Island Hopping and Snorkelling:

At Minolo Port. Before heading out for our Island Hopping! Perfect weather: Sunny + Windy! :) Thanks to my bestfriend for the photo. 

Our first stop: Long Island (c)FayeHusena

Long Island Panoramic Shot (c)FayeHusena

Who doesn't love this view? Thank God for the calm waters.

Left photo: Group Shot as we climbed up the rocks to enter Hidden Cave. Be careful as the rocks are sharp! Right photo: View from the top of Munting Buhangin where our boat docked so we can enter the Hidden Cave.

View of the ocean from where we are standing.

The Hidden cave looks enchanted! The water was cold but we stayed a bit inside since it is like a small pool! We had it for ourselves for some time before other tourists came in. Soooo Fun!!!

Left photo: On our way to Coral Garden for the Snorkelling. Center and Right photo: Snorkelling and Fish Feeding with my bestie!

The snorkelling and fish feeding part of the trip was definitely one for the books! Too bad we didn't have an underwater camera (I didn't want to dare use my Xperia haha since it's salt water). The coral garden was amazing! DON'T SKIP THE SNORKELLING AND FISH FEEDING PART!! :) I was really afraid at first because the fishes will really go after the bread you are holding! haha I liked the part where we were hanging by the side of the boat while we were snorkelling. It's like the boat is dragging us across the coral garden while we watch the fishes and marine life beneath us. Such a beautiful experience indeed!

We capped off our Island Hopping at Maniknik Island. We were advised that we can have our lunch there but since we are in a hurry, we just ordered halohalo instead. I didn't want this trip to end but as they say, all good things must come to an end. ;) I WANT TO GO BACK! PLEASE TAKE ME BACK TO PUERTO GALERA!! :) 

P.S. Thank you Bevs and Aaron for this memorable trip. This beach trip could have turned out totally different without you. No more long and cheesy message haha I love you both! Here's to more adventures with you two. :) 

My love birds! :) Bevs and Aaron!

Here's a super detailed breakdown of expenses! Haha

Transportation = 1384

130 - Taxi to Cubao

164 - Bus to Batangas Pier via Alps (3:40-6:00am) 2 1/2 hours

500 - Two way ticket to Puerto Galera (1 1/2 hours)

30 - Terminal fee

50 - Environmental fee

50 - Tricycle to resort (150/one way divided by three of us)

100 - Tricycle for tour (minolo port and back to resort)

10 - Terminal fee

50 - Tricycle to white beach (150/one way divided by three of us)

175 - Bus to Cubao via Ceres

125 - Taxi to Home 

Food = 795

80 - water

45 - Pancit at terminal

35 - Halo halo

140 - Lunch at white beach

170 - Pizza meryenda

55 - Dinner (barbeque and rice)

40 - Halo halo

55 - Breakfast

175 - Lunch

Others = 1690

150 - Hat

180 - Tshirt for pasalubong 

50 - Load

700 - Tour Fee (2100 divided to three persons)

100 - Keychain 

10 - Tinapay for fish feeding

500 - Accommodation (1500 divided to three persons)

Total expense = P 3869 (PESOS)