Tingloy Island

This is our continuation of our adventure on Holy week....

As we ride the boat named Galaxy to Pulang Bule of Santo Tomas, Tingloy, Batangas we had to sit at the roof of the boot since our companions came late. The children sits inside because they will not bear the heat of the sun at almost noon.

As the boat moves slowly the waves are getting stronger, splasing the sides of our boat with it's waves. Che, Chin (Jimi's wife) and Karen joined us (Jimi, Niel, Enan, Egay, Tonio) at the roof. We all share the heat of the sun, scorching our skin.Only Jimi is on the fry since his head is newly shaved, hehe.

As we move on our journey in the sea Chin points as at the Sumbrero (hat) Island.

Above: the Sumbrero Island is on the right side

We noticed that the sea is very clear and you could see some fish(es) too as our boat sail to our destination. When the boat stop to a small port we noticed that the captain's crew and himself help the passengers unload their bags/luggage and boxes. And not only that, we learned that the boat will also take you to the nearest port of your destination in the island. Lucky for us that the house that we're gonna stay is just at the sea shore.

Above: the Captain is carrying a box to unload at the port

Below: Checking the boat if his passengers forgot something to unload

As we arrived at the docking area, the family of the three sisters (Che, Chin and Karen) are waiting to welcome as all.

Above: that's the house that we're gonna stay, courtesy of Tatay Dante Nanay Nita

The shore is full of life, you can see sea weeds, small fishes and some long fishes (barracuda I think) that scare as all because we taught it gonna attack us or something.If i'm not mistaken there is also a butterfly fish there but I don't know what kind of it. Then we saw a fisherman walking alng the bay with his catch. We could see all different type of salt water fishes and a stingray. I don't know if it is their dinner or if they're gonna sell it to someone.

As soon as we unpack our things and eat some meal made by Nanay Nita, Jimi's kids (Drei and Yszzy with Gabby (Jmi's niece) rushed to the shore to take a dip. After we (Sanyapak) rest a bit and recharge our selves we then follow the children to the shore and play with them. The water is some what cooler than we expect even though the sun is at it's heat. Sea shells and pebbles are scattered alon the bay and big stones that breaks the water's wave along with it. It's perfect and simple made by mother nature.

Above: Egay with Yzzy and Drei

Above: Sanyapak men in blue sea

Above: Chin, Gabby and Yzzy

As the sun sets, we ordered a Tuba (Coconut Wine) to drink after dinner and Nanay Nita and Mama Fely (Jimi's mother-in-law) prepared our dinner and Niel prepared us some "pulutan". As we finished our meals we all gathered at the "bakuran" or yard of the house. The children are playing and running in and out of the house, the girls are chatting their memories in Tingloy when their young and for us guys, it's "barikan" (drinking wine or any liquor) time!

Above: Yzzy, Drei & Gabby sitting at the door of the fence, looking at the shore.

Above: Karen, Egay, Niel, Tonio and Jimi (holding a cup of tuba, you got to try this)

Above: Che, Gabby (Che's daughter), Karen, Drei, Yzzy, Chin & Jimi

Above: the guys started a bonfire from dry coconut leaves to keep them warm a bit.

As the night go deeper, we decided that it's time to sleep. Imagine this guys, we don't have any electricity that day because the schedule for it is for the following day we arrive. Since then, we only do things that we don't usually do in Manila. Drinking tuba, staring at the sea, wondering if there's something that will scare us (we hope that didnt happen) and moslty that time adds more bond on our family and friends. Something special to all of us indeed.

As the next day comes (Good Friday, April 10), we need to wash some of our clothes and need to fill the water containers so we need to get water from a "balon" or deep well since the island has not yet been modernize by the MWSS or any water company on that area but we do really enjoy it. Here's some of the pictures and stories with it.

Above: That's the balon or deep well located at the right side of the house we staying in

Above: We need to plunge the plastic container at the well but we must secure the rope on our hands so that we could pull the water container with water in it.

Above: As you can see on the right side of Enan, that's the water container that we needed to fill and the other one is in the house at the sink. After we fill all the water drums, containers and all it's time to wash up some dirty clothes that we used in hiking Mt. Maculot and Enan is our official "Labandero" or laundryman hehe. We also used the water in the deep well in washing our dishes and stuffs like that and also we used that water in our bath.

Below: Enan, Egay and Niel will hang their wet clothes to let it dry.

Above: After the laundry and filling all the water conatiners again, Clare (the sister cousin) prepare us some Buko Pandan to help us cool the day. Yummy!

Above: You can see the Anilao, Batangas from where we sit in front of the house.

Above: Che caught us all taking a nap.

Above: Another beautiful sunset at the beach.

Above: Model - Tonio, Shot by - Enan, title - Man and nature

Above: We're discussing about our exploration on Mount Mag-asawang Bato and the Masasa Beach located at the other side of the island of Tingloy.

Below: There's nothing more to cool us down with a drink of a cold beer, aahhhh, sarap.

Above: Chef Niel cooked as an adobong balot as our pulutan.

After we finished drinking the beers, we then decided it's lights out again for that night. The next day (Sat, April 11) we prepare our things that we're gonna bring at the Masasa Beach. We distributed the heavy stuffs on us and the light things for the girls. We need to walk along the beach to ride a tricycle to take as to Masasa. The fare is PhP 20.00 per head/passenger. As we get there, boy oh boy, it is more beautiful than we came. The water is much bluer here and there's so many people that swims and stroll at the beach, all in walks of life. Here's the photo of the Masasa Beach and stories.

Above: We wait here for the tricycle to come, this place is called

Below: Egay is looking at the boat that the local of Tingloy is making.

Above: Jump off to the Masasa Beach and at the right is the way to the Mount mag-asawang Bato.

Below: We need to walk the paved road to Masasa Beach. Can you see the blue beach after the field?

And when we arrived at the beach, this is what we saw....

Above: We ask some locals what island is that beyong the sea. They answered as that island is Mindoro. If we wan to go there the fare to the boat is only PhP 80.00. Hmmmm, much cheaper if we want to go the Puerto Galera dont you think?

As we put up our tents, Mama Fel and Niel prepared as some food to eat and grilled some pork for us. Since we dont have any griller to use, Niel improvised by using a pile of stone as his griller.

After our meal, some of us explored the place and some just tried the water. Here's the pictures below.

Above: They (locals of the islands) says that the bangkeros or sailers of this sail boat are offering their sails for free to give you an experience sailing it along the island. Well, we didnt try it, maybe next time.

As you can see guys, the island is full of it's natural beauty. From it's people to its habitat. An island that must be known and must stand out to its beauty. So, when your looking for a place to swim, snorkel, dive or just look around the beauty of nature, the Tingloy Isalnd is a must to visit.