[DAY 1 ] ILO-ILO : journey to the town of Estancia, the gateway to Isla Gigantes

The main purpose of our trip to Ilo-Ilo was Isla de Gigantes in Carles, Ilo-Ilo. From the few blogs I read, they say that this place was just being discovered by travellers; not a touristy place and you can experience sea-farers way of life here.

Joel Decano ( 0918 4685006) was the “trusted” person and the tourism officer of Carles, Ilo-Ilo. Trusted because I did not find any other person the blogger/travellers contacted when they visited Isla Gigantes and no negative publicity either.

Before the trip, I already contacted him. He was generous enough to answer all my questions on how to get there and even how much should we pay for the fares.

Touched down: New Bacolod – Silay Airport… We went straight to the parking area, thinking that there was a jeepney or bus terminal going to Bacolod city. There was none; only metered taxi and vans were available.

We asked the driver if the van route includes a stop at BREDCO Port because we want to go to Ilo-Ilo city. The driver did not confirm that but offered us to pay extra P50.00 each and he will bring us to BREDCO port. Well, being new to the place at we need to get to the port as fast as possible, we accepted the offer. My sister and I paid P400.00 going to BREDCO port.

In BREDCO port, we immediately checked the (earliest) departure of a passenger boat. We purchased the 10:45 AM trip. We supposedly got the earlier one if we had an early morning flight but it’s there so need wait a bit to depart.

 We went to BongBong’s newest branch in BREDCO port. I was ecstatic! I was a big fan of their biscocho and piaya!!!

I love BISCOCHO!!!

PIAYA

They sell the products at a WAY cheaper cost here than in Manila. We will buy few packs of their sweet products before we go back to Manila.

We checked in at the port to wait further for the passenger boat to arrive. The BREDCO port is clean with a TV showing all the places to visit in Ilo-Ilo and Bacolod city.

 The Oceanjet ferry fits around 500 passengers per trip. The boat itself was similar with the one I rode with during the Corregidor cruise.

 After the ferry ride, we immediately asked the security guard in the port on how to get to Tagbak terminal. I rode a jeepney with route JARO-CPU, fare was P8.00. Then, upon seeing another jeepney with sign TAGBAK TERMINAL, fare was P10.00, we transferred.

In Tagbak terminal, we asked the vendor on the side street where is the van going to Estancia and we were assisted. It’s almost 12noon and we need to catch the passenger boat in Estancia going to Isla Gigantes to have a cheaper fare. Knowing the fact that the travel time to Estancia is 3 hours, I informed Joel that we will not make it and join the passenger boat. He then advised us to stay for a night in Estancia then we will be fetched by a private boat first thing in the morning.

The van left the terminal at passed 11AM. It was not the most comfortable ride, but it’s the faster way to get to Estancia than a CERES bus.

We arrived in the town of Estancia at 3PM. It was pouring…

There were tricycles in the terminal waiting for passengers. We saw a signage of Aguilar Pension house and we thought we could spend the night there since we cannot saw any resorts or hostels nearby. Then, we asked the trike driver to bring us to Aguilar Pension house.

The room we got was ok. Two beds for P 600.00 /night; complete with own toilet and a cable TV.

After few minutes, we decided to eat lunch/dinner. We were advised by the caretaker that the trike fare was P10.00 per person/ride. We saw an Andok’s Lechon Manok and decided it will be our dinner.

Instead of going back to the pension house, we decided to explore the place and check the Estancia Fishing port.

There was a wet market beside the fishing port. Lots of dried fish and local vegetables were sold. Not to mention some exotic delicacies as well.

teren-teren, a local bread

Batuan, souring agent for Bisayan sinigang

grilled eels, isn't it exotic?!

Pinoy carcinogens

Hot banana!

Our call time the next day will be 6AM. So we slept around 9PM to get charged up for tomorrow's adventure.