Thursday, June 21, 2012

Discover Guimaras!

We just stayed in Iloilo for a day tour and checked out at Ong Bun Pension House early in the morning to leave Iloilo for Guimaras. Same plan goes with Guimaras, we'll have a tour then leave Guimaras for Bacolod the next day but plans were changed. Story to be continued :)

By the way, Guimaras is just 15 minutes away from Iloilo by boat. It is located in between the province of Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

(c) Gladys Villasaya
Boat ride from Iloilo to Guimaras.
Fare is Php14

The weather is not stable the night before so our tour guide in Guimaras told us to go to Parola Wharf (Iloilo) and ride a boat to Jordan Wharf (Guimaras) but the original route is Parola Wharf to Buenavista Port and Ortiz Port to Jordan Wharf. Ortiz Port (Iloilo) is closed because of the weather, they said that it is not safe to have that route since the rain is on and off, the waves might be deadly!

(c) Gladys Villasaya
Bawal is bawal!! 
Wag sanang macontaminate ng ibang mango ang Guimaras mango!
 Upon arriving, we saw the Tourism desk. The personnel asked me to sign certain information in behalf of our group then discussed places to go to and resorts to stay in.

A man approached us and knew that it was Kuya Cherald, our Guimaras tour guide/driver. We rented a tricycle for the tour but because the weather is not yet okay, we agreed that we'll just have the multicab and immediately proceeded with the tour.

SMALLEST PLAZA
Jordan, Guimaras

A few minutes right after we jump in the multicab, we just stopped in the middle of nowhere then we saw the large sign board saying we are in the smallest plaza.

It was once declared by the Guinness World Records as the smallest plaza in the world. I'm not sure if they still have the title and if they still, they should have posted a replica of the certificate or any recognition by the Guinness just like what Monfort Bat Cave did in Samal Island. :)
Small statue of Jose Rizal then do a few cart wheels and you'll reach the stage! :))

VIEW OF GUIMARAS ISLAND

Had a nice view of Guimaras island from the town of Jordan. It was cloudy!

SAN MIGUEL PUBLIC MARKET

Went to their public market for some mangoes. It costs Php60 per kilo. For pasalubong, you can buy a box which costs Php50, it can only carry maximum of 4 kilos.
They also have dried mangoes, mango jam and mango piaya.

GUIMARAS TRADE AND INFORMATION CENTER
Pasalubong Center, Provincial Capitol, San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras


MUSEO DE GUIMARAS

Read blogs before we left Manila which was posted like a year ago and they mentioned that it is under renovation. Tagal magrenovate ah!!

THE PITSTOP RESTAURANT
Chavez Bldg., San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras

Our tour guide/driver asked us if we want to try mango pizza, we answered yes right away! Only in Guimaras!!

TRAPPIST MONASTERY
5045 Jordan, Guimaras
http://www.ourladyofnewhelfta.com/OLP/

Trappist Monastery is run by monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. These monks follow the rule of St. Benedict and are best known for the extreme austerity or strictness that characterizes their discipline.

A monk welcomed us in a smiling face, he asked us if we're tourists visiting their place and where we came from. After some talks, he went inside a small room and went back to us with papers and pens. We then wrote our pray petitions.

Busy writing our petitions
He blessed us and we gave our petitions.


The monastery is also popular because of their gift shop. They sell foods and religious items.

Just beside the outside door of the gift shop, we noticed these tree branches cut in different sizes. I didn't immediately noticed what was special about it until I asked. It has a cross image on the center. Sabi ni ate na nagtitinda, SINUKUAN daw ang name ng puno kung saan nagmula ang mga branch na ito. Kinukuha pa daw nila ito sa bundok. At nagkakaroon lang ng cross image kapag pinutol ang sanga ng Good Friday. Kapag daw ibang araw ng taon, walang cross. At kahit hatiin daw sa gitna yung sanga, may cross talagang lalabas.
The cross image.
They also said that it will keep you from harm and from people who doesn't like you. Parang mapipigilan sila as long as you always have the tree branch with you.
No harm in trying. I have it in my wallet. :)

GUIMARAS MANGO PLANTATION

Ayun oh, nakahilera ang mga mango trees!
It is run by the government.

VIEW OF ILOILO

Decided to eat our Mango Pizza we bought at Pitstop while enjoying the view.

Related posts:
Iloilo - Heart of the Philippines | Iloilo City, Jaro, Molo, Guimbal
Iloilo - Heart of the Philippines | Miagao, San Joaquin

Next post: Guisi beach and lighthouse!!!

Chinx♥

7 comments:

  1. wow! di ko natry ang mango pizza ah.. hmm.. pagbalik ko try ko yan.. ang sushal, multicab. hihi.

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    1. Go ate! Try mo! Masarap naman siya at infairness madami yung mangga, di tinipid. Hehe. Si kuya kasi e, syempre dapat sa tricycle lang kami para mura kaso baka daw umulan, di kasya gamit namin. Hehehe :)

      Thanks for dropping by ate! :)

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  2. Hi... How much did you pay for the transportation in going around Guimaras?

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    1. Hello po :) 1700 po yung bayad namin sa tour pero originally 2000 po talaga yun. :)

      Visit niyo po ito, andito yung info :)http://chingkyquijano.blogspot.com/2012/07/guimaras-raymen-beach-resort-alubihod.html

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    2. Hi Chingky!

      Naaliw ako sobra sa mga blog mo. I'm mapping our itinerary ngayon. Halos lahat ng kailangan kong malaman nasa blog mo na. Thank you so much! What a help.

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    3. Ano ang name ng mango plantation na pinuntahan nyo?

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    4. Wow! Katouch naman po! Hehe. I'm glad I was able to help you making your itinerary. I remembered fixing our itinerary for this travel, super hirap at wala ako makitang pwede paggayahan. Hehe.

      Wala pong name yung plantation e. Kunin niyo na po si Kuya na nagtour samin. Super sulit. Hehehe. :)

      Thank you poooo! :)

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