I’ve known Guimaras for its sweet mangoes. A friend of mine occasionally goes there for relaxation and unload the heavy feelings in this busy place. She always tells me I should go there some time but I once told her, ‘anu na naman gagawin ko dun?’ (what the hell am I gonna do there?) LOL, I broke her emo moments, I didn’t know Guimaras is such a beautiful place that time.

Where in Guimaras?

Searching from Google, “Guimaras is an exotic island province blessed with picturesque beaches, flass, springs, and offshore islates, which attracts both foreign and domestic visitors.” – Guimaras Tourism

From Iloilo City harbor, we took a 15-minute pump boat ride going to Jordan Wharf, Guimaras. A pump boat ride costs P13 (around $0.35 or less). Thanks to Marcos for the instructions!

Right after we stepped out of the boat, we saw their Tourism Office. We signed up their logbook which I think for the purpose of recording the number of tourists visiting Guimaras. The office also holds all the information about Guimaras including, guide maps, contact to all Guimaras Travel and Tours, beach resorts, etc. but we chose to have our own itinerary as we were on a tight budget. So, we took the guide map and hired a tricycle driver who happened to be our tour guide as well.

Note that there are lots of tricycle drivers who will offer you their services. The good thing about this place is that tricycle drivers have fix amount of P250 ($6), to get you to the popular Alubihod beach. You just have to choose which driver you feel like riding to. Lucky you if the tricycle driver is hot and single.

We end up hiring Kuya Gerald as our tricycle driver and tour guide. From the starting price of P250, we asked him if he can tour us to Guisi lighthouse, Trappist Monastery, and Valle Verde while we are on our way to Alubihod beach. He said those landmarks are quite far from each other especially the Guisi Lighthouse, and if we really want to go, we have to add additional P250 so that makes P500. We agreed to his price.

It’s P250 each in our case because we were two people but if you’re in a group, you will save big time and P500 is already cheap. Let’s say you are traveling in group with five people: 500 divided by 5 is P100 each (one tricycle fits five people).

Before starting our land tour, he introduced us his own itinerary. Oh, this driver rocks. Originally, our itinerary only had Guisi lighthouse, Trappist Monastery, and Valle Verde, but he had Pasalubong house, Plantation, Museo De Guimaras, and Guisi beach to add in our itinerary. The original P500 amount for the tour is still fixed. Our first stop was Museo De Guimaras. It was closed that time so we just took pictures.

My camera sucks big time having problems with auto-focus and exposures, so my photos are and not-so-good photos, poor me.

Trappist Temple

The Monastic Enclosure. Am I still in the Philippines?

Temple’s interior

We have talked to one of the monks there. He blessed us after we put our prayers in a piece of paper. This whole thing is very serene. We leave the temple with full of insightful thoughts and peace in our hearts. Man, this place is really relaxing.

Overlooking view of Plantation

Overlooking view at Valle Verde Mountain Resort

Guisi Lighthouse built in 1894 to 1896.
Translation to that written thing: Do not climb dangerous.

Rocks at Guisi Beach ruined by typhoon Frank last 2008

On our way to Alubihod

At last, we reached the very serene Alubihod beach. Say bye bye to our tricycle driver. We treated him lunch because we really find him nice. He carried our bags all the way from Guisi lighthouse to Guisi beach which is oh-so-far.

Alubihod beach

With Mica

Since we’re already here, we availed the Raymen’s Island Hopping tour. Should you wish to get Kuya Gerald’s number, here it is 09084748122. Tell him you know me (Ada). We gave him a P100-tip by the way! Some of our friends were fooled by other tricycle drivers charging them P800 or more for this kind of trip. We highly recommend Kuya Gerald.

Update (February 27, 2012): Heard from Kuya Gerald and according to him, price rates for land tour has now changed. Not sure how much. But I’m sure it’s still the cheapest!

Want to know where is this breathtaking place in Guimaras?

Read the second part of my post, Island Hopping in Guimaras.

How to Get to Guimaras?

You can read this post on how to get to Guimaras

Photos without watermark belong to Mica of micamyx.com.