 |
Main Menu |
 |
|
Total Hits |
|
We received
2492478
page views since March 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
Donations |
|
| HELP KEEP OUR SERVERS ONLINE! |  | | Donat-o-Meter Stats | | November´s Goal: | $100.00 | | Due Date: | Nov 30 | | Gross Amount: | $0.00 | | Net Balance: | $0.00 | | Left to go: | $100.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events |
|
|
|
Forums |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gutom Recipes |
|
|
|
Recommended Links |
|
|
|
Ads by Google |
|
|
|
Paid Advertising |
|
|
|
Advertising |
|
|
|
|
Take the Plunge at Puerto Galera |
|
 Puerto Galera is one of those places where the first view upon arrival is simply glorious! This coastal town at the northern part of Oriental Mindoro province is five hours south of Manila -- by road and by ferry. The ferry weaves its way among a cluster of hilly islands and headlands into an even more protected natural harbor, thousands of coconut palms crowding down to the shoreline. The water is sparkling aquamarine. As you approach the port, a fleet of yachts at anchor hove into view -- sleek white swans against a background of dazzling blue and green.
Finally, landfall, the boat pulling up at a small wharf, backed by a line of
little shops and cafes with the town beyond visible only as a few roofs poking
up and above the crowd of coconut palms. Close behind rears a great line of
mountains, one of the main massifs of the island of Mindoro. You are brought
back to earth with a bump, as disembarkation inevitably means jostling with
luggage and other passengers to get down the narrow gangplank, and then coping
with the surge of porters.
In a sheltered inlet sits the town of Puerto Galera, where the scenic harbor
seems perfect for those with a little gypsy in their souls. The town is a
navigator's haven with its stunning natural harbor often sought as a refuge
during inclement weather. Its panoramic landscape, exotic scenery, numerous
quiet coves, white sugary sand beaches, luscious undersea coral gardens with any
biologist's specimens of marine flora and fauna, fresh seafood cuisine, a good
range of affordable accommodations with snorkelling and scuba diving facilities
are prime attractions for tourists who flock all year round.
Sabang is the busiest beach in town, with a mind-boggling variety of
accommodations dotting haphazardly along the shoreline, some above-average
restaurants and a couple of night spots.
Neighboring Small La Laguna and Big La Laguna are rather more laid-back and
family – oriented. These are the places to stay if you like to spend your
evenings quietly -- contemplating the stars and listening to the chirping of
insects. Twenty minutes by jeepney, the other side of Puerto Galera harbor, to
the east, is White Beach, which has excellent swimming and entertainment
facilities. You can also reach this place by outrigger banca in half an hour.
Five minutes beyond White Beach by jeepney is Talipanan Beach and Punta Guarda
Beach. Both are far from the busy areas and ideal for private swimming and
retreat as well as good bases for trekking to the mountains.
One can hire a boat for exploring the islands and coves. The ride from Sabang to
White Beach is scenic, passing Small La Laguna, Big La Laguna, Coco Beach Resort
and Oceana, a new resort with lovely native cottages.
Oceana is in Dulangan Beach situated on Varadero Bay, and perhaps, one of the
prettiest resorts in Puerto Galera. The whole resort is well set up to meet the
requirements of any diving enthusiast. There are four superior beachfront
cottages in bright Caribbean colors of red, yellow, green and white. These
cottages can fit up to four persons with a commanding view of the sea.
Personally, it’s perfect for anyone on a hermit mode, in which case you can
just stare at your veranda or read a good book. You may even want to start
writing your own memoir or travel novella!
Each of these rooms is accented with orientalia, an influence from the family’s
own interior design company. Wooden jars from Bali, a Javanese wooden mirror and
two Thai golden buddhas. Chinese porcelain lampshades adorn the beds, which
entices one to further read even after a day at the beach.
Then there are other rooms – eight deluxe rooms with air conditioning and
seven fan de luxe rooms as well. The whole resort is set up like a mini hacienda
with the other rooms overlooking a huge swimming pool. Across is the resort’s
activity center, where you can play pool, darts, recreational football,
ping-pong, and billiards or just read some of the owner's book collection.
Daytime activities may include diving, kayaking around the island or play beach
volleyball beside the swimming pool. All the activities come free of charge,
except for the diving, which is charged separately. This resort has its own dive
shop with facilities and equipment good for 80 dives per day.
Puerto Galera is one of the best places in the country for diving. On any given
dive, it’s possible to see huge schools of tuna, sharks and even the
occasional pawikan (turtle). The Canyons, which starts from the “hole in the
wall” have lots of huge, wild fish like mating jacks. You can also go to Shark
Caves, a series of caves where white tip sharks breed and sleep in the dark
crevices.
If you need to see more people, you can rent a boat and go beach hopping. White
beach is the longest beach on the island. The boatman can also take you to
deserted, private coves around Puerto Galera. They can prepare a picnic lunch
treat provided ample time is given to plan and cook the dishes. Best is to try
to get the freshest catch of the day and have it cooked on the private coves
where you plan to dock. There are a lot of beautiful, deserted coves, so if you
want to be alone, there are available ones waiting to be claimed.
Chauffeured vehicles or the ever-reliable jeepneys can take you around town and
to neighoring towns by land. You can play golf at the Ponderosa Golf Course then
swim in the 423-feet Tamaraw Falls, which is along side the road. Motocross bike
rentals are available around the island if you’re the more adventurous type
and have all the time to get “lost” in the island.
Puerto Galera has always a point of comparison with Boracay Island in Western
Visayas. The defense for Puerto Galera is simply that the two are quite
different. If all you want is a glorious beach, then head for Boracay. But for a
location with a wide choice of places to visit and exotic scenery that includes
the superb forested backdrop of Mount Malasimbo -- ideal for climbing, trekking
and adventure to the wilderness -- not to forget are the bounty of world-class
diving right on your resort’s doorstep, then Puerto Galera is very hard to
beat!
Moreover, Puerto Galera has its own history being the oldest settlement in the
island of Mindoro. Founded by Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo in 1570, the
name Puerto Galera was taken after the galleons, which used the town's bay as a
refilling station and repair area. It means "port of galleons" or "puerto de
galera" in Spanish. The 18th century galleon trade between Manila and Acapulco,
Mexico along the vast Pacific Ocean lasted for more than a century when Puerto
Galera was an important stop-over.
An old convent has been converted into a museum with unearthed 15th to the
19th-century artifacts of precious Chinese burial jars, Siamese pottery and
antique Spanish ornaments on display.
An early morning tour by jeepney to the other 14 towns of Oriental Mindoro and
its capital, Calapan City, will reveal their own pristine natural resources and
interesting man-made attractions including cultural and agricultural festivals
celebrated almost every month.
Tourists may also visit the ethnic settlements of the gentle but withdrawn
Mangyans. Many Mangyans, though, have managed to integrate into the cultural
mainstream. They are skilled weavers and craftsmen, who produce intricate tribal
finery like baskets, mats, clothing, which are both functional and aesthetic.
The Baclaran Mangyan Settlement is one of the areas in Oriental MIndoro reserved
for this ethnic Filipinos under the auspices of the Divine Word Missionaries. It
is only a 30-minute walk from the Puerto Galera town proper. The Pamugu-an
Festival, held every third week of October, is a reunion of the different
Mangyan tribes where they engage in native sports events, cultural shows,
product demonstrations and sale of native handicrafts. Aside from tourism, the
town is known for its rich mineral deposits of marble, gold, lime and silica
granules. With the Manila-Acapulco galleons long gone, agriculture, mining and
tourism now thrive in Puerto Galera.
Getting There:
It is advisable to travel early morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the
fantastic view upon arrival in Puerto Galera.
The trip from Manila to Batangas City pier can be done by airconditioned bus
(with stations along Buendia Avenue, Makati City, Kamuning, Quezon City and
Alabang, Muntinlupa City). The trip takes approximately three hours.
There are ample pay parking areas around the Batangas City pier for private
vehicles.
From Batangas City pier, you can reach Puerto Galera by ferry or catamarans.
Ferries leave between 9AM to 4PM.
For more information:
Philippine Department of Tourism-Region IV
Room 208, Tourism Building
T.M. Kalaw Avenue, Ermita, Manila
PHILIPPINES
Telephones: (011 632) 523-8411 local 183, 524-1969 and 524-1528
Fax: (011 632) 526-7656
E-mail: lcjurilla@tourism.gov.ph
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philippine Department of Tourism
447 Sutter Street, Ste. 507 San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel No. 415 9564060 Fax No. 415 9562093
Email-pdotsf@aol.com
www.wowphilippines.com.ph
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
Posted on Thursday, July 07 @ 13:08:48 CDT by don |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Related Links |
|
|
|
Article Rating |
|
|
|
Options |
|
|
|
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
|
|
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
|
|
|
Gutom sa Karunungan :: Gutom sa Kalinangan :: Gutom sa Katotohanan :: Gutom sa Pagbabago
Hunger for Knowledge :: Hunger for Enlightenment :: Hunger for Truth :: Hunger for Change
The opinions, postings, and articles in in this website do not
necessarily reflect the orientation or represent the opinions of Gutom.org, its
owners, administrators, members, and affiliates nor that of FreeSparrow, LLC. members, management, employees and affiliates. The (opinions, postings and
articles) have been approved for informational purposes only. In addition, Gutom.org may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been
specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We believe this constitutes a
"fair use" of such material under 17 U.S.C. Section 107. Members and readers
wishing to use copyrighted material for or from this site for purposes that go
beyond "fair use," must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
For more info about this site please contact Team Gutom by
CLICKING THIS LINK.
Gutom.Org is an interactive on-line service operated by FreeSparrow, LLC. on the World Wide Web of the Internet, consisting of information
services and content provided by FreeSparrow, LLC., affiliates of FreeSparrow, LLC. and other third parties.
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner.
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest © 2005 by Gutom.Org,
and by FreeSparrow, LLC..
Disclaimer
:: Terms of Use
:: Privacy
Policy
PHP-Nuke Copyright © 2004 by Francisco Burzi. This is free software, and you may redistribute it under the .
PHP-Nuke comes with absolutely no warranty, for details, see the .
Powered by
Page Generation: 0.73 Seconds
:: skyLineBlue phpbb2 style by Volize Web Solutions :: PHP-Nuke theme by www.nukemods.com ::
| |
