We arrived at Romblon port at around 7am. Just like the ride form Batangas to Odiongan, the sea was calm and serene.
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| Romblon, Romblon: View from the ferry |
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| The ferry we rode from San Agustin Port to Romblon Port (Taken from San Andres Fort, Romblon, Romblon) |
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| We have officially arrived at Dada's hometown! :) Jared looking in amazement towards the ferry we rode |
I loved the vibe of Romblon port. It was very laid back and Spanish era. Like all ports, it was a busy place but somehow cleaner, friendlier, and had marble.
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| Gates are only open when a ship arrives or is to depart |
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| Tidy stalls neatly lined outside the port |
The tricycle trip to J's home took about ten minutes and once we finally arrived at the home where J grew up, he excitedly showed us to their receiving area where Jared finally saw his paternal great grandmother. :) It was a meeting that was seven months overdue!
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| Jared and his great grandma :) |
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| Define love |
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| Jared with Yaya Biring, J's yaya and before that, my mom-in-law's yaya :) |
We settled in our room, got the needed sleep, and ate freshly caught fish. The next few days were dedicated to enjoying the beautiful beaches (and fort) of Romblon.
1. Tiamban Beach Resort - Just pay an entrance fee of 40php then you're good to swim until 6pm. They used to have hotel rooms to accommodate those want to spend the night but they stopped that part of the business and made it a day-only beach. You have the beach all to yourself on weekdays (yes, even during the summer, something unheard of in Boracay) because most locals flock this white sandy beach on weekends.
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| The beach is pristine, virgin, and the sand is fine. |
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| Tiamban Beach Resort: Panoramic View |
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| If you walk along the shoreline, you'll arrive at Bonbon Beach which has a sandbar and sand comparable to that of Boracay |
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| See my foot? That's how clear the water is :) |
2. San Andres Fort
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| Eerie fort with all its Spanish Era glory |
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| Colored Mosaic Marble |
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| Romblon, Romblon: Panoramic view |
3. San Pedro Beach Resort, Talipasak, Romblon
San Pedro Beach Resort is a 30-45 minute tricycle (yes, that's the mode of transportation in Romblon) ride from Romblon Port. Most foreigners flock this resort due to its diving and snorkeling spots and sheer privacy. A standard room per night here is only 800php! But the stay is exceedingly worth more than that.
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| Panoramic View of San Pedro Beach Shoreline |
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| San Pedro has more grainy sand but is a better snorkeling beach. It's swimmable even at low tide. |
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| Jared's epic (and first) underwater shot. I am in love with this photo! |
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| Married bliss :) |
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| Mom, I think I drank too much saltwater, hic! |
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| Corals 30 feet deep (zoomed in) |
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| San Pedro in the morning |
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| San Pedro at noon: Look at those corals underwater. That's why it's a perfect snorkeling and scuba diving sanctuary. |
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San Pedro at sunset
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| Jared exploring a coconut |
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| Marble benches (and marble anything for that matter) are a common site here in Romblon. That's one big slab of marble right there! |
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| Hammocks free for daydreaming |
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| Resort Lobby | Miss Mina, the owner well traveled and displays her foreign finds in the lobby. That's authentic African tribal art displayed all over. |
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| Resort Bar |
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| Hanging plants |
To top it all off are the coastal roads around the beautiful island of Romblon. Everytime we drive by to our destination, we are faced with the mountains on the left and the sun and sea on the right. I get awestruck every single time and that's considering I stayed there for a month.
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| I had to ask our driver to stop even if it was a blind curve because it was simply breathtaking. |
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How awesome is that!
We left Romblon with a heavy heart. It's a paradise within a paradise that a typical Manileño doesn't know about. I honestly hope the local government keeps it that way so that its natural resources stay untouched. The people, the food, and the views made Summer 2013 a summer to beat. I can't wait to build sandcastles with Jared when we go back next year :)
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