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Day 6: Farewell Yato, Hello Alubihod & Guisi Beaches

Posted on September 1, 2010 by journeyingjames 17 Comments
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In transition (Day 5): I spent the night  in a small “kubo” sleeping on bamboo “papag” because Joven wants to experience using my hammock. He lent me his pillow so I was comfortable the whole night.

As of today, I have PhP157.50 excess from Days 1-5 budget. Meaning I am averaging PhP218.50 (US$4.83) a day and todays budget will be PhP250 + P157.50 = P407.50 (US$ 9). Yes, I have more budget for today’s adventures in Guimaras.

That's Yato over there! Good-bye for now

Waking up early on an unexplored island while waiting for the sunrise was majestic. After more exploration of the island, I took a bath “tabo-style” beside the water pump. Their father just arrived after the evening’s toil catching fish. So that means I have fresh grilled fish for breakfast! It was sweet and yummy. This was to be my last meal on the island. I can feel that they are a bit sad because I am going away. As a token of my appreciation to their hospitality, I gave a football jersey. That will also serve as a remembrance.

John with his new pair of slippers

Around 9:20am, I told them that I’m ready to go back to Cabalagnan. So the eldest son started the boat’s engine and off we went to the town. I bid good-bye to my new family and friends (things that happened while I was on the island started to flashback on my head). I brought with me Joven and John Robert (my 2 guides at Yato) because I want to give something for them. I gave Joven P50 as a token of my gratefulness and brought John Robert to the nearest store to buy him a new pair of slippers (I noticed that his slippers was always snapping whenever he walks). I would never forget John’s grinning from ear to ear when he first wore that new pair of slippers. I believe that simple act made a big difference and hopefully would bring beyond Yato Island.

Now I want to chill beside the beach so I ask the locals where the best white beach is. Everyone is pointing me to Alubihod Beach, where Raymen Beach Resort is.

So here goes my travel itinerary and travel time:
Yato Island to Cabalagnan: Pumpboat (15 minutes)
Cabalagnan to Poblacion (Desi-otso): Van (45 minutes including waiting time)
Poblacion to Alubihod: Jeepney (< 10 minutes)
Alubihod to White Beach (Raymen Beach Resort): Motorcycle (10 minutes)

Entrance fee to Raymen Beach Resort is only PhP10, but before I paid I examined the place first, I noticed that a lot of people swimming and singing the video-oke, I guess this place is not for me- so touristy. I also asked the staff if they would allow an overnight stay with my hammock. They said no. I have no choice but to find another place.

Guisi Beach: Secluded and Scenic

They pointed me to Guisi White Beach, added attraction for me would be the 2nd oldest lighthouse in the Philippines. I take that as a go. So here’s my second itinerary and travel time:
Raymen Beach to Alubihod: Motorcycle (< 10 minutes)
Alubihod to Guisi Crossing: Jeepney (20 minutes)
Guisi Crossing to Guisi Beach: Motorcycle (15 minutes)

At the Guisi Crossing, I met Bodok, a motorcycle (habal-habal) driver who brought me to Guisi White Beach. He asked me what time will I return to Jordan (the Capital Town of Guimaras)? I told him that I will find a place to stay in Guisi Beach, a place to set-up my hammock for a camping. I told him that I’m looking for a free place and explained to him about the PhP250/day challenge. He is cool with the idea and offered a place for free- a small “kubo” where they hang-out in the afternoons. I just talked with the owner of the “kamalig/kubo,” Ate Arlene (I explained to him that I’m doing a challenge and I cannot afford a place rental). Alas! I now have a place to stay, a place to set up my hammock.

My humble nook at Guisi Beach, Day 6

I spent the lazy afternoon staring at the beach in my swaying hammock. I also had opportunities to chat with some locals hanging out at the “kubo.” It’s getting late in the afternoon and problem is there is no available food in the

The kid's part of the afternoon's catch

area. Good thing, I spotted 2 kids who just came with their harvest. I ask if I could buy some fish for dinner. I bought P20 worth of fish, some charcoals and a match. I will have grilled fish for the night. How about rice? I went to the nearest store and ask the owner if they can cook rice for me. She agreed and it turned out that she is the mother of the kid of whom I bought my fish. The mom ask his son to deliver the cooked rice. So I have a free delivery of my order. Cool!

It started to rain gently as I am building fire to cook the fish. I now have to apply what I learn in scouting- proper way of building fire. It was like Survivor! After an hour I was able to cook my dinner. The caretaker of the “kubo” was good enough to give me some potable water and salt for the fish. Thank you! The fish was too much so I save some for tomorrow’s breakfast.

About 9:00pm, Bodok returned with two friends. We had some chat and I learned that I was talking to an official researcher of Guimaras Province. He knows everything from land area to population, history of the lighthouse to the tourism programs being develop. I learned a lot that night and I had to visit him in his office the next day to say thanks.

FOODS I ATE

Dalagang Bukid for breakfast (top) &various fish for dinner (before and after)

PLACES I VISITED

Alubihod Beach and Guisi Beach. Alubihod (Alubihud/Alubijod) White Beach has experienced a lot of developments already. There are cabins, canteen, kiosk and aalmost everything you need, in other words, very touristy. I like it more at Guisi beach for the laid-back feeling, more secluded and peaceful. While Alubihod has white sand, Guisi has golden-yellow sand. See the pictures below for comparison:

Raymen Beach Resort, Alubihod

Kids preparing the nets, Guisi Beach

PEOPLE I MET

Yato Island's Future

They are not camera-shy

Smiles from Guisi Beach

Important Travel Notes:
Food and Water: Please bring enough for your planned stay.
Cellphone signal: Smart only but very low.
Electricity: None.
Bring insect repellant, mosquitoes and other insects abound.

Day 6 Expenses in Philippine Peso
P35 Slippers for John Robert
P50 Money given to Joven
P13 Coke
P30 Van (Cabalagnan-Desi-otso, Poblacion)
P10 500ml water
P7 (Desi-otso to Alubihod)
P20 Motorcycle (Alubihod – Raymen Beach Resort)
P20 Motorcycle (Raymen – Alubihod)
P26 Lunch (1 order of gulay and 1 cup of rice)
P10 Jeepney (Alubihod – Guisi Crossing)
P20 Motorcycle (Guisi Crossing – Guisi Beach)
P20 Fish (7 pieces)
P12 Charcoal and match
P20 Rice
———
PhP293 (US$6.48) . Yes, I wasn’t able to live within my P250/day budget on Day 6. But its okay, I have an excuse because I saved enough the past days. Over-all I still have P114.50 excess after 6 days.

On the 7th day, I will have some rest. Find out what kind rest is that. Also, will I be able to taste the sweetest mango in the world even its not in season?

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17 thoughts on “Day 6: Farewell Yato, Hello Alubihod & Guisi Beaches”

  1. flip said:
    Reply
    September 1, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    congratulations on your new domain!!! and i like the new layout 🙂

  2. journeyingjames said:
    Reply
    September 2, 2010 at 1:23 am

    <blockquote cite="#commentbody-529">

    flip :

    congratulations on your new domain!!! and i like the new layout <img src="http://journeyingjames.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif&quot; alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley">

    thanks flip! medyo naninibago lang sa WP, parangmahirap gamitin.

  3. Adele Aga said:
    Reply
    September 2, 2010 at 3:06 am

    wow! and now, I officially admire your travel budget and self-discipline. hats off to you bro! i hope i can also stay within my budget on my own backpack trip (that's in 7 days! haist)

    and btw, congrats on your new and cool domain 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 2, 2010 at 3:47 am

      P150/day ka right? whew! thats hard ha, transpo nalang ubos na…thanks adelle! let's explore the Philippines

      • Adele Aga said:
        Reply
        September 2, 2010 at 3:55 am

        di na, tinaasan ko naman, ginawa kong 350. lol! just imagining how you survived the 250/day makes me want to back out with this trip. I'm trying to be realistic, and guess i still have a long way to go bago ko ma beat ang record mo. but you really inspired me to push through with this plan. thanks 🙂

        come next year, i'll climb/tour Kota Kinabalu in 500/day budget. I'm crossing my fingers i'll come home alive 😀

        • journeyingjames said:
          Reply
          September 2, 2010 at 6:12 am

          ayos! tama, be realistic. okay na nga yan 350/day. im planning another 14-day trip to mindanao, P500/day naman para masarap ang food trip.

          about the kinabalu, ok din yung P500/day. sakto lang yan. excluding the permits/guides/entrance fee. enjoy lang!

  4. The Nomadic Pinoy said:
    Reply
    September 5, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    Just stumbled on your site today.

    I'm really amazed at how affordable backpacking can be in the Philippines based on your budget of $4.83/day. This makes Thailand/Vietnam/Cambodia expensive hehehe!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 6, 2010 at 7:24 am

      thanks TNP! thanks for visiting my site. will add you on my blogroll.

  5. jhuvy said:
    Reply
    September 6, 2010 at 10:51 am

    there smile is priceless!!!..^-^

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 7, 2010 at 1:38 am

      🙂 you have to see for yourself

  6. joy garonita said:
    Reply
    October 12, 2010 at 10:15 am

    hello, i enjoyed reading here, so glad you visited our place and getting mingle with them……so happy i knew the persons one of them was my brother….boi. and on the pics its mikoy……thanks for sharing your escapades at guisi…….more power and god bless!!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 16, 2010 at 7:56 am

      hi joy! thanks for your warm comment. yato is beautiful! glad that you found this blog

  7. joanne camille said:
    Reply
    October 28, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    wheres day7?

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 30, 2011 at 2:45 pm

      hi joanne! here’s day 7 http://journeyingjames.com/2010/09/day-7-guimaras-hammock-to-iloilo-city-private-room/

  8. joanne camille said:
    Reply
    November 1, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    thanks! super nahu-hook ako sa blog mo! i just came from baler and the 1st thing i did when i got back to work is to check for your reply. ndi nakakapagtaka kung materminate ako… =))) miski bf ko nagseselos na. hahahaha…. <3

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 3, 2011 at 7:04 am

      wow! now i dont know how i can thank you for that.
      please say my regards to the boyfriend 🙂
      btw, stoked for the next surf fest? u surf?

      • joanne camille said:
        Reply
        November 5, 2011 at 3:32 am

        yes! yes! yes! yes! and YESSS!!!!!!
        i love the idea!
        too bad, boyfriend is no longer here… =)

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