Carabao Island: Tagaytay Point

We capped our island tour with stopping by at the Tagaytay Point.  

The point is an uphill view that has been compared to Tagaytay in Batangas, hence its name.  Usually, this place has an entrance fee but, because we went there late and they are almost closing, they just let us enter and savor the view.  

Standing at the highest point of the island, you'll see Boracay Island from afar.  Would you believe that I've never been there?  And this is the first time I saw that island?  Well, I don't know.  Maybe because I told myself that this is the last beach/spot in the Philippines that I'll visit.  They said that it's beautiful.  I can't argue with that, I've seen tons of photos of Boracay.  But I still believe that other places in my beloved country 's worth more than those as mentioned earlier.  

Aside from the overseeing the island, watching sunsets are fantastic in this area.  We planned on catching the sunset it when we started our tour, but it didn't show up well because of the cloudy sky.  The rain the previous day might have brought those gray and gloomy clouds that hid the sun as it sets.  

We stayed there for a while hoping to see a glimpse of the sun because we were still hopeful, but it wasn't our lucky day.   We might need to go back and see it for ourselves next time.  

the registration area 

Thanks for the amazing sites, Carabao Island.  Till next time. 

Tibiao: Kawa Hot Bath

Antique, named after the enormous red ants found in the island, is one of the provinces located in Western Visayas.  It can be found on the western side, as well, of Panay Island. :) 

the location of the pans when we arrived. 

Well, apart from the waterfalls, Malalison Island, and whitewater kayaking, 

experiencing the hot kawa bath is another reason to see Antique.  

There are many inns where you can enjoy the kawa bath, and the choice is yours.  

For us, we chose the one located beside the river and neighbor of Kayak Inn because they usually don't have a lot of visitors; therefore, I (we) can have my (our) me (us) time.  

I spend the warm bath time contemplating while listening to the strong sound of the river, tweeting birds as if they are singing a beautiful song and the swirling music of the leaves as the wind blows. 

Oh, it is just relaxing.  I can live here. 

Tibiao River, where we did the river kayaking

So how do they prepare the Kawa for the bath?

      Initially, a fire, using firewood or bamboos, is set up under the large and thick casted iron pan called "kawa" to heat it up.  The process usually takes time to prepare, less than an hour maybe, depending on the size of the kawa you're going to use.   Once the heat is on, they will start filling the "tub" with water, just enough to soak your body.  Meanwhile, they will throw in some ornaments like green leaves and flowers to add effects to your bath.  And when the water is warm enough, you can climb in and have the time of your life in it.  

Usually, the warm, soothing bath lasts for like an hour, but because we were the only guests in the inn during our visit, we spend more or less 2 hours.  The caretaker though had to adjust the fire because it was cooling down.  

Side Notes:

* They advised not to take a shower after the bath because of it's medicinal purposes (warm bath + the herbs added).  

* The pan was previously used by the natives to cook muscovado sugar. 

* The pot doesn't heat up quickly so there will be no burn. 

* Price is Php 200/head 

*Entrance fee at Polly's - Php 25/head

Antique: Malalison Travel Notes

Malalison Island, popularized as Mararison Island to the locals, is the newest attraction in Culasi, Antique.  Just around 15-minute boat ride from the mainland of Antique, one can enjoy serenity and beauty of the island.  Having around 55-hectare land area, the hook-shaped island is known for its powdery white sand, magnificent rolling hills (like that of Batanes), carnivorous pitcher plants, diverse sea creatures and long white sandbar.  

How did We Get There

• Travelled all the way from Naga City to Manila then flew to Kalibo, Aklan. 
• Stayed overnight at Esperanza hotel 
•  Left Esperanza Hotel, Kalibo, Aklan the next morning and rode a tricycle (Php10/person) going to Ceres Bus Terminal
• Boarded a bus bound to San Jose / Culasi with a fare of Php110/person, travel time is 2 hours
• Ask the driver / conductor to drop you off at the Culasi boulevard then walk straight at the right side passing the Municipal Hall and the plaza; at the end you'll see the port and on your left, you'll spot the Tourism Office

Antique: Malalison Island

Our journey jumpstarted when we left the Esperanza Hotel in Kalibo, Aklan early in the morning. 

Our destination? 
Malalison (or Mararison to the locals) Island.  
The island, located in the Municipality of Culasi, Antique, is now is now a favorite weekend destination in Panay Island.  It is a hook-shaped island gifted with picturesque mountain ranges (like that of Batanes), abundant coral reefs, carnivorous pitcher plants and of course, a powdered-colored beach. 

How did we get there

We rode a tricycle going to the Ceres Bus Terminal to bring us to San Jose/Culasi.  

I read from the other blogs that from our hotel, one can walk going to the bus terminal

but because they have relocated, one needs to ride a trike to get there. 

No fuss as the fare is only P10/person.  

When we arrived at the terminal, there were no other passengers yet except us. 

Haha!  Lucky! We then have the whole bus for ourselves, huh? 

But as time went by, the bus started filling up. 

  We settled inside as instructed and the conductor gave us bus ticket and paid P110/pax as fare. 

We asked him to drop us off to Culasi as were heading to Malalison Island. 

The bus left past 6 am, and the almost 2-hour journey to Culasi was smooth and dandy. 

From there, we walked straight on the right side passing the plaza and municipal hall. 

In the end, you'll see the port and on your left side is the tourism office. 

*The GPS helped us locate the port and the office. :)