Exploring Puerto Galera

My Puerto Galera Experience

Recently, I finally decided to take a break from work. Go somewhere to relax and unwind but I also don't want to go that far from Metro Manila. My Summer Vacation 2014 is quite a memory at the one of the most beautiful community beach in the Philippines. A place called Puerto Galera situated along the seashore of Mindoro. A piece of heaven of at the Southern part of Luzon not so far away from Metro Manila.

How to get there:

Going to Puerto Galera is amusingly easy. First of course is going to Batangas Port, either through a private car or through public transportation, then from there you can take a ferry boats from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

For me, I took a public transportation.

By Public Transportation depending on your location:

Go to any of the following bus terminals in Metro Manila:

• Bus Terminals near the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia), Pasay City – nearest Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Domestic Airport.
• Bus Terminal near Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
• Bus Terminal in EDSA corner Kamias Street, Quezon City.
• Bus Terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

TIP: In riding a bus most specially if you are a first timer you have to ask the conductor of the bus specifically if the bus is going to Batangas pier. Otherwise you'll have to look for another one who can. From Metro Manila to Batangas port this may take you at least 2 hours depending on traffic of course. Bus fare may cost you less than Php200.

From Batangas Port, walk straight to Terminal 3 and find the ticket booth going to Puerto Galera. The moment you step down to the bus, locals will definitely offer their service in guiding you to Terminal 3 where you could buy your Fairy Boat tickets (Php 250 per person) and environmental Fee. Note that there are 2 different windows where you could pay your environmental fee after buying your ticket. The fees you need to pay are Terminal Fee which will cost you Php 30 and Environmental Fee for only Php 50.00. I suggest you pay the round trip ticket. Though in any cases that you need to move the departure date you'll have to confirm 24 hrs in advance to avoid disruption of your travel.

The Accommodations:

Looking for accommodation at Puerto Galera is as easy as 1, 2, 3 because the moment you reach the white sands of Puerto Galera and after paying the fees local tourist guides will be there asking you if you already have reservations because they can take you to hotels and other means of accommodations within the area of the beach.

There'd be a lot of hotels and hostels who can offer you the best of their services. In my case when I visited the place for the first time Kubo sa Bakawan became my favorite as they offer free use of videoke and you can even go to the market and cook your own food. Also, Evelyn Manalo Mendoza, the owner of the Kubo Sa Bakawan was very accommodating to all their guests which is of course a plus in their complete customer satisfaction.

For reservations please call +639397962232 or (02) 861 1225 Please reference my blog.

Ice cold beer and a white sand and a dazzling beach, Puerto Galera is a haven for trekkers and party goers alike. Galera showcases different activities to all kinds of tourist be it a lone traveler who simply wants a serene and majestic view alone, a walk in a beach with your ever dearest, a barkada tour who simply loves adventures and clubbing to a family beach volleyball and sports activity.

Excitement is in the air the moment I stepped in the white sands of Puerto Galera. Here are some of the exciting activities I have enjoyed at Puerto Galera.

My first time to eat Sea Urchin. The sea creature that I wouldn't want to step on when I am at the beach. My Sea Urchin eating experience was definitely fantastic and

Eating Sea Urchin

Roughly around 10 kilometers away from Puerto Galera there lies the majestic and enchanting Tamaraw Falls. The cool fresh water from the rain forest glides down the rocky slope making it a picture perfect and relaxing view. I can literraly sit there for hours just watching the water glides the slope and listen to its splash as it hits the ground adorned with the sweet chirping sound of the birds from the forest.

When visiting Tamaraw Falls always and make sure to bring with you your swimming attire or you'll end up swimming with your underwear just like me. Swimming on a fresh water is always and will always be my favorite. So after picture taking, with the falls as my background I definitely need to caress and feel the coolness of its crystal clear water fresh from the lush forest of Puerto Galera.

I would advise that you leave Tamaraw Falls before the sunset. Along the way you'll definitely find your tons of beautiful spots where you could take some photos as a souvenir. I also advise you rent a motorcycle for an marvelous motorcycle adventure and it is the easiest way for you to roam around Puerto Galera. The thrill and excitement and you'll have a 360 degrees view of your surrounding. It is my first time to enjoy my motorcycle ride.

Island and Beach Hoping is definitely another activity that you look forward too. All you need is a fisherman's boat and am sure you can go around the nearby islands and beaches of Puerto Galera. So after swimming at the beach, you can divert some of your activity to the Island and Beach Hoping. I would advise that you take this along with the other activities such as Snorkeling. I would also advise to do it in the afternoon so when you go home you'll get to see the sunset while on the other beaches or when you are in your boat going back to the starting point.

Island and Beach Hopping

Part of the Island Hoping is of course the experience to play with the fish by feeding them and swimming with them with of course your snorkel.

Snorkeling

After that amazing experience with the fish and the corals its time to stretch those muscles on the underground river experience. Of course you can swim on the cool water while you take some pictures with your friends.

Underground River Experience at Puerto Galera

And to finalize your Island Hoping experience drop by in an island where you could have a view of the scenic sunset. It definitely captures a romantic view. Simply walking along the white sand beach or lying and chatting while taking some photographs with your special someone or with your family and friends. I still remember the thrill and the whole experience of it.

Sunset Viewing at Puerto Galera

And of course you've got to experience that crazy banana boat ride or that thrilling para-sailing and other water activities.

I wouldnt have gone to many places in Puerto Galera without the help of motorcycle where you can actually rent it via the tourist guide.

Buttered Garlic Shrimp

I wanted to share my own version of Buttered Garlic Shrimp and this is the easiest way to cook shrimp so far.

Here's what you need:

1/4 kilo of shrimp
5 table spoonful of Butter - I used Dairy Cream for my butter.
1 whole garlic (minced)
pepper (depends on you)
garlic powder
1 onion bulb (minced)
salt to taste

How to do it?

1. Heat the pan at a slow fire.
2. When the pan is already hot. Put the butter and let it melt. Once its melted add the shrimp until it turns orange.
3. Add the spices and stir until cooked.
4. SERVE WHILE HOT.

***You can practically do however you want to do it. Sometimes I melt the butter while adding the spices or sometimes I will have the shrimp first before it adding the butter. Either way would actually do.***

Your My Best Friend

Reynaldo was walking home from one cold night. It was dark, the wind is blowing softly brushing every strand of my hair. It was a cold eerie night. It was drizzling that time and you can hear the frogs croak adorned with the buzzing sounds of crickets. The dogs are barking to add to the beautiful noise of that one beautiful night.

That moment of your life when your alone walking in a silent cold night. That moment where the memories of the past flashes right into your very front. That moment in your life when you tried to reminisce the past so happy and filled with joy. Those are the moments where you'd suddenly wanted to go back and never wants to leave that memory. The moment where you are happily playing hide and seek or creating a pot made of soil by your very own urine. The time when you laugh really loud where no one seem to care. Those were the moments when you are free that no one seems to care if you have wiped your mucus flowing down your nose and no one seems to care.

In every childhood we always we have a best friend that we consider and even growing up we would always that special person standing and defending you as his best friend. The person who is always behind you supporting you and pushing you to become better of what you do just like Reynaldo. He also has friends where he can call them the best.

Reynaldo was in that deep thought imagining those happy days, when suddenly he hears scream from the people across the street. That is when h saw a strong flash of light passing through him. He felt that he went up in the air, he felt numbness despite the fact that he knew he flew like a bird. All those memories keep rushing before his very eyes his body felt like he was gliding over the clouds. He felt that he weigh less than a cotton flying in the air together with the birds humming my favorite song.

I am dreaming, I am watching my childhood days like an action packed movie. I am seeing a full length of video of my whole life. I am seeing how I cried when I am hurt sobbing secretly. I heard the mockery of people who had challenged me and the cause why I tried my best to be where I am right now. I hear the laughter, I felt the love, I felt everything.

Then, suddenly he heard a very familiar voice calling my name. He opened his eyes and saw his best friend whispering his name asking him to wake up.

"Hey what happened", Reynaldo asked his best friend.

"You had a road accident when you were jogging at night!" he replied. "I am happy you are awake", he continued.

They continued chatting and laughing and even reminiscing the past. They discussed about going somewhere to celebrate life and the friendship they had. Then later that night Reynaldo asked him to sleep beside me just like the old days. Which he did.

When his best friend is fast asleep. Reynaldo felt like he was rushing out of breath. He knew by then that it was the end of everything. He whispered his goodbye's to his best friend and peacefully closed his eyes.