Sunday, September 28, 2008
Gusto nyo pumasa dba?
penge naman comments!!!!!
mag shoutmix tayu!! kumikita na b kau???
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thing to do in Puerto Galera
Children’s Activities
While Puerto Galera doesn't have many facilities that explicitly cater for children, there are plenty of natural attractions and landmarks that excite younger and older children alike. Sea turtles nest on some of the sand beaches, and there are numerous places to swim and enjoy water sports. What's more, many nearby attractions have nice picnicking facilities, making them perfect for day-long family outings.
This tiny island located offshore from Bacunagan Points was once used for bombing drills by the
Panning for Gold
There's a thriving subculture of treasure hunters around Puerto Galeria—most of whom comb the seafloor for sunken merchant ships. However, there’s a different opportunity to find treasure on the
Situated just a few miles outside of Puerto Galera,
Cultural Activities
While the UNESCO-protected marine habitat is the primary tourist draw card to Puerto Galera, there is a well-established international flavour in the region that predates the Spanish colonial period. The promise of undiscovered, wrecked merchant ships offshore helps to fuel speculation about sunken treasure. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a wealth of artefacts left by former Chinese merchants. Meanwhile, most of the well-known architecture was built by Spanish colonists.
Baluarte Watchtower
Situated in the
Cross at Muelle
In November 1879, the Canonero Mariveles Battleship was sunk in the Manila Channel off the coast of
Kuta Fortress
This fortress is a holdover from the earliest period of Spanish colonisation. Built by the Jesuits, this is the oldest Spanish fortress in the country. Many of the Jesuit-built structures were later renovated or outright demolished and reconstructed by the Augustinian Recollects who arrived later in the colonial period. This particular fortress, however, remains largely unchanged by the Recollects, offering a unique glimpse into early Jesuit influence in the region. Onsite are a colonial cannon and an ancient Spanish boat.
Mangyan Settlement
The Mangyans are the original inhabitants of
Villa Flor
Villa Flor is a quiet village off the main tourist circuit and serves as a clear window into local island culture. Due to its relative proximity to
Dining & Shopping
Shopping in Puerto Galera runs the typical gamut of beach and vacation-related fare. The interior hill tribes sometimes come to the coastal areas to set up stalls where they sell their handmade products to tourists. Hawkers on the beach sell anything from snacks to jewellery. Regardless of where you shop in Puerto Galera, there's a heavy emphasis on local and privately-owned enterprise, without much in the way of mainstream department stores.
With all of these private vendors at work in Puerto Galera, cash becomes an important commodity for shoppers. Foreign currency can be traded for pesos in any of the busiest tourist districts—particularly around Sabang and La Laguna beaches. Consumers are also expected to haggle over prices. Filipinos usually try for a nominal discount of about of 10 per cent. Prices in touristy areas are typically marked up, and vendors are less likely to come down on the price.
The most popular items for sale around Puerto Galera are souvenir items such as t-shirts, beach attire and miscellaneous memorabilia. Fresh produce can be found in local marketplaces. The markets of Sabang are a good place to start shopping, where locals and tourists alike frequent vendors in this area.
Jewellery is a nice item to pick up in Puerto Galera. In particular, black pearls are popular with tourists. These come strung on bracelets and necklaces; and while they usually fetch premium prices, they remain well worth the cost.
Bars, restaurants and laid-back eateries abound in the touristy coastal regions around Puerto Galera. The highest concentration of eateries is found around
Restaurants around Puerto Galera
capitalise on the abundant ocean views and tropical climates. Open air bars and restaurants lie within walking distance of the coast, with many opening up onto the beach itself. For a refreshing under-the-sun dessert, try some halo-halo (literally 'mix-mix'), a medley of milk, shaved ice, sweet boiled beans and fruit.
For the most authentic dining experience, be sure to visit a turo-turo ('point-point') while travelling in Puerto Galera. These cafeteria-style eateries feature local cuisine at its best, and often at its most affordable. Simply approach the glass case, browse what's available and point to your selection. You can choose your dinner based on what you see, rather than by its local name or a menu description.
Outdoor Activities
Puerto Galera's pristine natural environment is ideal for a range of outdoor activities including trekking to Mangyan tribe villages, kayaking over sea and river, and exploring the diverse underwater ecosystems that span the coastline. Water sports are well catered for around the resorts. If you prefer a less intense way to enjoy nature, there are plenty of pleasant hiking trails, waterfalls and picnic areas.
Diving
Scuba diving is the number one attraction of Puerto Galera, drawing divers from all over the world. There aren't as many WWII wreck sites here as in other parts of the
Jungle Trekking
Trekking through the mountains of
kayaking
Opportunities for kayaking around Puerto Galera range from sea-kayaking excursions to trips along the
Puerto Galera- Island of Mindoro
Puerto Galera due to its many diverse attractions and close proximity to Manila is the Wizard's family favoured summer destination in the Philippines. This popular tourist destination located on Mindoro Island, approximately 130 kilometers south of Manila and 14 nautical miles from Batangas is a welcome and pleasant contrast to the congestion and mayhem of Manila.
Puerto Galera has a great advantage over places like Boracay or the resort towns of Cebu in being close to Manila. After 2 hours by bus, a stopover at Batangas and about 1½ by ferry, the tourist from Manila comfortably reaches his destination. Those who decide to go to Puerto Galera save the cost of expensive air fares and avoid the problems of being wait-listed on flights, and still they are rewarded with one of the most fascinating seashore countrysides that the world has to offer. It's also a misconception that because of its closeness to Manila, Puerto Galera can't be far enough away from the so-called civilized world. As a matter of fact, Mindoro is one of the most savage of Philippine islands with the highest percentage of virgin jungle and it certainly has much more breathtaking natural settings than Panay which has the offshore island of Boracay. Therefore, tourists who want more than a beach, and want to make jungle excursions as well, should choose Puerto Galera over Boracay.
The ferry trip from Batangas to Puerto Galera already is an attraction in its own right. Shortly after departure from the pier in Batangas, the impressive mountain chain of Mindoro appears before the eyes of the traveler. Crossing the Verde Island Passage, one passes Verde Island (in the east) and Maricaban Island (in the west). Often, dolphins accompany the ferries.
Puerto Galera has one of the most fascinating natural harbors in the world. Medio Island in the north and Boquete Peninsula (at low tide, at high tide Boquete Island) keep the harbor of Puerto Galera almost enclosed. Therefore the harbor basin appears like a palm fringed lake.
As the Spanish conquerors had earlier discovered, the natural harbor of Puerto Galera provides a perfect protection from typhoons and storms. In 1574 the Spanish founded Puerto Galera as one of their major trade centers in the Philippines, and soon after made it into an important base. Through the centuries, the Spanish used Puerto Galera as a safe harbor for their galleons (the Spanish name Puerto Galera means simply harbor of galleons). Even before that time, as early as the 10th century, the area of Puerto Galera was a strategic point in the sea trade among India, China, Indonesia, and Japan. And even today, Puerto Galera serves as a safe harbor for fishing boats, yachts, ferries and cargo ships when a typhoon sweeps through the central Philippines.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The center of Puerto Galera has numerous restaurants and inns, plus a thriving t-shirt and flour-sack clothing industry. Other attrractions are the small museum in the compound of the Catholic Church which displays valuable Chinese artifacts and porcelain dishes excavated from nearby Bayanan, and an impresive collection of shells. The marble Cross at Muelle is a landmark in memory of the crew of a Spanish warship which sank in 1879.
For the more adventurous traveler, the hinterland of Puerto Galera offers some interesting attractions. You can visit a Mangyan settlement located in the mountains, approximately 1 km behind White Beach. Look for gold with the locals in the river near Dalungan, about 6 kms from Puerto Galera towards Calapan. After visiting the river continue for another 9 kms towards Calapan and visit Tamaraw Falls, the largest waterfall in the province with a natural swimming pool at its base. Another worthwhile place to visit is the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club located at about 600 metres above sea level and 5 kilometers from the village of Minolo. There is a tremendous view of Puerto Galera and surroundings. To reach Ponderosa you can either take a one and a half hour hike, or transport can be requested at the Ponderosa pick-up station in Minolo.
BEACHES
The beaches on the peninsula northeast of Puerto Galera, Sabang Beach, Big La Laguna, Small La Laguna are sandy but occasionally with some stones. Encenada Beach and Coco Beach are privately owned and well maintained with clean sand. Of the beaches south of town, Hondura Beach should be given preference over Balete Beach. The beaches to the west of San Isidro are larger and good bathing beaches with clean white sand and no stones, although - unlike some of the beaches mentioned above - snorkling and diving is not particularly interesting.
Brown outs are frequent but pose no major problem as most resorts and restaurants have generators.
Sabang Beach
Want to party the night away? Then bustling Sabang Beach is for you. Actually, it's a very short strip of rocky beach, plus a maze of narrow side streets crammed with tourist inns and for rent cottages. It's a lively area with a few go-go bars, a disco, an open air karaoke joint, and the usual beer gardens.
Small La Laguna Beach
Situated next to Sabang Beach is a very quiet beach if you want to escape from the noisy night life of Sabang. This beach is excellent for snorkling and diving, or just relaxing after sampling the nightlife of Sabang. Plenty of reasonable priced accommodation and restaurants.
Big La Laguna Beach
Another good beach with a beautiful coral reef for the snorkling and diving enthusiasts. However, some of the cottages are too close together.
White Beach
This is the beach where you will find the webmaster during his visits to the Philippines. White Beach is located west of San Isidro and is one of the better stretches of sand, offering inexpensive accommodation. There are rows of small resorts, with tropical style restaurants and bars opening to the beach. Some entertainment and during Holy Week concerts are held on the beach.
Aniuan Beach
Located in the next bay is rather quiet with limited accommodation.
Talipanan Beach
Another excellent beach for swimming and relaxation.
ACCOMMODATION
From the pier in Batangas, the Puerto Galera-bound tourist will encounter so-called recruiters who offer various accommodations in and around Puerto Galera, insisting that everything else is fully booked. And when the ferry docks in Puerto Galera, a large number of them will approach the tourist again. When dealing with recruiters, the tourist pays their commission as part of the rent.
However, there is no need to deal with the recruiters. The tourist visiting Puerto Galera can find a wide range of accommodations on his own, from a simple cottage for 400 pesos per night to a most luxurious room in a romantic beach-and-jungle resort. But in spite of Puerto Galera's popularity as a tourist destination, there are no hotel towers as for example in Pattaya (Thailand). The immense natural beauty of all Puerto Galera remains undisturbed as the big resorts are in lovely natural settings.
HOW TO GET THERE
Public Transport
This is certainly the cheapest option if you are a seasoned traveler. However, it is not convenient or easy if you have too much luggage. Carry only the bare essentials needed for your stay in Puerto Galera. Most hotels have luggage security facilities for travelers wishing to leave excess luggage. Also, beware of pick-pockets on public buses and ferries, they are very experienced in their trade and ussually operate in teams.
Regular BLTB, JAM and Tritran airconditioned buses depart from the major bus terminals in Pasay City near Manila Airport to bring you to Batangas Port. Depending on traffic conditions the trip will take approximately 3 hours and the fare is approximately P100 per person one way.
Puerto Galera tayu mga Bruhaness!!!!
Ayun Oh!!!! Pang 5th ako….
Kita nyo??? Ahihihih……
PUERTO GALERA, MINDORO :
Best of the Islands Philippines
Puerto Galera was discovered by the Spaniards in the early 16th century as a safe haven for their trade ships during storms and typhoons.
A visit to the local Museum with it's impressive collection of artifacts located near the church in Puerto Galera will verify the rich culture and history of this island.
Puerto Galera is Y-shaped peninsula located on the northern shores of Mindoro Island, some 130 km south of Manila and 14 nautical miles from Batangas City. It is bounded on the north by Verde Island Passage, on the south by the Municipality of San Teodoro (Oriental Mindoro), and on the west by the Municipality of Abra de Ilog (Occidental Mindoro).
It has total area of 254.47 sqm., divided into twelve coastal barangays and one mountain barangay. Administratively, it belongs to the province of Oriental Mindoro.