Purely Virgin Island!

I was a bit skeptical on the thought that there is a virgin island. With the modern world we live, I was thinking every island is already commercialized, not to mention that this island is promoted by the Province of Bohol.

As we came near the island, we need to follow a certain sea-trail because the water is too shallow. The boatman is afraid the canoe might hit the chorals, a rock, or it may get stuck in the sand. We also have to pretend we are students going for a research because the island's care-taker says that they no longer allow tourist due to garbage issues. I am now sure if that is still the case though...hehe

This is the port of the island. It is actually a sand-port...cool, right?

When we arrive at the island, vendors from the nearby island welcomed us with their banana-que and coconut juice. They have to transport their products from their homes to this island. They also sell the sea urchins for P20, because it is causing a sort of pest in the island. So, you need to be careful with your steps. You might step on one. Check out why it's called Virgin Island.

There is a spider on the biggest mangrove in the island. We were confused how he got  there. It actually  made me research about it, and found out that some insect can actually walk on water...strange, right?...hehe

Whenever I see this photo, it makes me sing. Finding love in a hopeless place. I know it's not hopeless but this beauty standing still alone in this place, extraordinary!

These are tiny little islets that is connected to the main island through a sand  path. This extension made the island look like a boomerang.  Be careful on the sea urchins though...hehe

These fellas are the culprit...hehe

You can explore or walk the entire island in less than 15 minutes. That is how small it is. So, we did explore the island and have fun talking, taking photos, and just have fun with everything we see as we walk along....hehe

Meet the invaders.

Poor starfish. This people might have been starving...tsk. tsk.

Now it's crying...hehe

We are hoping the mangroves can actually hid us from the camera....hehe

Our journey towards the strange islet.

I'm bleeding in love with v.island. I don't have a clue what this is up until now. I also want to leave it that way- a mystery. I was a bit scared the first time I saw this...hehe

Someone is checking out his Google Map. Searching where on earth we are. I bet he is not successful...hehehe
Photos by: Bill Ablong

We made sure we left nothing but footprints. We took nothing but photos, and we kill nothing but time. We should promote island preservation such as this for our future. This island is certainly an epitome of beauty. Nature at it's best, i must say...xoxo!


Next stop: Yum yum yum!

Balicasag???

The look of the island from a far.

We took a motorized native canoe (bangka) to reach this place after the dolphin chase to fill our empty stomach, and I'm sorry that I have to rate this island, and I'll give it a 5 for the these reasons:

1. The only thing you can do when you arrive is to snorkel, and guess what?, their public snorkeling area is so alreeeaaady exploited!!! It is not well taken cared of. The sanctuary- which was on the right side of the island was so over-the-top-reserved that they do not allow anyone to take a peek at it. They have sea-police! Yes, I appreciate the cause, but we travel all the way here and get nothing but exploited view. My point is, set sanctuary rules, set fees, whatever it takes to protect it because that is what we came here for. I am sure tourist won't mind handing out a few penny just to try what the island has to offer, right?...:] Other than the steep cliff at the edge of the snorkeling area that made my heart jolt for fear of heights- but under water. I don't know if that exist though...hehehe the snorkeling part was not that memorable.

Arrived at the island.

2. The person that we ask about the Turtle Point in the island was not very thrilled to answer our question. He says "the turtles does not show often" and then walk away with disinterest. I was like, seriously?

Nonetheless, we still saw the brighter side. Here is what we got...hehehe

Hey! I got patrick with me.

Don't freak out guys, I released the poor starfish after getting this picture...hehe

Jumpers we are so not...wiiih!

Getting the summer tan after snorkeling...not bad eh?!

Clear blue sky.

3. Before arriving the island, you can see for a far the tower. We asked if we can hike and then climbed it, but very disappointed to hear that they closed it because some tourist have vandalized the tower- tsk tsk tsk. Unfortunate us, I guess. Aside from our friend Will who took the courage to see the tower even with the notice....hehe

Starting line.

He got this far!..hehe

They didn't come with us for the snorkeling. They took a tour on the entire island instead...looks like they had fun too.

I later known that there is a dive resort in the island as well. It is kind of private and they have a different port on the other side of the island. This island is also a diving area. We didn't even know that- exactly my point. I guess the tour guide is the culprit here...hehehe Anyway, let's move on coz we are still on for the best place ever!!! There is no time for a bad mood here, right?...xoxo

For Balicasag Island, this is what I got....hehe

Next stop: The best ever!!!

Photos by : Bill Ablong

The chase!

After watching the documentary movie The Cove, I was thinking why would they do such a thing to a defenseless and wonderful creature. I also though they might all be captured, and that I need to at least see one, silly me!!! So as I check into the packages, my first choice is the Danao Extreme Adventure, but as I browse through the packages, I saw the Dolphin Watching, the movie flashed back and I knew my heart belonged to it. Since we are in Bohol for the ICON, might as well grab the opportunity to see them first hand.....:]

Waking up at 4:00 AM is not such a bad idea after seeing this uh-mazing amazing sunrise from Alona Beach Resort!!!.

mwah!

The same crew going for a dolphin watching!...We are so break of dawn-ers...hehehe

And so we sail..and sail....and sail...

We waited for them to show up like for two hours! We are feeling very sleepy. Others might have actually slept through the ride...:P

It took patience before seeing these:

I couldn't stop from saying WOW!!!. I'm being a kid again....hehe

Having said that, the sacrifice paid off. They are wonderful. It's just that, it was not a dolphin watching, it was  a dolphin chasing!! so go figure how we got this shot. We need to actually be silent on some moments of the trip so that they will show up. Chase them again so that we can take a closer look, and then they are gone again. Wait and then chase again. It was exhausting but at the same time exciting. They are actually wild dolphins, they do not recognize the fishermen who take tourist for the watch. They just pass by every morning anywhere on that part of the sea, and so as to enjoy the ride, we need to be taken off for a chase, which made the trip challenging and exciting. Not the way I expected, but I must say, those under water creatures took my heart away...:]

Happy campers we are!...hehe

This chase taught me a lot of things, perseverance, patience, and love- for the wild life that is. I also though I was not there merely for the chase, I was there for a purpose. I was there to see them so that I can help protect them in my own simple ways. They should be protected, and that we humans have all the means to do so. I mean, they have the right to live and enjoy their home- we should protect the sea! We can do it!...There is a campaign to help protect them on this website (here). I'm thinking, we should be aware, right?..xoxo!

Next stop..guess where?..hehe
Photos by: Bill Ablong.