BUDYONG BEACH RESORT

BUDYONG BEACH RESORT

Finding a nice,clean,calm and quite and affordable place? there is nothing I can think of except the Budyong Beach Resort in Bantayan Island.I been here several times now but I never felt any feeling of tiresome about the place.Every time I visit the place I really wonder that  Im on a perfect paradise.White powdery sand, clear blue water,a nipa hut cottage standing in front of the beach and a wide horizon of blue sky.

If you want to be alone and away from the busy and noisy city or just finding my self back in a peaceful and quite place my recommendation for you is the Budyong beach Resort a laid back type of resort where no TV and noisy sound can be heard in the area,Just be there appreciate the beauty of the sea, just you and the sea,..just you and the sand...

"Do whatever you can do while you are in the resort" just observe the resort policies then I guarantee you that you will enjoy your day while staying the resort.

The resort has its own restaurant with a set of  Filipino dishes to choose from,or you can have it cooked according to your own preference,enjoy the area and sit on their unique tables and chairs made of Kamagong woods while  reading materials are available for you to read and a section area where a souvenir items are made for sale,an open air area where a fresh breeze of wind flowing in and out while enjoying the scenery friendly staff and good foods.

 but the most practical is buy a fresh sea foods along the beach,morning and afternoon many vendors passing buy selling sea foods that are freshly catch from the sea in a very affordable price,have it cooked according to your request and they will have it prepared by their  resort kitchen chef ,A charge will be required per kilo.

Or buy your drinks and food outside if you are on a tight budget.Its more cheaper and affordable since the market is just a walking distance and anyway you can bring it along in the resort.

Choosing the perfect beach front cottages upon making a reservation so that you will enjoy the beauty of the resort.A 1,500 pesos a night good for 2 persons during off season with a private wash room and an air conditioned room,each cottage has its own mini balcony to enjoy while wondering the beauty of the beach.Its not a high -end accommodation,a comfortable and clean linens is all it need enough for staying overnight.  

You can do your land and water sports since the resort had a spacious area for your preferable sports activities as long as you bring with you your own equipments. 

Or contact locals "bangkero"or boats for an Island hopping for only 1,000.00 pesos for 4 persons,and explore the hidden beauty of the Island and discover the hidden paradise awaits for  you to see. 

Every cottage on the resort are made of Nipa hut a local term for "Bahay Kubo" an indigenous house used in the Philippines,it is made of a bamboo tied together and Anahaw leave or nipa as a roof.

Living on this kind of structural houses is very refreshing as it is made of wood materials perfect for a tropical areas.

For those sporty groups you can bring a tent with you,there is an area where you can place your tent just pay for about 500 pesos for an overnight stay of the resort.

After a day of fun and water activities, you can spurge to the clear blue water of the beach,enjoy the fine white sand or even do a walk by the shore where you will experience the vast white sand of the Island and collect some deferent kinds and form of sea stones and sea shells along the way.

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Cebu go to the North  bus Terminal locates near SM mall or ride a metered taxi and say the direction and they will drive you there.At the terminal a Ceres Buses(local names of the buses in yellow and white coaches travelling to Hagnaya port) a 70- 80 pesos fare for non - air con and 130 pesos for air con bus but it run occasionally so be there at the terminal early in the morning to catch the first trip of the bus to Hagnaya port in northern part of Cebu so that you will be at your resort before lunch time so you will have a day ahead to explore the island.The bus depart every 30 minutes and travel time would be 2- 3 and a half hour depends on the bus stop.

From Hagnaya Port you will ride again a ferry boat bound for Bantayan Island,the trip will cost you about 70 pesos for an open accommodation and 80 pesos fare for the air con cabin, travel time is approximately 75 minutes to1 hour sea travel to St. Fe port of Bantayan Island.

From St. Fe Port available service car of the resort will accompany you if you have a reservation or a side car waiting outside of the port that you can ride just give them the direction where you are heading.don't worry about your safety and security becouse the people of Bantayan island  where very friendly and accommodating  to their tourist.

After checking -in to your resort especially in Budyong breach resort explore the area and a walking distance to their town proper.

HOW TO BOOKED:

www.budyong.net

contact number: (6332) 438-5700

Cellphone number: 0921 314-5275

You can also email  at budyongbeach@gmail.com

BANTAYAN ISLAND

There is something about Bantayan island that I keep coming back,maybe its because of their pristine white beaches where every corner of the island is made of white sand even from the pier of St. Fe you will be welcome with a vast and white of a sand as far as the eyes can see.A friendly,quite and peaceful community.the food is quite affordable even everything can be walk. maybe its because it is a small and peaceful island and the concentration of the population is in the center of bantayan island which is the St Fe.

WHERE IS BANTAYAN ISLAND?

Location: Northern most tip of Cebu
Land area: 8,404.70 Has.
Population: 71,655 (2007 Census of Population)
Classification: 1st Class Municipality
Distance: 136 KMS. From Cebu City




HOW TO GET THERE?

From manila a daily domestics flights are  available bound for Mactan international Airport,a flight to or from Cebu are also available in all major Airports in the Philippines.Cebu,if you are from abroad you can booked your flight direct to Cebu.A sea ferry are also available both trips from or to luzon and mindanao.From the airport or sea port,take a meter taxi or jeep bound for north Bus Terminal catch an early morning trip 6:30am with an interval trip of 30 minutes  to Hagnaya,the trip will run approximately about 3-4 hours of travel depend on the speed of the bus and stop over on the way.The fare rate can be change depends on the season so just prepare 150 pesos to 220 pesos for the air con and none air con bus fare.Ferry boat from hagnaya runs every day depend on their schedule just make sure to take the morning and before lunch trip so that you arrived early in bantayan island and enjoy the rest of the day discovering the island.A and 180 for the air con cabin and 160 pesos for non air con which I take so that I will enjoy the scenery and fresh breeze of sea water just enough to enjoy in about 1 hour and 30 minutes after you will be arriving to St Fe Sea port.Outside the port there is a tricycle the town main transportation are waiting just be couscous about their 5 pesos rate fare and additional depending on the distance of your accommodation.Dont forget to ask direction to the port guards or any men in uniform inside the port as a basic safeguard as a traveler for they know where you going and they will refer you to  a trusted person that will transport you to your resort.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN BANTAYAN ISLAND 

Bantayan island is compose of 25 baranggay including islands baranggay,most of the developed resort were fount in St. Fe,there is a hospitals,churches,Schools and banks,but be aware to bring cash since its and island and ATM machines are few to be found and sometimes it runs out of cash.The local dialect is cebuano and bantayanon to some areas.The stretch white sand  of St. Fe are the home of deferent resorts like Hoyohoy Villas,Bantayan cottages,Island Cottages,White Sand Villa,Sea view Apartelle,Martin beach Resort,Budyong Beach Resort,Sugar Beach Resort,to name the few,enjoy sun bathing and walking along the powdery of white sand while collecting some sea shells along the shore or else have a swim on the water.

You can contact a rental bangka of 6-12 setters for a 500-1,000 pesos for an island tour.There is also caves in the island,the Tiyaba cave and the Ogtong cave but sad to say I was not able to visit those caves since my itinerary was to enjoy the white beach.High end and local restaurants are to be found,there is also BBQ of sea foods,pork and chicken available near the market.Enjoy the lively streets during the night where many karaoke bars are open,the town curfew is still implemented. 

Virgin Island

Diving Island

  Another reason why I keeps coming back to the island is the resort where I usually stay,there is no other resort as I can compare to theirs since the time i started travelling,its affordable, accommodating staff and their cottages where it is located exactly at in front of the beach!,a few steps away is the sea shore in a clear blue crystal and powdery white sand.

Budyong Beach Resort

....this is Budyong Beach Resort,the next subject of my story...

CAMOTES ISLAND

Sugary White sand, pristine clear blue water,laid back and close to nature, and spectacular view of tourist spot,friendly communities and just 3 hours travel from cebu city. This are the reason why I decided to visit Camotes Island, Philippines. As usual doing my backpacking for 2 days clothes,cameras,extra cash, a pin and note for writing Im ready to go.

A brief background of Camotes island.It is 62 kilometers of northeast of cebu and 25 kilometers east of Ormoc.It has four islands,with sub islands and four municipalities.

Municipality of Poro

municipality of tudela

Municipality of San Francisco

Municipality of Pilar

Poro and San Francisco are connected by a causeway for a bout 1.5 km.the main livelihood of the community is farming and fishing, their Dialect is Cebuano as part of the Visayan region, while in poro speak porohanon a native language distinguish by pronouncing of a certain words.A population of 89,324 as of 2007 census,the island  Camotes name after when a Spaniard arrives to the island and ask the native whats on the basket they are carrying and they replied "camote"a sweet potatoes  that is how it derives the name of the island.The climate of the island is typified as a dry  season like the rest of the country,while monsoon season starts early of July to January the next year,with sometimes a strange patterns of the weather since it is a small island prone to typhoon patterns of the country.

An 8 flights daily is serving Manila to Cebu,and if you are from Mindanao once a day flight on major cities bound for Cebu,or yet a daily schedule of sea ferries for those who wants to travel by the sea.From cebu,the best way is via Danao,northern part of Cebu by a V- hire van located near to SM mall,or in North bound Terminal to those who want to take a bus. A 50 pesos fair for  a V hire or by a taxi for about half an hour drive without a traffic and it will cost you for abour 300-350 pesos from the Airport.We took the early morning trip to catch the first trip of the Jumalia barge for Consuelo port.From Danao a Roll on-Roll off boat you can take with a daily schedule: http://travelcamotes.com/schedule.html.

From Consuelo Port,a lot of habal-habal that you can arrange for a half day tour,A multi cab available for a group tour for only 1,500 pesos for the entire cab,since my two girl friends is with me,we choose the multi cab instead.The tour includes a visit to town proper of San Francesco, Bay walk,Buho rocks,Timubo Caves,Bakhaw beach in Esperanza,Lake Danao and Santiago bay where we had our delicious  lunch by the seaside.

BAYWALK

First stop is the baywalk along the town proper of San francisco near  to the market where a lot of stalls selling foods and drinks for the tourist and locals,perfect to stay,relax and enjoy the sunset while serinnating you with their music using a big speaker.At night, the area is filled with BBQ and grilled sea foods stalls catered both locals and tourist for a fun dinner and doing some video-k.

BUHO ROCK

Buho rock is another tourist spot in the island.Located in Poro town is a government run Eco park where there is a cottages right for the group who want to have a picnic and enjoy the beauty of the crystal blue sea strike by the sun while a  big rock  in the middle where you can take pictures with your friends.Entrance fee and facility rates is just right for your budget.

TIMUBO CAVE

Our next stop we headed up north is the Timubo Cave, hidden at the mountainous side of San Francisco,for 15 minute ride from the town proper,we stumble into a hole with a stairways down to the hidden paradise of builders stones,stalagmite,a drops of cold water as we get deeper into the cave so expect to get wet,though the government put a line of lights on the way so just be careful on a slippery and wet floor step,passing trough a small but clear pond where caves stones are visible to our naked eyes as we pass trough finally we are inside to the enchanted clear cold river of the caves as if we cannot wait for a minute we jump off to the water till we are wet and wild overwhelm with joy and happiness and embrace the hidden paradise that we bare witness,after taking pictures and stayed there for long,we pay grace to mama Mary where there is a small altar in the corner for people who seek solidarity and peace.You will get to experience the wonders of the cave with an entrance fee of 10 pesos per person,no food allowed inside.

Entrance of Timubo cave

You will have to cross a small pond before a river of clear blue water on the way

Timubo Cave

LAKE DANAO

Our next stop is the Lake Danao, its  like and eight shape body of fresh water as the largest lake not only in province of Cebu but also in the whole region of Visayas.It is rich on fishery where the locals surrounding the lake depend on the resources as their subsistence,boating and other water sports are the few things you can do aside from picnicking on  their spacious area. A 10 pesos entrance fee for the maintenance of the government park and be amaze of the bountiful scenery of the lake with extra bonus if you visit their during the  visiting of the migratory birds.    

Lake Danao

BAKHAW BEACH

After taking photos and having a little snack while appreciating the wonders of the lake we decided to move on to our next stop which is the Bakhaw beach,Located in Baranngay Esperanza,San francisco.from there we enter a narrow roads with bushes and coconuts around, no wonder it is called the hidden paradise and unexploited stretch of sugary white bars of sand with a laid back feeling while your in the place, since the government and the land owners near the beach agreed to leave the place as it is in their natural habitat.With a 10 pesos entrance fee that will give you a quite and peaceful mind while appreciating the long stretch of sand,secluded and unspoiled. Picnicking on green grass under the coconut trees lullaby you with the sea breeze.Deep yourself in a clear blue water under the sun or perhaps walking along the seashore that well give you a feel like therapy from a powdery sand,just to make sure to have a sunblock on hand.Pack your own foods because you cannot see stores selling  in the area.although at the distance from the beach far enough not to obscure the beach is a resort called Borromeo Beach Ressort,they do not sell any food and from what I heard from our driver even their guest buy their foods at Esperanza proper.

Bakhaw beach

Area where you can have a picnic in this lush carpet of green grass

SANTIAGO BAY,SAN FRANCISCO

Since I'm talking about food I cannot wait to move on to our next destination which is the Santiago Bay where we will be having  our lunch,our driver told us that there is a restaurant that serves fresh sea foods cooked as you want, not so pricey and the location right on the beach front!how was that?!I'm thinking already and its sound good!

Anyway,Santiago bay is a baranggay of san francisco,several beach resort lying on the beach namely,Belle Vista resort offers a cheaper room rates,Santiago bay Garden and resort which has a infinity pool a restaurant,function hall,gardens, private cottages and rooms with a view overlooking

 the Santiago bay,Masmayor Beach Resort and Payag Beach Resort.During low tide the water goes down for about 200 meters from the shore,walking barefoot is fun to do especially low tides come in the afternoon where the sun goes down and enjoy the sunset afterward.It is not that well maintain unlike to other private beaches, it  was run by the government of Santiago so the collection of garbage and maintenance for the cleanliness of the beach depends on the income of their renting cottages (for those who want to have a picnic) and the voluntarism of the community.Since the beach is crowded, different stalls selling souvenirs,henna tattoo shop and restaurants are sprouting along by the bay,You can discover the beauty of the Santiago bay when you are inside the Santiago Bay Garden Resort overlooking the whole bay area,from there you will find the magnificent vast of white sand. A mirror from the clear blue water from afar is the formation of the clouds. 

A view from  Santiago Bay Garden Resort

A view from  Santiago Bay Garden Resort

Cottages along the bay area

PITOS' SUTOKIL

 Taadaah!look at that food!inviting right,will that is just two of the main menu in PITO'S SUTOKIL Restaurant right at the bay area of Santiago bay where we had our lunch,they had fresh sea foods catch by their local  fisherman from the area everyday,so expect the freshness of the food when it is cook.Very affordable with only 80 pesos per serving good for 2-3 person and a regular rates of rice platter for only 30 pesos good for 3 persons and 30 pesos per liter of soft drinks and battled water,it is not a high end restaurant as you imagine by it but it is a typical and simple filipino restaurant serving filipino famous dishes.According to the owner they run their restaurants for several years now and they have master the secret ingredient needed  according to the taste preference of their clients that is why regular client from Cebu are keep's coming back just to taste their food,Pito's are also known to the entire island as the best seafood restaurant. that is why all the driver's either multicab or habal-habal they recommend Pito's Sutokil as the best sea food restaurant in town plus bonus the location where it is located  fronting the white beach of Santiago.
Some of the beach goer's who stayed their overnight had their food cooked by Pito's with extra charge ranging from 100-200 pesos depend on the kilo of food they brought along,the best right!wait there's more,you can sing along with their video-k while having an extra battle of beer to cool you off from a day of tour in Camotes Island. Dinner serve you with extra candle light or a bonfire and dance with the beat of the music. You can make a request just be creative and the people of Pito's will do the rest off charge.

Tuna fish Kinilaw

Pork Sisig

Beat the best pork Sisig I ever taste only in Pito's.Perfect cooked meat crispy pork skin on top with checharon and egg spicy enough with extra hotness of chili!Most recommended while you are in Pito's

The Famous PITO'S SUTOKIL

....After Enjoying our lunch we decided to end our day by having a little rest to our resort which is the Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort...and this will be my next story.