Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines: Last Hurrah to Summer!!!

"Rain, Rain, Go away, come again another day, little Johnny wants to play" I guess we need to turn up our voices full blast again when we sing this nursery rhyme everytime the rain comes, hahah! I remember, even when I was a kid I used to sing this but unfortunately It didn't work most of the time. It was last week of May when PAGASA, the Philippines weather bureau declared the onset of rainy days. Oh My! I just hate this (wet)season! I hate thunderstorms, specifically lightnings. Let me not forget the floods in Manila and the traffic congestion caused by it, routes and ways are not passable for 1-3 hours or may be longer depending on the height of the flood. On the contrary, this is a perfect time for the farmers to plant their seedlings. Isn't it a paradox? The disadvantages for you are advantages for some or many, like the rain for me is stressing but for the farmers it's a blessing. 

Funny thing, whether I like it or not the weather today or would be tomorrow I need to accept it, adjust and live with it. Ohhwwkei! I'll be ready with my umbrella but I'm still scared with the lightning(sigh). Well, for the mean time I'll stop my sour grapes I'll try to pacify myself and look at the brighter side of it. Let me instead share to you guys where I've been after the rainy season declared. If you're a type of person who loves summer(dry season) this is very known to you, especially if you love the beach and the tropical vibe, let's just call it "My own last hurrah to Summer!"

Like what they say "Save the Best for Last", so it was like 2 in the morning when I woke up to prepare my things for my last team getaway, last? Why last because I resigned with my previous company but happily working in a new company now, hopefully for the best, going back our meeting point was in Gil Puyat LRT Station, exactly at DLTB Bus Station. I went there roughly 5am, I thought we would ride a bus but my teammates decided to rent the car of our teammate too while other members just followed late morning after their shifts. Where did you go? Puerto Galera! Located in the province of Oriental Mindoro. It was my first time going there but I've heard a lot of things about it, such as this is more near than Boracay or Palawan if you're situated in Metro Manila, there are also cheap lodges, great foods, memorable nightlife and the white beach.

From Manila, we took us like 4-5 hours to get to Port of Batangas and waited roughly 30minutes at the Park and Sail area to park the car of my teammate due to congestion. We went straight ahead to the terminal after to pay for us to embark and get to the White Beach, one of the famous beaches of Puerto Galera. It was an hour ferry(Big Boat) ride, good thing I don't have vertigo so the feeling of like you were in a cradle and someone is singing "Rockabye Baby" really pushed my excitement. 

It was noon, really hot and humid when we reached the coastline of Puerto Galera, White Beach. That was Friday, so as expected, there were a lot of visitors or let's say "Last Minute Summer Trippers".

My First Impression. While we were in the boat, amid our journey to the White Beach, I had seen other virgin islands, I thought that was the White Beach because it was literally white and there were no people, no structures or what-so-ever. As minutes went by I noticed a much larger island than I had seen before, seemed like we were embracing because of its somewhat curve shape. And there you go, finally the White Beach, first thing that came in my mind was when I watched the first "Jurassic Park", the setting of it was a bit close, I felt like we were conquering a new place, simply because I find it not so commercialized, no "high-rise" hotels, mountains are still green because of abundant trees and rural environment, which I think important and made me like Puerto Galera.

Welcome to Puerto Galera! Sun heat was on its greatest when we standed in the line to pay for the environmental fee which I think 50 pesos, it reminded me of a queue in an amusement park because of the fences, there were two girls all in black welcomed us and gave samples of men's shampoo, facial wash and deo. It was helpful though, I went straight to the washroom after putting my bag in our room, I honestly didn't resist the heat and my sweats were terrible, so I had to take some shower. Agbing Beach Resort was our place for our 2 days 1 night "Team Getaway" every room we rented was fit for 4-5 persons but we were 8 in our room and we were still able to sleep, we paid 2500 pesos per room per night. As budget-conscious traveler, I would recommend this kind of resort, just few walks to the coastline, really spacious even our bathroom I don't know if other rooms have that, air conditioning, cable TV, dining area and not that great yet functional common kitchen for those who have or brought foods to cook like what we did. After shower, we just stayed in our room while waiting for the arrival of other team members. 

Heat Breaker Ice Scramble by the beach. Everytime I go to a place even you, we discover unique things about that place and these serve as our souvenirs when we are no longer in that place, it may be edible, key chain or the photos we took. I could say one of the highlights when we walked along the White Beach were the vendors and their ice scramble carts, although you would see it even in Manila or other parts of the Philippines, their uniform look, same ingredients and same price of 25 pesos, somewhat will remind me of Puerto Galera if someone would ask about it. It also became our heat breaker during our long walk in the island. 

The Moving Postcard. It was late afternoon, during our free time, while others were in their room, some went to the beach to do photoshoots and some were busy cooking our foods for that night I decided to do my photowalk. From the time I started posting on my blog that's when I realized I had this passion for photography, I said that even if I don't have dslr, might wanna focus on what I have and that is my tablet/smartphone. One great thing I learned on this is your true camera is your eyes the camera is just a mirror of it. Lack of resources may be a hindrance today but it doesn't mean I will stop taking great shots. Continue learning for me.

Almost Sunset

The other beach, Aninuan. I didn't expect that my stay in Puerto Galera would extend for another night, it was late morning when one of my team mates asked me to join them since they rented for 3 days 2 nights, I was hesitant at first but later on I decided to go since its already paid, we then transferred our things in their room, smaller than our room even the bathroom but fit for 4 of us. It was afternoon, all of us were on our summer outfits when we rode a tricycle going to Aninuan Beach. It is viewable when you're in White Beach since it's the other side but because there are rocks dividing the coastline and a bit complicated it would be best to pass the route behind this beach using tricycle. We hoped to see "Perfect Sunset" shot unfortunately it was cloudy and there were rains, on and off we didn't see it, so just enjoyed the place and did our photoshoots.

Meditation

Uncrowded and Peaceful. The differences between White Beach and Aninuan Beach were very noticeable. White Beach is definitely the best for all where you can find cheap lodges, restos, nightlife, water-related activities and a lot more but if the main reason why you want to go to Puerto Galera is to think deeper and find serenity, with few people, no restaurants just few resorts like sunset along the beach and you're like much closer to nature, Aninuan is the best for you. There are also beaches where you can relax like Tamarraw and Talipanan.

Sandy Feet, Kisby Ring and the Laid-back Beach.