Guimaras 2015: Tatlong Pulo

After 9 years my family and I went back to Tatlong Pulo for our family summer vacation and to celebrate Nanay Jo's birthday.  ^__^ Yay! I really thought we couldn't do a summer getaway this year so despite our financial troubles I'm glad me and Tuka were able to tag along in this trip. Hehehehe..  ^__^


HOW TO GET THERE

First from Iloilo City we went to Ortiz and took a pump boat ride to Jordan Wharf. Jordan is the main port and entry to Guimaras Island. Tickets cost Php14/person and pump boats are available from Monday-Sunday. However, if you are planning on bringing your car along, you're gonna have to go through a different port, I think they call it Guimaras Roro. My family and I did that in the past however, I did not make any of the arrangements so I don't know much about the details.

If you're not from Iloilo, there are no direct flights to Guimaras so you're gonna have to go to Iloilo first then Guimaras.

At Jordan we rented a multi-cab that would take us to the rough road leading to Tatlong Pulo. The road going to the beach is a bit steep so multi-cabs and tricycles don't enter the road anymore. From the main road we have to do a 40-minute trek then viola! THE BEACH!  ^__^

I've been to Tatlong Pulo thrice before. The first time we rented a jeep so there was no trekking involved. The second time we were riding my uncle's 4x4 so again no trekking needed. The third time I was with friends (RGs) and we neither have the money to rent a jeep nor were we old enough to drive anything so we did the short trek.

Doing the trek back then was easy. Doing the trek while carrying a lazy 13-kilo toddler in his terrible twos was a total NIGHTMARE.  T__T  It was horrible. He wouldn't let me rest. If I stop and put him down he would throw a fit and he was too lazy to walk on his own. Huhuhu..  :(

Overall though, the whole trek was an experience that was horrible, exhausting and enjoyable all at the same time. I guess for Nanays like me, we should take fits and tantrums with a grain of salt, It's the only way to survive. Hehehe.. Besides, vacations with Tuka is 10 times more fulfilling (and exhausting).  Hahaha!  ^__^

You can skip the trek if you want though. You can either rent a jeepney, bring your own car or ride a pump boat straight to the island. Your pick. Multi-cabs cost Php500 one way and pump boats cost Php1500 one way. So if you're in a tight budget, doing the trek is a must. :)


THE ISLANDS 

There are 3 cottages available in Tatlong Pulo. Entrance fee is Php150/person per day. My family and I stayed for 3 days and 2 nights so that's Php300/person total. No additional fees for the use of the cottage.

You can bring your own food, no additional payment for corkage and you can also order food from the caretakers in charge of the resort. One medium-sized kaldero of  cooked rice is Php60, ice is Php4/piece, one native chicken cooked adobo or tinola is Php300 and labor is Php250. Labor includes cooking, buying ice, buying drinking water, taking your garbage etc.. You can also borrow plates and utensils, pillows and banig and other needs.

We did a bit of both. We brought our own food and at the same time ordered from the caretakers. We also grilled some pork by ourselves but the chicken dishes were cooked by the caretakers. Since I have a toddler, I always bring our own water for safety reasons. And since the cottage wasn't big enough for everyone we also brought tents, sleeping bags and duyans to make our accommodations more comfortable.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANAY JO!  ^__^

Our tents all prepped up! 

Tuka's duyan training for possible future err.. activities. :)

THINGS TO DO

Swimming and snorkeling of course! The water is clean and the caretakers clean the shores during the afternoons so you can also sunbathe if you're okay with the summer heat in the Philippines. The beach is a bit rocky so we wear our slippers when we swim. If you have aqua shoes (only Tuka has one in our family) then you can wear those. The reef is actually very healthy, it wasn't always like that. 9 years ago snorkeling in Tatlong Pulo would have been uneventful but now the reef is blooming! I ain't kidding. The water is not as clear as Bora or Palawan admittedly (not enough sponges maybe?) but the reef is at par. Give it a few more years then it might be as colorful. :) So bring your snorkel gear when you visit the place.

You can also rent the small banka the caretakers own for Php250 so you can go kayaking if you want. There's a small cave at the right side of the island or you can go to the islet in front of the main island. During low tides, you can swim or walk there but that would mean stepping on some of the corals so kayaking during high tide is a better option.  :)

You can go island hopping as well if you want. You can explore the island - go to the lighthouse etc., you can have a bonfire at night or you can just hang out at the beach - relax and do nothing. We did all of the above. Hehehe..  :)

During early afternoons, it's usually pretty hot so the kids don't swim or snorkel. They'll either take a nap or siesta, eat snacks under the shade, or just hang out and play (usually with the sand). 

Pugak doing some artwork at the beach.  :)

Chill. ^_^

THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS

It's a beautiful place and the reef was great for avid snorkelers like me. Tuka and I even had a run-in with a sea snake that nearly gave me a heart attack. The place isn't crowded so you can really relax and to top it all - it's very affordable. So yeah, I would like to come back again.

BUT... There's no electricity in the island. So, if you have teenagers that are in to gadgets, bring a power bank. Bring mosquito repellents for everybody since mosquitoes can be a pest at night. If you have toddlers, bring your own drinking water to be on the safe side. AND if your kids need a cool environment in order to sleep, be ready for a night of fanning them. Hehehe..  :)

My family can rough it out so Tatlong Pulo is fine for us. But if your family isn't in to that then this island is not for you. ;)

For Tuka, I just brought the usual summer gear. A sunblock (age appropriate), long sleeved wet suit, off lotion, our own water, snacks, milk needs, clothes, diapers and other toiletries and of course aqua shoes. 

It was exhausting but definitely worth it. I had fun, Tuka had fun, H and I didn't fight and was able to work really well together during the entire vacation and from what I can see we're getting better at this whole family vacation thing. Definitely a big improvement from our family summer vacation of last year. Hehehe..  :) 

So, here's to SUMMER 2015 and to many many summers more!!  ^___^

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