Asia Expats Forum

Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

Puerto Galera, Philippines – Beauty Beyond Imagining!
By Brett Jankowiak

It was not until I had been given my first San Miguel that I realised that this place was hot, humid and sticky. My first San Mig didn’t even touch the sides. I was back in Manila sitting at the bar in the hotel, after dropping off my bag and putting all my important documents in the safety deposit box. I took some time to reflect on my first visit to this incredibly diverse country.

When you discuss holiday destinations with people, the better trodden paths are the ones most frequented, not many people I know have traveled to the Philippines. Let me tell you, if you enjoy tropical islands with white powdery sand merging into the jungle on one side and then disappearing into the turquoise blue water on the other, then this is the place for you! After all there are 7,107 islands in the Philippines, take your pick!

The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world, which makes getting around so much easier. Tourism has not really taken off like in neighboring Asian countries, like Thailand and Malaysia and the infrastructure is not quite there, which in a way makes it all the more exciting because your holiday will become an adventure, it can drag you down at times but once you arrive at your final destination the trip getting there will be long forgotten.

My journey took me to the resort town of Puerto Galera on the island of Mindoro. Puerto Galera is the port where Spanish Galleons use to take refuge from the might of the typhoons. Letting your imagination wonder a little as you glance around the port, you can almost see the Spanish Galleons swinging on their anchors.
Puerto Galera has recently won the 2005 Most Beautiful Bay in the World Award. It is easy to see why.

Getting to Puerto Galera

From Manila you need to take a bus to Batangas which takes approximately three hours, depending on the time of day and which day it is, the longest it has taken me was seven hours. From Batangas which is south of the Philippine capital of Manila you can catch a ferry across to Puerto Galera which is about an hour to an hour and half. The trip to Batangas is pretty uneventful, the real beauty starts when you get on the ferry. The water is a deep cobalt blue, if you are lucky you may even see dolphins, turtles and flying fish.

The Beaches

The majority of the resorts are centered around the beaches of Sabang, Small La Laguna and Big la Laguna. Sabang is where most of the action is, discos, pubs, restaurants and lots of accommodation. The next beach along is Small La Laguna which has more accommodation and the beach is quite nice. Make sure you stop off at the Point Bar which separates Sabang from Small La Laguna Beach the view is outstanding. Moving further away from Sabang you come to, in my opinion, the pick of the beaches, Big La Laguna Beach. The beach here is beautiful and it a lot quieter than Sabang, with some superior accommodation.

What to do in Puerto Galera?

The main focus here is the water. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the number one pursuits. The scuba diving is first class. There is no swell so swimming is safe, as are other water activities, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking.

Do try and get up to Ponderosa Golf Club for some jungle golf, lots of fun. Trekking is also available and do combine the trek to visit a Mangyan Village. Or you can just curl up on the beach with a good book!

Back to Reality

Pondering over my icy cold San Miguel, my first two week stay in these enchanted islands left me relaxed and ready to get back into the rat race of modern society. My first trip seemed like years ago, but I have visited and lived in this wonderful country on and off for a decade.

Brett Jankowiak is the owner of http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com, Philippines Travel Guide, his passion for the Philippines is reflected in his writings and articles on his information based website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
_________________
Asia Expats Forum
Expat Friends Dating

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

I was at Puerto Galera (Coco Beach, Big & Little La Laguna, White Beach & Sabang) at the beginning of this year. The beaches (particularly Sabang) weren't really suitable for swimming in. White Beach is not actually white. The stall vendors & boat drivers rip you off as much as they can. White men usually take their Filipina girlfriends (boyfriends or crossdressers) to Puerta Galera or they otherwise buy favours from the drag bars or girly discos.

In so far as beaches go, I'd pick Thailand before Puerto Galera. I am told there are much better islands in other parts of The Phils. Puerto Galera's biggest advantage is its proximity to Manila.

violent

_________________
EXPAT IN CHINA

Alan Stepney · Centurion Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 853 Location:

As Wocca said, PG's main advantage is that it is within easy reach of Manila.
It is also far too commercialised for my tastes.
_________________
The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke

Sasquatch Pilaf · Cohort Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 220 Location:

I had a good time there but the author's description is rather over-the-top. Little Laguna isn't a particularly great beach and, as has been said, isn't suitable for swimming. Sabang is about the same. The water is beautiful so it is quite scenic. I can understand how the seediness of the Sabang scene could turn a few off. Big Laguna is by far the best of those three but even there the ocean floor is quite rocky so the swimming isn't the best. White Beach is much better for swimming. I'd still go back. It was good enough for a return visit.

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

One of the bar "girls" at White Beach asked if I could introduce any foreign friends to her. She doesn't mind how old. Just as long as he loves her and can help pay for her operation.
_________________
EXPAT IN CHINA

catapekin · Cohort Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 146 Location:

Wocca · Scribe Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 970 Location:

Oh dear. How can I put this delicately?

At White Sand Beach, there are are about three little bar kiosks that operate each evening. The bar "girls" strut their stuff while the music is playing. The girls are not actually female.

In Manila, there are quite few streetwalkers that are also crossdressers. They don't need to have had an operation to have a lover (singular or plural). They know all different sorts of tricks. Shocked

_________________
EXPAT IN CHINA