Bantayan Island

Sorry that I didn’t post on my blog now for a while, it’s just because of our low season right now, but that will change in the near future again.

Some would say that now is the right time NOT to visit Bantayan. But in my opinion it is absolutely the right time! The most hotels are near to empty, so you have as much privacy as you like and you can easily ask for your favors if there are some, and mostly the stuff can handle without big waiting time causing by other guests.

And besides of that you will see the complete Island in all possible colors due to the weakening raining season. Some month ago we have a very hot period and the most plants were out of water and so they couldn’t show their beautiful colors, but right now, all the flowers, plants and trees getting all their strength back. Most hotels taking care of their plants, so the surroundings are always watered and in that way green, but to see the complete island that full of life is again a little bit different and makes Bantayan Island to such a special place, especially if you come from a bigger town.

But at least there is one important thing what I better don’t forget. Right now is here the perfect time to have some nice walks at the beach, taking a sunbath or whatever you like to do there. The white Beach is at this time the same quite like the most other places on Bantayan Island and you can enjoy a very relaxing and comfortingly vacation.
And about the water temperature you also don’t need to worry. All around the year, our water here has nearly the same temperature, so you can go to every day and night time to swim, even if it is June, September, December or March. You will never feel a difference.

Every year near to everybody on the Philippines hit it. Burns by Jellyfish or dead parts of their tentacles who feel at contact like a lash. Often caused by the notorious Box Jellyfish who is especially in the Philippines common and the wounds causes. Where the burns when they occur always have to be treated.

But here I have to say that I’m no Doctor and the most tips are from Natives, but I used them already often with success. The most important is what everybody first makes a mistake. Don’t rub the affected area with sand! Because remaining parts of the jellyfish wreak further damage.
The Filipinos deal with these jellyfish burns easily with vinegar. This should be in every hotel always in stock. Otherwise, simply send someone to order vinegar. Then simply rinse the affected area with it. But here you should be a little careful, before you start to rub the rest parts away, because it takes a few seconds until the remaining threads do no harm. Everybody who get dizziness or something like that should be brought immediately to a hospital, because there can be an allergic shock.

So that you don’t have problems in the next days you should eat food without protein. That means particularly Shrimps, Lobster, Fish and everything with chicken. So that no everybody gets in panic about these near to invisible Jellyfish Parts I must also give a clear signal. In the last 3 years I have only 2 times a problem with them, but every time I never see something in the water. So you can’t protect yourself and the Jellyfish you can see without problems are not dangerous.

A special experience in Bantayan is already two years back when I was just arrived on the island. Me and my wife were then newly arrived in Santa Fe when a friend invited us in an Asian lobster dinner at the beach. The location was nice because we could watch the sunrise watching from the boat and then we were able to enjoy at a small table for 4 people on the beach in the evening.
When the cook showed the Asian lobster, I was very excited because such a beautiful animal I had never seen before. Neither the Philippines nor appear Photos on the Internet. And it was incredible that he was still alive. Due to the amateur chef has informed us that this was always so that the meat is properly cooked when they are alive. The kind of preparing causes me stomach acid but when I saw the lobster on the table I had forgotten everything.

We enjoyed the tender meat with a nice bottle of red wine and had one of the most beautiful days in Santa Fe for the first time since I’m in the Philippines. Whoever has the possibility of a beach dinner should do so in any case. And if there is such a beautiful Asian lobster you have to try, it does not matter what they cost because it’s worth!

A Trip what is always worth, when you are on vacation on Bantayan Island, is to get to Virgin Island. It is a small Island north east of Santa Fe. The Island with a tiny bay in the north and a beautiful beach in south has almost only a very small population. Some Caretaker fit for years on the island which is usually at a bargain price of 8 million U.S. dollars for sale. At least that means only the rumour mill. And again nobody knows how accurate this information are, because nobody is interested when he wants to spent a beautiful day on the Island. You can rent a boat from the fishermen, almost everywhere, but you should really never take more than 2 people in small boats because they are not designed for this. Anyway, the price difference between small fisher boats and big boats is very low. Recommended is the big boat from “Bantayan Cottages” near the port that can carry 15-25 people and offer the best price for 1500 pesos. (Small fishing boats cost an average of 1000 pesos and are not nearly as comfortable to sit)

After a boat ride of about 30 minutes to get to the little left Island. Fine powder sand beach of the finest greeted each newcomer and invites you to stay. There are small cottages on Virgin Island where you can relax and public grill places where people can prepare meals. Often some fishermen offer small fish or shells, but you should not rely on it. Who here likes to barbecue itself should either be self sufficient in the market of Bantayan, or order it at the boat rental. The crew will also cook the dinner when they get a little something from, and are also very helpful in everything else. Snorkelling on Virgin Island is well suited, but you should not expect too much because by the currents there are not that many corals. Fun anyway.

It should be noted that you still go back to at least 4:30 pm to 4:45 pm so you can enjoy a beautiful sunset from the boat. Here it’s most familiar to talk to the boat crew to raise the good places.