Fortune Island, Nasugbu Batangas

19-20 April 2014

I wanted to go to Palaui with Malaya IOG, but since the trip falls on my working days (kahit holiday), I had to cross it off of my list. Good thing a friend of mine, invited me to his Fortune Island event weeks before. He planned of doing the trip on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as well but after a few "pagmamakaawa" (begging), I managed to convince him to do it over the weekend. Lakas ko no? Hehehe.

The trip going to Fortune Island is quite pricey so I would recommend going there in large groups. Boats can be rented at around Php4000-5000 per 10pax (but you can always haggle). Entrance fee to the island ranges from Php300/person for a daytour and Php400-450/person for an overnight stay. I heard it could go up to Php500 so you will really need to practice your haggling skills. 

In our case, we paid a Php400/head entrance fee in Fortune Island Resort's office in Wawa, Nasugbu. You may contact Kuya Dante at 0939-4895292. He can bring you to the resort and arrange a boat for you. Kuya Dante used to be the manager of Fortune Island when it was still operating as a luxury resort. Make sure to ask for a receipt after paying for your entrance fee as the island caretaker and its now Korean owner will look for it. 

We bought necessary things for our overnight stay in Nasugbu market then headed to the port where our pre-arranged boats were waiting. Bring enough water as there is no potable water source in the island. 

Chasing the sunset. 

It was already late in the afternoon so we were lucky to witness the sun setting on our way to the island. The boat ride took a little over an hour. We arrived in the island around 6:30 in the evening. We pitched our tents, had our late dinner,  slept under the stars and woke up early in the morning to watch the sunrise. 

Sunrise. Sunrise.

A few more groups of people arrived in the island the next day. One group was going to do a prenup photo shoot and the other just went for a day tour. 

I was able to have a little chit-chat with its Korean owner, Steve, who arrived later that day. I learned that Steve is actually a diving instructor who fell in love with the place. He said Fortune Island has the most beautiful diving spot he has ever seen, I think it was the reason he decided to take over the place. He even showed me his underwater shots on his camera phone and I can say that it is beautiful and amazing underwater.Steve offers $100 diving packages for licensed divers which includes a room accommodation in Fortune Island Resort in Wawa, boat transfers and entrance fee to the island. And a Php3000 package for beginners, minimum of 4 pax, which I think includes the same package and Steve will be the diving instructor. For more info, you may contact Steve at 0915-8819756.

Fortune Island is such a beautiful place with a lot of activities to offer. I could imagine how beautiful and grand it is when it was still a luxury resort but its enchanting beauty lives on. 

When I posted my photos on Facebook, some of my friends asked me to bring them to Fortune Island and I think I will consider going back there. 

Alibijaban Island, Quezon

22-23 February 2014

Surigao del Sur - Tinuy-An Falls / Enchanted River

14 February 2014

Davao - Samal Island / IGaCoS

14 February 2014

Nagsasa and Anawangin Cove

14-15 December 2013

I really enjoyed my Nagsasa experience, so when my friends asked me to set up a pre-Christmas weekend getaway, I immediately recommended going to Nagsasa Cove. 

We started early Saturday morning and arrived around lunch time. There were already campers who arrived ahead of us. I was expecting that we would have the place all to ourselves since it was December. 

Nagsasa really never fails me. It is one of my favorite beaches now. Along with its scenic views, you'll love swimming in its water and relaxing in its ash-white sand. 

We were not able to go to the falls though because we still have a sidetrip to Anawangin Cove. Although Anawangin is more popular, I'd still go for Nagsasa. We spent over an hour exploring Anawangin before we headed back home. 

Would I consider going back to Nagsasa for the third time? Yes! In fact, I am planning of going to Silanguin and Capones Island and will still plot a sidetrip to Nagsasa. 

Mt. Manabu

24 November 2013

I was craving to climb more mountains after my first summit experience in Pico de Loro. So when Mac ( a friend I met in Pico) invited me for a dayhike in Mt. Manabu, I grabbed the chance right away. I also tagged my friends Borge and Adi along. 

Unlike Pico de Loro, Mt. Manabu is easier to climb. The trail was quite muddy and slippery when we went there as it had been raining the day before. 

Perks of trekking Mt. Manabu? Fresh buko juice and unlimited Kapeng Barako along the trail!