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Location : Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines
The Universe Talking
Marky brought up Bantayan after the workshop. There's that word again. I remember asking Mikko a year ago what place he will settle down for life if Cebu City was no longer an option. He said Bantayan. Hmmm...maybe this is the universe talking to me. This is the best time to visit Bantayan in search of a new home since I was already in Cebu City. Impromptu, I asked Marky if he would like to go with me to Bantayan the next day, all expenses paid. I'm glad he said yes. I handed him all my earnings from the workshop as our pocket money.
En Route
There wasn't much time to prepare or book a place. Marky and I met at the North Bus Terminal adjacent to SM City for the 9 am Ceres Bus bound for Bantayan Island. The trip took 4 hours until reaching the port of Hagnaya. From there, we boarded the ferry for the 90-min trip to Santa Fe, the tourism capital of Bantayan Island. At the Sante Fe port, we simply walked towards the main town, inquiring at lodging places along the way. The rates averaged P1000/night for an a/c room.
Stevrena Cottages
Finally, we reached Stevrena Cottages which was the cheapest on Agoda at P500/night, no a/c. We even haggled a discount with the owner, who played an interesting role in our stay. It was a handy location close to the market, the eating places and the beach.
Holy Week Snag
I arrived in time for Holy Week. Every home owner was busy preparing their homes for the holiday rental. It was bad timing. Still, I managed to see a few houses for rent but the location was right smack in the middle of a local community - it would be a noise and privacy issue for me (the exact thing I'm leaving Siquijor for).
Peoplescape
In the 3 days I'd been there, I was fortunate to meet 3 groups who could help me in my search.
Bantayan Island: Getting our Bearing
Having settled down, I tried finding our bearings. Bantayan Island is comprised of 3 towns: Bantayan Poblacion which is the commercial hub of the island, Santa Fe which is the tourism area, and Madridejos which is a somewhat forgotten sleepy town at the northern tip of the island.
Santa Fe
For a tourist, the essential spot is Santa Fe. This where the best beaches are - wide, long, fine white sand and surprisingly not too crowded (unlike Boracay). Much of the resorts are also lined up here on the coast. My priority location for a home is Santa Fe - the beach, the interaction with travelers and the people I've already met here.
*** 8:15 and 10:15 am, a Ceres bus passed by Santa Fe going to Madridejos (in case you want to skip the tricycle and jeep rides).
Bantayan Proper
From Santa Fe, Bantayan Proper is 12 km West and P60 by tricycle. This is the economic hub of the entire island. It's a viable working town where people live and make a living. The market place is huge with several sections - barbeque, dried fish, veggies, dry goods, etc.
Madridejos
15 km north of Bantayan Poblacion is the sleepy town of Madridejos, P60 by jeep. It's quiet with not much going on. I guess it's because its port does not connect to any major capital in the Visayas - thus it depends on Bantayan Poblacion for its supplies.
Ceres bus leaving Madridejos for Cebu City begin their ply here - 12:20 am (hmmm, the first ferry leaves at 3 am, so that's a long wait at the port).....8 am....1 pm and 3 pm (last trip). You can take this bus going back to Santa Fe.
Ending Thoughts
Bantayan resonates. It's very similar to Siquijor - tiny island, surrounded by beaches, friendly people, tourist destination, provincial, etc. But Bantayan's energy is radiant and engaging. The fact that in the 3 days I stayed, so many wonderful things already happened is a sign that my universe is making a strong statement about my moving there. Committed to my move, even with no place yet, I purchased a big luggage to transport my stuff. Here in Siquijor, I've started selling the things I can't bring with me. I'll take whatever unit is available in Bantayan and find a suitable place when I am already there. This way, I won't have to pay expensive daily hotel rate but a cheaper monthly rate. Once I find a suitable place, I can resign to a long-term residency where I begin to invest in amenities for comfort and efficiency.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit
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Next story:
Mar 2024 Food Odyssey: Pizza, Linarang
(March 2024) It doesn't matter where it comes from...Pasil Market or Italy - good food is good food! more »»
Goodbye Siquijor
(April 18, 2024) After 15 months in Siquijor, it was time to say goodbye. I thought I could stay here until I was old and gray but despite its beauty, I was left wanting. Wandering into Bantayan sparked new vigor into what was becoming stale resignation over Siquijor. It was time to pack again....more »»
(current as of March 2024) From Santa Fe, you can gauge the bus trips to Cebu City (P 260 from Santa Fe) by the schedule of the ferries - the buses need to board the ferry so they have to time their trips according to the ferry schedule. There are 3 ferry companies plying the water route to the mainland of Cebu
Santa Fe (Bantayan) to Hagnaya (Cebu mainland)
Santa Fe (Bantayan) to Medellin (Cebu mainland)
(current as of January 2017)
Bantayan Port (Bantayan Poblacion) to Estancia (Iloilo)
(current as of January 2017)
Santa Fe (Bantayan) to Cawayan Port (Masbate)
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