Costa Aguada Island Resort

Inampulugan Island across the Strait

The Costa Aguada Island Resort is a great getaway place if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Situated in Inampulugan Island, Province of Guimaras, the resort offers a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

My family and I went there to spend the holy week. They got this great package that cost us P15,000.00 for 3 days and 2 nights inclusive of welcome drinks & lei, full board meals, room accommodation, boat transfers, guided tram tour of the island and free use of swimming pool.

The old port across the Turtle pond

Striking a pose at the pool

On our first day, we had a tour of the island on a tram. The staff that met us at the port, sang a welcome song and served us lunch were our tour guides too. We were informed that the resort employees were trained to do various tasks just in case they will be short of staff. The tour brought us to the village where residents are families of the resort employees. They showed us an exhibit area where the soaps used at the resort are being made. They make organic soaps that you can buy really cheap P15 each great for souvenirs and give-aways. Then we were brought to the turtle pond where turtles are raised. Unfortunately, only one turtle remained. We were told that the turtles died when a damaged bunker ship spilled crude oil in the area. Next stop were two cemented bunks used as a look out point by the Japanese during WWII. Last stop was the recreational facilities - horse back riding, swimming pool, billiard hall, children's playground, etc. Dinner was served at the poolside. We were treated to a night of songs and music. Funny though, the band they hired that night was from Bacolod City and the singer was someone I knew. Small world indeed. First day impression on the resort - what a great big place!

Us-usan Island

Nagarao Island

Second day was quite an adventure. Breakfast was served under the coconut trees and near the beach. At around 9am we joined the other guests to an island hopping trip. First stop was Nagarao Island. Nagarao is smaller than Inampulugan. The resort also offers overnight accommodation at a package. After touring the islet and taking pictures, we transferred to Us-Usan Island, a much smaller islet. It is a sandbar, pearly white beach, clear blue waters with mangroves and coconut trees. There's only one single hut in the islet. The area facing the Panay Strait looks scary though coz the waves were really big! We were allowed to swim for two hours on the side where the sea is calm. Surprises of all surprises...the staff brought our lunch and served all the guests buffet style right on the beach. Imagine we were served hot soup in a sandbar with a waiting staff to boot. How cool is that? A little downside on my part though, the water is so deep I was constantly worrying about my kids.We headed back to the resort late afternoon and the ride was rough. Waves are choppy so we got soaked in sea water, again! Thank God we arrived whole, tired, hungry and full of happy memories for the day. We still have time for personal activities before dinner so my kids went back to swimming again this time at the resort pool while making friends with the other kids. Dinner was served in an open field near the pool with a bonfire. Magical!

On our last day, we decided to leave after lunch so we took a swim at the beach in front of our cottage and bought some souvenirs. Our boat ride back was a little scary though. Big waves! The boat was going down and up, one can see walls of water on both sides of the boat. I realized that it is always best to travel early morning if one is taking a boat. Since the sea is calm even on high tide but if its between 1pm-3pm the sea is really choppy. It's just my observation.

The pick up point for Costa Aguada is at the town of Pulupandan. We arranged for a taxi to pick us up at house and bring us to Pulupandan and vice versa. The resort can also arrange airport pick-up if one is flying in from Manila or Cebu. Over-all the service was great, the food was excellent, our stay is unforgettable. The children kept asking us when will be our next trip there.Who knows?

Just one last thing - the drinking water in the island is spring water. Clean, sparkling, sweet and a great body cleanser ^^

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Makikiling Point Beach Resort - Hinigaran

Michelle in front of the stone wall

Two weeks ago, my cousins and I brought our kids to Makikiling Point Beach Resort. It's located at Brgy. Gargato in the coastal town of Hinigaran, 54 kilometers away from Bacolod City. Brgy. Gargato has four beach resorts - Gargato, Maay, Rodrigazo and Makikiling Point. Our preference is always Makikiling Point Beach Resort. The place got a hill where you can see the coastline on top and a cove where you can go walking and marvel at nature's best.  The hill is exclusive to the resort goers while the cove is open to the public. One can reach the resort by car, motorcycle or tricycle. Tricycle fare is P10.00 per passenger. The entrance fee is P5.00 each (adult or child) and the cottage rental fee is P100.00 (whole day). A hand water pump is provided to get underground water for bathing. One just have to take a bath in the open air. A toilet and dressing area is provided.   

The cove.

The sandy beach is dark in color. My daughter Ceci thought its dirty but its not its just the color of the sand in the area. In shallow waters you can see school of fish darting around. My favorite place is the cove. Not a lot of people go there though. In the past we consider the area sacred since we made to believe that Mariang Makiling reside there. We are not suppose to shout or disturb the spirits but nowadays it's not observed anymore. Or maybe nobody believed in the myth in this day and age. Interesting stone formations can be found there especially at the edge of the resort going to the other side of the hill where the infamous cove is located. 

At the far end of the cove, one can see a large rock formation. It's flat and "sisi" (baby oysters) can be seen clinging on the stones. Back in my teenage years, my church choir group would go there and we would happily open the "sisi" and eat it straight from the shell. One just have to open it right from the stone. I can still remember the taste - salty and tangy...hmmm.

Campomanes Bay, Sipalay, Negros Occidental

The beach.

The port.

My family and I were treated by my cousin and his family at the Campomanes Bay last Christmas 2010. It was my second time to visit the place and everytime I'm there the place never ceased to amaze me. The area belonged to Brgy. Maricalum, City of Sipalay. It's a 5 hour bus ride from Bacolod City (the capital city of Negros Occidental). The bay is shaped like a horse shoe, deep waters, white sand and fish abound. The place is a protective area as mandated by the national government. No big time fishing allowed. There is a port for medium size sea vessel and a sunken ship ideal for a diving adventure. Although the whole bay area is really great for diving what with the rich underwater life. The bay is also great for water sports such as water skiing, banana boat, flying fish, parasailing...whew! It can be the next Boracay!!!! It's not spoiled yet thank God! Families from the nearby barangays and towns frequent the place. It's a 20-30 minute drive from the main highway of Maricalum, quite far but once you're there all your grumbles and complaints will vanish away. Believe me.

Lala & Ceci showing off their prized catch.

My kids (Michelle & Ceci) and their cousins enjoyed picking up big starfish with dark blue, red and orange color that are aplenty in the water near the beach. The beach is great on high tide. The kids enjoyed jumping from the edge of the port to the water below. I didn't know they were doing this until I discovered them. The deep sea water did not deter them from jumping. Ceci at 9 is so adventurous I bet she jumped many times and had her explained to me that her cousins (who grew up near the sea and are seasoned swimmers) were actually in the water waiting for her and her cousin Lala (8 years old) to jump and catch them down there. OMG!

The beach is a few meters away from the cemented parking area, so it's quite tedious carrying all those pots, food and water containers where you want to station yourself while there. There's no picnic hut available so you have to bring your own table, chairs and picnic mat. You can cook cowboy style. What's great though....the shower (fresh water and tastes sweet) for bathing is free and there's no entrance fee. You can also bring your own tent and stay overnight. However, you have to pack plenty of food and water since I only saw one sari-sari store where you can buy stuff. There's a security guard there and he had us write our names in the guest book he provided.

Edge of the beach

view from the old port

Near where we placed ourselves is a mini waterfall coming from the mountain behind our backs. There's also a stair going up to a cave that houses a water catchment that supplies fresh water in the area. Nearby too is the Balag Resort owned by the Balag family who hosted me and a friend in 1997. At that time, one of the family member brought us at the mouth of the bay and showed us how to go to the islet that covers one-eight of the bay entrance. Would you believe we just walked???? From the mainland to the islet, you cross the sea for about 10-15 minutes and you're already in the islet. The water is up to my chest (about 4.5 feet high). Until now I can't forget that experience. Arriving there, starfishes of different colors abound the area, white beach and magnificent view of the bay and mountains all around.

On our way home back to Hinobaan, my daughter Michelle exclaimed "Mom this is the best christmas ever!!!". Indeed it is.