Holy Week 2014: Puerto Galera (Part 1)

For this year's Holy Week, I've decided to go with my friends for our very first trip to Puerto Galera. While we have been planning this trip for months, we were totally caught by surprise when we found out that the ferry and buses, will not be on their regular schedule. We were supposed to leave Manila on Good Friday but left Thursday night instead. Because of that, my roommate, Anja, was not able to go with us and with that we learned that traveling on Holy Week is not the same as traveling on regular days.

For one, if you're going to commute, expect terminals to be close by Good Friday. Bus drivers and other transportation workers are just like us and deserve some rest day too. Second, there will be people like you and me who are going out of town by that time too so expect the lines at bus terminals and ferries to be long. If you want to be on your destination early, you would need to be early at the bus stations and have the patience to line up to get your tickets. As far as I know, bus terminals do not have reservations (except for Victory Liner but I think it is limited to their Baguio and Cagayan routes).

Getting to Puerto Galera

For people from Quezon City, the best way to go to Puerto Galera is to take a bus from Cubao. We took the Jam Liner bus on Maundy Thursday night (around 7 pm) and we were lucky enough that there was no line anymore and that we made the last trip for that day. Bus tickets from Cubao to Batangas Pier cost Php 175. Make sure that the bus you're riding has a Batangas Pier sign. Travel time is around 2.5-3 hours and expect traffic by the Guadalupe area due to reblocking.

Our bus took us directly to Batangas Pier as it is their last stop. Upon arriving at the pier, proceed to Terminal 3 because that's where ferries going to Puerto Galera are docked. We arrived at around 10 pm and waited for the ferry ticket counter to open at 4 am so we could take the first trip to Muelle Pier. There are 3 ports at Puerto Galera: Muelle Pier, White Beach and Sabang (I have read that there is also a Balatero Port but I haven't seen any signs on any of the ticket counters with Balatero as a destination). The resort where we have made our reservation is near Muelle Pier but most of the travelers we were with were going to White Beach as it is where most of the nightlife is. In any case, all 3 ports are 20-30 minutes tricycle ride from each other and some ferries offer free shuttle services to their passengers. We bought tickets from Minolo Shipping Line as it is the only one that offers a ride to Muelle Pier at that time. For travelers bound to White Beach, you have the option of taking Minolo, Father and Son Lines or Gallerian. One-way ferry tickets costs Php 230 for Muelle Pier and Php 250 for White Beach plus you have to pay Php 30 for terminal fee. Travel time from Batangas Pier to Muelle is around 1 hour.

If you're going to stay overnight at Batangas Pier, make sure you have anti-mosquito lotion and blanket as there are lots of mosquitoes in the area and it could get cold at night. I had at least 14 mosquito bites on my legs for that night.

My friends, Pam and Gienah, waiting for the ticket counter to open at Batangas Pier

For those who are interested in going to Puerto Galera, the first ferry trip bound to Muelle Pier is 5:30 am and the last trip is 4 pm. It is important therefore for you to leave Manila by at least 1 pm so you could take the last ferry trip. Otherwise, you'd have to wait for the next day and waiting at Batangas Pier isn't exactly comfortable.

Inside the ferry

A little heads up, don't expect much from the ferries. They're also uncomfortable but there's no other way to get to Galera faster unless you have your own plane. Ferry capacity is around 90 to 150 people depending on the boat size and they have life jackets located at the upper shelf of the boat.

Discovering Puerto Galera

Once you've arrived at Muelle Pier (or White Beach), you'll have to pay Php 50 for environmental fee. Don't worry, you don't have to pay for it again when you leave. Also, please be reminded that if you bought two-way tickets, you have to confirm them one day before your departure. In our case, it was just an overnight trip so we had to confirm our tickets on the very same day that we arrived. Ask for the assistance of the shipping line staff for this as each shipping line have their own locations for confirming two-way tickets. From Muelle Pier, we made a short walk to Badladz Dive Resort to confirm our reservation for Badladz Beach Resort and the staff was kind enough to confirm the reservation for us and give us directions to the place. We then took a tricycle ride where we met our tour guide/ driver for the rest of our trip, Kuya Aries. Since the main road is closed due to repair, we had to take another way to the resort. Regular fare from the pier going to the resort costs around Php 20 each but since we took a shortcut and had to walk a few minutes to the resort, Kuya Aries charged us for only Php 10 each.

Arriving at the resort, we were greeted by (we think) one of the owners. She was very gracious and accommodating. We arrived at around 8 am and check-in time was supposed to be around 1 pm but I guess we looked haggard already so once someone checked out, they directed us to our room and we were able to get some much needed rest by around 10 am. But first, we tried their offerings at their famed Mexican restaurant.

Oceanfront view from the resort restaurant

American breakfast

Breakfast Quesadilla

Tosilog (Tocino, Fried Rice and Egg)

Food prices range from Php 195 - Php 250. It was a little on the pricey side but the serving was big and the food was tasty. I personally would have liked for my bacon to be less toasted but other than that, we had an awesome brunch at their restaurant and we enjoyed the service and the view of the ocean.

We also decided to check out the private beach while our room was still being cleaned.

Private beach at Badladz Beach Resort

Once we were told that our room is ready, we went inside and had a much needed nap before tidying up and going to White Beach.

Sadly, I was not able to take photos of our room because we were so tired and just conked out. But for those who are curious with our accommodation, you might want to check their website or Facebook page for more inquiries. We got the 2 bed suite for Php 1800+ plus 300 for extra person with a maximum capacity of 4 people. The suite has a flat screen cable tv, shower with heater, aircon and fan. We personally think that it's a steal because most of the resorts in White Beach costs around Php 5000 per room during Holy Week. If you're the type who wants a quiet place to stay when on vacation, then Badladz is highly recommended because the overall feel of the place is really relaxing. When we went to White Beach (more on that later), it was just chaos everywhere because it was crowded and very touristy. Where we stayed, you could still have the option of lounging and tanning in peace and you have the whole beach to your place. My main beef I guess with the place is that the AC is not that cold but once you turn on the fan, it kinda makes up for it. We weren't there for most of the time though and by the time that we are there, it was already night time so the temp was just right enough and we don't need to huddle with our blankets and shiver because of the AC. Plus, the staff was really helpful and while it has the the look and feel of a resort, it also has a homey vibe to it which we like a lot cause it's kinda rare to find when traveling. We were also told that the staff could confirm the two-way tickets for you so you wouldn't have to worry about it..

Waiting for our ride to White Beach at the Badladz lobby (swimming pool behind us)

White Beach

We texted Kuya Aries to come pick us up at the resort (he has since been our tour guide for this trip) and after a 20 minute ride (and Php 50 each) from our resort, we reached the famous White Beach.

the famous White Beach at Puerto Galera

Our first order of business upon arriving there is to get some lunch as we were famished. Good thing we came upon Food Trip sa Galera or we wouldn't have tried the cheapest (but really tasty) baby back ribs we have found so far. Pam and I got Baby Back Ribs with Salted Eggs for Php 189 and Gienah ordered Belgian Waffles with Bacon and Eggs for Php 149 (all exclusive of drinks). 

with our waitress

Food Trip sa Galera menu

It is an open area so it's crowded and noisy

but we came here for the food...
Baby Back Ribs with Salted Egg

Belgian Waffle with Bacon and Eggs

While the food is good, don't expect much from the service. We had a hard time getting the attention of the staff and they're not that accommodating.

After our lunch, we traversed the jungle that is White Beach. Seriously, if you're not the party person type, Holy Week is probably not the best time to go there. It is very crowded and most of the bars and restaurants are occupied. The walkway is full of people so it's difficult to relax. We decided to get henna tattoos instead and good thing they're not permanent cause I didn't think mine through and would've had to spend a fortune for laser removal, not to mention being a poster girl for poor life decisions. Henna tattoos starts at Php 100 while permanent tattoos start at Php 1000.

Here's Pam and me sporting our tattoos. Yup, I'm stuck with it for at least a week.

At least one of us came prepared with a design -- Gienah with her dream catcher tattoo

We then found a spot near the shore where we could sit, people watch and wait until the sun sets. 

panorama of White Beach (that's just about a third of the people there)

After sunset, we decided to try the special halo-halo (Php 80) at Cafe de Paris. Unfortunately, they don't have ice cream so we got a "semi-special" one for Php 60.

Here we are with our halo-halo

Cafe de Paris halo-halo

Afterwards, we hit the bars to get a taste of the famed Mindoro Sling and Puerto Galera night life. We went to Leyniel's Bar and Resto for our Mindoro Sling (Php 330/ pitcher) and Pork Barbecue (Php 150). We were too lazy to find a bar that serves Mindoro Sling for Php 200 but I have read there is one.

Mindoro Sling

Pork Barbecue

Pam and I were not exactly a big fan of Mindoro Sling since we're not big drinkers and I personally prefer cocktails that are on the sweet tasting side. Nevertheless, we were able to throw back a few shots before heading back to the resort for a quick dip in their pool and then some zzzzs.

(to be continued...)