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Apo island the pearl of the Visayas

24/2/2018

4 Comments

 

Going to Apo island

​When you get visitors all the way from Sweden, what can be better than show them the little pearl of the Visayas, Apo island. Apo island is probably most famous for its sea turtles. Wednesdays is a good day to go there because it's market day at the Malatapay market just near the port for Apo island. There will be many locals going back and forth Apo island and the market so it will be easy to get seats on a boat. Facts about how to get there, fees etc see here >>>
Sea Turtle, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Apo Island is known for its many sea turtles.
The Rollin Pin, Dumaguete, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
It was empty at the Rollin Pin today where I had my breakfast.
Knives, Malatapay market, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
They have everything at Malatapay market...
Dried fish, Malatapay market, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Dried fish
Livestock, Malatapay market, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Here the livestock market. 5 PHP to go in there.
Fisherman with his catch, Malatapay market, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
The fisherman with his catch


A short clip showing the lively livestock market

Never sit under a coconut tree!

Instead of hiring a boat we had arranged a transfer through Liberty lodge where we were going to stay. We shared the boat with two other tourists and some locals. We were waiting over an hour for the boat to show up and get ready for the trip back. When we patiently were sitting there waiting we suddenly heard big THUMP! A big vicious coconut had fall from the palm tree and hit the woman in the striped t-shirt. She was very lucky since she wasn't hit in the head. The woman fainted by the shock and was carried away by some helpful people. Obviously she missed the boat but I guess, at least she survived the incident with just the fright and some minor bruises. 
The port, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
A few minutes after this pic was taken the woman in the striped t-shirt was attacked by the coconut!
The port, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Unloading and loading our boat.
On our way to Apo island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Finally on our way and I managed not to get sea sick!
Liberty Lodge, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Liberty lodge and our room was at the very top of the building.
Liberty Lodge, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
We had to climb many stairs to get to the Top 1 room.
View from our room, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Our view from the room was not bad. We paid 3700 PHP for one night with the extra bed included.

We were lucky, we swam with the sea turtles

We arrived at lunch time so we had the afternoon for snorkeling with the famous sea turtles. At first we didn't see any of them but later on we were lucky. That time of the day it was relatively many tourists and the snorkeling guides were busy towing around tourists who were not able to swim and snorkel by themselves.
A video clip showing the sea turtles

Life is wonderful

In the afternoon most of the tourists went back to mainland and only those who would stay over night were still on Apo island. After dinner we went up to the lighthouse at the top of the island and enjoyed the sunset. At 10 PM the electricity was shut down in order to conserve energy and the whole island got totally quiet. It was an almost surreal feeling to sit there on our balcony star gazing and contemplate about the all the wonderful things in life.
Going to the lighthouse, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
350 steps something and 600-700 m to walk to the lighthouse.
Lighthouse, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
The lighthouse and the new construction at the top of Apo island.
Sunset, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
The view from here was very rewarding.
Sunset, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
Sunset at Apo island.
A compilation of pictures from our trip

Don't expect to sleep long in the morning

At roughly 4 AM the first rooster was calling good morning. Even the dogs were still sleeping at that time. 30 minutes later all roosters on the whole of Apo island were calling good morning together with the dogs which were barking. I guess they were also awakened by the roosters. 6 AM the boatsmen started up their boats. The good thing was that we took an early breakfast and plunged in the sea snorkeling before all the tourists were coming from the mainland. Time goes fast when you enjoy so already at 1 PM it was time to take to boat back again. 
Going home, Apo Island, Philippines © Patrik Lord Travel Blog
After 24 hours on this beautiful island we were heading back to mainland.

The budget

The budget for us on this trip was:
​A double room with an extra bed at the Liberty lodge 3700 PHP with three meals included.
600 PHP per head back and forth with the boat, ask Liberty for the transfer.
100 PHP an environmental fee upon arriving to Apo island.
28 PHP with bus from South Terminal in Dumaguete going there.
​20 PHP with jeepney going back to Dumaguete.

Not included in our budget, but available if you need it: Rent of life vests (when snorkeling), renting a table ( to put your stuff), snorkeling gear and snorkeling guides. 

​Going there:

Take a jeepney from Dumaguete city centre, around 20 PHP. Tell the driver to let you off at the Malatapay Market in the town of Zamboanguita, around 40 min from Dumaguete. Go down to the shore and rent a motorized boat that will take you to Apo island. The round-trip boat ride costs 2500 PHP (good for 4 passengers), 3000 (good for 6 passengers) or 3500 PHP (good for 8 passengers). Solo travelers may join other groups, and share the costs for the boat rental.

​Or you can let the lodge arrange with the transfer as we did on this trip.
Related links:​
Outing with the girls​
Baslay Hot Spring in Dauin
Road trip to Sipalay​
A day of exercise
The fine art of eating an ice cream​
Review of GK Coffee shop in Dumaguete​
Review of The Tres Bistro in Dumaguete
Review of Chapters Café in Dumaguete​
The Christmas House in Dumaguete
Tarbush, a story of love​
The boulevard in Dumaguete​
Review of 2Story kitchen in Dumaguete, Negros
Review of Gabby's Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Fish 153 Korean Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Mooon Café Robinsons Place (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Café Mafioso (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Atong Kamalig Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of San Rival Bistro (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Review of Sta Teresa Restaurant (Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines)
Tierra Alta Residential Resort, Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines
4 Comments
Leif E
24/2/2018 08:41:58 am

Nice pics and video

Reply
Marianne B
24/2/2018 12:18:46 pm

Nice post! Informative. You get tempted going there.

Reply
Patrik
24/2/2018 03:42:39 pm

Tack Marianne!

Patrik
24/2/2018 12:15:41 pm

Tack Leif!

Reply



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