Bantayan Island here we come! We were quite excited for our trip so the objective was to get from Makati to our beach front resort in the most efficient method possible. We woke up at 3:30AM to catch our 4:45AM flight from Manila to Cebu. It was our first time at Terminal 3 and it was a refreshing change to Terminal 1 and 2 as check in counters upon entering were arranged parallell to each other and had more palatable concessionaires for a quick breakfast.

Our flight departed on time and having arrived a few minutes early was out of Cebu Mactan airport by 6AM as we travelled light and did not check in any luggage. Debating on the alternative modes of transport to get from Cebu to Hagnaya port in the north (146.1 KM) we decided on haggling with the taxi driver from PHP 2500 to PHP 1500 and the journey took 2 hours and 30 minutes. Other options would have been by private van (PHP 1500-2000) or the cheapest option CERES bus from the CEBU North Bus Terminal (PHP 100 per person). If you have money to burn, recommend negotiating with the taxi driver as it will shave an hour from your travel time and be a much more comfortable experience!

On the drive up, we stopped to pickup authentic Cebuano Rosquillos (PHP 23.00) ($US 0.50) to munch on from Titay’s a landmark in its own respect.

We arrived at Hagnaya port by 8:30AM and took the next Island Shipping ferry at 9:15AM. If you arrive later, the next boats depart at 9:30AM, 10:00AM and 10:30AM respectively from one of the three main shipping lines – Island Shipping, E.B. Aznar and Superferry. Take note that If you have a bit of sea sickness, it would be advisable to take the largest boat of Island Shipping as waves may be quite choppy.

Having never been on one of these large boats before, Island Shipping turned out to be quite an experience as they even sold refreshments on the second level of the boat SMB – PHP 30.00!

The boat ride was 1 hour and 15 minutes and we finally arrived at 10:30AM at the port of Sta. Fe.  I immediately called Marlin’s Beach Resort for pickup by their new 2009 Toyota Hi-Ace van and it took less than 10 minutes to arrive at our hotel.  After a lightning quick check in we proceeded to relax in our spacious deluxe room cranking up the air-conditioning as it was a bright and hot day ahead of us.

Our Ride – Kawasaki!!! (PHP 250/$US 6.00 per day excluding gas)

Aksana was a bit sleepy from the 6 hour journey so she took a quick nap while I sorted us out a scooter to rent for the next 4 days! Conveniently Marlin’s Beach Resort also owns the property behind it where they park their vans and where they also rent out scooters and dirt bikes. I picked out a Green Kawasaki 120 cc semi-automatic scooter with thick tires and negotiated a special rate from PHP 500 per day, not including gas. Gas costs PHP 50.00 ($1.20) for a bottle, 3 bottles for a full tank that could take you from Sta. Fe all the way up to the northernmost town of Madrilejos and back. Getting around via scooter provides freedom and mobility to explore this island which is significantly larger than Boracay.

Changing to board shorts and bikini, bodies glazed with Hawaiian Tropics SPF 40, we were on the beach by 12 PM and could hardly wait to jump in and test the waters. They were clear, moderately cool from the high noon sun and the calmness of the waves were perfect for floating in abandonment.

Marlins Beach Resort Steamed Blue Crabs - PHP 135.00++ ($US 3.75) per order

We ordered a feast at Marlin’s for lunch, how could anyone go wrong with steamed blue crabs and an ice cold san mig light? It was perfect preparation for a sun bathing siesta after lunch with a fresh mango shake of course!

Marlin’s Beach Resort Mango Shake - PHP 80.00++ ($US 1.80)

By 4 pm, it was time for a drink! Our mission – the best happy hour in Sta. Fe in terms of quality of cocktails and price! We took the scooter, Aksana wrapping her arms around me tightly to address her initial fear as I haven’t driven a scooter since Boracay. There is nothing like riding a motorized bike with the sea salt air breeze rustling through the hair without a helmet! Downtown Sta. Fe is just one perpendicular left away from the hotel, 20 km/h gets you 300 meters in a jiffy.

After taking a gander at the 4 themed bars on the strip – H&R Music Bar, The Blue Ice, Hard Kock Cafe, CouCou, we decided upon Cou Cou Bar and Restaurant (Happy Hour from 3PM – 5PM). It is the newest bar/restaurant on the strip and had an excellent happy hour. A few PHP 35.00 ($US 0.90) happy hour rum cokes and full priced margaritas later and we started to build an appetite.

Dirty Martini - PHP 95.00++ ($US 2.00) | Cheese Burger with Fries – PHP 120.00 ($US 3.00) @ CouCou

The drinks were quite good that we couldn’t bother going to another restaurant for dinner. We were pleasantly surprised with the food and decided that it would not be the last visit. We stopped by the Sta. Fe public Market to pickup refreshments and called it an early night thereafter to enjoy the beach the following day.

In the next post we go to Bantayan Public Market to search for the fresh catch of the day, please click here!

Related Bantayan Island Posts:

Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Part 1/2)
Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Part 2/2)
Bantayan Island Discovery Itinerary (5 Days / 4 Nights) – Adventure | Romance | Tranquility (Contact Information – Hotels, Restaurants and Shipping Lines)
Bantayan Island Day 1 – The Journey
Bantayan Island Day 2 : Part 1 – Fresh Catch of the Day
Bantayan Island Day 2 : Part 2 – Bantayan Nightlife
Bantayan Island Day 3 – Madrilejos | The Blue Ice
Bantayan Island Day 4 – The Secret of Ogtong Cave
Bantayan Island Day 5 – Just Another Day in Paradise

Remember life is way too short, don’t let it pass you by. Enjoy Hour Philippines!

Sincerely,

Lord and Aksana
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