Romblon Adventure: Budget and Itinerary

Romblon is an unpopular, ignored and even neglected travel destination. It is not a traveler’s first choice, nor is it a second choice. The province is not as popular like the other developed provinces. It is quite inaccessible; Tugdan Airport is currently not operating.

Romblon is my 41^st Philippine province.  

My family and a bunch of my cousins had their own Boracay-Romblon adventure way back in 2003. I was taking up summer classes. I took summer classes every year in college so that I would have a sideline (translation: so that I’d have allowance during summer). They took a boat (I think it was Negros Navigation back then) from Batangas, then proceeded to Aglicay Beach Resort in Alcantara, Romblon and then proceeded to Boracay. That was one long trip.

So after 11 years, it is my turn for my own Romblon adventure. 

This is the breathtaking view of Aglicay Beach Resort

I booked my Manila to Caticlan flight last December 31, 2013. What’s there to do while waiting for New Year’s Eve? I took advantage of CebuPacific’s 20.14 seat sale.

Alternatively, you can reach the province by riding 2go’s ferry from Batangas Pier and arrive in Odiongan in Tablas Island. 

First time travlling via ferry boat - a big ferry boat

I think I wasn’t able to haggle hard for the habal-habal prices. I also didn’t know the standard fares. When I asked the locals, almost everyone answered a number but they are unsure, and told me to just negotiate with the driver. I guess I also had to pay for two seats, because I was the only passenger. I am not sure how the habal-habal systems works. :/

For food, options are limited. In Carabao Island/ Hambil, I ate in the Republic of Inobahan then I cooked my own food. There was a place selling barbeque but I didn’t get to explore the town proper for other options. In Tablas, I had all my meals in Aglicay Beach Resort. The food was tasty and reasonably-priced. I loved that I had the beach was secluded; I didn’t want to get up and go around for food.

 

The fine sand of Carabao Island/Hambil

Budget Breakdown:

Day	Activity	Cost
31-Dec-13	Booked MNL to Caticlan ticket - no check-in baggage	804.96
Early June	2go ferry ticket: Odiongan to Manila	1,279.00
Day 1	Travel to Hambil. Beachbumming. Overnight in Hambil
	Taxi to Airport	300.00
	Jollibee breakfast	142.00
5:30	Depart Manila
6:30	Arrive in Caticlan Airport
	Trike to Tabon Baybay	80.00
	Piatos snack from a sari-sari store	15.00
	Boat to Hambil - 1 hour	100.00
	Lunch in Republic of Inobahan	235.00
	Shampoo and tuna from convenience store	31.00
	Habal-habal Rides	250.00
	Dinner - 2 eggs + rice (eaten with the canned tuna)	34.00
	Accommodation: Ate Luzvie's place	500.00
Day 2	Boat ride from Hambil to Sta. Fe. Aglicay. Looc. Overnight in Aglicay
Past 6:00am	Boat ride from Hambil to Santa fe	100.00
	Port fee	10.00
	2 pcs.of egg	16.00
	Habal-habal to Aglicay (30 minutes)	200.00
	Breakfast	140.00
	Lunch Pansit + Coke	154.00
	Roundtrip Habal habal to Looc	300.00
	Dinner Spaghetti + Water	160.00
	Overnight in Aglicay	900.00
Day 3	Swimming and Trekking. Travel to Odiongan. Midnight ferry to Batangas
	Breakfast	140.00
	Lunch	350.00
Around 5:00 pm	Habal-habal to Odiongan (one way)	300.00
	Habal-habal to Star palace	20.00
	Star Palace food	350.00
	Habal-habal back to Odiongan port	20.00
	Port Fee	15.00
Day 4	Arrive in Batangas pier. Travel to Manila.
0:30	Odiongan to Batangas by 2go ferry
08:00	Arrival in Batangas
	Bus from Batangas Port to Cubao	175.00
TOTAL		7,120.96

 

Romblon Takeway Thoughts and Tips:

Bring cash. Bring smaller bills.

Brown-outs are frequent, and the schedules are erratic. Charge all your gadgets whenever there is electricity. Bring your powerbank. Charge this as well.

Bring your own junk food, instant coffee packs and noodles. This is not really a travel tip, this is an travel SOP.  

Bring the usual beach must-haves: sunglasses, sunblock, sarong, beach mats and even an umbrella. You won’t find a vendor peddling around for these products so better bring your own.

I was only able to explore Tablas, Romblon’s biggest island. I intend to come back someday and explore the other islands as well. Hopefully, Tugdan airport will be operational by then.

Me, 50 shades darker