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 41st 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.
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.
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 |
Nice pictures!! hoping to go there next year especially since we have relatives here makakalibre sa accoms. haha
ReplyDeleteBeen there several times and it is a beautiful place indeed! Untouched and a true Philippines gem. Take Mosquito repellent. I believe that the airport is re-opening this month?
ReplyDelete@Mariane: you'll save on accommodations then. And you'll be able to get the real local prices if you have relatives guiding you.
ReplyDelete@Kootwoot: MOSQUITO REPELLENT indeed. The mosquitoes loved my legs. Hahahaha. No confirmed news on the airport. According to the locals there, it may take time for Tugdan Airport to open because of some local politics (I don't know the specific details though).
Hello... did you join a guided tour during your stay in tablas? which attractions would you recommend? thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello! I didn't join a guided tour. I jsut hired a habal habal that took me around. I basically just chilled at the resort.
DeleteMy friends and I are going to Tablas for 5 days in May. I'm trying to make an itinerary but is concerned about the transportation there. Is it easy going around the island? What are the modes of transportation available?
ReplyDelete