Karen, Cez and I agreed to meet with the other group, consisting of Arrjem and couples Mela and Ralph, Jaja and Amor and Mylce and Johnson, at NAIA airport before boarding because they booked an earlier flight. We needed to see them so we could talk about the finalization of our Iloilo trip. We were late because 1 hour is never enough for me to prepare when going out. Although, we still managed catch up with them. Yes, we did tell Arrjem to just join us sigle ladies to complete The Lonely Hearts Club, but then Mylce’s bf wasn’t part of the trip at all.

So here goes my 5-day away from the metro! The accidental birthday tour.

Fact: It was my first time to ride a plane. (KN)

Day 1: Iloilo – Guimaras Island

I didn’t know Jaja has an Ilonggo blood. Her mother’s from Iloilo and she has kins in the city, which is good because we had some folks who guided us on throughout the vacation. Upon arriving from the airport, we were fetched by Jaja’s Tito with a pick-up truck which what we really wished for so we could stay at the back and enjoy the early morning scenery of Iloilo. For the duration of the travel, Arrjem busied himself by waving at people we passed by along the way, and even on vacant lots where there’s nobody, he waved.

” />While kidding around with the idea of a “grand welcome,” we didn’t really expect they would prepare us breakfast because Jaja’s Tita knew we planned to eat at Ted’s La Paz Batchoy once we arrived. Well, a local dishes is definitely a treat!

Eat!

Danggit!

Pick-up trucks always mean fun. (KN)

After storming the breakfast, we headed off to Guimaras. Actually, Karen, Cez and I planned not to join thinking it would be costly but Jaja found a cheap accommodation at Raymen Resort in Guimaras and the 15-20 minute boat ride from Iloilo to Guimaras is only P13!

Arriving in Guimaras, we hired a multicab for P400 to drive us from Jordan Wharf to Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod, Nueva Valencia. The driver dropped us at the market where Mylce bought mangoes- huge Guimaras mangoes! The rest of us planned to just buy mangoes before leaving the island next day. (Trivia: Guimaras mangoes are exported to California.)

After checking-in, we went to try the crystal clear Guimaras waters, took photos and played frisbee. Jaja and Amor opted to rest though. After Jaja’s cat nap, we had lunch at Raymen Canteen.

First on the boat. (KN)

Smiles.

Tindera. (KN)

O, mga iho't iha, wilcam naman sa resort namin! Ano ha? :p (KN)

Frisbee-frisbee-han.

After lunch, most of us wanted to have a siesta since we didn’t have enough sleep the night before but we decided to go island hopping and to just sleep later in the afternoon. What is unbelievable is the fact that Arrjem and Mela actually fell asleep on the boat going back to Raymen. These guys. May mga pating kaya sa dagat. :p

Island 'shopping.'

Thirty-three pounds pawikan. (KN)

Ako ang photograpist.

Ave Maria Island has the whitest and finest sand I've ever seen. (KN)

Swim, swim. (KN)

Natago Beach (KN)

For dinner, we had grilled chicken and pork at a ‘Carenderia’ outside the resort which was discovered by our pals in the afternoon while strolling around. The guard warned us drunk guys lurk at these carinderias but we went anyway. What’s even more fun is the videoke time a.k.a pasiklaban ng regional songs.

Afterwards, we went by the beach with some beers. This is one of my most precious moments during this entire trip. It was just so serene. Too bad Mela and Ralph didn’t join us as they had preferred to snooze early.

Gutom na yan. (KN)

The couples.

Text your vote to 2366.

Night life in Guimaras. :p (KN)

The next morning, we left Raymen Resort, dropped by Trappist Abbey and market for pasalubong and then went back to Iloilo.

Trappist Abbey feels like Baguio. (KN)

Mango ice cream. (KN)

Leaving through 'Jordan River.' :p (KN)

*Photos with KN are taken by Karen Nono.

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