First Stop in Romblon: Carabao Island

Our trip to Romblon was not very easy. Since the province is composed of a number of islands, we needed to cross wavy seas. We traveled from San Agustin in Tablas Island to Romblon Island on a very small boat. With small, I mean there are only three of us and we can hardly fit in the boat with the boatman and his assistant. We never had a life vest if our boat capsized that day, I am not sure if I'll make it (waves are huge and swimming is not in my list of skills). With that, I promised that if I make it alive after that boat ride, I will write something about Romblon. 

The first island we visited in Romblon is Carabao Island, locally called Hambil. The first time that I heard about the island is in a documentary in I-Witness about people living in the island who cross the seas everyday to work at it's famous neighbor, Boracay.

It was around 10:30 when we reached the island because the boat did not leave Sta. Fe on time, the waves were quite strong as we approached the shore because it's almost mid-day.

Carabao Island

The primary mode of transportation to go around the island is the habal-habal (motorcycle). So we hailed two to look for a place where we can stay for the night. We found Kameo Lodge, it was still under construction during our stay and the owner solely builds the place up. Amazing. Our room is at the second floor where it is very windy. We paid 750php for our overnight stay, unfortunately, I was not able to note down the name of the owner and their contact number. But if you will be going to visit Hambil, just tell the driver to bring you there, the owner is very accomodating.

Kameo Lodge

Electricity supply during that the time that we were there is from 6pm to 11pm only. However, normally, it's until 1am but since the town fiesta just finished and they received more than the usual supply, they have to turn off the lights earlier. After a quick change, and lunch at a nearby eatery, we're off to explore the island.

Tourism Center at Hambil

First stop: Tagaytay Point. The highest point in the island, a perfect view deck to see Boracay's Puka Beach from afar.

Boracay as seen from Hambil

 After this, we started beach hopping. We went to a resort where we met a married couple from the UK. They went to Carabao Island because they found Boracay noisy. Yes, because it's summer plus it's the Holy Week. They are enjoying the place so much, which they had to themselves. 

waiting for the extreme heat to subside

When the heat started to become bearable, we went around Lanas Beach.

Lanas Beach

The water is oh so clear, it's good to take a nap with the sound of the waves. The place was very relaxing, it was just us there and a few other people. We left the beach to go to another one, San Jose beach.

San Jose Beach

This beach is at the west so we did not see the sunset, but nonetheless, we enjoyed taking lots of pictures during the golden hour. I must say that the first day of our Romblon adventure went out well. For this day tour, we paid 200 php for each habal-habal.

The next day, it was Good Friday, there were no regular trips that will leave the island to go to Sta. Fe port, we hired one boat for 1500php and we left the island at around 6am. I was cheered up by the sunrise welcoming us into another day.

spectacular sunrise

about to leave Carabao Island, this is our boat

In Transit to Romblon Province

So me and my backpacker friends suddenly established our tradition, we go backpacking during the Holy Week because this is where we get a long break from work. Marvin thought of going to Romblon, and I was like, "Di ba meron elepanthiasis dun?". Romblon did not really mean a tourist destination for me, it's not so well known and when you browse the internet, there are not so many blog entries about this place. But since I want to be disconnected for a while, I decided that I would try this place out.

I started looking for information, trip schedule, places to go to, delicacies to try and a lot more. Then one night I was watching "Kapuso mo Jessica Soho" which featured shark attacks in the Philippines but shark infested areas in the country were not mentioned. I searched in the internet then boom, it is around Romblon, Tablas Strait. Suddenly, doubts loom around my mind, I do not know how to swim, being the water is one of my deepest fears and add sharks to the recipe, there came a point that I did not want to go anymore. But as they say "life begins at end of our comfort zones", so surprises should always be welcome, then we're off to Romblon without a well defined itinerary.

We tried buying tickets in Batangas Port, Baam works around the area so we asked him to drop by and inquire how we can purchase tickets to Romblon. If you're planning to go there, you can only  secure your tickets on the day of the trip. Since it is a long weekend, there are really long queues to buy one, so you have to go there early if you want to be the first in line. Good thing someone bought a ticket with student discount for us. Our tickets are cheaply priced at 648 pesos each at Montenegro Lines for the economy cabin.

leaving Batangas Port

the voyage to Romblon begins

A piece of advice when you go on a long trip by ship, be sure that you bring in food because it really gets expensive once you are already on board. We bought Outbox, rice in a box, for dinner priced at 70 pesos each.

The trip normally takes 10 hours, sleeping on board is quite easy because the waves will lull you. At around 5am the next day, we arrived at Odiongan Port and said hello to Romblon's largest island in terms of land area, Tablas Island. We immediately hopped in a jeepney going to Sta. Fe which is the drop-off point going to Carabao Island.

the jeepneys going to different areas of Tablas island at Odiongan port

The fare to Sta. Fe from Odiongan port is 150 pesos. Roads are not always paved but some are already under construction. The trip took around an hour.

It was around 7am when we arrived at Sta. Fe, we had breakfast first then took the boat going to Carabao Island, locally known as Hambil. The first trip from Sta. Fe is at 9am, fare is 100 pesos and our voyage lasted for a mere 30 minutes.

killing time in Sta. Fe

manifest

The trip to Carabao Island made me understand why my officemate who is from Romblon gave away dolphin figurines made from marble as souvenir. A group of dolphins suddenly swam around our boat and there were around 15 of them, fortunately, I was able to have a snapshot. I learned that many dolphins are frequently seen around Romblon's group of islands.

dolphins in the wild

Up next: going around Carabao Island