Pretty Good in Puerto Galera (Sept 2016)

[katie23]

I didn't want to get back too late to my gaff at the Dive Resort, so I left before it got dark. Saw this upon my return to the Dive Resort. In case you're wondering, I just took a public trike from the beach resort back to the town center - didn't hire a motorbike or trike driver.



Patsy, that was for you - cat on a hot tin roof!

[katie23]

Saw the sunset from my balcony



And that ends Day 2 of my PG adventure.

[katie23]

This is for biff's girls, or whoever else may be reading. When traveling alone, I try to be at my gaff (or the vicinity of it) when darkness comes. I wasn't into bars or clubs for this trip - past the clubbing stage, I guess. Lol. But yes, I went to some clubs in my younger *cough* days, but it was always with friends, never alone.

Fishlocker once asked if it was safe for a gal to travel alone in PG. I think it is, as long as one keeps safe and cautious. Whenever I went out, I informed the staff of my destination for the day, as well as my name & contact no, and the particulars of a family member whom they should contact in case of emergencies. I also gave the name & number of the motorbike driver that I hired, in case he wasn't totally trustworthy.

I've read the news article (was it from the Lounge?) of a female Japanese tourist who was harassed/raped by the boatman (or was it driver)? She spent the whole day touring with him, drank beer, etc. Someone commented that she didn't use her common sense, and I kinda agree. If she was indeed a victim, I don't blame her and I'm sorry for what happened to her. In this case, it's a "he said, she said" situation. He said it was consensual, she said it was forced. I tend to believe the lady, since the guy was no Adonis.

However, some of these north Asian girls seem to lack common sense. I think because their country is relatively safe & with low crime rates, they think that the rest of the world is too. Some years ago, my family encountered a Korean girl (late teens or early 20s), who was traveling alone and wanted to see the mountain, which was near our place. My parents said, "No, don't go there, it's not safe!" as it was about to get dark. She was adamant that she wanted to see the mountains even if it was dark. (silly girl). We fed her a bit, then found a place for her to stay for the night, as we couldn't accommodate her. The next morning, I gave her a short tour of the town, then gave her instructions on how to reach her next destination. She wanted to go to another town because she heard there's a good spa & she wanted to try it. Upon her return to Korea, she sent something (a token via snail mail) to my parents - it was nice of her.

Then there was this Japanese girl that I've also met - almost the same situation. She wanted to go to several places, even though the places were a bit dubious. She didn't speak English well, but she had a Jap guidebook with her. She was still studying in Uni, and was on holiday alone, so I guess she was rich or middle class, to be able to go touring as a student. I wished her well on her travels....

For this trip, I didn't go to bars or clubs, and some ppl would prolly find my itinerary boring. But I kept to the "safe zone" and hey, I'm still alive to tell the story! (and post pics!)

Cheers!

[katie23]

To continue...

On my third and last day, I made an appointment with the same motorbike driver to take me to Sabang beach, since I wanted to see it. Since I usually am an early bird, that day was no exception and my body clock woke me up at the usual time. So rather than lie in, to start my adventures for the day. I said to myself that I would have time to sleep later on, during the bus ride home. And yes, I was able to catch up on sleep later - boat & bus rides!

Lovely view of the boats - I never got tired of it.

[katie23]

By this time, D, my motorbike driver, was already used to stopping for me to take pics.
This was a nice view along the way to Sabang.


Even though it was a workday, the road to Sabang was still deserted since it was early.

[katie23]

Sabang Beach is in the NE from Muelle Pier. You'll see this sign.


Trike heading for Sabang

[katie23]

I was surprised to see Elsa & Olaf in Puerto Galera. I wonder if Disney knows that they get free advertisement here!


Those "Frozen" characters are situated at the arch heading for Barangay (village) Palangan.

[katie23]

My driver turned right at Palangan to show me some nice views.


He said that the road going to the mountains is for construction of wind turbines.

When I saw the road being constructed the previous day, I was a bit sorry that they were destroyed the trees to make a road. But when I knew that it's to construct windmills, then IMO, it's good, since there will be an alternative source of energy for the island.

[katie23]

Saw this lil guy in the shed, waiting for his school ride. Guy in a motorbike (dad/relative?) picked him up later.

[katie23]

Saw some great views near that lil guy. Mindoro Bay... lovely views...


I think that island ^on the north is San Antonio island, based on the map (correct me if I'm wrong)

[katie23]

After several kilometers and winding roads, we reached the Sabang arch


A closer look

[katie23]

Upon reaching Sabang proper, I saw this big one, Hotel Tropicana.


Maybe you'll feel like royalty if you stay here

[katie23]

Motorbikes & trikes are allowed only until a certain point, so I got down and explored on foot, while my driver waited for me.

Jack Daniel apartments. Saw this listed on Agoda as well...


This side road leads to more resorts, I guess

[katie23]

Rudolf's bar - occupied the bottom portion of Hotel Tropicana, I think


Hippos music bar + some trike drivers

[katie23]

Hotel Tropicana & Jack Daniel apartments are situated uphill. I walked downhill & saw this, Club Mabuhay resort


Zoomed in & saw they had a pool

[katie23]

Eating places... an Italian one...


and a Korean one...

[katie23]

You can buy wine...


Or milk tea...

[katie23]

Locals setting up their morning biz

[katie23]

Sabang arch at the beach


This was at the beach front

[katie23]

Sabang Pier


Peeps waiting for the boat

[katie23]

Sabang arch + another Club Mabuhay. Mabuhay means "welcome" (to a place)

[katie23]

I wasn't impressed with Sabang beach, but still, I tried to get some nice shots...

[katie23]

Panorama shot of Sabang beach

[katie23]

I backtracked a bit & explored the area near Club Mabuhay


Sabang beach is known for diving, so here are some dive suits

[katie23]

Walked along that path & saw more resorts


Red coral resort & some boats. The beach was short.. maybe 2-3 meters