Jeuel and Friends at Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort - by Nanay Jo

 Jeuel came back to isla for an overnight stay, not with her family but with her rriends.  They came across from Tabangao aboard St Paul and because the Habagat weather made the sea rough in front of the resort, the St Paul dropped them at the beach at Mahabang Buhangin.  My worker Leo met them there ant they enjoyed the pleasant walk back to the resort.

In the group of guests were Jeuels's best friend Lei, who is the tallest, Loie, a pretty girl with black hair and Cheska, who is the wackiest girl in the group and is great fun to be with, and Ce, a quiet girl, but cheerful.

Loie enjoyed dipping in our Oguro, Chesca made me laugh a lot with her stories and is great fun to be with.  Ce may be quiet, but when she smiles, her smile is good enough to be on a toothpaste commercial.




After lunch, they decided to relax and have a few drinks, I sat with them a while and listened to their interesting stories, then Ce, Lei and Chesca decided to go swimmiing.  Loie decided to stay and relax at the resort, but the others asked Jeuel to go with them to take photos.

After they headed off to Sawang Beach for swimming, Loie and I chatted a while then she decided to take a bath.  I told her after her bath if she wanted she could take a relaxing dip in the japanese tub. Loie enjoyed the warm soothing waters scented with citrus leaves.






Jeuel and the other girls returned after a while with some scratches and cuts on their legs.  The water was a bit rough at Sawang and they got too close to the coral.  When the waves made them lose their balance, they bumped into some rocks and corals and got some scratches and cuts.  Guava leaves are a good remedy for cuts and abrasions to stop any bleeding.  After they washed off the sand and had bathed they ate dinner.  When they finished dinner they aasked us to make a bonfire, and had a fun night sitting aroudn the bonfire, sipping our local Emperador brandy.

They said they had fun that night, enjoying the bonfire and the sea breeze, and watching the moon through our telescope.  When it got late, they set up their tent and slept.

Loie was up early next morning.  Ce woke up, then decided to go back to sleep in the stone garden.  Once everyone was awake, they had breakfast and chatted together as one by one they took their baths.





Since the sea was still too rough for the boat to come to the resort side, we walked back to mahabang Buhangin,  We took the short cut from teh resort, by the back road and passed the forest that leads to the main road.  It is not far, but it is very beautiful and they liked walking thorugh the forest, stopping often to take photos.

When we arrived at Mahabang Buhangin Beach they gave me a hug and said they will be back again for another adventure.  Then they left on the boat to return to Tabangao, and life in the city.

Kiko and RJ's Fishing holiday - by Nanay Jo

In September we had guests taking a break from their work in Brunei.  Kiko and RJ are good friends and their hobby is sports fishing, and they planned to bring some of their Bruneian friends to the Philippines for a fishing holiday.  In the end, their friends dropped out of the trip and it was just Kiko and RJ.  So they started to look for a place where they can catch fish. As Kiko is from rosario, Batangas they tried San Juan, Batangas, but unluckily they didn;t catch any fish there.  Then they decided to try around Isla Verde, and on Wednesday September 9th they arrived on the St Paul.  St Paul unloaded her cargo and passengers at Pondohan, which is about a ten minute pleasant walk from our resort.  Tupe went to meet them and guide them and they arrived before noon, in time for a simple meal of rice , with grilled pork, veggies cooked in cocunut milk, kalamay na mais for their dessert and cold iced tea.  They enjoyed eating lunch with the cool sea breeze creating a relaxing atmosphere as a welcome to our island.

After lunch the boys began to prepare their rods and fishing gear.  They brought galunggong (fish) for their bait while,  our boys Tupe and Leo had UMANG as bait.  UMANG are cocunut crabs and seashell.  They cracked the shells and took the meat from them for bait.  It was a surprise for our guests, and our boys from the resort challenged them for fishing.   The prize was for 2 bottles of our local gin GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL.  They brought snorkel gear too and I suggested  they should see the reef just off the resort since we are just on the edge of the sanctuary.  Tupe and Leo prepared  the boat and all of them went off to the sea.  As it iss Habagat, the sea was a bit rough, and they kept sailing to look for a catch.  They stayed on the water till 4pm and when they came back, they had caught small fish and a big clam, but they lost the challenge to our boys.

Leo took the meat from the big clam and soaked it in vinegar with onions, garlic, chili pepper and salt.  We call it KINILAW. Tupe cleaned the fish took out filleted them and fried them.  They were served after dinner with the drinks.

Later we had dinner at our bamboo table which faces the sea.  As the night fell we remained there and had drinks with the food they caught from the sea.  Kiko and RJ were supposed to only stay overnight  in our resort, but as we were chatting I told them they might enjoy going to Mt. Dagit Dagit for trekking and they decided to spend another  day with us.  At 10pm, as they were tired they decided it was bedtime.

We woke up early to prepare breakast for them.  I made Japanese omelet, fried hotdogs and ham and miso soup, then I packed food for their trekking.  At about 9am they headed off to trek up Mt. Dagit Dagit.   About 1pm I was surprised to see they had arrived back from the mountain.  They came back early because they wanted to have a rematch in fishing with our boys.  This time at Mahabang Buhangin.  So they prepared their fishing rods and gear and off they went to Mahabang Buhangin.  Its on the easr coast of Isla Verde, with clear water over beautiful white sand.  They got back to the resort before sunset, after once more losing to our boys.

Dinner was served at 6pm, and Junaly, who helps at the resort, came and joined us for dinner.  After enjoying dinner we had drinks and relaxed.  Junalyn joined us, too and she was the story teller that night.  Our night was filled with laughter and fun and Junaly bid us good night at 9pm.  After they finished 3 bottles of gin, all went to bed as RJ had to leave in time for his return flight to Brunei.  His friends from Brunei will visit us this coming December.

Daze over night stay at Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort - by Nanay Jo

On 3rd September we had an overnight guest at the resort.  Daze came from Manila to take a break from the city.  She came over on the St Paul and arrived in the morning, and decided to relax after her trip.  While she was resting I made lunch, then Tupe served her meal in our kubo.

After her lunch Daze wanted to take a dip in the sea and try snorkeling.  Tupe guided her underwater across the reef just out from our seawall.  The reef comes close to the resort and our seawall was designed to allow guests easy access for swimming and snorkeling with wide steps down and a nice wide pathway where some guests like to sit at hight tide with their legs in the water between swims.  Daze was happy to see brightly coloured fish swimming around here and to admire the different corals.

After a few hours of swimming she decided to explore the resort surroundings and took pictures of her favourite views.  While she took pictures we had a coffee break and a chat with each other.  In the meantime Tupe and Leo prepared the Japanese tub and when the water was warm, daze took a dip in the tub and enjoyed the scent of the citrus leaves in the water and the calm relaxing feeling you get from the hot tub.

As she enjoyed the tub,we prepared our bonfire and barbecue party for the night.  The boys gathered bamboos and other timber and formed it into a pyramid for a bonfire.  After her bath in the Japanese hot tub Daze changed her clothes then and took some photos of the sunset before joining us for the evening bonfire and barbecue.

After an evening around the fire enjoying barbecue hotdog and cold beer, daze decided that 9pm would be bed time because she had to leave early to be aboard the St Paul for her return to Tabangao in time to head back to the city.

Daze promised we will see her again.  Maybe next time she can stay longer and enjoy more of our lovely island.

Isla Verde - August Long Weekend Holiday Package - by Nanay Jo and Tatay Ross

Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort has announced two Holiday Packages for the long weekends in August 2015

The package deal is available on the Ninoy's Day long weekend of 21st - 23rd August, and then again on the National Heroes Day long weekend  of 29th to 31st August.

IslaVerde Tropical Friendly Resort - August 2015  Long Weekend Package SPECIAL
Book early.  PHP2500 includes boat transport, listed activities, two nights accommodation and breakfasts for 2 people.
Other activities, meals and drinks are NOT included.
Cost of activities, meals and drinks at Puerto Galera are NOT included.

Each of these packages are only available to the first 10 people (for each holiday) who have booked and confirmed their reservation with a bank deposit by Friday 14th August 2015 (for Ninoy's Day Holiday) and by Monday 17th August (for National Heroes Day Holiday).

For BOOKING and inquiries pls call Jo at (02) 7825833, +6309164408647

Days for the National Heroes Day Long Weekend of 29th to 31st August are in (brackets)

Expanded Itinerary Information:

Day 1  Friday August 21   (or Saturday 29th August)
0900   Be at Tabangao ready to be picked up by the boat from Isla.

1030   Approximate time of arrival at Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort.   Arrival time depends on the weather and sea conditions but you will arrive at the resort by noon.  Time to have lunch then settle in to your accommodation.
Spend the afternoon relaxing around the resort area, swimming and snorkeling or taking a leisurely stroll around this end of the island.  Just a short swim from our resort sea wall is the start of one of the most popular reef dives in the world.  Even snorkeling you can see many beautiful corals and fish.

1800   At 6pm you will take the boat from Isla Verde to Puerto Galera for an evening of night life, restaurants, entertainment and shopping.
Puerto Galera is well known for its Whiskey Chocolate Liquer available in a pitcher!  It is a favourite drink for visitors to the area.

2100   Be back at the dock by 9pm, when your boat leaves Puerto Galera for the return trip to Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort.

Day 2  Saturday August 22  (or Sunday 30th August)
0700   Breakfast at Tess' Cafe, then pack yourself a picnic lunch to take on today's walk.
Don't forget to pack your camera!!

0830   Depart for a trek to the summit of Mt Dagit Dagit.  Local Verde Islanders say that Mount Dagit Dagit is the highest point on Isla, although official records claim its sister peak Mt Liponpon might be taller.  We will climb Mt Dagit Dagit because it is an easier trek and the views are amazing, then we will cross to part of Liponpon.

From the resort it takes about three hours to get to the summit.  On the walk you will have many photo opportunities as the scenery is great.  Sometimes local fruits are in season and you might be able to enjoy a dalandan (Filipino Orange) or two along the way.  On Isla this fruit is called sintoris.

1200   After a pleasant walk, stop you will stop at the peak for lunch and enjoy the wonderful view.
From Mt Dagit you can see across the Verde Island Passage to Batangas, and looking the other way, across to Mindoro, the large island you visited last night.  During Holy Week local priests go to Mt Dagit Dagit for prayer.

1400   Around 2pm  You will leave Mt Dagit Dagit for trip down the mountain over to Mt Liponpon, passing the cliffs along the way.  At Mount Liponpon you may see beautiful wild flowers growing and you will have more views of Isla and across to other nearby provinces such as Calapan and the area south of Batangas.

1500   By 3pm  it is time to leave Mt Liponpon to go to Cueva for a swim and rest.  Cueva is well known for a cave that goes through from one side of the island to the other!  There is also a lighthouse and you can take some very nice photos from there.

1600   About 4pm  You will depart Cueva for the 1 hour easy walk back to the resort.
The remainder of the day is your own to relax.  Maybe you will compare your experiences of the day over a few drinks.
After Dinner Activities might include a bonfire? drinks? stargazing through the resort's telescope?

2200   10pm  Bedtime  :-)

Day 3  Sunday August  23  (or Monday 31st August)
0600   Breakfast at Tess' cafe, before taking a boat tour to enjoy the island.

0700   Leave the resort for a boat tour of Isla Verde.  First stop is Sawang to swim and snorkel.  Sawang is a popular stop off for scuba divers on the way to the reef dive near our resort.  It is popular for its clean white sand and clear water.

0900   Leave Sawang and head to Mahabang Buhangin where you can meet the locals, relax, swim and snorkel or even just sit and play cards.  The local people will usually have fresh caught seafood for sale so you might like to enjoy some freshly grilled fish or octopus while you enjoy the scenery.

1000   Depart Mahabang Buhangin for Tubahin to see the rock formations.
1030   Leave Tubahan to return to the resort.
1100   Back at the resort there is time for a shower and a rest.
1200   Lunch Time
1300   1pm  Your boat leaves Isla Verde to return you to Tabangao.

Isla Verde Tropical Friendly Resort and the people of Isla Verde hope you enjoy your time visiting our island home.

For BOOKING and inquiries pls call Jo at (02) 7825833, +6309164408647

'Sa muling pagkikita'   :-)