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Riminisching Puerto Galera: See the Bad and the Not So Bad

I have big regrets! I was not able to take my camera with me before going to Puerto Galera. No pictures, no images, no videos, nothing. I had a lovers' quarrel before going there and the preparation was not so good. But it was worth it, we still went there together. The only bad thing is, we don't have evidence that we did aside from few phone videos and images that I do not remember where are now.

Looking back, that was last year. The planned weekend stay lasted till Tuesday and I had to call my office back that I had an extended weekend. Anyway,that was cool. I have to share my experience here.

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The Good Before the Bad
1. The place is of course relaxing. I was really able to wind up after having so heavy work from the office as we had a big engagement to monetarily assess the business our client wanted to acquire that time. In fact, the supposed trip should have been earlier if the work was lighter but it was not.

2. The people are friendly but since I was with a Caucasian, we just watched out for so many tricks to solicit money or to overcharge in any way possible.

3. The beach was of course amazing, although I have to say it goes down deep so quickly (no wide area for not so deep portion). I am talking about WhiteBeach. Or maybe it was only my imagination coz I just stand five feet tall?

4. The food? As for me, I have no complains. For him, he loves San Miguel Beer but for the food, he's too choosy and could not stand Filipino food. He has his own distinct food choice being born son of restaurant owner parents.

5. It was a great trip for a couple like us. But I have to say I am someone who likes to assess things fairly and after presenting to you a very good "good portion", now I move on to many things I disapprove.


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The Bad After the Good
1. It was 5 cents away from heaven if travelled by road. It was windy and he could not stand taking the motor boat from batangas and so we took the fast (not so fast) ferry to Calapan, took a tricycle to Puerto Galera jeepney terminal and took a jeepney from there to Whitebeach. The roads were appalling, wet, muddy and you can only imagine. That was NO NO for he governemnt who expects tourism in the place!

2. No regulation in local fares. Tricycle drivers are so abusive. They charge as high as they want. We even saw two Korean ladies paying one whole Php1,000 bill and got a change of Php 200 for a trip from the town to whitebeach when in fact, the regular fair could be around 10-15 only. In fact we were also a victim of this when we hired a tricycle (motorcycle with a sidecoach) because initial bid was 300 per person to go to another beach but snce we are both accountans, we were able to manage to contract 150 for two of us and that was even more than okay for the cost of living there.

3. No possibility of privacy! We tried to go anywhere along the shoreline to be alone at times. But everytime, people really do not understand. Still, kids, old ladies, young men, anyone flocked to us to sell beads, pearls, old coins, massage, tour, anything! It was a very annoying portion of the gateaway! We were just there, could not be alone and take some quiet moments while we were there. Anyway, I was able to get some pearl sets and a massage, and a this and a that... Or should I say, I bought that "anything"? I was not that Accountant at times! Sigh.....

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In total, the trip was not that bad. The bad road was just part of the adventure. The exploitation is part of tourism industry as well as forced sale of stuffs is a marketing tactic, right? So better be patient at times. People have needs and wants, that is why. Hmmm.. should I go back there? I think for now I better explore other places if I go back in Philippines. I want to set my feet in 7 continents, hopefully, before I die. And to the Philippine Government, still a lot more to do to reach progress.

10 comments:

Nova said...

Rouge, that is one nice place... sus... unsaon lagi kay may LQ hehehe..sige lang you can still remember the memories right? the water are sooo blue are they deep? scared of sharks.. hehehe...

as for your comment: that's okay, remembering those loved ones who passed away is one thing that makes my heart sunk. i mean, it doesn't mean i dont give that much important everyday, but having set days to spend time with them diba mas overwhelmed, even if they are not here physically but for sure they can see us wherever we are and still knows that we give importance to them even though they are no longer existing on the earth. losing someone so dear so you is not that easy...

Anonymous said...

believe it or not, i've been to a lot of beaches here in the phils but i've never been to puerto galera, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit, hehe. siguro next time dyan naman kami dapat punta.

Lynn said...

i've never been to puerto galera though i know how great the place is from what i've seen in pictures just like what u shared here.

just consider yourself lucky for being able to see the place despite the bad happenings. (",)

Chubskulit Rose said...

Gorgeous! ganyan talaga ibang tao satin, mapangsamantala..

Anonymous said...

I wonder why you abandoned this one. This is my favorite among the bunch hehehe.. No wonder lately ko lang to nalaman hehehe..

Is it a coincedence? Kasi sabi mo you kinda abandon din yung iluvph2 then nagkaPR tapos ito naman, nagkaincome ka hahaha..

Don't be confused with my comment, I came here from your other blog heheh..

Lee said...

Wow! The place looks like paradise. But regret never heard of this place. Where is it?
I love that big boat...and the beaches look so inviting.
Good photos, well taken.
Have fun and don't get sunburnt, best regards, Lee.

Anonymous said...

Have you tried going to Batanes?

Anonymous said...

@ Nova,
beaches don't normally have sharks... sharks stay in the deeper are I think and these areas here, snorkeling is even feasible coz it is not that deep but near the shore, there are parts that just go down suddenly, i have phobia in deep waters because my swimming ability just got deleted when I am aware that the water is already deep.

@liza,
The same is true with me for Boracay.. It is only a few hours travel from my city but i was not able to go there... Maybe because there are surrpunding beaches around us as well, so if we needed to soak, we just ran to the nearest becah but now, i also plan to go to Bora if i get back in Philippines.

@Lynn,
The beach is indeed good.. and the beaches are indeed good, but I hate Sabang area where young children are obviously selling their meat* for fees... i went there and i was about to vomit seeing the situation.

@Rose,
Indeed but well, the most victims are tourists that eventually give a bad name to the place and will eventually ruin their source of living.

Yes, I am getting back to my sites that are useful.. such as this and the iluvph, indeed the latter had a PR3 while this one made me earn... The ads at a travel related post/blog are quite worth the efforts in blogging.

@U.Lee,
Indeed, especially in the photos... ^^ it is fun to be there too!

@Jason,
Nope, I have never roamed the northern portion of the Philippines nor the south because I was already out of the country when the schedul to tour baguio, ilocos, etc went in the calendar. ^^



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escape said...

i think we shouldn't promote it as a tourist destination for foreigners as they are usually looking for good service and semi-private place to relax.

i really hope that puerto galera will set some standards if it really wants to be promoted.

L. Venkata Subramaniam said...

Even some of the good doesnt sound that good? Anyway sometimes when there is bad we can appreciate the good better!