PANDANON ISLAND, BOHOL
To start the summer right, our team decided to celebrate Easter Sunday at Pandanon Island. Truly a time to forget about work and think about adventure! Yes, literally, an adventurous escapade from start to finish.
We wanted to try something different and exciting so instead of renting a private boat ride from Mactan island resorts, we opted to take the public transpo through a motorized banca from Pasil port, a slum area in Cebu City. For only P100/pax, they can actually drop you off to Pandanon on their way to Bohol. No life jackets are offered and you'll see other passengers on the boat who mostly carry loads of veggies and baskets with them from the Pasil market. It also takes an approximately an hour to get to the island.
Pandanon Island is part of Getafe Bohol. It's not a well and fully developed island yet , but it eventually gained its popularity because of its one hectare white sandy bar when it's low tide. Boat fee from Pasil was for a hundred pesos and another hundred for the landing fee. No reservations needed but they charge for rentals on tables and cottages.. No overnight facilities are also found but camping arrangements are also possible.
The tranquility of the island is a perfect getaway for summer outings. The whole day was fun and most of us went swimming on its clear waters. We posed ourselves and took pictures around including the famous column pavilion and the white chapel for weddings.
But our experience was one heck of a mixture of emotions as we were almost stranded there. Yeah, that's the result of not renting a private boat ride. It was already around 4pm and still unable to contact a boat to get us back to Cebu. We tried negotiating with the locals and some officials on the island but unable to help. Good thing a small motorized boat came from Getafe with passengers to stay overnight at the island. Although the boat can accommodate 15 people only, we still negotiated with "Manong driver" to take us back to Cebu. Hesitations drag all over him at first, but with our convincing powers, he let us in and drove all the way to Cebu and landed behind Hilton Hotel in Punta Engano Mactan Island.
While on our way, it was actually raining and was causing the waves to flash towards us. Already scared, but we're still able to get home safe and sound. Still lucky enough to see daylight!
Ahh-- truly a one of a kind experience.. Adventures are indeed in store for those who do not seek the luxury of hotels and resorts. It was all memorable and every time we recall every bit of the happenings and details, we are thankful nothing bad really happened to us.
I think I still like to visit the island again soon but I'll make sure this time that everything is prepared, set and a private boat ride is rented.
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