It's My Panay!: March 2010

SIRAAN HOT SPRING

Anini-y, Antique

The serene ambiance of Siraan Hot Spring, one of Panay’s spectacles, is the reason why albeit the abundance of shopping malls and themed parks in cities, people come and spend more of their time in this resort located at Anini-y, Antique.

The road to Siraan is quite bumpy and you will get to travel on fragmented and dusty roads, making the travel time a little bit longer. But the hard time on the path is fittingly compensated by the spectacular sights of rock formations and the long stretch of a black sand beach along the way. Not to mention, you will also be mesmerized with unique-looking landforms at the other side of the road.

The exhaustion will prepare your body for a grand surprise once you already reached the hot spring. The warm water rising from the bottom of the spring is a perfect treat for you and your family. Plus, you will take more pleasure from the picturesque view of volcanic stone formations and the cobalt blue waters of the big sea behind you.

How to get there:

Siraan Hot Spring is located in the town of Anini-y, Antique and it is two hours away from Iloilo City by road. You can take a bus or you can rent a public utility jeepney or van if you will be traveling in a large group.

What to expect:

• A large swimming pool, which is six-feet deep that hold water from the hot spring.

• Four small tubs of hot spring

• Another small tub on top of a rock formation

• A dinning hall that is overlooking the blue sea

• A deck, where you can view the Nogas Island

• Large cottages that can accommodate up to ten persons

• Marine creatures and colorful corals can be seen when low tide sets in

Rates:

Entrance Fee – Php 20.00

Pavillon (for parties and group activities) – Php 600.00 per day

Cottages

• Bamboo cottage (small) – Php 150.00

• Bamboo cottage (large) – Php 300.00

Table and concrete shed – Php 100.00

Lodging House with toilet and bath

• Fan Room (good for 4 persons) – Php 600.00 per day

• Aircon Room (good for 4 persons) – Php 1000.00 per day

• Excess occupant – Php 100.00 per day

P.S.: If you are planning to cook or have a barbecue party, you should bring your own cooking utensils.

Contact details:

09182691099

09265310773

09306564834

Rock formations and the blue sea

A view of the Nogas Island from the deck

The low tide gives you a chance to see these live corals

Disclaimer: Panay Mud Pie (PMP/pmp500.blogspot.com) is not affiliated with any resort, hotel, or any other places featured in PMP’s “The Great Summer Escape” This blog site only provides blog readers with information and/or reviews on tourists’ destinations around Panay Island and Guimaras Island.

GUISI BEACH

Sitio Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, Philippines

by Pepin

The 8.8 magnitude of Chile’s earthquake shocked the whole world, and the three-meter high tsunami that hit Japan scared many people across the pacific. But these two natural calamities are hardly-felt when you have stood at a huge rock at Guisi beach last February 27, 2010. The unruffled waters of the sea and the spectacular rock formations found in this arresting summer escape hidden at one end of the island of Guimaras cannot displace your thoughts of worrying much about the news in spite of the terrible mishaps that already beat the globe.

Guisi beach is a paradise found for many who have already conquered its sand and waters. Though it remains a mystery for many who are planning to have their trip there, one thing is for sure, the place will be a genuine delight once you get there. Its clear tortoise water is invigorating and its yellow shores are indeed beyond exceptional. The massive natural rock formations are like a sculpture’s life-size abstract masterpieces.

But what this silent beach sanctuary is really proud of is its century-old lighthouse that ranks second as the oldest in the Philippines. Located at the edge of a cliff, this wrecked tower stands as the island’s most valuable antique. At its base are ruins of arches that were built during the Spanish era.

Unlike the beaches of Martinique, Cayman Islands, or Barbados, Guisi beach is hushed. There are no twenty-four hour tequila parties, no ear-splitting DJ mixes, and no souvenir shops. The entire space is filled with the sounds of rushing waves and blowing wind. But this doesn’t mean that the place is a dead-beat. You can still enjoy some of these activities:

• Swim. The water is cool and soothing, but don’t expect to swim on a sandy beach because the seabed is mainly composed of pebbles, sea rocks, and corals. But if you are looking for some fine sand, you can walk farther right where there are huge rock formations. Below these rocks are small spaces of white sand.

• Snorkel. Because the beach has an extensive coral bed, snorkeling is the most pleasurable thing to do. You will find colorful corals and saltwater creatures, like sea snakes, small octopus, squids, hermit crabs, and different kinds of fishes. But if you want it simple, you can explore some underwater wonders by just standing on a rock and staring directly at the bottom of the sea in early morning, between 5 am to 7 am, when the tide is low and the water is clear.

• Boat ride. For as low as Php 350.00 per hour (and an additional of Php 150.00 for every succeeding hour), you can go boating with friends and discover other nearby islands.

• Stroll. You can have a leisure walk and explore the shore, the lighthouse, and the imposing rock formations as much as you want. You can also witness a romantic view of the sunset by the beach.

• Dine. For a memorable dining by the beach experience, you can bring and cook your own food there. But if you want it easy, you can order food and beverage at the resort.

• A simple beer cheer. There is a local store that sells liquors. Enjoy some merrymaking at night and drink ‘till you drop.

How to get there:

Guisi Beach is only 45 minutes from Jordan Wharf. You can take a jeepney bound to Nueva Valencia, or you can hire a multi-cab if you will be travelling with a large group.

If you are from Manila, you can take a plane to Iloilo and a pump boat from Ortiz Wharf (Iloilo City) to Jordan, Guimaras.

Where to stay:

You don’t have to worry much of the accommodation at Guisi. There are at least three resorts there where you can spend the night, and one of these is the Guisi Clearwater Resort. It has spacious rooms and open picnic cottages. It also has a sari-sari store, and sing-along bar.