My original itinerary was exclusive for APO island. However, due to delayed flights and misfortune in finding a resort in Malatapay. I decided to cancel APO and head to “plan B” instead which is the Bais/Manjuyod Sandbar tour.
I’ve done tons of research about the Bais/Manjuyod sandbar. All of them will tell you that you can stay overnight at one of the huts there. However, only few dared to spend the night. With few hours of contemplating… I bid goodbye to Dumaguete for a while and found myself waiting for a bus going to the sandbar.
The most convenient way to reach Manjuyod is to hire a van that will take you to Bais City or Manjuyod town. But since I have a very limited budget, I took the normal route which is to ride a CERES bus going to Manjuyod. I paid 58 pesos.
Here’s a view inside the Ceres Bus
The ride was dusty due to some road construction going on. But most of the time, you’ll enjoy a scenic view of either sugar cane plantation, rivers, and seas. It took almost two hours to reach Bais City.
Few kilometers away, then there’s Manjuyod
Bais or Manjuyod?
Some of you might be confused whether to drop by Manjuyod or Bais in going to sandbar. Well, the answer is either which but here’s the catch.
1. Manjuyod owns the nipa huts in sandbar. Thus, you have to pay them not Bais.
2. Manjuyod boats don’t have license for dolphin watching, thus you can’t do this activity.
3. Bais don’t have nipa huts, so you have to pay Manjuyod for the hut rental and separate for the boat rental.
4. If you decide to stay overnight but you are in Bais, you can still pay the huts at Bais tourism office but you need to pay separate for the boat transfer.
Gets?
In short, if you want dolphin watching. You have to go to Bais and pay 3500 + Hut rental. Otherwise, you can still spend lunch at the sandbar but you cannot use their huts. You have to eat inside the boat. Hehehe.
Since I’m not interested with dolphins, I went to Manjuyod tourism office and paid 2500 for the hut rental overnight inclusive of boat transfer. I didn’t pay extra for boat transfer. Should I chose a day tour instead? Then I will only pay 1500 inclusive of boat ride.
At Manjuyod Office, I met Jonas as my tour guide. He accompanied me buying goods at the market.
I bought the following:
- 2 bags of uling
- 1 kilo of liempo
- 2 cups or steamed rice
- 2 1.5 bottle coke
- 1 gallon of mineral water
- 1 kilo ripe mango (specialty of Manjuyod)
- soy sauce, vinegar, calamansi, magic sarap
Their market is simple, you can buy anything you need in one go.
Road to Manjuyod Wharf
I didn’t have utensils with me ofcourse, but you can rent it for 100 pesos in Marina Tourism Office.
I roamed around the office for a while and took some shots. This is the most appealing tourism office for my taste.
more minutes of bumpy and dirt road ride… Manjuyod Wharf at last.. not the best wharf but it has a distinctive aura that attracts photographers like me. Just like the shark, I smell blood. Sandbar that is… I was greeted by my bangkeros slash guards at night.
I was surprised that the boat was good for 6-10 person. Though the waves were smooth despite of the amihan winds, it was very comforting to know that bigger boats were used. My heart pounding. I’m not sure if it’s because of excitement or being anxious that I might get disappointed.
To entertain myself a lil bit… I took pictures of virtually anything I can find along the way.
after 15 minutes or so… from a far, I can see paradise…
I’m not that religious person but I thank God for a rewarding view that he gave me that day. As I approach my sanctuary for a day, I can’t wait to have a bum life.
As the ladder of my mansion was being lowered, excitement engulfs me..
At this point, I love life…
