Relaxing...that is the best word can describe this small but fascinating island.
It was Good Friday when I first visited this island together with my classmate way back in high school, the ever beautiful half Filipina/Japanese Ms. Ikuo Jane. It was not really our plan to visit this island, but i don't know why we came up to that idea to end up there. Anyway, so much for the talking, let me share to you the things that we've done for that day.
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Ikuo Jane, Wendell Ramos and yours truly
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Before we traveled to Olango Island, Ikuo first toured me around inside the Movenpick Hotel since she is working there so it's fortunate for me to have a glimpse to this one of the five star hotels in Cebu. The hotel was very luxurious and the design were very lucrative. It was also very fortunate for us that when were at the lobby of the hotel, we met one of the casts of the Philippines longest running comedy show, Bubble Gang, Mr. Wendell Ramos and we're lucky that we had the chance to greet and take pictures with him.
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| Just feeling the moment |
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| This girl loves to pose...sorry Kuo hahaha peace |
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| Viewpoint from the pool side. |
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| White and elegant front of the hotel |
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| at the Ibiza Restuarant |
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| Viewpoint from the balcony of the Ibiza Restaurant |
After the tour around inside the hotel, we went directly to the port which was just beside of it. We then buy tickets for the motor banca that will bring us to the island and guess what? it is only Php 15.00 plus Php 5.00 terminal fee that we have to spent. And for the trips going to Olango Island, don't worry about that bacause there is an hourly trip going there and back to Mactan Island. The travel time from the Mactan Island to Olango Island is just approximately 25-30 minutes.
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| Finally were here |
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At the Back is a mini island near the port and yes there is a
house standing on it |
When we set our foot in the island, first things first, we took pictures for documentation purposes and since it was already 1 pm when we arrived to the island and we're already hungry, we then went to the nearest eatery near the port. After eating, we rented a motorcycle for only Php 200.00 so that we can stroll around the island. We then visited the Marine Sanctuary which was just 5 minutes away from the port and only paid Php 25.00 entrance fee. Next, we went to the Olango Wildlife Sanctuary which is a paradise for the migratory birds. Next stop we went to Brgy. Bantigue where we ordered to the one of the locals to served us "sa-ang" a sea shell which was my first time to eat that kind of food and honestly the taste was very delicious plus the price was cheap because it was just Php 6.00 per piece. While waiting for the time for us to went back to Mactan Island we just sat down in front of the beach for us to relax and fell the breeze and talked some non sense and funny things. When it was already time to go home, we then drove back to the port and gave back the motorcycle to the owner and then traveled back to our starting point. This day was truly unplanned and unexpected but still very worth it.
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| For just Php 200.00 you can rent a motorcycle and drive on your own. No helmets and drivers license needed since there is no traffic enforcer that will fined you. |
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| at the entrance of the marine sanctuary is a mangrove plantation |
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| at the entrance of Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary |
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| In order for you to reach the floating cottage where you can watch the fishes swimming around, you have first to walk about 150-200 meters of floating bamboo bridge. |
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| Many kinds of fishes you can see at the floating cottage. Sorry if you cant clearly see the fishes. |
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| the water is very clear and very tempting |
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| For only Php 6.00 per piece you can enjoy eating this "sa-ang" while relaxing at the beach front and letting the wind blows to touch and massage your body and take away all the stresses. |
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| because it was a wonderful day...lets go home with a smile :) |
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| And yes the sunset was just picture perfect when were at the boat way back to Mactan Island. |
To wrap things up, Olango Island is the best place in Cebu to go if you want to escape from the city life even for a half of a day plus it is very affordable and most of all you can really have a quality time there to relax.
To Budget it up:
Tickets: Php 15.00 one way fare
Terminal Fee: Php 5.00
Marine Sanctuary Entrance: Php 25.00
Wildlife Santuary Entrance: Php 30.00
Motorcycle Rent: Php 200.00
