Sunday, February 23, 2025

Puerto Galera - gateway to Mindoro

Puerto Galera is a port city in North Mindoro, a getaway from the hustle and bustle of busy Manila City, as it is not very far away. Upon reaching Manila airport, I took a 2 hour bus to Batangas. From there, I took a ferry across to Puerto Galera in about an hour. Upon reaching a tier, I took a cute tricycle to my hostel. 

Batangas Port

Tricycle - the main mode of transportation in Puerto Galera

The first excursion was  exploring the small town and walked to nearby Mulle Pier at Mulle Cultural Heritage Park. It was a great experience to watch the most awesome flight of bats flying back to its home on the mangrove trees during sunset. There are walkways to enjoy the pier scenery with boats and mangrove.


Small Puerto Galera town


Mulle Pier


Strolling along the walkway


Bats flying home

The next day, after breakfast, I took a motorcycle ride to the other end of the town, Talipanan. Here lies the indigenous Manyan village and the trail to Talipanan Waterfalls. The trek took around 30 mins to reach secluded small falls. Opposite the village is a quiet peaceful seaside called Talipanan Beach.

Seaside in town


Traditional barber shop

Cultural items for sales in Manyan Village

Talipanan Falls

Circle of rainbow

Talipanan Beach

From there, I walked to the next quiet relaxing beach, Aninuan Beach. 

Aninuan Beach



The journey continued along the main road to the main beach, the White Beach, with deep blue water. This is where the main tourists hang out. It is a nice long stretch of white sandy beach, where people play beach volleyball, enjoying water sports such as kayaking and banana boat ride. There are souvenir shops and one can have massage service on the beach while watching the sun sets. 

White Beach









Sunset

The next morning, I continued my journey to Sablayan, where I chartered a private boast to take me on the first leg of a long journey…



Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Backwaters boat ride in Kochi

Kochi, a city inWest India, is famous for its backwater alley, where travelers would go for a boat ride in the backwaters to relax and enjoy the nature. It was the only city I had visited in India, where I took a 1 day tour to the backwaters of Kochi called Alleppey backwaters. The backwaters is a network of interconnected lagoons, canals, rivers and lakes.

One of the unique experiences in the backwaters is riding in the traditional boat, called kettuvallams. The kettuvallams are mostly made of bamboo with decorative interior. Our journey began with around 2 hour ride on the road before we reached the pier in Alleppey.


Kettuvallam

A cloudy initial boat ride

Our boatman using bamboo stick to row the boat

Peaceful ride

More and more coconut trees

Lovely greeneries

The journey continues

The boat ride in the backwaters was about 4 hours. We passed by some villages and farmland along the back waters of Kochi, with coconut tress fringing along the banks. There was also a pit stop to in a local village to see how a coconut husk could be turned into a useful biodegrable string. It was a peaceful relaxing boat ride.

Approaching a local village

Turning coconut husk into a string
The process of making a coconut string

The end product

A houseboat

Another tourist kettuvallam

Passing by another local village

Washing at the riverbank

Toward the end of the journey

Bye bye Allepey backwaters

The next day, I spent half day exploring Mattancherry and Fort Kochi. I visited Mattancherry Palace, a historical building and a Jewesh shopping street. I walked along the beach in the hot sunny day and passed by St Francis Church in Port Kochi. It was also a rare opportunity to see ancient Chinese fishing net near the pier, the icon of Port Kochi.

View from Mattancherry Palace

Jewesh Street in Port Kochi

Beach at Port Kochi



A hot sunny day

A Chinese fishing net

St Francis Church

Fishing port

Iconic Chinese fishing nets

Fresh fish for sales