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May 30, 2011

WELCOME TO BAT-OS ISLAND-CAMPING RESORT

I have to be honest, I was kinda disappointed after I saw some photos of BAT-OS Island-Camping resort on Ms. Roxanne's facebook account.  What I expect kasi is a white sand beach at hindi matao na lugar.  Pero after I read some information on its brochure, bigla ako na-inspired.  I inspired to know that every time you avail of their services, a portion of it goes to the Association of BAT-OS Tourism Service Providers and the Sunday-reading activity of the children from the community.

BAT-OS Island-Camping Resort derived its name from the village itself.  It is situated at Sitio Bat-os, Brgy. PolopiƱa, Concepcion, Iloilo, Philippines.  It is six nautical miles away from the mainland and 30 minutes by a motorboat.  Bat-os is an abode to one of the endangered species, the Dugong or Sea Cow.


To see is to believe.  So here I show you the Bat-os Island-Camping Resort and share our memorable experience during our stay there.


WELCOME TO BAT-OS ISLAND-CAMPING RESORT!

We were welcomed by the community upon arrival at the resort through a locally-composed welcome song sang by the pretty little girls.

Then sinabitan kami ng garland sa leeg.  Sabi nga ni Harry, after 17 years ulit siya nasabitan ng garland. 

The group posed for a welcome photo.  Tingnan nyo yung mga kids behind,  hinihintay nila kami.

We were about to enter the gate, nang kumanta sila which made us smile wide.  Kasi ganito yung tune:
 Ohh wooaahhh (3x)

You know you love me
I know you care
Just shout whenever,
And I'll be there
You want my love
You want my heart
And we would never, ever, ever be apart

Yes, it's Justin Bieber song- BABY :-)


We directly went to our cottage.  Yes, a cottage is also available for rent upon request 2 days before the arrival.

Hinatid kami sa cottage ni Mr Abraham Rile (wearing the blue shirt), the operating manager/massage master who worked in Spain as a Filipino masseur.  He is the one who trained the staff na mag-massage.

Dali pasok tayo...

the cottage's wide balcony
Micai in resting mode.  Is she lying or standing?


the cozy sofa.  Kapoy gid girls?

the water bed.  Chen-Chen in sleeping pose.  She was the only one who slept on the bed.  The rest, ginustong matulog sa bamboo floor with banig.  The staff provided everything including two electric fans.  'Yung water supply unlimited.  Yung ilaw until 5 am kasi package rate ang in-avail namin.


with a clean comfort room

the dining area.  They welcomed us with  watermelon fruits and buko juice for free.  Jabongga!


Ang linis rin ng kitchen nila.

They have a pavilion for big events like birthdays, seminar, conference etc.

inside the pavilion

The guests can also feel the warmth of the hands of people in the community through their aloe vera, bamboo, virgin coconut oil, lemon grass and shell massage




Guests will be billeted in camping tents.

Best, dira ka matulog sa tent?  Duda lang ko.

Meron din mga hammocks.  That's Micai in ramdom pose!

Daw natuyo ka na gurl haw.  Dugay-dugay matulogan na ina sya.

Ha-ha.  Ti pakot ko gid.  Ginbantayan ta gid ka asta matulogan kag picture-ran


May long bench na rin

Beach umbrella.  That's Ng Carmen talking with our officemates on the other line.  Tomo, meron signal sa area both globe and smart. 

Aloe vera plantation nila.  Dami pa nyan sa paligid.


may mga flowers rin


And tress.  Kaya mahangin sa paligid.


landscape

While resting, you can enjoy the beautiful view

The white sand PASIL.  Walking distance lang yan.  Kaya kahit hindi white sand sa Bat-os pwede ka maligo sa Pasil.  Ganyan ginawa namin after ng siesta.  (I will share about it sa next post.)

Botlog (daku) island and the second highest point in Panay, the Pan de Azucar behind it.  We went there the next day as part of our island hopping destination.  Per island cost 500.  Per island ang singil nila dahil it takes 20 to 30 minutes from island to another.  Mahal ang gasolina. 

Dugong-watching is included in the package.  We enjoyed it after our swimming in PASIL.  We watched the sunset at the same time sa floating cottage.

Hill-trekking will be offered and a guide will be provided


Kitang-kita ang sandbar ng PASIL

Here, we were about to go there.  Nagpahatid kami sa bangka para mas madali.  Next post na 'yan.

Do you like what you see?  I strongly recommend BAT-OS Island-Camping Resort.  Believe me, you will enjoy your stay.   For reservations and inquiries, you can contact the owner Ms. Roxanne Lo Baluya @ mobile numbers- +639195777788 & +639088965725.  Or email her @ roxanne_baluya at yahoo dot com dot ph.


May 26, 2011

ON THE WAY TO CONCEPCION, ILOILO

Sixteen out of 7,107 islands are found in Concepcion, Iloilo.  The town of Concepcion is the capital of the sub-povince of Nothern Iloilo in the year 1872 to 1899, comprising the town of Banate, Barotac Viejo, Ajuy, Sara, San Dionisio, Estancia, Balasan and Carles.  Banate was the farthest town I've been in the Northen part of Panay for the past years.  I wanted to explore farther so the next destination I planned to explore is Concepcion after the ITR filing this year.  I marked it on my own imaginary calendar.  (wink)

I searched Concepcion online and I've read good and more reviews about the Sandbar Resort in Bolobadiangan Island.  Reviews online or blog posts about the place is the number one and best way to trust with.  It gives confidence and would convince people to go to that particular place too.  Iba kasi ang experience kesa sabi-sabi lang. 

I shared the idea to my office mates and they liked to join.  It gave me the feeling of excitement...much!  The more the merrier and the expense-sharing is mas mababa.  I had the initial plan but it was Ng Carmen who initiated the one night-two day vacation.  I texted the mobile number of Sandbar resort that I found online pero walang reply.  Kaya pinasya ni Ng Carmen na tawagan.  Unfortunately, fully booked yung resort on the specific dates na gusto namin  (May 14-15).  They only have three cottages.  May iba pa naman sigurong resort di ba?  With the help of the phone directly, Ern contacted the office of the municipal mayor.  Ayun, the secretary gave the numbers of the newly opened resort in Concepcion, Iloilo- the ECO-PARK and the BAT-OS island-camping resort.  Actually ang Bat-os ay re-open at re-develop.  Kinontak ni Ng Carmen and the first who responded ang yung sa BAT-OS.  To make it short, we finally decided na sa BAT-OS mag-stay. BAT-OS, BAT-OS!  We availed the 9 to 12 pax without meals of 6,500 php.  We were 9 plus the D John who made us secured and our trip safe.  D is for the driver.

Everything was prepared (not for the Judgment day) and everyone is excited.  Lahat ready na, todo na 'to.

Food-checked  etc.-checked

Ng Carmen:  Ako madala pospro, asin, kamatis etc.
Rod:  Kaldero pa.  Roce may emergency light ka?
Roce:  Ano pa?  Ako maluto (pasensiya ka na mga upod mo di kabalo gid ah. lol.)

Morning of May 14

May nag-text....
Micai:  Gurl, diin na kamu?
Ng Carmen:  Sa Gen. Luna.  Ari lapit na kami sa St paul's hospital
Harry:  Ari nako Atrium sulod Mc Do kay may AC.  Alas-siete man bala.
Ern:  Wala man kamu di gurl sa Atrium.
John:  Ari lang ko di ma-wait sa BIR Zarraga.
Rod:  Roce, dira lng madiretso sa inyo si Laila?



Here we are!
 Si Roce ho...gapiyong pero gayuhum.  Excited ka ne?  On the right:  The Mother and Daughter (Ng Carmen & Chen-Chen

Check attendance:
First row:  D John and Erns
Second row:  Rocelyn, Ng Carmen, Chen-Chen
Third row:  Laila and Micai
Last row:  John, Moi, Harry


Excited?


Nice view on the way.  Green na green.  It's Imee's favorite color.  She missed to join :-( 


 It was raining when we reached Ajuy.  (Me:  Sa diin na ang map?)


Harry:  Chaka, gaulan!

Ms. Roxanne, the proprietress kept on texting us, asking kung saan na kami.  Indi na kami dapat magpa-Sara.  May short-cut na daan pa-Concepcion.
Maganda ang weather sa Concepcion pagdating namin.  


At gaya sa mga awards' night, pictorial muna.  Go, Chen Go :-)
 Welcome to Concepcion

Next:  Joyce errr Harry

 the last three Marias

 the Concepcion port


Nag-text si Ms Roxanne na may susundo sa amin.  Rodel ang pangalan with his team.

Ayan si Mr.  Rodel, todo alalay kay John

 Hindi lang isa, dalawa ang nag-alalay sa kanya.  Jabongga!

 All set, all were sitting....ready to go...  start!

Todo ang service hanggang pictorial.

 boat racing?

That's Mt. Pan de Azucar.  The second highest peak in Panay and the landmark of the municipality of Concepcion.  It can be found in Brgy. Tambaliza.

After 30 minutes, here we come.   Welcome BAT-OS.  Todo alalay pa rin sila.  (Micai:  hinay-hinay.  sa next nga pagdungka ka pa madagdag di ba?  Peace!)

Ayan na naman si John.  We love you Iloy!

 WELCOME TO BAT-OS!

Up next:  THE BAT-OS ISLAND-CAMPING RESORT.  The newly best place to stay in CONCEPCION, ILOILO.  


P.S.  I grabbed some photos from Chen-Chen.  Thanks Chen for allowing me to.