DUGONG-WATCHING

Concepcion, Iloilo is making its name through their life called dugong.  Only  4 dugongs showed up in Sitio Bat-os, Brgy Pulopeñasince since last year according to Ms. Roxanne.  And according to Cedric, one of the staff of Bat-os Island-Camping Resort, only three are currently visible in the area near the floating cottage at 5 am or 5 pm especially kapag malakas ang current ng tubig o waves during high tide.  Marami kasing sea grass sa area kaya dumadayo dun ang mga seacows.  Kapamilya daw na dugong ang nagpapakita- the baby, mother and father. 

Here, we were in the floating cottage for dugong-watching!

We patiently waiting the dugong to show off

John1 preferred to stay on the boat.  Natakot siya sa floating cottage.  Don't worry Iloy kaya pa ng floating cottage and bigat mo.  Pero talagang ayaw. 

John2 was busy in fishing.  Baka dugong ang mahuli mo pare.

While waiting the dugong show appearance, we were taking souvenir photos na rin.  The sun was about to set.  The lovely mother and daughter, Ng Carmen and Chen-Chen

Micai:  Patience is a virtue.

Oh eto na.  Teka, dugong ba yan?  Mistaken identity pala.  That's my friend Harry took a dip in deep blue sea.

Seahorse?  Tamo.  Bini-breed nila.

sun's water reflection

Ayan sunset na.

sun down

Sun gone

Unlucky we were, hindi nagpakita ang mga dugong.  shy sa amin siguro.  Pero hindi kami na-disappoint.  We spent a worth moment sa floatinbg cottage- talking, getting to know Rodel and his team sharing about their dugong experience, sharing lovelife.  We enjoyed watching the sunset at the same time.

P.S.  Thanks to Ms. Roxanne for the correct information about dugong.  

Up next:  BAT-OS ISLAND-CAMPING RESORT AT NIGHTTIME

THE BEACH CALLED PASIL

Here, we're going to PASIL.  It's just less than 5 minutes from BAT-OS Island-Camping Resort.  No island fee.  The boat capacity is only 5-6 persons per trip. It's a fishing boat ey.  The first batch were Laila, Rocee, Micai, Ern and Moi.

In just 5 minutes, we landed on PASIL.  Welcome to PASIL guys!

We lost!  A la Temptation island here building a tent for our bags.  But Rocee and Ern wanted to hide themselves from the heat of the sun instead.  Hala!

Pictorial muna.  Micai, Laila, Rocee and Ern while waiting the second batch to arrive.  I am always a photographer.  :-)

We can't resist the heat of the sun and the crystal clear water at the same time.  It was passed 2 pm.

That's me in red!

The girls did the jumping shot!

 Here the second batch arrived- Chen-Chen, Ng Carmen, John and Harry.

We found a shed nearby.  We were able to rest after we're tired of swimming.  We decided na magpasundo sa malaking boat to floating cottage,  It was already 4 pm.   But Ng Carmen forgot to bring her mobile phone.  We can't contact Rodel.  Buti na lang dala ko yung cellphone ko.  So I texted Ms. Roxanne to text Rodel na sunduin na kami.  

Eto yung malaking bangka.   Ambilis naman.  If you plan to visit Concepcion and going to stay in BAT-OS Island-Camping Resort or any of the 16 islands, you can contact Rodel to rent his motorboat named Emmanuel.  You can contact him @ mobile number +639204598283.

 Rodel and Ng Carmen

 The group was really excited to see Sea Cows. 

Up next:  Dugong and sunset watching

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. Polopiña, 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.