Some Handy Puerto Galera Tips:

Since marami-rami na ang palaging nag-iinquire sa akin about PG, share ko lang mga natutunan kong tricks sa malimit kong pagpunta dun…

1. For getting there faster from Batangas pier to Puerto, opt to ride the fast craft ferry boats like Golden Hawk and Blue Pelican, yung mga may katig. Hindi sya nakakatakot sakyan. It will only take you 1 hour compared to the 2 hours kung ang sasakyan nyo ay yung RORO or yung metal boat ng Diamond Shipping Lines. Pero for first timers, pwede na rin yung RORO para ma-enjoy nyo mabuti ang byahe kung di rin lang maalon. Nga lang, beware kung dun kayo pupwesto sa “airconed” rooms dahil minsan hindi nagwo-work ang aircon and you’ll end up hilo dahil sa init. Secure seats sa deck na lang para may fresh air at open sea ang view nyo.

2. Cross the sea in the mornings as much as possible dahil mas maalon kapag hapon. Bring Bonamine tablets kung mahiluhin kayo sa byahe.

3. Hindi lahat ng beach front resorts ay sulit sa bayad at ambience. Even if Valley of Peace is not situated in front of the beach, it’s easy pa rin to rent a banka to go island hopping. VOP’s manager will even arrange with a bankero for your transpo. Anyway, the corals and the fishes are not found naman sa beaches ng mga beach-front resorts so di mo rin mae-enjoy ang tubig dun, mabato pa.

4. When going island hopping, unang-una nyong hanapin na bangkero si Mang Nato (Renato real name nya) who owns the boats Maritess 1 & 2. Since last year, siya palagi ang nire-rent namin dahil hindi sya taga mag-presyo. Saka yung Maritess 1, big enough for a whole family (nagkasya angkan namin last year) tapos pareho lang ng prices na ibang boats na mas maliit.

5. When going island hopping the whole day, plan to buy fishes, meat and veggies sa palenke before boarding the boat. Dala na rin kayo ng mga pang-marinade at sawsawan. Pwede kasing magpaluto sa mga bangkero sa beach habang nagsi-swimming/snorkeling kayo sa dagat. Swak sa masarap na kain, bagong luto pa ang lunch nyo. Arrange that with the bangkero before sealing the deal kasi they sometimes charge an additional P100 for the cooking. Pero sulit pa rin yun!

6. Instead of renting snorkel, shoes and vests, you can bring your own kung meron ka rin lang naman. I don’t like renting shoes kasi takot akong baka may alipunga yung huling gumamit. So what we do, staple gear na namin ni hubby and our barkada ang mojo sandals (yung de-velcro ba) kasi ideal na sya for swimming among the corals. Para di ka masugatan sa paa when you need to stand sa tubig. Mind you, never ever stand where there are live corals! As for vests, pwedeng humiram sa bangkang ni-rent nyo instead of renting separately.

7. Bring shopping money! Masarap mamili ng batik items sa town. From dresses and hankies to sarongs and lamp shades, maraming pwedeng pagpilian and for sure magugustuhan ng gustong ninyong pasalubungan.

8. For nature lovers, there are lots of hiking opportunities there. Hanap lang kayo ng guide. Nung 2001, our barkada trekked to Talipanan falls. Ayun, ako lang naman ang pinakaduwag at di tumalon sa falls (ang taas kasi!). Asawa ko proud sa picture nya na tumatalon sya kasi kitang-kita gaano kataas yung tinalunan. Ay! Nagkasya na lang akong bumaba ulit sa batuhan kahit mahirap :P

Sana may napulot kayong bagong kaalaman :) Happy to help!