Friday, May 30, 2014

Sagay City, Negros Occidental 2014 : Carbin Reef

The last time I've been in La Carlota Negros Occidental, my mother's home town and I grew up for almost 6 years (from 1990-1996) was 2006. For almost 8 years, finally! I'm back! 

I had a lot of childhood memories in that place. I bonded with my Lola (which I am certified Lola's girl) :) Last holy week of 2014, we decided to visit my Lola, she's already 84 years old and very very strong :) We arrived last Maundy Thursday, rest until Good Friday to observed the essence of Holy week :) We decided to go to Sagay City, particularly in Carbin Reef. I did research beforehand and booked our tour in Sagay City Tourism office for the tour. :)

We left La Carlota at 6am last April 19. We took a Ceres Bus to Bacolod. Since the road was under repair, we took 1.5 hours to Bacolod, instead 45 mins normally :)











When we arrived in South Terminal in Bacolod, we head to North Terminal going to Sagay City. :) We travel 3 hours to Sagay. 


Hello Sagay! :)



We look for fast food or carinderia nearby to buy additional food. :) Rode a tricycle going to Old Sagay, jump off point to Carbin Reef. 

 We arrived in port at 10:30am, head to Tourism office, paid the boat rental, fees and snorkeling gears and  the staff introduced us to our designated boatman, Kuya MJ :) 


Old Sagay Port :)

Kuya MJ asked a favor politely if we can dropped by his cousins and parties to Molocaboc Island. We agreed :)


Mangroves in Molocaboc Island
The mangroves was a big help when Typhoon Yolanda struck the province according to Kuya Michael because it prevented and stops storm surge :)








A bahay kubo in Molocaboc Island Port :)
After we dropped off the parties, they thanked us and proceed to Carbin Reef!!! :)








View of Carbin Reef  :)
HELLLOOOOO CARBIN REEF!!!






We changed our clothes and took our lunch before swimming since it's already lunch time :)






Start of SWIMMINNNGGGGG!! 






P 300 rental fee of our cottage :)
By the way, the Tourism Office of Sagay allows only 70 tourist a day in Carbin Reef  to maintain and preserve the natural beauty of area, and they don't allowed to stay overnight! KUDOS!



















At 2pm, we decided to do snorkel :) We expect that a boat will take us to the snorkel area but in our surprise, no :) Gear up with life jacket and snorkel mask, we will going to swim from the shore to the snorkeling area :) Yoh! hahahaha! A foreigner, name Kity (or Katy) asked me if she can join us since we have our guide :) I agreed :) Since the wave is kinda strong, even I am a swimmer, it's hard to kick and swim. Our guide, told us to grabbed each others hand and he will lead us :) I saw a very big clams for the first time :) Sea urchins, starfish and different kinds of fish!  





With kity :)


Wacky shot!














The sand is not that fine but it's ok :)

We just enjoy the whole afternoon, picture taking and swimming :) We left the Carbin Reef at 4pm :)  Washed up in the shower area behind the Museo Pambata in Old Sagay Port. The facilities is not that good but they mentioned that they will  going to work out the shower facilities :)


Arrived in Bacolod at 7pm and head to SM Bacolod to have a dinner. We choose Deco's :)











The authentic La Paz Batchoy :)
Cabin Reef is one of my favorite beach in the PH. Why? because the Government preserve the natural beauty of place. They don't take advantage to earn money for tourism. They're always concern about the conservation of the reef :) In my surprise when I get back here in Manila, they sent an email to me :)



See? I just emailed them back and told them to work out only the shower facilities but the rest are very organized and well maintained :)

KUDOS to the City Goverment and Tourism Office of Sagay City. More power and continue to be a role model to the other tourism office all over the Philippines for sustaining and maintaining the natural beauty of Carbin Reef :) 

How to get there:
From Bacolod, hail a cab going to North Bus Terminal. Then ride a bus going to Escalante (two-way) then tell the conductor to drop you off to Sagay City. When you reach Sagay City, ride a yellow tricycle and tell the driver you are going to Carbin Reef. :)



Travel Date: April 19, 2014
Travel Buddies: Jing and Marvin

6 comments:

  1. That beach looks amazing. Have not been there. I guess I really have to include that in my list.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is :) You should include it to your list. The Carbin reef is protected by the City government that's why the beauty of beach is preserve :)

      Delete
  2. Is it safe to leave your things in cottage when you guys go for snorkel?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Van :) Thank you for dropping by:) There's a local staffs in the island to assist you. They are willing to look for your things. Based on our experience, it's safe :) But for your security, might as well have one of your companion look over your stuff :)

      Delete
  3. hi po ate :) i love your blog coz it shows the itinerary and expenses hehe .. and ohh by the way what camera are u using ? i saw in your pctures that u have canon dslr :) just wnna know whats the model and also what site are u using to edit your photos ?? hehe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lindy! Thank you! :)

      I am using Canon 1000d model when im taking photos when travelling. Some of my photos posted here was also taken from Nikon coolpix digicam of my sister. And I edit my photos using adobe photoshop cs6. :)

      Delete