Filipina Travel Guide #22: Beaches near Manila Part 1 | Homeless Expats | Exploring Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera Philippines

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

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Getting to Batangas Port from Manila

Decided to go to Puerto Galera from Manila. We had to find a bus station and a schedule using google maps. We had to take a taxi to the bus station From Makati Greenbelt to Buendia bus terminal took 20 minutes for 200 to 300 pesos because the taxi driver didn't use the meter. Many taxi drivers negotiate the price when they know the destination is near and they would not make a large fare. So they keep the doors locked and before you can enter the taxi they will ask you destination and give you a price. If you say meter they will drive off.

Within 30 seconds of arriving at the bus terminal we found the bus that was leaving for Batangas Port. The bus then departed after only 5 minutes after we sat down. The road trip took us 1 hour and 45 minutes but can differ depending on traffic. I recommend to bring some snacks specially if you head out in the morning it can be longer than expected.

Once you arrived to Batangas port look for terminal 3 and the ferries that goes to your destinations White beach or Sabang beach.
When we got to the Batangas port it took us a few minutes to figure out where to go and where the shipping ferries were selling passenger tickets.
We had several porters and try to assist us. We finally allowed one to show us where to go but I would not recommend using a porter if you don't need to. They will ask for tips and ours did not give us our change back when he paid for tickets and environmental fees. The boat ticket cost 230 pesos per person and the terminal fee is 30 pesos per person.
They usually do is to make you feel hurry and they will ask a money to pay the ticket even if you can actually go to the window to buy yourself. He took some of my change from buying a ticket and terminal fee then he ask a tip so he got almost 150 pesos from me. The first porter who did that to us. The second porter is inside the waiting area right after security.trying to assist you. Then he will send you to the last porter to carry your things to the boat. It sucks when you experience this kind of travel trip and if you give them small they will ask more Christmas gift, its one of my weakness not to feel mercy on them. I gave 40 pesos each one of them.

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Here's the link for the full guide Getting to Batangas Port from Manila

Arriving Sabang Beach

The ferry ride from Batangas Port to Sabang Beach took about an hour and a half. Our hotel was only a 3 or 4 minute walk from the port to the hotel.
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 13.520627 lat 120.975515 long Beach near Manila d3scr)

We stayed at Montani Beach Resort it was right on the water and had very fast internet. The hotel also have a pretty good restaurant that we ate at often.
The room has almost complete amenities. One thing that I like the most that I haven't had in any other hotel is the disposable slippers. Also, separate bath from toilet and good internet. The staff are also friendly and very accommodating. We usually ate there for breakfast and dinner. They are open at 7AM. We tried most of the menu but I like the most is the Banana Flambe maybe the best dessert I've tried.

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After staying a day in Sabang I got sick runny nose and cough. The illness lasted for about 6 days and made me just want to stay in bed.

Sabang beach is not really for swimming there are a lot of boats and some trash on the beach also the town drains into the beach area. So I would not recommend swimming there. Sabang beach is mostly for nightlife. Sabang beach is nice if you like to party and go out at night. If you have a pool in your hotel you can also do swimming and relax. They also have island hopping for 1500 to 3000 for both depends who seller you negotiate. It was raining most of the time we stayed there. I got sick so we haven't enjoy exploring the island as much as we would have liked but we enjoyed the fast Wi-Fi in the hotel.

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We also stayed at Steps Garden Resort the second week of our stay. Only a few minutes walked from Montani Resort. While walking there we explore some of the tiny alley around the town area closed to the beach. Before we reached the Steps Garden Resort reception we start to get a bit sweaty but they prepared a cool ice tea and a cool damp towel for you.

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Reception
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Restaurant
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Steps Garden is built from 1985 here are some of the amazing old photos that I found in their album in the reception area.

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The gardens are actually very beautiful it was nice to wake up in the morning and have coffee outside your room overlooking the gardens very relaxing. Our room is in a good location where most of the beautiful flowers are showy. They also have a restaurant in front of the swimming pool. We usually ate here for breakfast and dinner because someone got sick after me for some unknown reason :P

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The breakfast is nice they have many choices with coffee and juice included. They also have a main restaurant located on the beach alley named “Tamarind Restaurant” but we didn't try that restaurant.

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Hardwork with pleasure
Enjoy life while working :)

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When someone took a picture of you sleeping then you realize your still cute even if asleep :)

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Here is the full video of Exploring Sabang Beach :)

While walking through a restaurant we saw a few times the Homeless Foreigner that usually sleeping on the bench.
Here's the full video of the Homeless Expats :)

Restaurants in Sabang Beach

There are a few good restaurants in Sabang Beach that you can try but we always search it online which is the good one. The number is not in order because we haven't try the other restaurants.

Verandah Restaurant

The #1 restaurant according to TripAdvisor is Verandah Restaurant.
Verandah Restaurant is located away from the crowd and noise of Sabang. The restaurant situated on top of the hill you need to walked through a 100's of steps to reach the restaurant. The main entrance says Reception they are connected, we almost past it. It has an excellent view of the beach. The waiter/waitress that served us was friendly and welcoming. We've eaten here on several times and they always impress us.
We usually eat here for breakfast and early dinner.

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Bella Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante

The #3 restaurant is Bella Napoli Pizzeria Ristorante.
Visited Bella Napoli to try their pizza as we all know Italian pizza are really delicious. The restaurant is located at the second floor with a beautiful view of the back alley while watching the people walking. We ordered a Pizza with prosciutto, mushroom, artichoke and olives. The pizza is delicious but its big for 2 person so we take out the left over and give it to the kids.

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Papa Fred's Steakhouse

The #5 restaurant is Papa Fred's Steakhouse. I ordered Fried Chicken with Potato fries and he had the California Burger. The restaurant view is very nice and relaxing. Their restaurant is located at the second floor of the Papa Fred's Hotel. They also have a third floor but its hot there during noon time. We ate here couple times because it was closed to where we stayed and we were both sick. The food is good but be sure to say if medium cooked or well done.

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View from the restaurant
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Toko's Restaurant

We ate at Toko's Restaurant it was rated as #13 restaurant in Puerto Galera. The area is big it was connected to Atlantis Resort and located in front of Tamarind Restaurant. The ambiance of the place is incredible. The food is excellent and the staff are very accommodating. The food took a while to serve but we're not in hurry the food is worth to wait. They have a special menu on the board that you may like to try.

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El Galleon Restaurant

We ate at El Galleon Restaurant for breakfast to try before we transfer to White beach. It was rated as #15 restaurant on TripAdvisor. They have a different choices of breakfast different from what you see in other restaurants menu. The ambiance is very nice if you sit outside and I like the flowers. We haven't tried the breakfast buffet because we're late and we don't know what time it start. Its good to try different breakfast and we love the food that was served.

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Tina's Reef Restaurant

We tried Tina's Reef Restaurant because it was close to where we stayed. It was rated as #20 restaurant in Puerto Galera. It was located on the beach path all the way to the rock walking distance to Montani Beach Resort.
We went there for breakfast but suddenly we found out that they don't have a brewed coffee and the food is oily. its mostly like a Filipino dishes and Asian foods. We saw some kids fishing right next to this restaurant.

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The ATM is not always online so don't wait until you need money make sure your taking enough cash that you won't run out. Its easy 3 minutes walked from the beach.

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We also rented a larger motorcycle for 500 pesos for half day. We drive to the east to see some beaches but we never make it to the famous falls because we didn't realize it was so close to where we were. The motorbike rental was not planned. We just thought of doing it because we got some sunny skies after days of rain. After an hour of driving we drive back to the west to see White Beach and to take a look our next hotel. I am curious also what the beach there looks like.

Here's the full video of our Road Trip :)

Things to do in Sabang beach but we haven't try them for many reasons like sick and the bad weather.

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Sabang beach is also popular of the beautiful diving spots. There's many diving shop or tours in many areas around the town but I'm not a fan of diving I'm scared :) .

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Sabang beach is very good for a weekend getaway from manila if you're looking for some nightlife our next location was on white beach.

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Follow me for more travel guides and to see the beauty of nature.
I hope this post helps you for your future travel plans. Sorry for the late post I was busy editing a video for YouTube. You can also visit our YouTube Channel.

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Whow what a very nice blog and you my dear are very photogenic. You just acquired a loyal follower, hope to read more of you.

Thank you I always try to make a good blog to help other people also .. thanks again.. you can follow me on my Youtube channel

I am following you, thanks again.

nice as always. :)

Thank you so much :)

wow your worth upvotes is higher now.. :)

:P yes. i try to power up when i can now..

wow awesome trip with remembered memories, and the photographs are amazing, you look awe some and sounds enjoyed very much
totally very nice post

Thank you so much I do want to keep those memories.. :)

Which Sabang (Indonesia) right????

hahaha no Puerto Galera Philippines

Its the same name with island thats I Has visited last mount....Hehehehe. great #travel

It has been more than 10 years since my last visit at Puerto Galera, it is nice to know it is still an exciting place to visit. Thanks for sharing!

yes that's true .. thank you..

Nice post! Have you been to Europe? :)

Not yet but I wish to.

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