Mindoro is the the seventh largest island in the Philippines, the island is divided into two provinces - Mindoro Occidental (West) and Mindoro Oriental (East). The Mindoro Oriental Provincial Tourism website stated that it is a tropical island paradise of the Southern Tagalog Region blessed with the unsurpassed beauty of nature. Its abundant, unspoiled natural treasures speaks of this provinces magnificence. (To have a more comprehensive knowledge of the province, please visit the site mentioned above.)
The province is home to some of the most beautiful beaches - you can have your choice of white, beige, brown or black sand beaches; and it doesn't end there, stunning waterfalls, caves and forests also abound in this island; the third highest peak in the Philippines - Mt. Halcon - can also be found here, as well as the tamaraws (water buffalo) which is endemic in the place but, sadly, it is on the list of endangered species.
Oriental Mindoro has 14 municipalities - Naujan, Puerto Galera, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, San Teodoro, Baco, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao - and one city which is also the provincial capital - Calapan.
(This post is relatively classified as a photo-essay.) In an effort to cover and visit more places in a limited amount of time, we decided to have a joyride around the neighboring towns of Roxas, Mansalay and Bulalacao. Public vehicles such as buses, jeeps and trikes are available in the province but, recently, a new breed of public transportation has bloomed in the area - motorcycles - the fare is a little higher and the ride can be a little uncomfortable but you can reach your destination in a matter of minutes (just like the habal-habal in the remote provinces of Visayas and Mindanao).
We were riding motorbikes from one destination to the other on the entire duration of our vacation, right from the start we had voted who will be the riding buddy of this person and that person and we stuck it out till the end, it was a great ride, an adventure by itself, and the pit stops were just additional privileges.
Photo above is my sister-in-law with her designated riding buddy/tour guide. I snapped this one on the road to Mansalay. The scratches, bruises and badly sun-burned skin is nothing compared to the magnificent views that we had seen. Can you tell that she's having a grand time *smile*?
Photo above is also taken some place in Mansalay (I think *grins*), I haven't been to the Rice Terraces in Benguet, so, I'll settle for this photo of rice terraces for the meantime, loving the greens.
I wasn't able to see a Tamaraw when I visited Mindoro but I did see a lot of carabaos and this one (photo above) was the most sociable of them all. See how she/he willingly look at my camera at the instant that I pointed it her/his way.
Photo above was taken amidst the mango farms on the road to Mansalay, but this one is no ordinary farm, aside from being lovely and picturesque, this spot is notorious for being haunted (gossip, folklore, take your pick). According to the story a white lady lives here and shows herself to motorists and passers-by at night, one of our motorcycle driver/tour guide even quipped that he wouldn't dare driving here at night even if you pay him a hefty sum. Believe it or not...
The limestone-encrusted road to Bulalacao, most of my bruises and scratches was a definite courtesy of this long and winding, rugged and muddy road. But look at the view, a little bump here and there was almost non-existent because my eyes were feasting and sending positive vibes to my nerves and brain. As they say, no pain, no gain!
See that? Photo above are limestones dumped on the road side, the road was undergoing construction and I think those limestones will be sold to the highest bidder as it is owned by the government. But if you happen to pass by, taking a few stones as a souvenir is allowed, I didn't took some, it's pretty heavy, you know.
Above photo was taken in Mansalay, we passed by a Mangyan village and those are some of their nipa houses. I snapped a lot of pics but not all turned out okay. I just have to go back and take some more *wishful thinking* *lol*.
Above photo was taken on our way back to Roxas, I took this shot because it reminded me of how a simple life could be so beautiful.
One of the rice fields that we had passed in Roxas; at the time of my vacation the Philippines was having a rice crisis but when I got to Mindoro, there seemed to be no problem at all, could it be a hoax or one of our government's ill-befitting puzzle.
Photo above was taken in Mansalay, a long and abundant line of coconut trees which gave us the shade and light breeze that we needed. Coconut is one of Mansalay's major crops together with banana, root crops, and rice grains.
Photo above was taken in Mabaho Road (yes, you read it right), it is in the border of Mansalay and Bulalacao, but I am not that sure of the fact. See the zigzag sign on the road? Mabaho Road is one of the most accident-prone area in Oriental Mindoro, it's like the Bitukang Manok of Quezon Province. At that time, an uncleared wreck was still visible on the road, it was said that a jeep full of excursionists lost control, crashed on the road railings and fell on the cliff.
Our joyride started at 7am and lasted up to 6pm, an eleven-hour trip with wonderful pit stops and amazing sceneries, lots of laughters and fond memories. It was an experience of a lifetime!
Wanna see more photos, kindly visit this photo album.
