Amanda Virrey
A Trip to the Island of Guimaras
The invitation to visit Guimaras and participate in its mangrove sustainability activities by the estimable Marine Biologist, Dr. Miguel Fortes, was both an honor and a fantastic opportunity to know the island, and to have an active involvement on Mother Nature-nurturing activities, for my daughter and for myself.
Together with my daughter, Luna, we flew with Dr. Fortes to Iloilo at 430 am (via PAL) in order to avoid the traffic along EDSA and to arrive in Guimaras in time for breakfast.
In less than an hour from our on-time departure from Manila, we landed smoothly at the Iloilo International Airport.
We got my luggage at the baggage counter with the help of a porter and went straight to the transportation booths. Between the taxi and the van, we chose the van for 500php to take us to Ortiz Wharf, which goes to Guimaras’ municipality of Jordan. Meanwhile another wharf in Iloilo, Parola leads to Buenavista, the northern municipality of Guimaras.
How to get to Guimaras from Iloilo City?
The cheaper route is to ride a shuttle to SM City for 70php and from SM City, ride SM City Proper jeepney for 7php going to Ortiz St. and walk a few meters to Ortiz Wharf.
So, after 40 minutes of the pleasant ride through Iloilo City amid the view of people jogging along the still quiet streets and on the greenery along the clean Iloilo River, we were at Ortiz Wharf, paying the boatman 15php for each of us adults, and 13php for my daughter. We sat on the first bench of the wide boat, which was nice and cozy, and soon after, we departed for Guimaras.
The early morning cruise across Iloilo Strait offered us a peaceful and scenic take on the mango tree-covered island that we were approaching to, where the thick flock of birds flying above the docked boats symbolized the pristine and rich biodiversity of the island.
15 minutes later, we docked at the Jordan Port. We stopped at the Tourist Office there to register our names and to get the tricycle fare information to Zemkamps Chalet, our home in Guimaras for the next two nights.
Soon after, we were on the island’s signature tricycle bound for Zemkamps Chalet (for 120php), where a clean room with a snug bed and a breezy space with fresh air were very much desired.
TRAVEL TIPS: Get as much information as you need, especially the fees to your targeted destinations at the Tourist Office in Jordan. You may also visit http://www.guimaras.gov.ph for more information.
