Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Malalison Island - It Doesn't Get Any Quieter Than This

A week in my Lola's province of Antique can go by really fast. First you sit, then you eat the most delicious homemade food, and before you know it, you have to go.  You realize you never left the dining table and all you did was sit and talk and eat.

Good thing we had a goal. Our beloved island, Boracay was in hyper summer party mode, so our plan was to celebrate the end of Amihan season the opposite way, with total peace and quiet. 

So after spending dangerous hours at my Lola's dining table, Arnaud and I decided to explore dear old Antique. We borrowed my Lola's car and drove around. We stopped by beaches, rivers, drove into rice fields and dry river banks (by accident), got lost, found our way, got lost again, met the town lunatic, took photos, drove again. It was nice.










Then we reserved one day for Malalison a.k.a. Mararison. An island we've been eyeing from Google Earth since let's say, October. We heard it was beautiful. My late Lolo Julit talked about this island to his kids but none of them have explored it. Here's me listening to you, Lolo. 


 It was exactly what we wee looking for. No business establishments, no party music, no crowd. Just...


After talking to the Tourism Officer John John (because you have to see him before you can go to the island), we learned that there were only 2 other tourists in Malalison, a Russian couple on honeymoon. We didn't even see them until the last minute of our visit. 

You could tell that Malalison isn't used to tourism yet. We could feel curious stares from the locals as we walked past their houses. Our guide waved to his friends proudly announcing that he was a tour guide for today. He basically showed us the path across the hills from one beach to another. Apart from that, we were on our own. Really on our own.














We packed our own lunch because like I said, there aren't any resorts or restaurants. But we thought maybe we could get a cup of 3-in-1 coffee from the sari-sari store. We asked our guide if there was a store we could buy from. He looked hesitant, fished his phone out of his pocket and made a call. In a few minutes the Barangay Captain came with mugs, sachets of coffee and a thermos of hot water, all from his own house. Wow. 






So after a late merienda and exchanging stories with the Barangay Captain we decided to go. But as we were leaving, I was already thinking of my return.


Photos 5, 10, 12, 14 & 16 taken by Arnaud Mahe

8 comments:

Katrin and oleg said...

Hi!) now we are looking for some information about hurricane(big wind) on this location Malalison and found your post about this island. We are couple from Russia, who were living on this island) at those moment!

Anonymous said...

Hi!) now we are looking for some information about hurricane(big wind) on this location Malalison and found your post about this island. We are couple from Russia, who were living on this island) at those moment!

lagaw travelogue said...

I've visited this place back when I was eight, my parents are pure AntiqueNos. Thanks for sharing!

lagaw travelogue said...

I've visited this Island back when I was eight though I can't entirely remember the details, all I can remember is the white sand. thanks for sharing!

Denise Nicole said...

Hello Katrin and Oleg, So sorry for the late reply. Maybe you were the Russian couple on honeymoon when we were there? Malalison was hit hard by the Typhoon, they are recovering slowly. I haven't been back since but I plan to in the near future to see for myself.

Denise Nicole said...

Hi Trevor! Antique reprazent! Thanks for dropping by! :)

lagaw travelogue said...

you might wanna visit Calaguas Island in Bicol region or the Enchanted River in Surigao,Mindanao. or at least check it on the net.
Or you may drop by at:
http://treverhue.blogspot.com/ :)

lagaw travelogue said...

You might wanna try visiting calaguas island in Bicol Region or the Enchanted River in Surigao Del Sur, Mindanao. You'll surely enjoy!. or you may check the photos on the net

Please drop by at :
http://treverhue.blogspot.com/ :)