This is my attempt at a repost on our second visit to Puerto Galera last 2007. This time, I'm now sporting cleaner locks (as opposed to my pony-tailed hair a few years back). I now also have a digital camera in tow -- my Canon Powershot S2 IS. Yup, no more films.
If you have a choice in your schedule, don't go to Puerto Galera during the Holy Week... particularly the Holy Weekend. Divisoria would seem like a ghost town compared to the Pier of Batangas during the said holidays. If you really have no choice, go to the pier early. Very early. Early as in try to get on the very first trip.
If you're commuting, it would take around three hours to get from Cubao to the pier via bus. How soon you can get on a pump boat to take you to Puerto Galera depends on the number of people inside the pier's departure area. The atmosphere inside the departure area's like a free-for-all melee. But hey, melees are fun! Get those tickets quick and open your ears for departure insructions (read: don't miss the boat).
After thirty minutes or so of being gently tossed by waves, you get to arrive here -- famous White Beach.
White Beach
The sand is not white though, the color is more that of polvoron. Don't get your hopes up high too -- the sand's texture is far from those of polvorons. A word of caution, at high noon, the sand can get as hot as polvorons being toasted in a wok! The solution? Get in the water!
The water, however, is cool, clean, and crystal clear. This Oriental Mindoro municipality is really a destination to consider if you're looking for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Who knows, you might get to meet your yuppie officemate from Makati in this place? Only to learn that this is the place where he can "get out into the open."
Awwww, c'mon. Everybody knows it. You know it, and I know it. Puerto Galera is sort of the unofficial spot where fairies come to get out of their closets. Even my fiancee's cousin admits to this "phenom." Hey, as long as everybody's happy, right?
Alrighty then... back to the topic at hand. If you're one who likes to photography people and landscapes, you've come to one of the most beautiful places around. The people and faces are abundant. Remember all those people back at the Pier of Batangas? Yup, they're all here! The landscapes and rocks make for excellent compositions, and the sun sets ideally out to the sea.
The sun sets at Galera
As night breaks, the parties start and you'll find the beaches awash with teenagers clinging on to their precious malt bottles like it was going to be their last source of hydration in the world. The annual San Miguel Beer festivities are held at White Beach. Bands, contests, dance-offs, you name it, Galera has it... until around 12 midnight. Ah huh, Puerto Galera still sleeps. If you're looking for a 24-hour party place, go to Boracay instead.
What's a vacation without booze?
So how does Puerto Galera compare to other beaches? It can't... coz it's a one of a kind beauty.
So there. This time around I think I'm a lot more kind to Puerto Galera and its tourists... which I, to put it harshly -- lambasted, in my original post.
Click here for more pics.
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