Trip to Puerto Galera - 04/2012

I was still in my maternity leave when a teammate informed me of their plan to go to Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro for our summer team building. A team member has a family in the area and she knows a place where we could stay. She quoted an all-in expense of Php 1,800.00 inclusive of 3 days and 2 nights accommodation in an air conditioned room, 2-way boat fare and 1 meal.

Other passengers waiting in Batangas Port

I was excited for this trip having heard good things about Puerto Galera being a Boracay of Mindoro. The team left early while I and hubby followed in the afternoon. We took a bus to Batangas Port and hopped in to a large motorized banca that could carry up to a 100 persons. It took us almost 2 hours to reach White Beach, Puerto Galera.

My first impression of the place was not perfect. The beach was so crowded with people with tables of the resorts extending to the shore. This is not my type of beach! I could not even  almost see the white sand because of the crowd, which I would understand because it's summer. (But this was not the case when we went to Palawan in the same season)

Peaceful and quiet morning

We immediately looked for the resort and checked in to our assigned room. We shared the room with my other teammates who were temporarily out on an island hopping. Since it was very hot outside, we enjoyed the cool air coming from the air conditioning unit. We chose to stay in the room and waited for dinner, went back to the room and called it a day. I know, such a boring start.

We woke up early in the morning wanting to see the sunrise. But we were late. Good thing though we experienced the beach in such a quiet place. The crowd was gone (probably still sleeping after the night party) and I felt peace at last! Sad thing was the litter they left behind.

A remnant of the night's party

After breakfast, we took a tricycle to Tamaraw Falls. And I was in awe! It was such a tall waterfalls with powerful falling waters! I could stare at it the entire day. It was my first real waterfalls experience. Near the falls is a statue of a Tamaraw. Locals said it was where the first Tamaraw in Oriental Mindoro was spotted and so they named the place after the animal.

Tamaraw Waterfalls

On the other side of the road was a pool of the water coming from the falls. After lunch, we found ourselves on our way to the foot of the falls and had a first-hand experience of the cold falling waters. It was a very wonderful experience, made more fun by the friends who were with me.

Closer look at the falls

As much as we wanted to stay longer, we had to bid goodbye to Tamaraw Falls. We went back to the resort and rested. After sunset, we went out for dinner and had little of the night party. We then called it a night. We left Puerto Galera early the next morning.