Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Santa Cruz Islands
Boats leave from Buyabod port, 5km east of Santa Cruz by tricycle P120 (15min); contact Edwin Romasanta to organize a boat (
T
0920
609 9279) for island-hopping (P2000-3500)
The islands of Maniwaya, Mompong and Polo, collectively known as the
Santa Cruz
Islands
, make for a wonderful day-trip. The closest to the mainland is
Polo
, rich in
wetland forests and transient birds, local macaque monkeys and fruit bats. While
the island is dotted with a few pleasant beaches, it's best to head further on to
Maniwaya
, which boasts a long stretch of fine sand lined with a few accommodation
options. On the northeastern side of the island is the spectacular
Palad Sandbar
,
a stretch of coral sands with crystal clear waters that appears only during low tide.
The furthest of the islands is
Mompong
, with its distinctive Ungab sedimentary rock
formation that acts as a natural bridge - the waters here are emerald green, and it's
a wonderful spot for a swim.
Bagumbongan Underground River Cave
Brgy San Isidro • P300 entry fee including compulsory guide; guides can be arranged at the tourist information centre on the way to the
cave • Jeepneys from Santa Cruz (daily 11am & 4pm; 1hr; P28); tricycles from Santa Cruz (45min; P800 including waiting time)
About 24km west of Santa Cruz, the 2km-long
Bagumbongan Underground River Cave
is the longest underground river in the province. There are some fixed ropes and spots
where water reaches chest height. Helmets, lights and gloves are provided. Guides will
lead you inside the cave for about 1km, ending up at a cascading waterfall of about
10m before turning back; they can also take experienced cavers all the way to the other
side. Note that you won't be able to explore the cave during heavy rains.
4
Mogpog
The little town of
MOGPOG
doesn't offer much for visitors, although it is renowned
across the island for being the birthplace of the
Moriones festival
(see box, p.201) and
holds its own festivities - smaller in scale than those in Boac - during Holy Week. The
word Mogpog comes from the tagalog word
mag-aapog
, which roughly translates as
“abundance of lime” and the area around town is indeed rich in limestone, with a
number of
caves
to explore.
Dick Malapote workshop
Brgy Janagdong, 1km west of Mogpog •
T
0939 468 2365 • Tricycle from Mogpog P40 (10min), then ask around - locals know where Dick
Malapote lives
One of the most famous Moriones
costume makers
, Dick Malapote has been creating
centurion outfits for more than 25 years, selling whole sets of armour for as much as
P15,000. He welcomes visitors at his workshop but doesn't speak much English, so the
best bet, if you are interested, is to enquire at the provincial tourist o
ce near Boac
(see p.204), who can arrange for someone to accompany you.
Tarug Caves
Tarug brgy, Bocboc • By donation to local guides (P50) - ask around at the village you pass through on the way to the cave • Jeepney from
Mogpog towards Santa Cruz P20 (every 30min; 30min), followed by a 1.5km (45min) trek; ask the driver where to get off
he
Tarug Caves
are actually one enormous cave with three chambers set inside a
300m-tall limestone spire that's barely 3m wide at the top. You can climb to the top,
where the reward is a panoramic view of the Bondoc peninsula to the east and the
Tablas Strait to the west.
Paadjao Falls
Brgy Bocboc, 10km from Mogpog • Jeepney from Mogpog P20 (daily 9am & 3pm; 30min), tricycle P400 return including waiting time (30min)
About ten minutes' uphill walk from the main road, nestled within coconut groves, are
the gently cascading
Paadjao Falls
. here are a series of pools here, perfect for a little
