March 18,

We were up and around by 0700. We had decided to rent a scooter and tootle around, so we went out walking to the scooter rental place. We arrived and got a just cleaned black Suzuki, Burgman Street scooter for two days. Jeff showed his license and put down a 2,000 PHP ($35) deposit. The guy photoed his license and passport and then instructed on the bike. All completed we hopped on and took off back to our place. Found some parking, paying 35 PHP ($0.61) for 24 hour parking. Now we set about having our Javas and breakfast of eggs with pepperoni, cheese, scallions, & garlic with toast.

Once we finished, Jeff planned what we’d do while I cleaned up. Ready, we set out on the scooter. We arrived and found where to get tickets… it was complicated to say in the least. Jeff went to three different places: one for our tickets- 100 PHP; one for the scooter- 130 PHP; and the last one for a ticket from the Coast Guard- no charge. Total 230 PHP, which is $4. I stayed with the bike. I was watching going about like a yo-yo. He got one part & came back; had to go for other part then back… you get the picture. It seemed Mickey Mouse, but by 1040 we were on a large FF Cruz Shipping ferry, the M/V Felipe-III, to Guimaras Island. As the ferry started going at 1057 – it started raining. It was only a little, thankfully we were on the ferry. The ferry actually reminds me of a barge, due to its size. As soon as we came out of the alcove that is the ferry port area, we see the island of Guimaras. We just have to cross the Iloilo Strait. Jeff said they are in the process of building a bridge to connect the two islands. This island is quite a bit smaller.

Ferry arrived at 1130. It had stopped raining (YAY) and we unloaded in a small town of Jordan. We head to the huge Guimaras Circumferential Road. It is a large two lane road – each way (mostly) – that circles the island. It is large and seems overkill for this small island. As we go, all of a sudden the slow lane ends to vegetation! This was what I meant about mostly two lanes, then in maybe a quarter of mile the lane resumes. Crazy! There are not any warning signs or road markings either. Anyway, we scoot up to the north-east part of the island. We pass by some forest, but by and large, mostly we saw farmland. This surprised Jeff and I. Guimaras Island is known for its mangoes, and we expected lots of mango trees. So there is farmland and of course, fishing villages.

We arrived at the Navalas church. It was built from 1880 to 1885 by local residents. It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church of Guimaras. To enter the grounds you have to pass through an arch in the Belfry, that has two placards written in Hiligaynon, which is the language of the Ilonggo people – a significant ethnic group of people of the Philippines. Whew! The two placards are the Ten Commandments. Now we enter the grounds and the church is before us. It is large and has plants growing from the roof! We build buildings now having trees growing in them and call it being green, but when we see them growing from old buildings we call them neglected… just saying!🤣  Anyway, we read also the church is still used for services. We entered inside and it was beautiful, bright and airy. It could seat many people and the altar was gold gilded. There were many fans and opened doorways for air flow that I’m sure are on and opened every Sunday. Some construction was going on off to the side of the main alter, but that just shows it is being cared for.

We left and moved on the highway has turned into more a one lane road each way. There is still two lanes, but the slow lane is not in as good of shape. We attempted to a next site but it is private property. It was a summer “house”- more like mansion of a prominent family (Lopez) here, built in 1910. So we turned around and went the long way along the east coast. Here we finally saw the mango tree orchards and a windmill farm, of maybe a dozen windmills. About 2/3 of the way down the coast we turned back inwards, west and north. We arrived at The Pitstop Restaurant, Home of the Mango Pizza. We had a Mango Pizza, water, an iced tea, and a mango smoothie. The pizza was definitely different! It had a mild sauce and cheese, then layered with thinly sliced mangoes and topped with more cheese, bell peppers and cashews. Total bill 655 PHP ($11.46).

We left south and attempted to see Spring Bloom Farm, but that did not pan out so we returned to Jordan (I love saying that) to catch a ferry back to Panay Island and Iloilo City. Jeff only had to go to two places for tickets to board the ferry this time, but he then paid on board the ferry. Total was 165 PHP ($2.89). That was 65 PHP less!!!  🤔Hmm… Anyway at 1415, we boarded a different ferry line, Montenegro Lines. At 1430, the ferry, called Maria Querubin took off, and we head back.

Evening was laid back. Supper was Pasta Carbonara and a fruit salad we made. We watched a movie then to bed. Good day exploring.