Basta Igat, Sikat! by MyMaria: more fun

Barks & Co. Summer 2013: Kalanggaman Island

If you have been following this blog for the past decade, you would know that my friends and I go on summer vacations and spend Christmases together. I only missed the getaway in the summer of 2011 because I was pregnant at that time and in 2012, all of us were still busy becoming parents. But now, all our kids are all growing up so fast that we managed to go out on an escapade for the day and spend summer like we used to.

This year's destination is no other than Kalanggaman Island. I've known about this quiet little islet for a long time but since it wasn't developed and I have issues with Mother Nature calling that it never occurred to me to go and visit. Friends of mine have been there when there were no cottages nor toilets in existence. However, since Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez supported and helped get a grant for the eco-tourism of Palompon (in the northern part of Leyte, a good hour and a half away from Ormoc City), Kalanggaman Island has become quite the popular summer/tourist destination.

The sandbar is really beautiful and the water is so inviting. No worries about getting stung by jellyfishes or stepping on sea urchins. I did find one starfish while we were swimming. You can also rent kayaks and a water bicycle and go snorkelling or scuba diving. As for me, I was content to just go off mommy mode for a while and frolic with my good friends.

I recommend that you bring lots of ice. Our 2 bags of ice were gone by 2PM because it was scorching hot (and maybe because the boys already finished 3 cases of beer). You can spend a night in the island provided you have a tent with you or you can just sleep in one of the cottages not forgetting to slather enough mosquito repellent. There's a solar-powered charging station in the canteen if you need juice for your batteries.

Because we do have babies and kids to go home to, we got off the island by 4 in the afternoon but the day was enough to get some minor sunburns in spite of the generous application of SPF 50 sunblock lotion! Although, you know me, I'm never the one to hide from the sun. Let the tanning begin!

Noodle Boy's skin is so unfair. He just got red and never darkened. Ugh.

The Palompon Eco-Tourism Office can be reached at (053) 555-9010, (053) 338-2094 or (0917)303-7267 if you are ready to pay the entrance fee (per person), hop on a 15-seater pumpboat or a speedboat (whatever floats your boat!) for a 45-minute ride, and be on your way to soak up the sun at Kalanggaman Island.