I was a bit devastated when I realized I couldn't fulfill my annual Bantayan Island vacation this year because of the pandemic. And just a month before this year comes to an end, I received an invitation (thanks to my bae, Nym) to join the "Suroy Suroy Sugbo Familiarization Tour" by GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation and Cebu Provincial Government. And it was to none other than, Bantayan Island! So of course, I said yes. It was an opportunity I knew I shouldn't miss and the thought of not breaking my promise made me even happier.
Cebu to Bantayan Island via Air Juan
I honestly didn't think I'd be able to fly this year which is why another thing that made me say yes to the invitation was the opportunity to fly again. I was so happy to step foot on the airport once again. Wait... what? Flying from Cebu to Bantayan Island? YES! All these years, I endured the 3-4 hour land trip from Cebu City to Hagnaya Port and another 1.5 hour boat trip from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island. Eats up so much of my time! But now, Bantayan Island can be reached within 20 minutes via Air Juan. And it was such an honor to be one of the first passengers to be on the inaugural flight from Cebu to Bantayan Island.
Me and my bae—extremely ecstatic to travel together this year
First time to ride a 10-seater plane! But the 20-min flight was smooth. Thanks, Air Juan!
Window seat view of Bantayan Island
Bantayan Island Airport is now open
Since it was the very first Cebu to Bantayan Island flight, it was also a celebration of the opening of the Bantayan Island Airport. We received a warm welcome from the Bantayanons. But of course, let's not forget that there's still a pandemic, so there was a designated disinfecting area before we got inside the airport. We were also required to download and use the Traze app for contact tracing (we used this at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport as well).
What documents are required to visit Bantayan Island?
I'm sure you are curious about this. No swab test results are required to enter the island, you only have to present the following:- a VALID ID showing that you are resident of Cebu
- a ROUNDTRIP FERRY TICKET (Cebu to Hagnaya and vice versa)
- a CONFIRMED BOOKING OF YOUR ACCOMMODATION (make sure to only book places accredited on the Traze App)
- a QUARANTINE/TRAVEL PASS
Ogtong Cave
Upon arriving in the island, we were sent off to our hotel to settle in. We were picked up an hour after and went to Ogtong Cave for lunch. We visited the three municipalities of Bantayan Island on our first day—Bantayan, Madridejos, and Santa Fe.
Balidbid Mangrove Lagoon
The next day, we visited the Balidbid Mangrove Lagoon. I actually haven't been here before but I had to pass on the chance to tour the lagoon. Others rode a kayak to get around but nah, it just wasn't my thing. Picture-picture lang ta. Lol
Virgin Island
A litte before lunch time, we were dropped off at Kota Beach for our trip to Virgin Island. We had lunch at the island and they enjoyed swimming in the crystal clear waters of Virgin Island. If it wasn't for my monthly visitor! *cries in silence*
Kota Beach
We were given an option on how we'll be spending our last day at the island. Others went on buwad (dried fish) shopping but my baes (Nym and Dee) and I chose to chill at Kota Beach instead. We woke up at 5:30AM to catch the sunrise and sunbathed until around 9AM. THE BEST!!!
Thank you, Dee, for taking this super beautiful sunrise photo!
This trip was made even more fun because I had these girls with me! Let's travel again together, baes!
My heart is full to still receive these kinds of opportunities despite the pandemic. Thank you so much, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation and Cebu Provincial Government, for having me. And see you again next year, Bantayan Island!
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