Foot and Fire

We ended our day tour at the old Spanish house located at the end of the island of Gigantes Norte. It was a sight during sunset given the ambient light given off by the sun and the rustic paint and structure of the old house. It withstood the test of time because it is made of cement mixed with shells found in the locality and eggs, just like how old Catholic churches were made then. *** I mentioned we enjoyed the ambient light of the sunset..  Here are what we took during our brief visit: *** The lighthouse is a recent one and it is said to be Japanese-funded. *** ***  And Kodjack, our tour-guide and water-fetcher, becomes an instant photographer... Just check this out: *** *** Ah, the view.... *** *** And please don't forget to buy trinkets for souvenirs from these lads: *** *** Check out how Gigantes got its name here.. And my other blog posts on Gigantes here. .. Don't forget ...

Our group had a grand time sampling the trail going up the cave and partly towards the opening. We did not move forward anymore than the first touch base because we were not properly dressed for spelunking as we were dripping wet with saltwater after the day's Island hopping. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the introduction to this Bakwitan Cave, so-called because it is used as evacuation place for families from lowland during the past typhoons and this cave saved many lives.  Please check out the allure of this cave. There are sporadic live rocks that still have the potential to grow. Also, as in any other caves which are not regulated, there are occasional graffittis on the cave walls...  Jun "The Cavekeeper," our cave tour guide, is trained regarding caves by the Department of Tourism and he displayed some wisdom regarding taking care of the Bakwitan Cave. *** A makeshift bed used by the cave's temporary resident in the past. *** ...

Scallops may be a delicacy among cityfolks, it is a daily fare for the folks of Isla Gigantes in carles, Iloilo. We were served scallops each meal ranging from scallops in oyster sauce, scallops in tomato sauce, scallops in chop suey and we just missed the baked scallops topped with cheese and garlic! If it is P600 a kilo in the city, it can almost be free in Gigantes. So, if you are the type who rares for seafoods, Isla Gigantes offers you the freshest catch of the day from crabs, shrimp, fish and squids. They also serve the rare Wasay-wasay, a mollusk that resembles the oyster but its shell casing is shaped like an axe, hence the local name. ***  Wasay-wasay *** The shell casing is shaped by nature like an axe, hence, the name Wasay-wasay. *** Scallops with shrimp in tomato sauce. *** Squid. *** *** Fish *** *** In the island of Gigantes Norte, they have the so-called Scallops Mountain, a huge...

      This is the most photogenic islet of Isla Gigantes. It can be taken after scaling the limestone-and-rock formation on one side of the island and while one is on top, one has to stand on the edge of the rock and click a camera for this souvenir photo that has become the poster photo of Isla Gigantes.  But the visit to Isla Gigantes does not start or end in Cabugaw Gamay, the location of the above photo. In fact, we started at Bantigue Sandbar where we had the undying jump shot and unlimited swim, then we proceeded to Cabugaw Gamay where we had our crowded photo shoot for that poster photo..., From there, we stopped at Antonia Island where we enjoyed a quick snack from their tiny sari sari store. Here, one can also climb to see the cave but we did not do the spelunking here since we would be doing one in Gigantes Norte where Gigantes Hideaway Resort, our accommodation, is located.  From there, we went to Tangke, a lagoon which should be visited ...

The Legend of Isla Gigantes in Carles, Iloilo* In a place called Punta Bulakawe in the town of Carles, there was a childless couple who endlessly asked for a child. They were blessed with a son who grew up too fast. Too fast he grew that he can no longer enter thier house when he was one and all men were only as tall as his knees. The giant child grew up and spent his adolescence in a mountain known as the Beheya Hill. Everytime this giant walked, the surroundings shook. Each of his step meant earthquake for everyone. This made everyone fear him. Because of his steps, he was called Higante Tay-og -- literally means Giant Quake. Higante Tay-og decided to remain in Beheya Hill which he could access by two or three steps only. To entertain himself, he learned to smoke cigars. Each time he exhale smoke from his cigar, the surroundings dim. When he accidentally inhaled the smoke, he coughed; the folks feared it like thunder that shook the surro...