April 17-19, 2010 –Our flight was scheduled at 430AM.  It was such a déjà vu of our flight to Cebu in 2008.

That Friday night, Bubba had a long meeting at work that ended late.  11pm, we were headed to their place since I was sleeping over.  Bubba started to pack for the trip around 1130pm at the same he finalized and printed out the items to do in Bantayan.  He finished almost 1am.  I think even beyond that but I was already a goner.

The 1-hour sleep didn’t help at all.  It took me 5 minutes to force myself off the bed, carry my stuff, and board the cab.  I was still so groggy.  I groaned upon seeing the big crowd at the airport.  I thought at that early in the morning, I wouldn’t see long long lines of people trying to check in.  Wrong.

Good thing Cute Bam Bam (a.k.a) as Ethan is with us.  Every time you look at his face, our stress seems to melt away.  After paying the terminal fee of P200 per head and security check, we all had quick bites at Ya Kun Kaya.  What a surprise that Bubba had to insist on getting a Yin-Yang before getting served one.

My energy seemed to surge when Bubba whispered, “it’s Billy.”  I looked at the last security check area and said, “No, that’s not him.”  Bubba said, “It’s him.”  I perked right up.  “Are you sure?”  Another glance and I was convinced.

I’m not really much of a fan girl.  There’s nothing really wrong with being one but I’m not seriously that stirred with the local actors/actresses.  Other than Derek Ramsay, Jay-R and Billy Crawford, I wouldn’t even bother to care.  Derek Ramsay has the most amazing bod in the local scene now and I’ve always liked him even when he was still barely known as a model (I had the chance to meet him briefly once but I seriously doubt he remembers at all).  I generally like dark men (excuse me Bubba) and a sun-kissed man with great smile and eyes like Derek’s, surefire head turner.  Jay-R and Billy are not dark but they swoon me away with their albums and dancing prowess.

Back to the airport, Bubba said he’d ask Billy for a posterity photo with us.  I was soooo shy and really hesitant to do it.  Survivor Africa’s Ethan Zohn was in Manila in 2004.  I am his biggest fan in PI.  I attended the meet and greet event at Capones but couldn’t even look him in the eye or be anywhere within a few feet from him.  I think it was both SE and my college soul sistah King who got the autograph and photos.  Even at the worst El Niño, I’d really freeze right where I’m standing.

Good thing Jayme was up for it.  Even at 5 am with barely any sleep, he was kind enough to give us a smile.  I loved his NY shirt and Yankees cap.

Boarded the plane and in less than 2 hours, Cebu’s fresh air welcomed us.  The private service we hired brought us to the port, where we rode a ferry to Bantayan Island.  2 or 3 hours land travel and 1-hour ferry ride. 

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There are resort services waiting at the port to bring you to the respective resorts.  We stayed at Kota Beach Resort.

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After settling in, we rode the “padyak” (PHP 40/head/roundtrip) to get to the Santa Fe Beach Resort where we had lunch.  The restaurant’s menu is mostly Chinese cuisine.  We had our fill and headed back to our resort.

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A bit after lunch, Jayme, Rosette, Oliver, Bam Bam and the parentals spent the afternoon at the beach.  Bubba and I were knocked out since we were only running on a 1-hour sleep for 2 days.

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Evening came and we walked towards the street where most of the bar-restaurants are.  Choice of the night was at the Portuguese restaurant Bubba picked.  That Saturday night, they had a buffet spread for PHP250 per head.

The Portuguese owner is actually the one who was manning the grill.  Included in the buffet is unlimited fresh seafood and meat for grilling.

After our hefty dinner, we dropped by the restaurant across where we ate and saw their scrumptious spread as well.  Their Saturday buffet goes for PHP290 per head but they seem to have more dishes available.  We planned to eat there the next day but were told by the owner that they only have the buffet special every Saturday.

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Dinner done and Jayme, Bubba and I watched Big Bang Theory until we called it a night.

April 18, Sunday –Next day, we all had breakfast at our resort’s restaurant before heading to Virgin Island.  Virgin Island was supposed to be part of our trip last time we were in Cebu but Travel Factor decided to go straight to Malapascua Island, where Bubba was itching to go diving to see some Tresher sharks –good thing they don’t allow unless you’re a licensed diver.

It was a short 20-30 minute boat ride to Virgin Island from Bantayan.

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More Virgin Island Photos

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Bubba, Jayme, Oliver and Rosette all went snorkeling.  I stayed behind to play with Bam Bam.  Auntie took Bam Bam to the water with some shade and taught him his first swimming lesson.  He was utterly cute!  That got me in the water and I kept snapping away photo after photo.

Not long after, we had our lunch cooked by the beach by our guide.  The guerilla lunch on the table included grilled liempo, shrimps, squid and fish. 

After lunch, the foursome continued to swim but I opted to stay behind again to read my book.  But I fell asleep in the hammock.

Around 4pm, we bid Virgin Island adieu and headed back to Bantayan Island.

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That afternoon until sunset, the whole family plus Rosette and I all lounged by the beach, enjoying the serene beach and relaxing water.  We all liked the sand bar of our resort! \m/

Takes and Outtakes

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I like this shot of father and son.

(just don’t mind the kids on the background)

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Bubba playing with Jem’s Hat

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Bam Bam grabbing my face 🙂

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“The Flower Shot” by Jayme

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Time is well spent with family 🙂

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It was fun taking photos of the beach and of everyone.  Keepsake photos!

April 19, 2010 –Monday, Bubba and I strolled along the beach soaking in the morning sun and our weekend away from the city.  Last year at Sorsogon was fun, but I really enjoyed this year’s trip to Bantayan much more. 

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Water is soooo clear.

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Funny, Bubba and I were in Bantayan in August 2008 but we both don’t have any recollection of the trip.  We barely remembered Bantayan that year… only bits of Malapascua and Cebu City with Norman.  But Bantayan was zero.

That’s changed this year. 

Most definitely.

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Zubuchon on the next post!!! 😉

Bantayan Island Album (Jem’s Camera)

Bantayan Island Album (My Cam)

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