Olango Island: Bird Sanctuary

LOCATION:
Olango Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

FESTIVAL:
Baliw baliw Festival (May 30)

FEES: (as of September 2008)
Jeep Fare from Mandaue to port for Olango (est. 25.00)
Ferry Fare to Olango Island (est. 50.00)
Habal-habal "motorcycle" Fare to the Bird Sanctuary (35.00)
Entrance Fee (local 25.00; foreigners 100.00)
Bird Watching (50.00)
Videos and Commercial Shoots (est. 500.00)

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT:
Mabini Point
Floating Restaurant
Talima Beach Villas & Dive Resort
Sagastrand Beach Resort and Restaurant
Suba Beach Resort


I don't know what had gotten into us but my college pals and I went for a trip to Olanggo Island. We've heard a lot of people say the bird sanctuary in Olanggo is amazing. Oh wait, it was our college instructor who introduced the idea.

We all woke up before the break of dawn. That night, I wasn't able to actually get enough sleep. I was too anxious that I might oversleep. When it was 4.00 AM, I hurriedly walked down the dormitory and headed for Trea's apartment, I waited for her while getting excited -  I'm lying. I hate waking up early.

As we left her apartment, we contacted a few of our college chums Reybee and Novah, we were texting the night before and I knew they were busy preparing our food. We just walked the distance from Trei's apartment to Urgello Street, that's a two kilometer-walk. We decided to wait at Dunkin' Donuts at the South Bus Terminal. Then, Jhonrey arrived in a while and then Johan arrived a few minutes later. Reybee and Novah was stuck at their apartment because of a fight. Two drunk men were fighting near their building (haha, of all the days).

At last, after a few minutes of waiting, all of us boarded a jeepney.

This is what a jeepney looks like.

source: www.google.com

From Urgello, the jeepney route was headed for SM City Cebu (a super mall), from there, we planned on riding the jeep for Hilton Hotel in Mactan (the ferry going to Olanggo Island was behind Hilton Hotel). We arrived at Hilton Hotel at around 8.30 in the morning. Unfortunately, the first Ferry Trip leaves at 10, so we had to wait. We paid for the terminal fee and the boat ticket which was less than 100 pesos. Blah blah blah, the whole trip was exhausting.

Here's my view as we were boarding the boat.

We were so excited to get on the boat (this is true). We just couldn't explain how we felt. We took photos while on the boat, we took photos of the sea, it was coral green and majestic. We were hoping to find sharks or dolphins but I guess they were not available during that time of the day, or they knew I was coming. (lol) 

There were foreign nationals on the boat with us. There was one particular foreign national who was catching my attention. She was moving a lot, she took off her clothes and I believe was planning to take a dip. I was right, and for some reason I watched her carefully. It was not allowed to swim while the boat was sailing. Before she got under water, she walked at the end of the boat, and when she jumped, I am pretty sure her head hit the boat's bamboo support. I was gonna laugh because she was becoming annoying but had to keep it to myself. I wanted to check her forehead once we got off the boat but I wasn't able to (haha). 

We got to the pier thinking that the sanctuary was just near the port, but their port was a long long walk. We were starving when we got to the end of the port, so we decided to chill and take our meal at a karenderia ("canteen"). 

At last we arrived. A long walk towards the end of the port. In this photo: Reybee

After taking our meal, we rode a Habal-Habal "motorcyle" going to the Bird Sanctuary, going there was amazing. The only way to get there is by the motorcycle. The route going to the sanctuary was beyond we've ever imagined. We love nature and we love travelling, and the road towards the sanctuary is unforgettable. 

When we got to the sanctuary, we didn't know where to go and what to do. All we saw was this. But we were excited to see the different birds we might find inside. There was a fee of 20 pesos.

The gate.

We arrived there with anticipation of seeing birds and other creatures. What was fun was the pathway going to the sanctuary. It was pretty cool. Even the dogs love the pathway. Aside from the tour guide, the dogs were like our guides as well. Ohhhhh, this pathway is just cool. 

The view was breath-taking. It was hot but the water beneath us cooled our bodies down. If only I brought a few extra shirts, I could have been dipping into the water.

The white sand and clear waters are just amazing to look at. The beauty of nature at its best. it was one great sight. The guide mentioned that a boat ride could be arranged and would cost less than 3,500 pesos for a number of hours. He mentioned there were even tourists who would stay overnight and camp or take night swims. There's a tent rental he says but food is not sold in the area. I was so glad we brought food.

When we got to the small hut, there was this telescope used to get a look at the birds further away. We couldn't really see the birds well, but the view was just what we needed. It was magnificent. The place was next to serenity.

After a day of roaming around the vicinity, it sure wasn't complete without a group picture. Love you guys. (Trea, Johan, Reybee, Edrel, Novah, Jhonrey) My Olanggo experience wouldn't have been great without you.

Clockwise: Jhonrey, Johan (brown cardigan), Tyche, Reybee, Trea (pink cap), Edrel (brown sleeveless), Novah (brown cap)