If you are on the lookout for an peaceful, nature-oriented island get-absent on Panay Island, one thing entirely the reverse of Boracay, it is tough to conquer the island resort of Marbuena in Iloilo Province in the Philippines. The vacation resort owns the whole island. Logging and looking are not permitted and, of course, there are no automobiles of any variety. A lovely ocean-entrance climbing trail circles the island.

We catch the pump boat to Marbuena at Mangorocoro, Ajuy, Iloilo Province
The family we rent our Iloilo City apartment from often involve us in their household outings. This time the vacation was to the Marbuena Island resort close to Ajuy, Iloilo, about a two hour generate north from Iloilo Town. As you head north from Barotac Viejo, move by Culasi port (Culasi, Iloilo not Culasi, Antique) look at for a Marbuena Resort indicator on your suitable. The change-off is well ahead of Ajuy appropriate. You travel down a grime lane to the settlement of Mangorocoro and the Marbuena waiting shed and dock. If you are driving you may possibly go away your vehicle below. If you are leaving a car overnight, look at with the vacation resort in advance to be positive somebody will be there to seem right after your auto.
Mangorocoro is a small and tranquil barangay of Ajuy, Iloilo. The previously mentioned photo shows the waterfront at Mangorocoro with the spectacular summit of Pan de Azucar Island in the length.

Marbuena Island Resort Pump Boat
The demand for transportation to Marbuena Island is P1000, as of April, 2007. The boat was huge, in superior condition and very well-manned. Finding on and off the boat associated some climbing and balancing so it may well not be the most effective for the quite aged or infirm.
Marbuena can be regarded a person of the Conception Islands team. These many islands, several of them big, and some magnificent, have few tourist services and see couple of site visitors. This is amazing given the beauty of these islands and the hordes of holidaymakers at Boracay and other locations. Marbuena could be considered the “UnBoracay”, a tranquil spot the place silent and mother nature are the draws.

Approaching the beach, Marbuena Island, Iloilo

Bob and Carol in obligatory arrival photo. Marbuena Island Vacation resort, Iloilo, Philippines
This photograph reveals the sandbar which extends out from the vacation resort a substantial length.

Marbuena Island Resort – Ajuy, Iloilo, Philippines. The vacation resort owns the island. There are no other residences or inhabitants on the island.

First…lunch!
We have been welcomed with buko, a fresh coconut with the top rated slash off so we could enjoy the juice. We experienced purchased fish and crabs in Mangorocoro and introduced them with us. We had stopped at the Culasi public current market to invest in our seafood there but there was not substantially wide range or high quality. A lot of the fantastic seafood is delivered to Iloilo and the smaller city markets get the leftovers. We’re told that local fishermen prevent at the vacation resort to provide seafood to visitors. The workers will put together and cook dinner it for you.

The seafood we introduced with us was expertly cooked by the Marbuena personnel and properly presented on banana-leaf lined baskets.

and a plate of modest crabs. Marbuena Island Resort, Iloilo, Philippines

Island Trail
A authentic as well as at Marbuena is a foot trail which circles the island. After lunch we established off with Marbuena worker Hazel as manual and company.

Fruits Bats, Marbuena Island, Ajuy, Iloilo, Philippines
A lot of trees ended up filled with noisy fruit bats. The fruit bats are eaten in the Philippines, cooked adobo design. Even so, the proprietors of Marbuena operate to protect the island and do not allow hunting or slicing of trees. Lots of urban Filipinos retain their relationship to lifetime in the provinces, together with owning and maintaining a provincial retreat.

Trees along the trail. Marbuena Island Vacation resort, Ajuy, Iloilo Philippines
In so many places in the Philippines the trees have been logged off and the forests seriously sum to scrubby brush. Thus, it was a enjoyment to see experienced vegetation on our hike.

The trail follows the shore with attractive vistas.

Far more trail vistas. Marbuena Island Vacation resort

As the trail neared the resort at the close of the hike we observed thriving mangroves.

The Marbuena seashores supplied great swimming.

Gabriel in the backyard garden. Marbuena Island Resort
The grounds of the resort include several Catholic symbols. The safety of the island as God’s development luckily appears to important to the homeowners.

Marbuena Island Vacation resort: Lodging

Perspective from balcony of one particular of the beach cottages. Marbuena Island Resort. Can you envision a additional tranquil location to spend an afternoon with a ebook?

Marbuena Vacation resort staff members member Hazel exhibits us the “Tree House” accommodations.

Picnic and napping shelter. You may well arrive to Marbuena Island Vacation resort as a day visitor for a payment of P100 for every man or woman.

The seashore in front of the beach front cottages with the sandbar in the distance. Marbuena Island Vacation resort, Ajuy, Iloilo, Panay , Philippines

We quit to by nipa thatch on the way again to Iloilo Metropolis

A stunning vista of rice currently being harvested in Ajuy, Iloilo on our way again to Iloilo Town