I knew island hopping on a stormy weather is the mother of all bad ideas, but heck. I’m here and I shouldn’t waste time dillydallying. This is the kind of “torture” I wanted anyway.
I bade mang Sonny goodbye and hopped into the banca. The sun hasn’t shown yet and rain started early. I really have no idea where we are going. I got lost in Mang Sonny’s narratives. I was looking forward to those beautiful small white islands enroute to Pan de Azucar.
And island after island we hopped. I could not hide my excitement every time we pass an island, or islets. I pleaded the boatman we stay for some 10-20 minutes in some of these so I can swim and take photos. He agreed.
Tell me if these islands are not worth the risks:
Agho Island.
After typhoon Yolanda struck Concepcion, Agho Island look abandoned.
The white Agho Island as view from its northwest sandbar tip.
I can still see debris like old tvs, parts of karoake machines and remnants of cottages in the tip of the island where our boat anchored.
Agho Island in Concepcion after Yolanda wiped out the cottages there. You can still see debris, like this tv here.
This island is still as enchanting as told. Funny how nature had its way of “restoring” places to its pristine condition. 🙂 Just couldn’t resist the cold and inviting beach so I swam like there’s no tomorrow after taking photos.
Despite the rainy stormy weather, I pleaded out boatman we stop at Agho Island so I can take photos and swim!
Chico Island / Bag-o Sipol Island
Enroute to Chico/ Bag-o Sipol Island, we pass by Igbon Island to our left then the narrow channel called Igbon Pass. Opposite Chico Island is the bigger Malangabang Island, said to be one of the more populous islands of Concepcion. A sandbar seem to connect Chico and Malangabang islands. My boatman said one can actually hike from Chico to Malangabang island during low tides.
I chose to anchor at the uninhabited and idyllic Chico island.
Chico Island as seen from its northeast end, on the submerged sandbar
Danao Island as seen from the shore of Chico Island. Sandbar seem to connect the two island
If not for the weather I would have stayed overnight here.
The Idyllic Chico Island. All I could do is swim, shoot and selfie. I hate the bad weather!
As we traveled to Pan De Azucar, our boat passed by Sombrero island characterize by rocky terrain with cliffs and ridges akin to a citadel. I can also see the towering Mt. Manaphag, in Pan de Azucar Quinuluban Island.
It was a long boat ride in between islands, I busied myself recording videos of the islands we passed by. It was raining and the waves were a bit higher for comfort, but this bumpy boat ride on a stormy weather is all worth it for me. Next stop will be Pan de Azucar.
