Discovering Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort

Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort is an 8-hectare wonderland located in Tami-ao, Bantayan Island, North of Cebu province, Philippines.

I discovered this hidden paradise when I was researching places to stay in Bantayan Island. I got easily attracted by its amenities that's why I entrusted our 4 days and 3 nights vacation here. 
It was Friday morning when we arrived at Sta Fe port. Since we are still undecided if we'll gonna rent a bike or not I called the resort if they could send someone to pick us up at the port. We had to travel more or less 8 kilometers to finally reach our destination. 

Of course it's just another surprise call

The location of the resort is technically in the middle because it is more or less 8 kilometers away from Sta Fe, Bantayan town proper and Madridejos.

If you're looking for a peace of mind this is the perfect place for you because the park is situated on a very secluded location. This isn't just a regular resort because from the name itself it does have a park on it. I listed the things you could try during your visit either an overnight trip or just a day tour.

Yay! We finally arrived! 

Into the nature we go

Captain's resto bar
You may enjoy your beer while playing billiards at the bar with friends. If you also wanted to stay connected to your online life this is a superb spot because the WiFi is absolutely free.

Don't worry you'll never get lost

"Let's play pool while waiting for our meal"

Don't forget to say Hi to Garry the alligator gar at the bar for me please? 

Mini zoo
If you wanted to do some nature tripping you could spend your time at the mini zoo and bond with the animals. Here I met Emo a long tailed macaque monkey that sometimes could be naughty too so please beware. 

I told him smile so he smiled at me!

You will also enjoy seeing different type of birds at the aviary section.

My favorite was mimicking the Brahminy kite because they keep on responding to me! haha. 

 The park also offers pony back riding.

Sto Nino Cave
I didn't had a chance to take a dip at the cave because I was scared of the unknown blame it to my huge imagination. The cave is equipped with lights inside and it is open until 10:00 PM. 

Please exercise extra precaution before entering the cave, make sure to follow the rules posted above

There is no life guard on duty outside the cave, enter at your own risk. If you wish to be accompanied by a staff feel free to do so.

Infinity pool
This was my favorite, right after a very tiring tour outside the park before we go to our room we made sure that we spend at least and hour or two at the pool enjoying the view of the ocean as the sun goes down. It's surprisingly warm that makes you stay longer, no need to deal with purple lips. I believe this was the biggest pool in the island.

A friendly reminder before swimming

An overlooking view of Bantayan Island bay

Thumbs up!

A day before we leave the place we had a chance to enjoy the pool without any distractions. Just the two of us enjoying the deep warm water and the mesmerizing view.

Fish spa
Another YAY! was the fish spa, you can relax and have a nice chat with your love ones while the tiny fishes is busy doing the work on the dry skin of your feet.

Wellness spa
Reward yourself and get a full body massage at their spa after a long day of exploring Bantayan Island.

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Awesome sunrise, sea and Island view at the cliff deck
I've always been a fan of Mr. Sun, I love witnessing as he ascend from the horizon magnificently. If you wanted to see it yourself the cliff deck is the right location for you. You will also adore the sea view and the alluring virgin island on the side.

On our first night we stayed at their standard cottage with partial sea view

The following day we were upgraded to the superior sea view cottage (For FREE!!)
because we had a chance to meet the resort owner who happens to be the president of the resort owners association on the island. 

I discovered that the resort promotes Eco tourism by being the father and the head dreamer of its non government organization called "Damgo sa Kaugmaon" which means dream for the future that benefits the locals by involving them on tourism without obliterating any natural resources and most importantly guiding them to build a better future not just for themselves but also to the next generation.He also shared touching stories of perseverance after it was hit by super typhoon "Haiyan or Yolanda". I will tell you more about it on a separate post.

 A photo with Sir Allan Monreal(Head dreamer) before leaving the resort

Too bad i was not able to explore their site but I would really love to go back there see what else it could offer.

I hope you enjoyed our little tour.

For more information about the place kindly visit their sites below:
Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort website

Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort Facebook page

Watch our trip here

Related links:
Discovering Bantayan Island Nature Park and Resort <--- You're HERE
Exploring Cebu | Sample itinerary
Discovering Bantayan Island - Day 0 to Day 1
Discovering Bantayan Island - Day 2
Discovering Bantayan Island - Day 3 to Day 4 

Bantayan Island, Cebu Expenses

Live to Feel experience | Feb 21 2015

Being part of the Live to feel movement was not really in my plan but i saw that the Roxy girls  (Bea Vega, Kage Gozun) are giving away Roxy and Quiksilver goodies for their top 10 favorite portraits so i tried my luck and i created a portrait on their site. 

Here is my Live To Feel portrait

By the way you may also view the gallery on that link. It was Friday afternoon when i saw Bea Vega's post and fortunately i was one of the top 10.. yoohoo!!

So after a long and stressful shift at the office, i arrived home, change my clothes then went straight to Eastwood Mall activity area. 

OOTD: Air walk slip on shoes, random shorts, random spaghetti straps sando paired with a random Vest

When we arrived at the area there were already posted portraits on the wooden cubes they personally arranged for the event. It is well organized, Kudos to whoever person behind this movement - it is really fruitful.

I registered then they asked me to go back after 30 minutes to claim my photo. My name flashed on the LCD and that's my cue

Claim stub

I thought it's just a small photo but when i inserted the claim stub on the printing booth tadaaa! it was a big tarp, when i say big it is a 3 x 4 feet tarpaulin! I guess i caught everyone's attention because all their cameras are now pointing towards me, i was so nervous at the same time stoked so i still managed to smile (i am hoping i look good on the photos though). 

 After all the picture and video taking they asked me where do i want to post my photo, one of them suggested to put it on top in the middle i agreed without any second thought because it was a good spot, i climbed the stairs while they follow me, well honestly, i felt like a VIP lol, maybe because i was one of the first to arrived on the location. They gave me something i could step on because the wooden cube is a little high, they also asked me to pose afterwards. I almost fell because i was euphoric, wanna know why? because that was the biggest portrait i had in my entire life! hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makamove on, feeling artista at sikat ako - lol 

That's me over there! wearing that purple bonnet

A shaka from the metro

Yes, I was the first one! :)

Few minutes later - One of the ambassador came, OMG! it was Daniel Matsunaga! I picked up my undie on the ground (lol kidding). He's so nice and handsome. Below are my most #laglagpantymoments

This is the photo where Daniel M photobombed me!

Followed by Daniel M. are the Roxy gals: Bea Vega, Tamara Benitez, Kage Gozun and Brei Cabrera. 

The girls are busy setting up their booth

While the roxy girls are busy setting up their booth Laureen UY and Martine Cajucom arrived to deliver an inspirational speech about pursuing your dreams and following your passion.

So after that the Roxy girls started to call out names of the winners - i claimed it and of course i can't go home without photos with them. 

Yay! I am proud to announce that i was one of the @roxyph girls but for a day only.. Still stoked for having these awesome and beautiful Wahine!! lol

With the other winners

Few hours later - Marcelo Santos III came and gave books with autograph. Too bad i was not able to see Bianca Gonzales and Chef Jayps because i was really tired and sleepy so i called it a day.

What i did on the event

Indo board - it was my first time but it isn't that bad right? Bea was helping me to balance.

I doodled - on the spot - another first! I was so nervous and shaking but i really have to do it for me to be able to get a free shirt from Team Manila (yes! i really wanted it that bad) but my artwork didn't look so bad i guess.

Prizes from Roxy girl Bea Vega

Freebies

Team manila busy printing shirts

Seeing my portrait up there really makes me happy, It feels like my existence do really matter and i am important. Kudos to the organizer of this fruitful event because I've learned a lot from it. 

Yay!!! View from below

I guess the purpose of the movement is to give a wake up call to the young generation to keep on chasing their passion and do what they truly love even if others will not understand and may stand against it but what matters the most is you are happy!! In my case, i strongly believe that i was not born to stay in one place, my heart is meant to be broken and pieces of it will be left on all the wonderful places I've been to. I am born to explore, to know, to understand, to learn and to discover what lies ahead.

All my life i was trying so hard to please everyone around me but as i age i realized that being liked by pretending to be someone will never turn out good because time will come that you will have to show your real self. What happens when being fake, people around you will be happy but you will never be. You know what i did to surpass that stage of my life? I gradually showed them the real me, some judged me, some left but some stayed. Piece of advise i can give to the young people like me - i wanted you to be yourself, no pretensions, being fake is not cool. As early as now, never, ever be afraid for being who you are. 

What I've learned

Live to share without expecting something in return
Live to thrill without hesitations
Live to appreciate small things
Live to explore without fear of being lost
Live to create beautiful things
Live to connect without judging
Live to inspire and never perspire (i mean never stop inspiring others)
Live to discover awesome things
Live to love unconditionally
Live to believe without doubts
Live to express and be heard
Live to imagine great things
Live to immerse in life changing events
Live to sense both tangible and intangible things

Please click the link below to know more about my story :) 

MY #LIVETOFEEL story 


Please  click the link below to watch compiled videos of 
OUR #LIVETOFEEL story 

End note:

Know your purpose, Do not be afraid to be moved, embrace your existence and #LiveToFeel

- The lakwatserang negra #Ilivetoexplore

NOTE: All photos are mine - unless i put credits to it