Michi Photostory

Speaking of Mindoro, if you are planning to go to Puerto Galera, expect that you will have a lot of transfers, and based on our experience, we travel by land-sea-land-sea before we reach our resort.

If you are coming from Manila, you can ride a bus going to Batangas Port. JAM Liner Bus has a trip from Cubao and Buendia to Batangas Pier. As per my research, there is also a ticket that you can buy at KLOOK, this includes bus, ferry, and terminal fees. 

Puerto Galera to Manila 11:00AM  

If you have a car, you can do RORO or you can leave your vehicle at Park and Sail and other commercial parking spaces. 

From Batangas Pier, purchase your RORO ticket or passenger ticket. There are different ferry companies that travel from Batangas to Balatero Port like MV City Iloilo, MV Island Calayan, Montenegro, and MV Isla Simara. Each ferry has a different schedule and rate. 

Once you reach Balatero Port, you need to pay PHP120 for the Environmental Fee. From here, you can ride a tricycle going to your resort or tricycle plus boat; it all depends on your resort location.

After reading the above post, it looked like an easy travel but it wasn’t. Then I realized, maybe that is the reason why I prefer traveling by land or air because there are so many things to consider in sea travel. Sharing our Puerto Galera travel experience.

I think it is more than a decade already since our last sea travel and a trip to Puerto Galera so when we went to Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort, I needed to do research on How to Go to Puerto Galera. 

My first trip to Oriental Mindoro was when I was still working, it was our team building in Puerto Galera. Since we are a group, instead of riding a bus to Batangas port, we rented a van from Gil Puyat Station. Our second trip was when we attended our friend’s wedding in Mindoro, we took a JAM Liner bus to Batangas port. 

Fast forward to our trip last month, we drove to Batangas Port and I was really worried because we were not sure if we could park our car. We experienced Park and Fly but this would be our first Park and Sail experience. 

We left the house before 5AM and arrived at Batangas Port past 6AM and unfortunately Park and Sail parking area was already full. The staff informed us about different options; one of the options is park at commercial parking space which is PHP300 per day. Since we are not in a hurry, we chose to wait but deep inside, nagwoworry na ko because we have no idea kung what time kaya may lalabas sa parking. Actually, ang dami na rin nag-alisan sa pila because they could no longer wait and because of that, from 3rd naging first na kami sa pila. 

We waited for almost an hour para lang makapagpark, and from there we went to Passengers Terminal Building so we could buy our ticket. We missed the 7AM trip, yung ibang ferry fully booked na rin so our only chance is Montenegro Shipping Lines pero almost an hour na kami nakapila, parang hindi naman nagmomove so we decided to let go the 8AM trip and we transferred to different ferry na lang which is 10AM trip. 

We booked at MV Isla Simara or Island Water, don’t forget to bring IDs for discount. I’m thankful that my son brought his student ID so nakadiscount pa kami sa fare and terminal fee. 

Regular PHP500 

Student PHP400 

Senior/PWD PHP357.14 

Child (3-7 years old) PHP250 

Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

Regular PHP850 

Student PHP680 

Senior/PWD PHP607.14 

Child (3-7 years old) PHP425 

Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

Regular PHP1000 

Student PHP800 

Senior/PWD PHP714.29 

Child (3-7 years old) PHP500 

Infant (0-2 years old) FREE 

Five minutes before 8AM, we were already at the boarding gate and I noticed na boarding pa rin sa Montenegro Shipping Lines and I was shocked when I saw the people na kasama ko sa pila, yung nasa unahan at nasa likod ko ng pila, nakasakay pa sa 8AM trip. Now I knew na hindi naman pala on-time ang mga Ferry sa Pilipinas kasi 8:30AM na boarding pa rin ang Ferry. 

I won’t deny na nanghinayang ako na lumipat ng pila, kasi sayang din yung paghihintay namin sa Port kung alam ko lang na late pala umaalis ang Ferry, sana nagtiyaga pa kami sa pagpila. 

Anyway, unlike in airplane na may boarding time, sa Ferry pala kung ano yung Schedule Trip, yun din ang boarding. Our schedule is 10AM and the ferry left before 10:30AM. Travel time is 2 hours for RORO. We only booked an Economy Ticket so it is an open area, there is a TV where you can watch a movie. During our trip natapos yung Doctor Strange movie bago kami nakababa sa port. 

We paid the Environmental Fee and the staff asked for our Booked Accommodation. Then we rode a tricycle going to Muelle Port for PHP120. 

Upon arrival at Muelle Port, my husband called the resort and we waited for 30 minutes for our boat. While waiting I checked this boat where you can learn about the History of Puerto Galera and different places that you can visit in Puerto Galera. 

After a few days, it is time to say goodbye to Puerto Galera, and because of our experience in buying Balatero Ticket, my husband asked the staff of Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort kung nagbobook din ba sila ng Ferry Ticket. And the staff said yes, itatawag lang daw nila and payment is via Gcash. 

We wanted fastcraft but because of the gale warning, RORO lang available. During our breakfast, the staff called Island Water and was advised na VIP Class na lang daw available. Of course, we purchased the ticket, kailangan namin umuwi. 

We left past 11AM from Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort and from Muelle Port, we rode a tricycle to Balatero Port for PHP150. The tricycle driver asked us if we already had a ticket kasi alam niya fully booked na daw ang ferry. Good thing that we asked for help from the resort or else, baka hindi kami makauwi. The driver dropped us at the Island Water Office to get our boarding ticket. Buti pala nagtanung siya kasi akala namin sa loob ng Balatero Port yung Ticketing Counter just like Batangas Port. Then we walked to Balatero Port and paid Terminal Fee. 

Our scheduled trip is 1PM but the Ferry left several minutes before 2PM, and again travel time is 2 hours. Once you enter the VIP Class, you will immediately notice the difference, you are staying in an aircon room and you have a private comfort room, comfortable chair, and free coffee and bottled water.

We arrived around 4PM and we walked to the parking lot. For our 3-day trips, we paid PHP370 for the parking fee.

I made this Rainbow Card using a stencil, stamps, Distress Oxides, embossing powder, and cardstock. This was my entry for Bee Happy Weeklies Week 31 which is "Rainbow". 

I have a friend na magpapasteak daw sa next get-together namin so I made this card for his birthday. “Wagyu doing on your birthday? We should meat up!” I made a Printable Card but I added a Steak Layered Craft using 3D Steak SVG.

But my friend was absent during our get-together so we did not eat steak and we ended up at Borro and Kandle Cafe. 

August is Back to School month so I made this 3D Create Elementary Layered Craft. This design can be also used for a craft room or classroom. 

August is also my goddaughter's birthday so I made this printable coloring bear birthday card and tag using Bear Birthday Party Clipart. This is one of my favorite clipart so if you notice I always use this for birthday cards. Hehehe! 

I also made another version of the Bear Birthday Card using this Birthday Card SVG. A five-layered card, so easy to cut and assemble. 

August is my birthday month so as usual I made my own birthday card. Since the pandemic days, my family no longer buys cards because I create my own cards para tipid. I decided to create this Happy Birthday Layered Sunset Greeting Card, this is perfect because, for my birthday, we had a beach getaway. 

Ice Cream Layered Craft that can be used for birthday parties or summer decorations. I made this first for my birthday sana kaso sinipag ako gumawa pa ng iba. This is a 12-layer craft project. I plan to remake this for a boy version naman. 

This year, I don’t know why I am starting to gain weight so fast even though I am trying my best to lessen my sweet intake. Maski nga special occasion, pinipigilan ko na bumili ng whole cake so for my birthday, I did not make any cake topper but I made this Happy Birthday Easel Card using 3D Birthday Balloon Animal SVG. This is a 13-layer craft project. I brought this easel card when we went to IKEA Pasay City. 

I am not a diver but this is on my husband’s bucket list so I made this Scuba Diver Layered Craft before our beach getaway. Last month, we went to Casalay Boutique Villas & Dive Resort which is known as a diving resort so just in case, maisipan ni hubby mag-dive, ready na for photo-op. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen because of the bad weather. 

Now that we are starting our home improvement project nagkainterest na ko pumunta so I can see the IKEA Showroom for some inspiration. I don’t want to go during weekend kasi ayaw ko ng crowded so my husband suggested sa birthday ko na lang daw ako pumunta.

So finally, after almost two years of waiting, nakapunta na rin ako ng IKEA Pasay City. So far, this is the fourth IKEA store that I have visited. Since the year 2016, I have tried to include IKEA in my travel itinerary but I failed to visit the IKEA store in Trondheim Norway, and Stockholm Sweden because I know na hindi naman ako makakabili kasi limited lang luggage allowance namin. 

Anyway, since my son doesn’t want to be absent from school, kami lang ni hubby ang nagpunta. I planned to arrive before the opening hours but because of the traffic, natagalan kami so we went straight to Swedish Restaurant for our early lunch. 

Every IKEA store has its own menu, but there are few meals na hindi pwede mawala like Swedish Meatballs. We ordered Local Breakfast which is Beef Tapa with Rice, Egg, Broccoli, and Coffee for PHP130, Swedish Meatballs PHP195. Almond Cake with Daim PHP100, Almond Cake PHP100 and Coke in Can. 

I don’t know kung nagbago na lang panlasa namin kasi hindi ko type yung cake nila and as far as I can remember, masarap yung Almond Cake pero ngayon parang matamis lang siya. I just took a bite and I let my husband finished the two cakes. And iba rin yung hitsura ng cake, compared sa nakain namin sa IKEA Bangna and IKEA Alexandra. 

Anyway, because it was my birthday dinala ko pa yung “Happy Birthday” easel card ko because I know that I won’t buy birthday cake, ito na yung cake ko kahit hindi ko nagustuhan. 

After lunch, we started exploring the store but hindi ko pinuntahan every aisle because nagmamadali din kami. Nagfocus lang ako sa Kitchen and Home Decor Area. 

Then before going home, we dropped by at Swedish Food Market because I saw some promo, so binili ko yung mga naka50% and I also bought coffee kasi nagustuhan ni hubby yung coffee sa restaurant, I was just hoping na ganoon din lasa nung binili ko sa store. Hehehe! We were done in less than 3 hours.

It was my first time in IKEA Pasay City and out of curiosity, I checked my IKEA Family eCard app after our trip, and ang laki lang ng panghihinayang ko because I have no idea sa mga offers, promos, and discounts so hindi ko naclaim yung freebies like coffee, ice cream, and parking. Waah! 

Also, I have no idea about the Birthday Special Promo “Members get 3x Family points for your first purchase at IKEA store, IKEA online store, IKEA Restaurant, Bistro, Swedish Food Market or Cafe on your birthday month”. If I knew about this promo sana nagshopping muna ko bago kumain kasi yung pinakamura na purchase ko pa yung na-3x. Lesson learned, magbabasa-basa ng mga offers and promotions bago pumunta sa IKEA. 

IKEA Pasay City 

Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex 

Brgy. 76 Zone 10, CBP-IA, 

1300 Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines 

Daily 10AM to 10PM 

Daily 9:30AM to 9:30PM