Hello, again Hivers! How are you? Mine so far has been uneventful. Save for the visit from my niece and nephews everything else is the usual - worked on my 9 to 6 with few glimpses.
While Eylz is doing a little prepping for our Euro trip, Let us go for a little side trip outing, shall we?
Back when everything was cool and no restrictions or CQ CQs were implemented, our company organized a summer outing. Every summer outing me and my friends will always grab the chance to explore the area of the place we will be going to. So we stay one more day in the area or move to nearby place we can explore.
For this outing, we went to Nasugbu and since we were already there, I and two of my colleagues decided we can explore Fortune Island after the outing. Another friend was not able to join in because she has errands to do next day.
While we were enjoying the outing, we also were looking for possible places to stay which can include the trip to Fortune Island. We were able to book then and there. So after seeing everyone leave the resort, we started for our trip to the other resort we booked for the night.
Fortune Island is that remote island in Nasugbu, Batangas. Ruins of seemingly Greek in style stand on the top of the island. Stories has it that there was a plan to put a Greek-themed resort there. Unfortunately for the Fortune (hah irony there) Island, typhoons seem to hit it hard so putting up a resort there will be too painful for the pockets for maintenance. That is one story.
To go there we had to take the boat from the resort we were checked in.
prepping for the boat ride to the Fortune Island
One of us three was already able to go there. She went there with our extended travel buddies. Their experience, however, was wild. They experienced their boat not able to dock near the island because of the strong waves. They experienced having to walk and swim the distance from the boat to the shore while battling balance and protecting their stuff from the waves. There were lots of sea grass as well then during their time.
For this trip though, we were blessed to have a sunny day and calm waters. Our ride took one hour from the resort.
From Nasugbu's dark sands and dark water, the magical turn of the water to turquoise, blue and green will make one smile. One's heart will flutter even.
We arrived safely on the white, powdery shore of Fortune Island. Our original plan was to no longer rent an umbrella. We will just camp out wherever there is a shade. But scouting the island, there was no tree or shade to setup camp.
The view from the top where the ruins is. There were no trees at all or shade. Just grass and shrubs.
The sun was really so happy beating down on us that day. None of us brought a tent. None of us HAVE one in the first place. So the beach umbrella will suffice - the beach umbrella that the wind keeps blowing away.
our camp .
view from our "camp"
We setup our spot and took in the view for few more minutes. Before hitting the water, we decided to go up the ruins first. That way, tired, hot and all we can just lounge under the umbrella or start running towards the water anytime we want to. Besides, we will feel heavy going up with wet clothes.
No one will be guarding our stuff so we have to bring some with ourselves and leave some that will serve as a marker.
There are steps going up to the top so it was not that hard. But with our friend sun really giving us the full show, it is advisable to take water with you.
the steps
dark shot hehe
There were lots of people when we got there. I only got one chance of capturing a portion with no one there.. or not! They are all there on the other end.
What you can do from up there is to take endless pictures as though the others will be getting all the good captures and leave nothing for you.
The view from the top was breathtaking. You can see the sandy shore on one side and the deep rocky part of the island on the other.
What we did not experience then was the cliff jumping. For some reason the cliff jumping was closed off that time. If I remember correctly, the landing spot is too shallow for the jump. The extended travel buddies were able to take jumps repeatedly despite their weather condition. They got out of the island with lots of cuts and scratches but, they had fun anyways.
After dozens of shots, we went down to enjoy the cool water.
The island does not have a comfortable comfort room. So you can hide in one of the unexplainable structures and have your friends cover for you .. or you can wait till you're back on the main island for a decent wash up and change of clothes.
Overall it was a fun, skin-burning experience. Maybe next time we will try to go for an overnight hoping to chance on the milky way and yes even ghost stories.