"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Monday 8 July 2019

Destination Diary: Back in Onse Islas + New Places Discovered



Now I can say that Onse Islas in Panubigan, Zamboanga City doesn’t fail to impress me.

Only an hour’s ride away at a steady pace in C’s Chevrolet Spark, I was curious to see Onse Islas again after a year. Last year we were island hopping and it was the soft opening as the LGU re-opened the group of islands to visitors after having protocols installed in place.

This weekend, we joined my cousin’s group as we discovered new corners that I haven’t been to before, this time with a different route, starting from Sirommon, stopping for a moment in Baung-Baung and ending the tour in Bisaya-Bisaya island. What makes this particular trip interesting is the visit to Playa de Isabelle and the hike atop Baung-Baung island to view Bisaya-Bisaya in a distance.


Another thing to note is that I immensely enjoyed the meal prepared by our guide in Sirommon island consisting of fresh lambay also known as kasag or crabs, and freshly harvested coconut, where we got to drink the juice and scrape off the meat for a hearty finish. Because we were so busy eating with our hands, none of us remembered to take photos of our fresh feast by the shore.

Even if I forgot my rash guard at home due to uncontained excitement and also there were doubts prior to sailing to the islands because of the fear of bad weather, the day kept surprising us with random sprinkles of rain, but nothing to be alarmed about.

There are two new places for me in Onse Islas, the first one is….


Playa de Isabelle

It’s a quick walk to Playa de Isabelle, just be careful not to step on slippery surfaces.

I’m someone who easily falls with bad balancing skills but with some slow pacing and careful footing, we made it to Playa de Isabelle. It’s the other side of Sirommon island and looks like a long-forgotten pier reached its weathering limits.

Took a few photos with C (my most favorite is the one lying on the sand) and I personally didn’t bother crossing the mangroves to reach the weathered port. A few photos and videos here and there and that was enough for me.



And the second place I want to share with you is…

Baung-Baung Hill

It’s on another island, which involves another quick boat ride to sprint onto Baung-Baung. Visitors should get ready for a steep hike, so a lot of breaks are encouraged until the summit is reached. It was no sweat for our guide but it took us a while though. The view is like something I’ve never seen, as it was rewarding enough for that hike.


Luckily I was bringing my Granite Gear backpack and Thermoflask with me. I honestly didn’t mind the weight. We took a few photos and videos, I jokingly told the group to take a jump shot there.


After touching base in Bisaya-Bisaya Island, Carl and I decided to stay behind while the others went on to visit the natural infinity pool. Having been there before, we decided to take a quick nap.


Two new experiences for me on a Sunday, spent with C and some fun company, plus all we did is eat and burn off those calories. It’s more memories to be cherished Onse Islas.

Reminders

  •    It’s a Muslim community, so visitors are advised to respect people living in the area.
  •  The LGU is strictly imposing a no garbage policy, so please be responsible in disposing your trash properly. Do not leave anything behind. 

Other Relevant Links: 



Note: All input are based on my personal experiences in Onse Islas (Eleven Islands). Our group made arrangements prior to the island hopping date. This is not a sponsored post. 

*Photos taken with the Samsung Galaxy A50.

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