SIT Amazing Race in Bicol (part 2 of 3)
Fifth Stop: DONSOL, SORSOGON
As a continuation of the SIT Amazing Race in Bicol, our group set off to Donsol for the Whale shark Interaction. In the months of November through May (or even June), they say whale sharks converge in the Donsol bay to feed on the phytoplanktons and other small organisms. With just a simple snorkeling equipment, you get to enjoy swimming with these gigantic friendly creatures.
Kuya Noel dropped us at Daraga Van terminal where you can take a mini van for 100 pesos per head which will stop at Donsol town proper then you need to take a tricycle going to Vitton Beach Resort (the nearest resort to Donsol Tourism Center) for P20.00 per head.
Fortunately, we were able to deal a P1,200.00 trip from Daraga all the way to Vitton Beach Resort in a more decent van (than the rest of the van in the terminal) with the help of kuya Noel. It is a zig-zag road going to Donsol in a 2-hour trip but we had it only for less than 2 hours.
At Vitton Beach Resort, you will get an idea how big the whale sharks are with their life-like whaleshark statue fronting their receiving area. The front desk clerk was very accommodating (as most Filipinos are).
Vitton Beach Resort is just one of the 3 big resorts in Donsol. Apart from being near the tourist center, I booked this because their price is fairly affordable plus they have free wifi in their restaurant. At P7,305.87 for 3 standard air conditioned rooms with max capacity of 4 per room, we had a comfortable stay. Most of their guest when we arrived are caucasians. Their rooms (more of a concrete cottages) are designed with traditional Filipino bahay kubo (nipa hut) theme with a porch facing the garden and the beach.
They have a restaurant just enough for the size of the resort, a four room spa, a nice pool and a mini bar for those who would like to drink.
As a continuation of the SIT Amazing Race in Bicol, our group set off to Donsol for the Whale shark Interaction. In the months of November through May (or even June), they say whale sharks converge in the Donsol bay to feed on the phytoplanktons and other small organisms. With just a simple snorkeling equipment, you get to enjoy swimming with these gigantic friendly creatures.
Kuya Noel dropped us at Daraga Van terminal where you can take a mini van for 100 pesos per head which will stop at Donsol town proper then you need to take a tricycle going to Vitton Beach Resort (the nearest resort to Donsol Tourism Center) for P20.00 per head.
Fortunately, we were able to deal a P1,200.00 trip from Daraga all the way to Vitton Beach Resort in a more decent van (than the rest of the van in the terminal) with the help of kuya Noel. It is a zig-zag road going to Donsol in a 2-hour trip but we had it only for less than 2 hours.
At Vitton Beach Resort, you will get an idea how big the whale sharks are with their life-like whaleshark statue fronting their receiving area. The front desk clerk was very accommodating (as most Filipinos are).
Vitton Beach Resort is just one of the 3 big resorts in Donsol. Apart from being near the tourist center, I booked this because their price is fairly affordable plus they have free wifi in their restaurant. At P7,305.87 for 3 standard air conditioned rooms with max capacity of 4 per room, we had a comfortable stay. Most of their guest when we arrived are caucasians. Their rooms (more of a concrete cottages) are designed with traditional Filipino bahay kubo (nipa hut) theme with a porch facing the garden and the beach.
They have a restaurant just enough for the size of the resort, a four room spa, a nice pool and a mini bar for those who would like to drink.
 |
 |
| Restaurant right side before the pool |
Beach side tables left of pool |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |  |
|
 |
 |
 |
- about 1.5 hours from Daraga
- PhP 1,200.00 for a group of 12 from terminal to resort
- PhP 7,305.87 for 3 standard air-conditioned rooms
FIREFLY WATCHING
Our first activity in Donsol (after a short rest and a bath) is the Firefly watching. Donsol River is a 100 kilometer long winding river lined by a forest of mangroves, palms and shrubs. This activity is perfect for a group or couples as it is very serene and romantic. It is hard to tell which one is a star and a firefly as you tour the river, so I guess its safe to say it's also for star gazers! A tour guide will accompany you to explain all about fireflies. I enjoyed watching the fireflies lit up the trees while we watch them from a floating restaurant (perfect for a group of 20). Should we have arranged it earlier, they can also prepare a buffet dinner for us (according to the tour guide). Unfortunately, we don't have capable cameras to capture the moment. Btw, no camera flash allowed while touring as it disturbs the fireflies. You can google up for images anyway, and it will give you a rich content of the Donsol river firefly watching.
- about 10 mins away from the resort
- PhP 150.00 for the tricycle (good for 4 persons) x 3 = 450.00
- PhP 3,600.00 for 12 persons (floating restaurant size good for 20)
WHALE SHARK ENCOUNTER
Second day in Donsol, we woke up as early as 6:00 AM for breakfast before the whale shark encounter. Just an advice, have your breakfast from nearby canteens - cheaper and better than Vitton's resto.
Since it rained last night, they informed us up front that there's a thin chance of seeing whale sharks that day. We gambled our fund anyway because we really like to see one and it's basically the reason why we went to Donsol. The tour coordinator accompanied us to the tourist center where we were registered and briefed via a video on the the Do's and Dont's during a whale shark encounter. We also rented our own snorkeling gears.
 |
| Disc - vertebra |
 |
| Manong showing genitals of a whale shark (2 for the males! happy creatures!) |
 |
| whale shark Lice |
 |
| Whale shark teeth |
After two hours or so, we gave up on whale shark hunting. We're really disappointed. Although the tour guide assigned to us was very informative - showing whale shark lice, bone disk and teeth; we asked them to station the boat where we can do snorkeling. At least my friends who had their first time to do snorkeling can enjoy the unsuccessful Butanding hunting. At least we had a good watch of the life under and a free taste of fresh sea urchins, which according to manong are good aphrodisiacs.
- registration fee is PhP 100.00 per head
- PhP 3,500 x 2 boats = 7,000.00
- snorkeling gear - PhP 150.00 per head (optional)
A bit sad, we went back to the resort to prepare for CARAMOAN, and still, with new experience and a smile in our faces. Please visit my blog on Caramoan soon...
Comments
Post a Comment