The first beach I saw in Batanyan was "Kota Beach".  I said to myself, "It's beautiful and dreamlike.. I found paradise!".   We stopped there for a moment because our pump boat captain didn't know where to drop us.  And from there we took the pedicab to the Anika Resort.

I promised myself to go back again to this beach - and yes I did!! And the timing was perfect.  It's when the sun is about to go down.

I'm a big fan of sunset as it brings warm goodbye from day's work.  I call it "sunset sesh" and it's best paired with a cold beer. :)

I can't really tell how to specifically go to this beach because there's no map - you can just hail a pedicab or tricycle or rent a scooter/bike and ask for directions. 

There's actually a resort that's exactly in front of Kota - although the reviews are underwhelming.
Reviews Kota Beach Resort

PICTURES!! 

They insisted to take their picture!  

Going to Kota Beach is 30 minutes scooter ride from Bantayan Island Nature Park & Resort
The best thing about traveling by motorcycle is that you can stop anywhere you want.  Freedom is yours!

Abandoned Wharf

Lovely colors of sunset


I-peed-my-pants moment. LOL! Nah, it's because my bikinis were wet after swimming. 

This was at the northern part of Bantayan.  It's like a playground for kids.  Lucky!

This is the end of my Bantayan, Cebu adventure.  Overall, it was awesome!

I always look for warm smiles when I go to places, and I found it in Bantayan.  The locals are so generous and hospitable.  Bantayan will be forever in my heart.

P.S. Hit "Like" if you really like my posts.  ;) 

We really didn't know what to expect - so we just paid P150 for the day tour and checked what they had to offer.

It's my first time to see a mangrove sanctuary.

Mangrove forests are the breeding and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms.  It also protects the shorelines from flooding. 

In the Philippines, mangrove woods are being used as firewood or charcoal - well, in exchange for a very small amount of money.  It does great damage than good. I'm very happy to know that in Bantayan, they preserve it.

This is definitely a good example of Eco-tourism.   Mangrove planting has a lot of benefits not just for the environmental protection but to the economy as well.  THINK GREEN! :)

How to get to Omagieca Mangrove Garden - By motorcycle, look for the signage and ask the locals.  The locals are extremely helpful and very kind.  

If you can't drive - there are tricycles or locally known as "Trisikad" in the main streets which you can hire for a day.

The roads going to the mangroves are mostly rough.  But the views along the way are amazing! 

 I talked to some of the locals who maintain the sanctuary.  They're very kind, accomodating, always smiling.  They asked how Manila looks like right now. 

Bye beautiful 

We were lost for hours - we took the rough back road instead of the main one. But it was great.  We saw many beach houses.  They're all beautiful.

 The entrance fee includes swimming in the pool.

The Ogtong cave - It's not something really spectacular. 

But this view is amazing! 

NEXT STOP: Mangrove Garden