Panay Island Solo Backpacking: Iloilo and Capiz
It's been a while and I have finally published this post. Truth is, I've made this months ago and I don't know why I never actually posted it. This trip happened last week of January so it's been 4 months now!So I was cleaning the Photos on my laptop and I came across to some travel videos I took while I was, well, travelling. Then it suddenly hit me, I want to make a travel channel. To be honest, I've always wanted to do it but I was always lazy to edit videos so it never happened. Now that my brother has started running a vlog (Miko Daclan), I want to try it as well. He offered to edit my videos so I think my dream will finally come true. :D
Anyways, I solo traveled the Panay Island for one week and true enough, I wished I had more time. My starting point was in Iloilo. Dinagyang was the very reason why I booked the ticket and decided why not explore the whole island itself since they're pretty much close to each other. I did not have any plans at all. It was just a spontaneous decision to stay there for a week which led me to booking a ticket in Caticlan as my exit point.
Anyways, Panay Island consist of 4 provinces: Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, Aklan. I have been to Boracay before so Aklan has been crossed out in the list. These provinces are all accessible via bus so traveling around Panay did not give me so much headache.
The airport is 45 minutes away from the city. At the arrival area, you will already see a lot of PUVs bound for SM so you really don't need to take a taxi unless you're feeling like spending some cash.
Iloilo: Quick downtown tour and Dinagyang Sadsad
The airport is 45 minutes away from the city. At the arrival area, you will already see a lot of PUVs bound for SM so you really don't need to take a taxi unless you're feeling like spending some cash.
Iloilo: Quick downtown tour and Dinagyang Sadsad
I arrived on the last day of Dinagyang so I was still able to witness and watch the street dancers. I took the morning flight so I was able to tour around Iloilo for a short while. I had my breakfast at La Paz market and tried their famous La Paz Batchoy. Of course I didn't miss trying the coffee at Madge Cafe. I met the owner of it and I must stay he's a charming guy. Since the festivities were held in the downtown area, it was so hard for me to go around because of the crowd. Not to mention the scorching hot weather and lack of sleep. Good thing my host's house is located in La Paz which is apparently just walking distance to the downtown area.
Southern Iloilo: Miag-ao
Miag-ao is located in the southern part of Iloilo. The town is famous for the Miag-ao church, a UNESCO world heritage site. You may take any southbound bus or jeeps in Iloilo terminal. They have direct trips to Miag-ao. I took the jeep going there and a bus going back. I was a bit in a hurry because I was also heading to Capiz on that same day. I figured if I take the bus, it would be less travel time but I was wrong. The bus will only reach Mohon terminal so I had to ride two more jeeps: going to the city and going to Tagbak terminal (where the bus bound for Roxas are located).
Roxas, Capiz: The Seafood Capital of the Philippines
I couchsurfed in Roxas Capiz and stayed there for less than 24 hours only because I was headed to Estancia for Islas de Gigantes the next day. I arrived at around 7 in the evening and met my host. We went out despite the windy night, walked around the town and ate at Baybay. Roxas is the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and eating in Baybay is definitely not to be missed.
Up next: Islas de Gigantes - unofficially the Scallops Capital of the Philippines
Keep smiling :)
Southern Iloilo: Miag-ao
Miag-ao is located in the southern part of Iloilo. The town is famous for the Miag-ao church, a UNESCO world heritage site. You may take any southbound bus or jeeps in Iloilo terminal. They have direct trips to Miag-ao. I took the jeep going there and a bus going back. I was a bit in a hurry because I was also heading to Capiz on that same day. I figured if I take the bus, it would be less travel time but I was wrong. The bus will only reach Mohon terminal so I had to ride two more jeeps: going to the city and going to Tagbak terminal (where the bus bound for Roxas are located).
Roxas, Capiz: The Seafood Capital of the Philippines
I couchsurfed in Roxas Capiz and stayed there for less than 24 hours only because I was headed to Estancia for Islas de Gigantes the next day. I arrived at around 7 in the evening and met my host. We went out despite the windy night, walked around the town and ate at Baybay. Roxas is the Seafood Capital of the Philippines and eating in Baybay is definitely not to be missed.
Up next: Islas de Gigantes - unofficially the Scallops Capital of the Philippines
Keep smiling :)
