mindoro gallery

Mindoro is 7th largest island in the Philippine archipelago. The mountains along its north-south axis divide the island into a western and an eastern province (M. Occidental and M. Oriental). The island is less than 80 kilometers wide, and the distance from north to south is about twice of that. With the exception of a single challenging mud-road around the southern tip, there is not a single road which ties the two provinces together. Specifically, there is no road along the northern coastline (i.e. from Puerto Galera to Wawa (Abra de Ilog)). The reason for this communications gap is a chain of steep and tall mountains which runs from north to south. The highest peaks are in the northern part, with Mt. Halcon as the tallest (2586 meters). In fact, only the narrow western coastland, and the wider eastern coast are developed.

around mindoro on bike

The crossing from Maricaban's southern coast to Mindoro is less than 10 nautical miles. Maricaban Island and Mindoro seen from Calumpan Peninsula. Maricaban Island and Mindoro as seen from just outside Eagle's Point resort in Anilao. Dusk at Tamarind Beach, Anilao. Sombrero Island and Mindoro' Mount Kalawite can be seen at the far end. The setting sun at Point Kalawite as seen from Anilao. On board the Batangas City to Balatero car ferry. Puerto Galera's central lagoon as seen from the road Sto Nino - Sabang road Sabang Beach is the main resort and entertainment hub in Puerto Galera Small Lalaguna beach in Puerto Galera and behind it, Sabang Beach. Small Lalaguna Beach with El Galleon's pier. One of El Galleon resort's bamboo villas. Captain Gregg's resort at Sabang Beach has been in operation since the 1980s. Blue seas just outside Big Lalaguna Beach. Few things can match a cold San Miguel beer during sunset at the Point's Bar at Small Lalaguna Beach. The bar has a panoramic view of the Verde Island Passage which runs between Mindoro and Batangas. Verde Island (to the right) as seen from Point's Bar at Small Lalaguna Beach. A peaceful dawn at Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera. Mount Halcon, Mindoro's tallest mountain, is difficult to spot while travelling south along Mindoro's eastern road. The southern part of the western road was fairly green, however everything got dry and yellow further north. A Mangyan tribe settlement along the eastern road near Sablayan. The Mangyan tribe is traditionally nomadic, and subsists on a combination of hunting and gathering and slash and burn farming. Deforestation, mining and immigration from neighbouring provinces have deprived the Mangyans of the land this lifestyle depends on. At closer look, this settlement looked everything but prosperous. The western road northwards from Sta Cruz was bone dry and sizzling hot. The hills were totally deforested, and the present state of the landscape seemed to offer few opportunities for agriculture. The rice fields indicate the presence of a water at this particular spot. Mount Halcon seen from the western road. The church at Abra de Ilog. The trip started and ended at Tamarind Beach, Anilao, Batangas. Passenger banka crossing the Verde Island Passage and heading for Puerto Galera. Puerto Galera cove as seen from the ferry. View towards Batangas from the San Teodoro road from Puerto Galera south towards Calapan. Tamaraw Falls along the San Teodoro road. Taking a break near Bulalacao just north of the southern end of Mindoro's eastern road. The road on Mindoro's southern end, connecting the eastern and the western roads, is passable only with offroad-capable vehicles. The road ends with a view to the plains outside San Jose City. The long sandy beach in San Jose City. The San Jose to Sablayan road involved a difficult river crossing. The western road offered some nice views towards Mounts Iglit - Baco national park. The roads from the southern third of the eastern road and the entire western road to Mamburao was unsurfaced and dusty. Fishing banka moored outside Mamburao. Mamburao had a sizeable fishing port which looked pretty messy as such ports usually do - no beach promenade with gourmet sea food restaurants! The road from Mamburao to Abra de Ilog was surfaced and in very good condition. Abra de Ilog appeard much greener than the dried out areas south of Mamburao. Waiting for boarding at the Wawa (Abra de Ilog) pier. Sailing out from Wawa for Batangas City. Mount Kalawite at Mindoro's northern point dominates the western horizon as the ferry sails towards Batangas Bay. Maricaban Channel joins Batangas Bay with Balayan Bay to the north.

www.ligaya.net Jens Hintze Holm jens@ligaya.net