We arrived at Puerto Galera around 11 AM. We checked in at the Hotel, ate our lunch, change our outfits and get ready for our first activity – Tukuran Falls.
Ate Merlyn, the reservations officer from VM Beach Resort offered us a trip to Tukuran Falls including the Carabao Ride, Tamaraw Falls, Hanging Bridge and Virgin Island for 2000 pesos, all in (that’s all for the three of us). Ate Merlyn seems very kind and nice to us and since we don’t have enough time to negotiate with others, we all agreed to her offer.
We started our activity at 2PM. It is an hour and a half tricycle ride to Tukuran Falls. The sun is hot but is bearable. Along the way, we saw the famous Tamaraw Falls but we opted to head first at Tukuran since it is the farthest of all. The road going to Tukuran is a bit dusty and bumpy.
Upon arrival at the jump off, we have two options: (1) to ride a carabao which costs 400 pesos or (2) To walk for free. Carabao ride is included in our package so off we go!
These three ladies followed us. They asked us to take a look on their souvenir shop after we visit Tukuran.
We crossed 7 rivers before reaching the actual entrance point to Tukuran. The caretaker will ask you to pay 50 pesos for the entrance fee.
According to Kuya, the carabao does not have a name so I named ours and I call her “Nimfy”.
We were awed by what we saw. If you wanted to relax and feel closer to nature, Tukuran is the perfect place for you. Very serene, calm, quiet and peaceful. Every angle is picturesque and post card perfect. We didn’t waste our time so we took pictures as many as we can.
The Tukuran Falls
(c) Ron Mancilla
The three ladies from earlier served as our guide to the falls. They also took care of our belongings when we were enjoying the place and took good pictures of us. Instead of buying from their shop, me and my friend Ehm, have decided to just give them a tip for their kindness. We are scheduled to buy souvenirs on our last day and there are plenty of shops at White Beach. But we found Ron already on the shop. He bought board shorts for 400 pesos and a crab jewelry box for 700 pesos. Very pricey! Expensive really! They are really forcing us to buy from their shop. I told Ron that he doesn’t need to buy the jewelry box because it’s too pricey but the lady told me that the materials used to create the box is also not cheap. I then remembered when we go souvenir shopping at Batad (Banaue), I saw the same exact box and they are selling it for just 150 pesos. It became clear to me that all they wanted is to get money from us which I find very disappointing. Well, it is okay to buy from their shop only if the price is right. Anyways, as debt of gratitude, Ron bought the items. Me and Ehm just bought ref magnet for 100 pesos each. Tips before going to Tukuran: (1) never ever tell anyone that it is your fist time (2) if someone will follow you, for sure they will force you to buy from their shops too, so learn to say NO (3) Souvenirs are much more cheaper in White Beach (4) You don’t need a guide to the FALLS, the trail is pretty easy (5) ENJOY the falls and take good pictures
It is 4:30 PM when we left Tukuran, our next stop is The Hanging Bridge.
Nothing extraordinary, it is just a long hanging bridge.
It’s getting dark when we arrived at Tamaraw Falls. We didn’t have the chance to experience the falls because it is already closed but I will surely come back for it some other time. We just took pictures on the signage: “We love Puerto Galera”.
We also missed Virgin Island, it’s already dark and we will not be able to enjoy the beach.
We arrived at our Hotel around 7PM. We took a quick bath, rested for a while then we explore the night life at White Beach.
We ate our dinner.
Then we watched some fire dancers do their “thing” which is actually impressive. There are a lot of standup comedians that will keep you entertained all night. As they say, you can never get bored in Puerto Galera. I agree.
We also decided to get a Henna Tattoo.
They also say, one never leaves Puerto Galera without a Henna.
Then we drink a bottle of beer while lying on the sand, talking about our lives, reminiscing our college years.
It’s been a fun, tiring day for us.
That’s how our first day ended.
Please check my next blog for our Island Hopping and Snorkeling Adventure.
Gen: A Girl who loves to wander.. 