Malalison or Mararison is an Island located in Culasi, Antique. Because of it's grass-covered land it's considered as Panay's mini version of Batanes.
From Iloilo International Airport you can ride a van going to Molo terminal where you can ride a van or a bus depending on your choice. From Iloilo City, the travel time going to Culasi, Antique is approximately 5 hours.You can enjoy some good songs, eat your snacks, bore yourself to sleep or just enjoy the lush mountains and sea view.
In case you arrive late night in Culasi you may stay in Anna Sophie Hostel
There are stores and restaurants nearby where you can buy foods. Malalison is a 15-20 minute boat ride from the main land of culasi. You can rent a boat from Culasi Tourism Office or direct contact Anna Sophie Hostel so they can hire a boat men for hassle free.
The Island will welcome you with it's white powdery sand, clear waters, grassy hills and warm smiles from the locals. Upon arrival you have to register on their tourist logbook and pay 10 pesos each. Yes that's just that. If you want to leave your things while you roam around, you can rent a cottage for 200 pesos. They also offer tent for rent or home stay with the locals for those who want to spend the night in the island.
The locals suggested that someone should accompany us as our guide for our safety. You can give a tip for their thoughtful help. Manong Luis, a native and a Barangay Tanod in the island became our tour guide.
Before you can enjoy the view from above, you have to trek for 15-20 minutes and since it's a grass land there are no trees that will protect your skin from the sun. As you can see, for the love of fashion I wore a sleeveless maxi dress and just a hat. Fortunately, we started trekking 7 in the morning so the heat wasn't too much.
BIYAHERO TIP : Wear long sleeve or a cap that will protect you from the sun. Much better if you apply sunblock all over your body especially when you hike in noontime or in the afternoon.
While making our way to the top, we saw pitcher plants that are known to be carnivorous and there are plenty of them in the island according to our guide. Manong Luis also told us that the electricity in the island is only produced by a generator that only turns on from 6am - 10am and 6pm - 10pm.
Jason and manong Luis heading to the other side of the island
the other side of Malalison and the Nablag Island
Nablag Island is very near to Malalison that you can go there by feet when it's low tide
kissing a starfish that manong Luis found near Nablag Island
The Malalison Island is not only rich in grassy mountains but also in stunning white beaches and a sandbar. Malalison is also perfect for those who love snorkeling. Too bad we forgot to bring a snorkeling gear.
TRAVEL BUDGET LIST :
Iloilo International Airport - Molo Terminal = 50 PHP
Van / Bus - Culasi, Antique = 190 - 250 PHP
Anna Sophie Hostel Rates = 400 - 1,000 PHP
Boat rental = 800 - 1,500 PHP
Tent Rental / night = 200 PHP
Home stay with the locals = 150 PHP
Thank you for reading my adventures. I hope I can inspire you to discover many beautiful places in our beloved country, the Philippines.
- Donna
Hello. Uhm. Did you homestay? Hoping that you could reply my email is persia.pielago2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Persia! We stayed at Anna Sophie Hostel. There are also locals in the island that offer homestay. You could bring your tents too. :)
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Hello Donna, the boat rental, you said it can be between 800 to 1500. Is that two way already or just one way? Hope you can reply. Might visit Malalison this month and I might be alone. Also, do you have contact details of your guide?
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