Fortune Island was a Greek inspired beach club opened in 1995 but is now an abandoned island surrounded by pristine water. The island is located in Batangas province in the Philippines. The 27-hectare island lies about 14 kilometers off the coast of Nasugbu in Batangas.
This would be my second attempt to get to this island the first time we
had to retreat because the water was really rough and it was hard for
the boat to get to the island. The second attempt I went solo and joined
a group formed by Byaherang Barat. She just placed a public event
invite and I just joined. I was hesitant for a bit as this would
be my first time to join a group. There's actually a lot of first on this trip:
- First time to experience camping
- First time to use my own GoPro Hero 4
- First time to use a tent which of course I didn't know how to set up
Plus the factor that the island didn't have a restroom bothered me a lot, but I thought to myself "
What the heck let's do this and get this off my bucket list!" :)
I was so used to just being a solo
traveler and I'm not really good at striking a conversation with a stranger (I'm working on it! ^_^} but
nonetheless I had fun and met a few friends and acquaintances.This trip is definitely one for the books.
I'm glad that the weather was good that time and we were able to reach our
destination safely. But I warn you the waters are really rough around
the Island that sometimes the boats cant dock near the island so you
would have to walk/swim your way to get to the island, In my case, I
walked, lol. (Pro Tip: Bring your aqua shoes and secure your backpacks /
bags in a garbage bag)
As I mentioned this is the first time I will be using
my GoPro Hero 4 so you'll have to forgive my shots because its mostly me
in the pics :) I'll also share our itinerary below as I try to recall it.
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| Off we go to Fortune Island ^_^ |
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| The Crew ^_^ |
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| Touchdown Fortune Island White sand and clear waters <3 |
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Who goes to the beach in dress and leggings >_<
Hehe I just got off work and went straight to the meeting place I didn't have time to change.
The waves were strong and kept splashing water in our boat. We all got wet during the trip and walking to campsite with heavy clothes was tiring.
[Credits to Nigel A.] |
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| Our Campsite |
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| The first time ever I used a tent, I met someone within the group that helped me out ^_^ Yey! Thanksie ^_^ |
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| The Beach <3 |
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| Sunrise |
I guess its better to go here on a weekday, there's a huge crowd during the time we got there and it was on a summer weekend, The top part where the Greek style columns are, is just a little space and it can get too crowded, Best time to go there would be early morning where everyone is still asleep ^_^. You should also have a talent in taking pictures, getting that perfect angle even if the crowd is almost occupying every scenic space there is. Lian told me that the night time was awesome as it was full of stars, too bad I dozed off early, just a little after dinner since I came from work straight to this trip and still haven't had any sleep. Bit of disappointed that I missed that but there may still be a next time for me in this beautiful island ^_^.
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| One for the books. 😊 #WanderingGee #SoloTravel #Joiner #FortuneIsland |
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| Traveling solo does not always mean you’re alone. Most often, you meet
marvelous people along the way and make connections that last a lifetime |
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Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee I earned my stripes
I went from zero, to my own hero |
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| An adventure may be worn as a muddy spot or it may be worn as a proud
insignia. It is the woman wearing it who makes it the one thing or the
other |
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| Hi ^_^ |
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| I seriously wanted to do a pictorial here with a pretty dress or gown, but since I was not traveling with friends, I didn't have the guts to.. but I think my sarong did just fine ^_^ |
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| The infamous Greek inspired columns of Fortune Island |
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| Early morning with Byaherang Barat Grezel, Gladys and Lian |
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| Dinner prep with the ihaw gang |
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| Baymax soaking the sun ^_^ |
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| The view <3 |
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| Dinner prep |
For dinner we grilled some liempo and talong. Most of the people
in the group are Mountaineers who brought along their cooking set.
Before heading to the Island we went to a local market to get the stuff
we needed. Ice and water were provided by the resort where we rented the
boat that would take us to Fortune Island.
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| Fun under the sun |
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| I should have brought a pair of aqua shoes |
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| I hate that I have to wear glasses on beach trips and I don't like the feeling of contact lenses and constantly worrying about when you dive T_T I'd give up rice to be able to wear proper shades on my beach trips w/o being blind. LOL. |
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| the water was clear and inviting ^_^ |
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| footsie shot? lol |
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| The first time I used my GoPro Hero 4 would be on this trip, I wish I got the red filter but probably next time I'll try to learn about it first, this shot underwater was good enough for me. |
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| Cliff diving anyone? |
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| This side of the island is simply AWESOME. Its just too bad I cant go jump in. |
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| I had to say no to cliff diving... Takot kse ako magfall... Baka wala kse sumalo 💔🙈 #Cherowts hahaha maybe next time pag kaya ko na #WhoGoat #WanderingGee #SoloTravel #FortuneIsland #Joiner #LifesABeachPh |
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| with Byaherang Barat |
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| Good thing I went with them to this side of Fortune Island, It was awesome ^_^ |
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They got to cliff dive, and I... took their pics :))
Grezel, Lian and Paul |
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Bunny Pose with the crew before boarding the boat to go back to Nasugbu
[Credits to Lian I.] |
How we got to Fortune Island
1. Byaherang Barat rented a van for us and a boat and all split the cost I think there were about 17 people in this trip. Travel time from Manila to Nasugbu would be around 3-4 hours
2. For a more organized and convenient way to get there you need to have a contact already because they can meet you at Jollibee in JP Laurel, Nasugbu, Batangas. Then from there they can guide you to Fortune Island Resort where you can ride a boat. Your contact can also inform you about the weather situation before you leave for Batangas.
We used the service of Mang Dante on my first attempt to get to Fortune Island and the second with Byaherang Barat she got Ycel from Fortune Island Resort: #09155047166
3. Before heading to your rented boats, once you make a stop over in Jollibee, there is a local market nearby where you can get your food supplies, there is also a 7 eleven and a several food establishment. You can also get Ice and Water by the Galon from Fortune Island Resort.
Environmental Fee: Php 400.00
Boat Rental Php 400.00 (depending on how many passengers)
Food Sharing expense: Php 250- 300.00
Sharing a few tips:
- The shade is limited in the island so its best to be early so you can get a nice spot to set up your your tent
- There is no decent toilet and bath in the island and clean / potable water source, so best to bring gallons of water for washing your food, dishes and also for cleaning up, as for me I brought along a lot of wet wipes ^_^
- There is also no electricity in the island so if you are going to stay overnight make sure to bring a power bank to charge your gadgets, the LTE signal of Globe was stable enough I was able to update my personal Instagram and FB hehe ^_^
- Bring lots of Garbage bags, there are no trash bins so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, PRACTICE LNT (LEAVE NO TRACE)
- Dont bring chocolates... I brought Maltesers and it melted T_T hehe (Maybe Cloud 9 or Big bang wont? hmm... )
The camping experience wasn't so bad, Despite the lack of a decent restroom, water and electricity I actually enjoyed it with the company of the people that I just met. There was a little socializing and drinking after dinner, but I didn't last long I dozed off a few minutes after dinner. I wish I didn't doze of early to stargaze. I fell soundly asleep even without showering hahaha, I used a big pack of wet wipes to take the salt water from my body then I changed clothes inside the tent and fell asleep after. If you are traveling solo like me, best option would be to join a group because the boat rental is too steep to be shouldered by just 1 or 2 persons. Best of luck and enjoy! :)
P.S.
Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time.
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