Returning via bangka to Sablayan from Pandan island. A 91km day of mostly rough gravel road ahead of us...
Bridge, Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental.
The road got pretty rough in a few spots. This truck was completely bogged in a deep rut and a bunch of dudes were unloading massive sacks of rice from it in 30 degree heat.
Another village - not sure which one. We stopped and ate some burgers though.
Rice paddies, under threatening grey skies. Given it was the monsoon we were really lucky to only get rained on twice (on the bikes) during the whole trip.
Saw heaps of people transporting goods this way: a basic wooden sledge, hauled by a water buffalo. One day we saw a whole family travelling down the road this way - with what appeared to be all their belongings.
We were having a break at a tiny shop when a truckload of armed police turned up. According to the guy in charge (who wouldn't let me take his photo), there was a fugitive hiding in a nipa hut just down the road who had killed 9 people. The anticipated shootout didn't eventuate unfortunately and it turned out it was a case of 'mistaken identity'. Police in full DPMs with M16s and pump action shotguns were a common sight on Mindoro.
After a long hot day on the road we hit San Jose. It's crazy arriving in these towns after a day of pedalling on virtually deserted highways. Suddenly you are surrounded in tooting tricycles, jeepneys and taxis.
Riding biggish days was a neccessity for us to be able to get accomodation. Most days we'd roll into town shortly before dusk, check out the LP book - and find somewhere to stay that suited our budget. We got briefly confused in San Jose looking for the Plaza Hotel and a helpful local on a motorbike escorted us there.
Hi,
I am hoping to do something similar, but on my own, do you think there are enough hostels or rooms for me to go without a tent?
Well done by the way
Loux
Hi Louisa – yes there were plenty of budget hotels, hostels, resorts etc. We used these every night. Sometimes you are committed to a longish day between the bigger towns, but no more than 120km on our route. We used the Lonely Planet guide to choose accom most of the time.
Have fun!
We did the same route, too! Thanks for the inspirations, guys!
Here’s the link to our adventure. I think the pictures will remind you of your adventure.
http://www.bisikleta.ph/2011/01/mindoro-bikepackers-day-two-sablayan.html
Hey that’s cool – thanks for letting us know. Glad you had a good ride – it’s a beautiful country you have!
We’re preparing now for 6-7 months riding in SW China, and then SE Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia. Looking forward to it!
Thanks for the compliment!
Looking at your pictures it seems the roads are not as good as when we rode it last December. There were a lot of stretches that are cemented already.
Can’t wait to read about your adventures in Southeast Asia. Hope you could post a link going to that journal when you’re done.
Cheers!