On Top of Balaan Bukid

Guimaras is a very beautiful island. But its beauty is not only found in it beaches and islets, but also in a mountain with a Cross in it peak, Balaan Bukid.

Usually, the people climb the mountain because of the Lenten season. But it also provides a fascinating view of the city on the other side of the Guimaras straight, Iloilo.

The island of Guimaras.

Ortiz port, Iloilo.

Its very accessible from Iloilo. You only need to ride a ferryboat from the port of Ortiz, Iloilo to Jordan wharf, which now costs Php 13.

After arriving in Guimaras, you can hire a tricycle for a mere Php 70. Each tricycle can carry 5 to 6 passengers. And the best thing is you can also tell the driver to pick you up after spending some time in the mountain. Tricycles in Guimaras are somewhat pretty fast though, but you can still ask the driver to slow it down a notch.

Balaan Bukid.

The caretaker lives on top of and there's a small settlement at the base of the mountain.

You need thick-soled slippers to climb the mountain. Most of the mountain's terrain is mostly composed of sharp rocks.

These trees welcome tourists by scattering their flowers on the ground.

People with weak knees beware, some parts of the climb are a bit steep and fatigue can contribute to bad injuries when you slip in the jagged surface.

One of the mountain's guardians.

On top of the mountain is not only a cross, but also a church.

A view of Iloilo city on top of the mountain.

A view of the "insides" of Guimaras.

A view of Jordan wharf from the top.

Like Yin and Yang, as the sun sets, the moon rises.

The coast of Guimaras faces the sunset as light turns to darkness.