Madridejos, Bantayan Island

Travelers go to Bantayan Island to indulge in the White Beaches of Sta. Fe or celebrate Holy Week in Bantawan Town but if you head further north, you will discover that the town of Madridejos has several charms of its own.

Mention Madridejos to the locals of the islands and almost always synonymously, they will say Kota Park. The best way to go there is to rent a motorbike (P250 for 4 hours). Getting there is easy thru motorbike is a breeze because the main highway is paved and straight. And for better appreciation of the entire island, you can take the road of Sillon on the east coast when you head back to Santa Fe.

The Kota Parks main draw is the 187 meter long Bontay Baywalk. It was started and completed in the early part of 2005 in just 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of the Baywalk, there is an onservatory deck where you can have a grand view of the activities in the sea. I was there on a low, tide so there are lots of folks gathering mussels and urchins from the shores. Although not as excellent as the beaches in Santa Fe, there is also a good swimming area on a very fine sand. You can also visit the ruins of an old Spanish watchtowers that gave Bantayan its name.



Light Tower and Low Tide Scene

Madridejos Woman Wading Thru Rocks

M DRIDEJOS - An Old Sign on an Island

187 Meters Bontay Baywalk

Bontay Baywalk heading to the Deck

Walls Made from Corals and Stones

Tree Growing on Century-Old Columns

Museum Pieces

Madridejos Watch Tower Ruins
To see other places around the world, please check out My World here. More of Bantayan Island in my next posts...