My Journey to Balut Island, The Series: On board M/V Song of Dolly
THE PROMISE. Ever since I found out early this year that the RD Group of Companies has launched a commercial vessel to ferry passengers to Balut island (READ ACCOUNT HERE), I started setting my sights on it, promising myself that it should be my “must-visit” destination this year.
Balut Island can be seen at the bottom of this map beside Sarangani Island. Both belong to the Municipality of Balut under the province of Davao del Sur. It is four hours away from General Santos City via the much-faster M/V Song of Dolly 3
Balut Island has always been a mystery to me. There are only a few references you can gather from the internet. And except for a few photos and an informative history of its first settlers from the Multiply site of a staffer of Gov. Migs of Sarangani Province and a 4 year old account of a trip there by a foreigner, nothing much can be read about it.
Curiously enough, the official website of the provincial government of Davao del Sur doesn’t say much about the island except for a few geographical data.
I then planned to go there last Holy Week but my brother who was supposed to travel with me, backed out.
Luckily, after judging for Dolores Tropicana Resort Hotel’s Bikini Open Competition last summer, Ms. Tata Mondido, VP of the Dolores Resorts and Hotels invited me to come along with them on a weekend trip two weeks hence, to Balut Island along with some of the finalists of the competition plus her staff.
THE SHIP. We were to leave Saturday midnight via the M/V Song of Dolly 3 which had berthed at the old makeshift dock at the Queen Tuna Park (formerly the Lion’s Beach) right behind the Bayside Petron Gas Station and beside the houses on stilts of the illegal settlers at the notorious Barrio Tinago.
There were about 24 of us, including Bikini Babes Aisa, Ivy, Joelde; Bikini Hunks Jolo, and the 2 Michaels; Director Al-nezzar Ali with his assistants and Tata’s staff with their families. Together with me was Marz, my cameraman.
M/V Song of Dolly 3 looked quite small from where we were at the shore of Lion’s Beach. We couldn’t see much of it because of the poor lighting from a lone flourescent hanging from a post which tried but failed to illuminate the short expanse of the dock made of coco lumber.
Passengers at the Lion’s Beach waiting for the signal to board the ship
Lots of cargo were still being loaded into the boat and when I say lots, I really mean LOTS of it. Bricks, furniture, fuel in blue drums, cases of softdrinks, applicances, vehicle tires of all shapes, LPG tanks, groceries, bed mattresses and every imaginable house fixture seem to be finding its way into the boat and filling up her every nook and cranny!
Before the boat runs out of space for passengers, we decided to go aboard and look for our seats.
Bricks being loaded into M/V Song of Dolly 3, 5 bricks at a time…..
Earlier, we were given photocopies of what passed off as tickets with handwritten seat numbers we could barely make out. We were in luck, as we were told, because we reserved 50% of the seats in the supposedly air-conditioned section of the ship. We had to shoo away some passengers who thought that it was free seating and luckily, there were no fights… just a few ruffled feathers. This was around 11:00 midnite mind you.
THE VIP ROOM. The air inside the room was stuffy and we all started perspiring heavily inspite of the aircon. Much as I wanted to sleep, I couldn’t and so, I tried to squeeze my way through the piles of cargo and baggage along the pathways and eventually, reached the ship’s upper deck.
There, I was welcomed by the cooling effects of the Sarangani Bay breeze and by the sight of the lights of P. Acharon Boulevard on the shore. At that time (around 12:30am), the ship was slowly inching her way away from the wharf and I stayed on to watch until finally all I could see were just tiny flickers of light coming from the Tuna Capital.
We were definitely on our way to Balut Island!
In a few minutes, it was all pitch dark from both sides of Sarangani Bay. If not for the moon above us, one couldn’t make out the bodies of land we were passing.
I would have wanted to stay longer on the upper deck if not for the humming drone of the ship’s engines which was lulling me to sleep. And so before i accidentally fall into the dark waters of Sarangani Bay I again navigated my way through the mountains of cargo until finally reaching my seat in the VIP room and eventually finding out that the airconditioning has conked out earlier.
Doesn’t matter. Too happy to have my own seat. In a little away, I was away in dreamland.
THE SUNRISE. I must have been sleeping for 3-4 hours when I was awakened from a nudge by Marz. He wanted to take shots of the sunrise from the upper deck. I looked at my watch. It was only quarter past five in the morning but I got also excited at the idea that I agreed right away.
At the upper deck, everyone is stirring, some were like us, waiting for the sunrise. We were now out of the Sarangani Bay and sailing through Sarangani Straits. To our left is Davao del Sur, while at our right is the beckoning distance of what seems to be Balut Island.
These are just some of the shots we took.
The sun is still behind these mountains of Balut Island
Breathtaking view, isn’t it?
Passengers of M/V Dolly at the upper deck looking out into the sunrise
The captain’s cabin
Finally, the sight of Mabila Port, Balut Island, Municipality of Balut
M/V Song of Dolly while docked at Mabila Port, Balut Island
WATCH OUT for the next installment of My Journey to Balut Island, The Series: Olaniban Island Paradise
Related posts:
- My Journey to Balut Island Paradise Part 2: Enchanted OLANIBAN ISLAND
- Balut Island – Unspoilt Holy Week Destination
- My Journey to Balut Island Paradise, Part 3: Sabang Sulfur Hot Springs
- Charcoal exports from Sarangani Island
- GenSan’s Balut Roadside Eateries in Baluan
This blog post must be worth at least a cup of cappuccino or a bottle of beer. Buy Bariles one now!
Bariles is Tagalog word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
Mindanao Bob Says:
Hi Avel – Does Balut Island have anything in the way of a Pension House, or some place for overnight stays?
Mindanao Bobs last blog post..Transportation fares
Posted on July 20th, 2008 at 8:43 PM
bariles Says:
Hello Bob! They have but you will have to coordinate with the Tourism Office of the Provincial Government of Davao del Sur which I was supposed to do for my cancelled Holy Week Trip.
In my sponsored trip, we went home the same night on board the same vessel, so we did not have lodging concerns, the story which can be read at my next post. Thanks Bob.
bariless last blog post..My Journey to Balut Island, The Series: On board M/V Song of Dolly
Posted on July 20th, 2008 at 9:50 PM
orman Says:
i hate crossing the sea to reach a destination but balut island sure looks like fun…
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 7:48 AM
gensanite Says:
nice pics on the sunrise…
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 1:07 PM
bariles Says:
@Orman, you have to go there with Bob and Feyma. Time to bond with our godchild. Hehehe! :0
@gensanite, hello! Thanks. You still owe me your name.
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 5:04 PM
philip ceasar c Says:
wow good news talaga yan bosing.. mas madali ng pumunta ng balot island. ganda ng mga shot mo ah,,
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Joseph Vergara Says:
Kuya avel magkano naman pamasahe papuntang balut island?at ilang oras ang byahe dun?maganda cguro pag uwi dun ako magbabakasyon,nakakasawa n rin kasi sa bahay n lng lagi.huhuhu..gaya ng sabi ni mr bob kung may matulugan dun overnyt.thanks..hello to kuya Orman..
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Mindanao Bob Says:
Hi Orman – Why do you hate crossing the sea? The fact that you have to cross the sea makes the destination that much more interesting to me, because it makes Balut a place that is visited by only a few people. Most of my favorite Mindanao Destinations have been places like that.
Mindanao Bobs last blog post..Can it be? I simply cannot believe it
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 6:46 PM
blackmeat Says:
Sir Avel,
I had a classmate from high school before. She’s the princess of Balut Island. Ahehe!
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Kimberly Says:
now this reminds me… this escapade of yours kuya avel was
months back pa… i remembered you were texting me before
you depart and upon arrival at Balut Island. murag excited
ka na murag nahadlok! hehehe! i was even wondering…what
the hell are you doing in Balut Island! I needed to know coz
i have to report it to our batch78 yahoogroup.
reading and looking at the awesome pix (esp. the sunrise)…
looks like it’s an interesting place indeed!
what an experience huh! thanks for sharing kuya avel.
Orms… if ever i take you to Langkawi Island here in Malaysia…
for sure you would have no qualms in crossing the sea. hahaha!
quesehodang magka sea-sickness ka fah! it’s really worth the trip!
para kang nasa fantasy island! hehehe!
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 7:39 PM
MIchael Binas Says:
kuya avel,
as promise, i’m here in your site na.
Wow! its nice to know that we have M/V songs of Dolly for Balut Island. Some friends keep on inviting me to visit their place but dont have much nerve to take the risk in moving out of sarangani bay. hehehehehe But your article gave me the interest again to find time to visit Balut Island. Do you recommend us to visit the place? bwahahahaha
Posted on July 21st, 2008 at 11:07 PM
pingcambarijan Says:
..ohh the view is totally breathtaking..ive never been there though..but would love to check that out when i get my hometown..gensan…
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 at 1:14 AM
pingcambarijan Says:
..hey joseph!!are you the joseph vergara that i know???
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 AM
orman Says:
kim… will send the invite to kenneth soon…
bob… i agree with you but i have this fear of dark blue waters…
joseph… make sure na dadaan ka sa bank when you get home…
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 at 4:23 AM
dimaks Says:
I like the sunrise shots.. breathtaking as you named it. that photo of the Mabila port looks classic but stunning. you had a great adventure indeed.
dimakss last blog post..How to Maximize Your Memory
Posted on July 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 AM
Kimberly Says:
Hi Orms… email Ken asap jud so i can make the booking insigida!
then, i can block off his sched for 1st week of Sept. Pag tumaas
ang airfare baka hindi ako isama nyan! huhuhu! wala kang tongkat
ali cafe! hehehe! charrr!
Posted on July 24th, 2008 at 10:16 AM
meg Says:
hi avel,
congrats… you finally made it to balut.. i know that its really a breathtaking site.. i should know.. mommy’s been there before (15 years ago) and said olaniban is a wonderful site… donut island daw..
i envy your courage to really take time to travel places .. sana ma overcome ko yun fear ko of taking the boat..hahaha..
honestly ang galing mo dear friend.. wala na akong masabi..
kudos..
menggay
Posted on July 24th, 2008 at 9:51 PM
bariles Says:
Sinabi mo pa! Dati, mga wooden hulled-ships lang ang pumupunta, ang tagal pa ng byahe. Mas mabilis na ngayon.
Thanks for appreciating my shots. Watch out for PART II.
Salamat uli.
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 7:43 PM
bariles Says:
Hello Kuya Joseph! The one-way fare via M/V Dolly is only P200. Very cheap for the 3 hour trip.
Why do you need a pension house when you can stay overnite at the beach under the stars, di ba?
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 7:49 PM
bariles Says:
Bob, Why don’t we go on a travel blog adventure together one of these days? Let’s visit LEBAK!!!!
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:00 PM
bariles Says:
Hi blackmeat! Hahahaha! Really??? Ikaw naman ang prince? Hahaha! Thanks for dropping by, Kid.
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:02 PM
bariles Says:
Hi Kim! Yeah, this was that same trip. It was really awesome. I am glad I made that decision to go because it would be hard for me to go back again, considering my hectic showbiz schedule. Hehehe!
We really have to make Orman go out and sail across the seas one of these days. Too bad, he likes to fly and not sail. I hope Langkawi will make him change his mind… if and when, only God knows!
Thanks for your comments Kim. Really appreciate it manay.
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:05 PM
bariles Says:
Hi Mike! Finally, you’re here!!! I definitely recommend this trip to you and your friends. Better go there with a group, because as they say, THE MORE, THE MERRIER.
And, sama ako ha? Bring me with you!
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:07 PM
bariles Says:
Hi Ping! Before do that before a lot of local and foreign tourists get to know about the place and visit it in droves. Go, go, go! :0
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:09 PM
bariles Says:
Hello dimaks! I did have the time of my life there. More on this on my next post. Thanks again.
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:10 PM
bariles Says:
Hi ate megs! You should take the trip there too, being a beachcomber too. It’s my best short vacation this year and am sure, you’ll enjoy it too. Thanks kagawad! :0
Posted on July 25th, 2008 at 8:12 PM
arlene nayre Says:
@orman –
to those who admire balut island..
its our pride to hear from you that balut island is anice place to visit to unwind..isa po akong taga balut island..
anyone who want to visit balut island im willing to share my humble barrio/barangay to stay witn..i have my own little house to stay..comfy
..feel at home while stay at our place..i live in one of our baranggay,the baranggay laker..just call mu name and ill be there,hehehe
(kanta yata yon..)by the way im arlene nayre-olarte one of business woman in balut island..cme and shop w/my store..hehehe..
hope to see more tourist in our place.
Posted on October 10th, 2008 at 7:34 PM
rich Says:
Hi Bob
Crossing the sea to Balut can be quite an adventure and a scary one many times. Very rough seas have caused many boats to capsize. Also, remember many filipino people cannot swim even if they are on the water lots of times.
Balut island is also a place you should really visit with a local or professional guide especially if you a white foreigner. Foreigners can be viewed with suspicion and the island is mostly Muslim. It is not like many other islands and has very little infastructure that are not easily adaptable by people that are used to creature comfort. Lights are on between 4pm and midnight only.
It is however a very beautiful place that makes other islands in the Philippines pale in comparison. For example a place even like Samal Island (where you are near I think) everyone likes to talk about would be like a very very poor sister compared to the beauty of Balut and Sarangani Islands.
rich
Posted on October 13th, 2008 at 6:47 PM
orman Says:
@rich – naku rich if you only knew the places that bob has visited, you’ll be surprised. mas pinoy pa siya sa ating lahat in terms of his many travels around the philippines. he had been to areas which are taboo to foreigners. and bob has only good words about his encounters with the many filipinos he met along the way. kaya nga nacha-challenge ako to explore pilipinas first than any other country…
ormans last blog post..I love…
Posted on October 14th, 2008 at 7:00 AM
arlene nayre-olarte Says:
hello every body…
sana one of this days ma discover ang balut island bilang isang bagong tourist distenation..its clean and fresh island,very hospitable ang mga residente its like your in a safe place kung pagbabakasyon ang pag uusapan.
..kaya lang wala pang mga hotels or lodging house na matutuluyan ng mga bakasyonista..well pwede ko naman i offer ang house ko para sa mga taong gusto magbakasyon..bring your own baon lang,hehehe..eron namn ako store na pwede kayong mag shopping..y not d ba?atleast libre ang house,may sweet room pa.hhehehe..
sa totoo lang maganda ang balut island kung pagbabakasyon ang pag uusapan.
welcome po d2 sa balut island.
God bless.
Posted on October 20th, 2008 at 4:00 PM
flor Says:
@Mindanao Bob –
bob,
balut island is a breathtaking view, however i am still confused if it is a part of sarangani i mean there is such place as sarangani and there is also a sarangani island and where do i locate the hotspring and the 12 barangays of sarangani? (in island or in the province?) is there barangay in balut..
please reply to me in my email add… joerick_me@yahoo.com
i’m not always here in this site and not much familiar..
if you know how to speak bisaya then go ahead… storya ta…
Ü
Posted on January 7th, 2009 at 3:36 PM
flor Says:
@arlene nayre-olarte –
hey dear
gusto ko rin diyan pero dapat ko munang malaman may mga sangay pa ba ang balut island? i mean ano ba ang meron jan at ano ang makikita jan para mapuntahan?
may mga barangays din ba?
or isa lang talaga siya
no worries if i have money mag-i-invest ako para maging tourist spot iyan…
please reply to me.. kung hindi dito sa email add ko na lang minsan lang kasi ako pumupunta sa site na ito and im not familiar
joerick_me@yahoo.com
i’ll be waiting
please,,,
tnx
Posted on January 7th, 2009 at 3:39 PM
jeffrey toos Says:
elo kuya!!may vessel ba din dun or network of that sort papuntang indonesia?baka kasi nalaman niyo bout dun!!
Posted on January 9th, 2009 at 9:43 PM
bareyk Says:
pyu pa lapo degamo ete ete salom ko di butwa ako dd2 lando lumos nan maaung hapon mga tga gensan asenso na d i ang byahe sa balut ky naa na barko dli na wla na d i ang teresita oa pering ngfa lantsa
.
Posted on May 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 AM
Balut Island Paradise Adventure: Sabang Sulfur Hot Springs | Bariles Republic's GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] Part I: On Board M/V Song of Dolly [...]
Posted on May 13th, 2009 at 5:12 PM
arvin jay Says:
hi!!!…..im a resident of brgy. patuko…tnx sa pag appreciate sa among lugar…hehehe…balik2x mo ha….hehehehe…
Posted on December 10th, 2009 at 5:26 PM