Progress in Marinduque

View of Bellarocca from the Mainland, Lipata, Buenavista
Beginning tomorrow, Zest Air will have daily flights from Manila to Marinduque and back. This has been awaited for two years. It means more tourists to the island, a much needed improvement to the economy of this 3rd class province. The standard fare will still be around $75 round trip and the plane is still a 50-setter. However, the last couple of days, Zest Air had a promo for only about $20 round trip for travel between June to October, 2011.

Most of Zest Air passengers are tourists bound for Bellarocca Resort and Spa in Buenavista. From the airport the tourists are transported via air conditioned vans to the resort, about an hour drive. From the airport to downtown Buenavista is a national road mostly paved and not a bad ride. But from downtown Buenavista to Lipata ( a three minutes rubber speed boat ride to the resort) is a winding road and unpaved road. If you are prone to car sickness be sure to take your motion sickness pill.

Inside the resort it is another world. The architecture of the buildings make you feel you are in Santorini Island, Greece. The employees are well trained to serve you and makes you feel at home right away, starting with a refreshing drink on your arrival. Then there is a 5-minute orientation by the manager on the amenities of the resort. All the rooms have mesmerizing views of Mt Malindig and the mainland. The resort is rated 5-star, suited for the young and the rich but not too friendly to senior citizens. All travel inside the resort is by electric golf cart. The restaurant served decent meals at resort prices. Because of Bellarocca, Marinduque was chosen by an Australian travel magazine as one of the top ten island in the world to visit recently.

Another progress in Marinduque is the activation of the provincial website, www.marinduque.gov.ph I have been waiting for this to happen. Thank you to the Travel and Tourism Team from the Office of the Governor. In the website is the current schedule of events for the Moriones Festival, 2011