What's more in Panay?

I am frequenting Panay since I was a child.  However, I'm always in Iloilo.  If not staying there to visit a friend or for work, I am just crossing to Guimaras or taking the bus through the west coast to catch the RORO to Mindoro.

Last weekend, I was glad to be invited by a friend to join his family to Estancia.  It was my very first time to really take the east coastal road up.

Estancia is one of the major fishing areas of Panay Island.  Seafood are available in plenty!  We were lucky to have been given kilos of shrimps, fish, crabs, and squids.  It is great to have fresh seafood in contrast to my usual diet now in Metro Manila.

From Estancia, you can take a boat to Sicogon Island and Isla Gigantes (which are now my next targets).

Near Estancia is another coastal and seafood town - Carles.  I would prefer Carles over Estancia if one is really thinking of the beach.

We managed to see Shangrila Beach Resort in Carles.  They offer affordable and decent accommodation at only 500Php for a beach hut.  There is a stretch of beach to enjoy a swim or watch the sunset (not sure though if it sets there).

The trip was also in a way educational since we visited a fish net (on a big pond that is natural, if there is such a thing).  It was more than a kilometer walk and a short bamboo bridge crossing to the "floating" fish cages our host shown us.

That was basically my weekend. Lots of seafood and more seafood... BUT sadly no swimming.  Oh, I've been carrying my snorkel set forever but there seems to be no chance so close to use it.  Maybe in the next trips.