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A Romantic Afternoon at Isla Romantika

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Ever heard of Palm Islands in Dubai? Yes, those beautiful artificial islands in Dubai. Well, Cordova, Cebu has their own version of a poor man’s artificial island, Isla Romantika.
 Isla Romantika is a small man-made island roughly (based on my estimation) 300m off the shores of Alegria, Cordova, Cebu. The name Isla Romantika is derived from “island” and “romantic”, so it could either mean Romantic Island or Island of the Romatics.The island has an area of roughly 50 square meters, it’s that small.
We don’t have much information about the island as we failed to ask the locals and the owner of the island. The name of the owner of Isla Romantika is “Ben” (as what I’ve read from a local source).

Getting There:

Isla Romantika is located in Alegria, Cordova, Cebu and Cordova is in Mactan Islands, Cebu. There are a number of ways to reach Mactan and it depends on where your starting point is. From Cebu City, there are ferries scheduled daily bound for Mactan or you may take a jeepney ride from Cebu City bound for Mandaue City, Cebu. From the main highway of Mandaue City, there are jeepneys bound for Mactan Islands.

There is a rare number of jeepneys that is directly bound for Cordova, so if your impatient self kicks in, you may ride a jeepney bound for Opon Market and ride another jeepney bound for Cordova from there. You may tell the jeepney driver that you want to go to Isla Romatika or just Alegria. They would know where to drop you off. Once you will be dropped off in Alegria, you will need to ride a trike (traysikad) going to the shores near Isla Romantika. Upon reaching the shores facing Isla Romantika, you will need to take a 3-5 minute banca ride to reach Isla Romantika.

The Island:

You will need to pay a 100 peso fee for the use of the island or the cottage. I think that is 100 pesos for the whole group and not individually. As I have mentioned earlier, Isla Romantika is a small island as it has only an area of roughly 50 square meters. That may or may not work for you or your group but it sure did work for both me and Sheena as we enjoyed eating while watching the golden sun set. Just plainly romantic! If you plan to go there early morning or high noon, you may consider bringing a tent or a beach umbrella as the only cottage in the island looked as if it got hit by a major tornado. Anyway, you may sit near the table under the shade of the Talisay trees.
Isla Romantika is a simple man-made detached island, which means, no toilet, no electricity and no food stalls. If you are a glutton, it is best to buy food and beverages before going to the island. It is also best to have your cellphones, PSPs, cameras and other gadgets fully-charged. Bringing a spare battery would never hurt.

For just a few hundred pesos, we were able to spend a very romantic afternoon in Isla Romantika. We felt like we owned the island. We are planning to go back and stay overnight in the island with some friends. Yes it is quite dangerous knowing that the island is secluded and there is no electricity, but it is not as if Pirates will come rushing down the shores and hold all of us captive.

What’s a romantic afternoon in Isla Romantika without Sunset shots? Here are complimentary silhouette and  sunset shots from Isla Romantika.

 

If you want to join us next time, drop a line and we will accomodate you. It was indeed a romantic afternoon at Isla Romantika.

Comments

comments

Comments

  2. Anonymous says

    wow nice i really like ur style man. will get back to you if we’ll get the chance to go there. thanks! 😀

    Reply

  5. queenston says

    hi. ngfollow jd ko sa inyong adventures nyc au mo haha. anyway, naa pani na island karon? ky kami rapd sa akng bf mu adto para sa amung 3rd yr anniv.. pila kaha tnan amu magasto? taga mandaue ramn pd mi so as u said, mkasakay rmi jeep.. nya db ky first come first serve mani? f maka una mi didto nya kami ra duha, amu-a na ang island jd? or pasudlon pa nila ang uban groups?

    Reply

  6. silvertoes says

    @queenston

    i am not sure if first come first serve kay kato nangadto mi, kami ramn gd taw ddto..

    you can try going on a weekday para sure nga gamay taw then you can ask the owner and please update me if unsa mn hehehe

    more or less, 500pesos will be enough for an afternoon stay..

    100 – fee sa island
    50 – fee sa pumpboat to the island (we paid the 2 kids which brought us to the islan 50 pesos back and forth for both of us… dako na gani na)
    60-80 – fare to cordova

    ang sobra, pagkaon nana nnu for the day or afternoon…

    CHEAP ra kaau for a romantic morning or afternoon ^_^

    Reply

  7. queenston says

    ako man to na read sa istorya ang kanang 1st come 1st serve.. cge2. update nya ko f mkaadto nami.. wa pami ka schedule gd ky ngwork pami duha nya conflict au skeds.. THANKS kaau!!

    Reply

  9. Anonymous says

    i was able to go there with some friends. it’s nice to take a dip at night. the water would glow if you swim in it. the planktons’ bioluminuscence is evident once you disturb the waters

    Reply

  18. Anonymous says

    I think the photographer has to practice more on taking landscape/scenery and still life rather than human portraits.

    Reply

  19. silvertoes says

    @Karlota Blogs goodluck to us

    @Anonymous @ November 13, 2010 3:15 PM – ako ang nagtake sa picture sir

    @Anonymous @November 16, 2010 7:40 PM – let me clear it out.. I should practice landscapes because I have potential or because I suck at it bigtime? ahahahahaha

    Reply

  21. Anonymous says

    wow!!!!this is found in Cebu!!!!ohhh.,.,.,.,.,i live in mactan,cebu,,,,,,
    so that i can visit the island every month..,,,,,,,,

    Reply

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