Team Building: Island Hopping

"I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship." Pietro Aretino

Last Saturday, April 18, 2009 our team had finally held our Team Building - something that we've long been waiting for. Due to the majority's choice, our team decided to go for an Island Hopping and Snorkeling. I was very excited to go because I am such a beach-lover. Any activity that involves swimming, the beach, swimming pool, surfing, snorkeling, etc. Just name it - I'm always on the go.

So we were a team composed of 20 persons including our Team Lead (Immediate Supervisor).

At around 9:00 am, we arrived at Mactan Island.

From Mactan Island we had to ride on a boat to go to our 3 island destinations - Hilutungan, Pandanon and Nalusuan.

For a rental fee of Php 3,500, this boat can accomodate 20-30 persons.

Our first island destination was the Hilutungan Island. It is one of the islands in the Olango Reef which is protected by the government as fish sanctuary. This beautiful island is 20 to 30 minutes away from Mactan Island. It is known to be perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving due to abundant corals and tropical fishes. Within 3 to 7 meters you can have fun in feeding the fish, these tropical fishes are friendly that you can feed them with bread and swim together with you. During lowtide the opposite side of the island is bare at low between Olango Reef at knee below you can walk between 5 islands along the reef.

Sadly, there is an entrance fee once you land your feet on the island. So as "kuripot" as we are, we decided to just roam around the island. We stayed there for an hour.
While we were salivating at the sight of the island, the water surrounding it is just equally inviting that we couldn't help ourselves but indulge into the crystal-clear seawater.


Our second island destination was the Pandanon Island. This island is known for its boracay-like white sand. It is 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Maribago, Mactan Island.





This time we intended to land on the island as the beautiful seaview *especially the hot girls and guys* on the island was so irresistible. There's an entrance fee of Php 150 per person. Rental fees of the huts or cottages are ranging from Php 200 to Php 300 each depending on the size.

At around 2:30 pm, we decided to go back to our boat so that we can head ourselves to the next island destination, the Nalusuan Island. If you understand bisaya, you'd probably laugh at the island's name. Nalusuan is probably derived from a cebuano root word "luso" which means male sexual organ. Haha! Don't ask me. I have no idea why that island is having that name.

But then again, there's another entrance fee or landing fee which is Php 200 once you step your feet on that island so once again we decided to stay offshore and just watch the island from a distance.

But hey, don't be sad for us. We enjoyed ourselves by diving and snorkeling. Wheow! My favorite part of the day. Just beware of the jellyfish, they are so itchy! Also, don't forget to apply sunscreen on your skin if you don't wanna end up peeling off some skin the next day.

We were so proud of ourselves, we were swimming at 10-12 feet ocean deep. Hehe. Beat that! I had so much fun. At around 4:30 pm, we decided to go home.

On a sadder note, that would be our last team building together as a team because on May 18, we will be transferred to a different account with probably different set of team mates. Guys, I'm gonna miss you all. See yah around!

Note: Photo credits to Junie Melecio, my officemate for the scenic landscape pictures, the ones without watermarks. Thanks Junie. The ones with watermarks of my blog URL, I took them myself. ^^