Sunday, November 11, 2012

Medellin Trip 5: Gibitngil, a "funtastic" island getaway

When you are in Medellin, Cebu don't miss Gibitngil Island, about 30 minutes banca or pumpboat ride from Kawit. Gibitngil is called "funtastic" island because the water is warm and clear, the sea air is briny and fresh and we had fun in the island.



Gibitngil Island is a long stretch of white sandy beachesand craggy rocks and limestones.  It has a population of more than 2000 people with local tourism and fishing as main source of livelihood.  The island's elelctricity is powered by solar panels installed in various areas.  

  
The local governtment of Medellin under Mayor Ricky Ramirez saw the tourism potentials of the island and decided to put up walkways and cottages on rocks without necessarily deviating from the seascapes of the place, bridging and linking one cottage to another.    


Vit, Jo, Fritzie, Dulce, Gay, Ed, Clifford and me stayed awhile, had some conversation with the local community, took a swim at the torquoise sea and forgot about the cares of life...moments of pure surrender to the pristine character of the universe!


The simplicity and serendipity of life in this island are captured by the rhythmic lapping of the waves against those craggy rocks... punctuated by nature's own communion with its environment.