Hamtic’s Sulfuric Splendor

“In Western Visayas, Philippines, Antique has been a go to place for those who are thrilled of adventures or who lavishly spend their dimes of indulging in nature and some exquisite sighting.”

The province itself that was established in 1780 is proud of its largely dedicated parts to green lushes of mountains, springs, and stretch of coastal areas. This part of Panay Island in the western part of the Philippines has been believed to acquire the start of the Malayan ancestors lead by Datu Puti who fled from Borneo from their then, execution. Well, we don’t know why it came to be since there are no written scriptures for this part of history. But by then, we can say that knowing these stories made us realize that our ancestors were strong in guts of adventures.

In Photo: At this exact place where the giving of “golden salakot” to then Datu Marikudo of Hamtik as a symbol of respect and favor for the Malays to stay in this side of Panay, took place.

 

August of this year when I was invited in a birthday celebration from a then, friend. We slept over night to San Jose, the capital of the province, and preceded the following day to Hamtic municipality to visit the Sira-an Hot Spring.

In Photo: Addition to there infrastructure is this hot spring watered swimming pool.

It is an almost 2- 3 hours drive from the capital. Locating the place is never a problem since it situated along the highway.

 

At first, you will just merely wonder how come a stony coastal area be an area where most people would opt to visit. But wait, there’s more. This rocky coastal

In Photo: Sira- an Hot Spring gates are open even on Holidays

area offers a variety of splendor and for me, magic. Getting in the place, you will discover that the local government managed it’s hot spring, Sira-an. 

It is not developed well enough, on the following paragraph I will give you the Do’s and Dont’s in going in the place. But as for now, check out some best sightings in the area that I took myself with the help of my Vivo Y51 “Camera and Music Phone” in HDR mode. It gives you crisp and no need editing photo’s.

You would definitely love the scenic serendipity it will give you. The contentment of appreciating the beauty of unending horizon will hug you all over. It is no question why it should be included in your go to lists. Located in the foot of the mountain range, it perfectly match your wants to keep silence with water splashing around the rocky edges of the beach.

In Photo: Green, grey and blue trying to mix together by the wind’s command.

Sulfur smell is everywhere on this spot due to the hot spring that is just around the corner. On a distant, you will be able to see the view of Nogas Island.

In Photo: The distant Nogas Island in a sunset view.

Due to strong wind and unstable weather condition, most of the boating to the nearby island was not permitted. More or so going to this kind of place, has its own consequences.

Do’s and Dont’s of Sira- an Hot Spring and Resort

• Do bring your utensils. The amount of stress you will encounter when you go here if you don’t have utensils with you will be rocket high. The fact that we were doing a side trip from Iloilo to San Jose and then here is a great challenge.

  

  In Photo: Inclement weather pattern is largely experienced here. On these stones was the main source of the hot spring.

• Do prepare food. It is a big challenge since the restaurant inside the resort will not allow any food to be brought on the cottages and utensils to be borrowed. It is least of your expectation for a resort to serve you. Here, self- service lives on your naked eye.
• Do have enough clothes. Unlike other resorts, you can either laundry your clothes, and undies, here there will be no option for that. Not that they have no water, in fact they have non-stop and overflowing from the mountains- they don’t have people to do it for you.
• Do bring more emergency medicines. Yes, it is a common sense to do so every now and then if you travel a lot. But here they have very old linens. Or it is maybe because we choose a very old building to stay in. I am talking about, allergies.

  

  In Photo: Endless vast ocean with the back drop of the skies in same hue.

• Don’t litter and throw anywhere. It is a must for every responsible traveler, but just including it for everyone to be aware.
• Don’t pee on public baths near the hot spring. For me, it is a mere consideration for the next user and of course for sanitation purposes. We are not primitive, are we?

For me, the place would be a good choice for people who loves fast track fun and adventure. Water is clear and not much clutters, like plastics and floating sanitary pad I experienced in Masasa Beach.

In Photo: That simple afternoon view of the resort, in completion of the cloud ranges.

Furthermore, whatever bad experience I had with the stay is kept away due to the fact that the place is splendid. For risk takers, it should be included on your bucket list of #TravelGoals next year.