#danjugan

Undoubtedly, travel is a large part of that, especially for our generation where seat sale alerts and travel deals abound, where we have all these guide books or online resources, checklists of sights for Instagram-worthy stories, posts and selfies to show our friends how well-traveled we are and how enviable our lives can be.

How can we change this checklist travel mindset?

While we don’t see travelers necessarily cutting back on their flights, or airlines switching from fossil fuels just yet, we do see that there are opportunities to create a travel experience that positively impacts both the traveler and the locals (human, flora and fauna) alike.

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

OUR TRAVEL MUNIFESTO

We believe in the power of travel to help you recharge, and reimagine your world, simply by giving you the time and space to step away from your day-to-day, reconnect with nature, and reignite inspiration through those you meet in your journey – locals and fellow travelers alike.

We believe in travel that transforms the traveler into a more aware and mindful individual by showing him that a sustainable life is possible in the places we visit, and that valuable lessons may be taken home, to be applied beyond the duration of the trip.

We believe that responsible travel = mindful, sustainable living. And we believe that our impact as travelers in any destination begins before we ever set foot in that place, and long after.

Related reads: 6 Zero Waste Travel Tips from an Island Manager and a Solo Female Traveler

As such, it is our goal to create a travel experience that can also:

Show you that living a more environmentally conscious life is possible and more meaningful

Give you tools and connect you with people who can support you on a continuing journey towards sustainability

This coming March 2-7, 2018, we are creating a transformative 6D/5N experience in Negros Occidental for a small group of 12 to 16 intrepid travelers. (Read on and apply to join the trip below.)

Visit establishments owned and run by Filipinos that work to uphold sustainable practices, and hear their origin stories too. We’ve got a little something for everyone – from island and forest destinations, to organic farms, and social enterprises.

And because the experience is all about connecting people, we will also arrange a MUNI Meetup customized for you and your fellow travelers on your first night, so you can meet with other changemakers and like-minded advocates in Negros!

The highlight of the trip will be Danjugan Island – a conservation area off Cauayan, 3 hours south of Bacolod city, where we will be spending 4 days and 3 nights.

Danjugan Island is managed by the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Inc., which works to preserve this piece of paradise – not for tourists – but for its original inhabitants and beneficiaries: the wildlife and the local residents who live off the bounty of the sea.

Here, you’ll get access to rich surroundings for snorkeling with a variety of fish in a variety of underwater ecosystems, from coral reefs to mangroves to sea grass! When not at sea, you can also explore the island, go bird-watching or check out the bat cave.

Learn how to identify certain fish and coral species and be more comfortable in the water (if you aren’t a mermaid in your mind already). Engage with us in discussions on plastic pollution, climate change, and brain jam with us on how we can all make a difference. Share your your fears, your hopes, and your witty one-liners! We’re here to create a space with a balance of meaningful learning, quiet introspection, and joyful interaction. 🙂

Some of your trip companions

Mud huts at Danjugan

Our island co-working area

Moray Lagoon

Sunset at Danjugan

This is not a luxury vacation. While we won’t go all out on the “roughing it”, seeking to provide travelers a level of comfort (with beds and proper bathrooms), it is our aim to show you that a simpler way of living can be a happy one. Group meals served will be simple – primarily plant-based but delicious and nourishing, and accommodations will be pretty but modest. Please note that mobile signal is limited in Danjugan, while insects, snakes and some dangerous marine animals may abound. It is their home we are visiting after all. We’ll be giving you guidelines to prepare for the trip, but your mindset and comfort level is only something you can work on. 🙂

This is not an immersion or voluntourism trip either. While a big part of what you pay goes back to these local communities, companies or organizations, you are not going on this trip to “save the poor people of the Philippine islands”. Instead, we’d like to give you this opportunity to learn more for yourself, and learn more about what they need, when you curiously ask questions and listen.

What this is, is an off-the-beaten path experience, balancing the traveler’s thirst to discover as much of the world as she can, with a luscious enough amount of languor to savor extended lunches and after-dinner conversations. Six days is longer than the most weekend-warrior trips, but a lot shorter than the weeks-long escapes that we prefer, so we’ll do our best. 🙂

You will be primarily plant-powered, the facilities primarily solar-powered, and the whole trip aims to be as fun, educational, and zero-waste (in all senses of the phrase) as possible.

Package is inclusive of:

BCD Airport transfers (pick up on March 2; drop off on March 7)

6 DAYS & 5 NIGHTS accommodation (shared room); 2 nights near Bacolod city, 3 nights at Danjugan Island (accommodations will be sustainably made, non-A/C mud huts with en suite bathrooms)

A MUNI Meetup in Bacolod, custom-made for you and your fellow travelers!

Zero waste travel support kit / products from mindful partners

Activities on Danjugan island including: boat tour, trekking & snorkeling guide, use of kayaks, snorkeling gear, camp sessions/talks on fish identification, climate change, plastic pollution, and sustainable living, DIY workshops

Conservation fee

Accident insurance while in Danjugan Island

Land and sea transportation on all days

All meals included except on Day 1, and dinner on Day 5

MUNI Travels coordinator & guide

A free ticket to join a MUNI Meetup in Manila, before or after your trip

More goodness and surprises!

If you like what you’ve read so far and are interested to be part of this, you can apply to join the trip by filling out the form below. More details will be sent to our first batch of accepted applicants via e-mail by October 30, 2017.

Sunset at Bulata. Municipality of Cauayan. Negros Occidental. Philippines

Couldn’t resist the temptation to take multiple shots of such a perfectly lit afternoon by the sea. More than just sugarcane and haciendas, the island of Negros boasts picturesque scenery like this as well.

Personally, I think getting close to nature is a great way to unwind or spend a summer, especially when your destination's closer to home. Danjugan Island, in particular, is one of my favorite places to go to in the province of Negros Occidental. I find it surprising how not much people know about this place, but I kind of like it that way as the island is not as crowded and polluted compared to other highly overrated places in the country.

Upon arrival at the island’s port, I could already see how much sanctuary this island offers for its marine life. Sea cucumbers and colorful fish among the limestone rocks and sea grass greeted me on my short walk to shore. Even a few moray eels live underneath the resort’s main pavilion.

Once you pay for a day trip to the island, you automatically pay for all the facilities the island provides for its guests (not so cheap, but very reasonable. plus, free lunch included). A day on the island simply isn’t enough to explore the entirety of it though, especially with everything you can use.

One of the best ways to enjoy the island, from my perspective, is to take a stroll and discover the island’s five main lagoons, tucked away in the place’s greenery and simple charms. The lime-rich soils and tropical climate allow the abundant growth of plant and bird species on land, while in the waters you will see a multitude of environments ranging from coral reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove forests, and craggy coasts.

I also got to see the island from the marine point-of-view. Kayak, paddle, snorkel, and fins in hand, we set out to seek the lagoons by water. Taking a quick dive into the sea, you could see the diversity of marine life, safe from the perils of illegal fishing due to the islands restrictions and boundaries. A giant clam re-population site, in fact, is one of the island’s main projects for rehabilitation. So much food for the hungry eyes.

As the afternoon drew close, I realized how time is such a bastard. The day was ending, and so was my time remaining on such a pristine island. I wished I could have stay longer, but the dusk was approaching; and so were we, to the shore of the mainland.

Before the day ended, I couldn’t resist this sunset shot with the island in the distance. The lighting was terribly perfect. And with this shot I closed the scene, and so ended my summer vacation. One day, Danjugan I’ll come back for you. ‘Til next time!