Separated from the Panay mainland by the narrowest slither of ocean, the small
island of GUIMARAS is best known for producing the tastiest mangoes in the
Philippines. Yet for all its provincial simplicity Guimaras is much more than a
day-trip destination. There are some good, afordable resorts , exceptional
beaches – especially around Nueva Valencia on the southwest coast – and a few
enticing islands ofshore. The undulating interior and its numerous trails have
also made the island a popular destination for mountain bikers. There’s also a
smattering of history, with defiant old Spanish churches and the country’s only
Trappist monastery. During the Filipino–American War, General Douglas
MacArthur, then a first lieutenant, built the wharf at Buenavista, which is still
being used today by ferries.
Guimaras was badly afected by an
oil spill from the the tanker, Solar 1, which sank of the northern coast of the island in August 2006. Although today there is
little evidence of the spill to the casual observer, and beaches look back to their
pristine best, it will take decades for the island’s mangrove ecosystems (and fish
stocks) to fully recover. - Rough Guide Travel Book
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Topic: Guimaras Island Is A Victim of Oil Spill in 2006 (Read 610 times)