The Lesser Known travels: Another Italian feast at Luca's Cucina Italiana

My first dinner in the island of Puerto Galera was a taste of Pizzeria Ristorante Ciao Italia. As I said it on my previous post, it was more than satisfying. When it seemed like I could not have enough of pizzas and pastas, I was again on my way for another authentic Italian dinner to Luca Cucina Italiana at Talipanan, Puerto Galera.

The restaurant is quite secluded because one must take a 5 minute walk from the road going to the beach shore and finally to the restaurant situated at the foot of a hill. Luca Cucina Italiana is a popular Italian restaurant in Puerto Galera owned by a person named Luca. Even people from Manila know it and would not skip going and dining there. Same with Ciao Italia, this restaurant also uses native materials. You have to eat to really taste and feel Italy, because honestly speaking, the only thing that is truly Italian is the food and how it’s prepared (using fresh ingredients cooked slowly and with heart).

LUCA'S CUCINA ITALIANA FACADE

We ordered for Pizza Luca, the restaurant’s specialty made with fresh tomatoes, ham, salami, mushroom and onion rings. The second pizza variant is a Seafood Pizza consisting of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, tuna, shrimp, clam and calamari. Our pasta orders were Pasta Marinara (red sauce and seafoods) and Spaghetti ala Putanesca (olive oil, garlic, bell pepper, capers, fresh tomatoes, chili and oregano).

THE MENU

THE RESTAURANT SPECIALTY, PIZZA LUCA

PASTA MARINARA AND SPAGHETTI ALA PUTANESCA

Although you can taste the characteristics of Italian food and the portion serving is really generous, I thought my taste had no distinction of the two pizzas and that the pastas fell short of the level of being perfectly ‘al dente’ in comparison with the pastas I had with Ciao Italia.

THE MENU. HAVE A SLICE OF ITALY TO YOUR PLATE

But nevertheless, I went home with a full stomach and enjoyed another authentic Italian dinner for the second night.

BIG BURP! THE LESSER KNOWN AND HIS PLATE.

The Lesser Known travels: Roughing it out on the islands of Puerto Galera (Part 2)

Next in the itinerary was a visit to the underwater cave in San Antonio Island. We were again on a 15 minute journey going to the island but were getting excited even more. When we arrived at the island, I was surprised to find out that there is a woman selling halo halo. She had a stall with a colorful umbrella and a decent number of ingredients for halo halo (there were 8).

The presence of this halo halo stall had me surprised
as I arrived at San Antonio Island.

We decided to buy the cold dessert only after we went in the underwater cave. On the way to the cave, one has to traverse and climb up a small but steep hill of sharp limestone corals. I got a memorable souvenir when I slipped and got wounded on my right leg as I made my way to the entrance of the cave. I was frightened at first because it was my first time to go inside an underwater cave. The fact that we were the only tourists who went inside at that moment added to the nervous feeling. But I would not go back and miss the experience. And finally we were inside. It was quite dark and the waters, really cool and crystal clear. We went exploring the small cave and swam a bit. It was refreshing and left me wanting to dip until I was chilling. It was definitely a memorable first.

One had to climb within this limestone hill
to get to the cave entrance.

 My second time spelunking.

The Lesser Known and Hana on the end side of the cave.

Before leaving the island, we did not let that halo halo pass us. Miss Johana bought me one and then we left. Holding the cup of halo halo, I was more focused on thinking how in the world was I able to eat halo halo in the middle of the ocean rather than eating it! And where was I able to do it first? Only in Puerto Galera. Went home more than happy.

Care for halo halo?

The Lesser Known and his halo halo.
Eating it right in the middle of the sea.

Thanks to my trusted waterproof bag. I had no worries in bringing
my camera thus gave me the chance to shoot wonderful pictures
for my roughing it out experience.

The Lesser Known travels: Roughing it out on the islands of Puerto Galera (Part 1)

I had a slightly subtle second day--just staying in the resort and musing on its tranquil surroundings. I had a chance to pump up my adrenaline in the afternoon by trying out the kayak and explore the nearby shores of Dulangan Beach. It was my first time to try this activity and I worried on the circumstance of being drifted by the waves to a farther location where I don't want myself to be in. Aided with a violet and orange colored life vest, I went forth and completely relied on it (and on my untrained paddling skills). I told myself that I must try this one. Kayaking was fun though it was surely tiring. It gave me a feeling of freedom to maneuver to wherever location I wanted to be and the chance to gaze on the lush mountains of the area.

Kayaking at Dulangan Beach, a work out for the arms.

Third day was rougher and tougher as I decided to have a closer encounter of the nearby islands and take a look on what is underneath the waters of Mindoro. I had to wait for the skies to clear out as it was more convenient to hop islands if there is full sunshine. We rode the boat at Muelle Bay and took on a 30 minute ride going to the fish sanctuary. Along the way were the equally amusing islands decorated with trees, stretches of serene shore and the glistening blue and turquoise waters which were some of the best sights I have seen since I went to Boracay Island almost a year ago.

One of the many islands with white sand shores.

Lush mountains, turquoise blue waters. Picture perfect. Paradise!

Relaxing. More fun in the Philippines.

The Lesser Known and Johana Young

The clear waters of the islands make a very good spot for snorkeling.

Snorkeling is one of the activities that I make sure to have every time I visit an island or beach destination. Seeing the scene underwater always transports me into a fantasy world full of colors and adorable creatures which kept on feeding my curious imagination about the vast seas. I had Miss Johana, a half-Finnish and half-Filipino tour coordinator as my exploring companion. We dived in the water and were treated with sights of fish, soft and hard corals and the black, spinny sea urchins! After snorkeling, we went back to the boat and made use of the bread we brought to feed the fish.

Getting ready to snorkel.

Feeding frenzy!

The waters are so clear that I do not need
an underwater camera to have this shot.