Unwinding at Sohoton, Bucas Grande Islands (Day 2)

I love places that make me realize how small me and my problems are.

Welcome to the second part of my Sohoton escapade!

On the first day, we visited a lot of destinations and got enchanted by Sohoton's charm! For the second day, there were only two remaining stops we need to visit. We looked forward to meeting Sohoton's small but famous wonder! But before that, we stopped over at a spot so laidback and chill, it's like a dream!

Just reliving the moment in my mind makes me want to pack my bags and visit Sohoton again! So hello, 2nd day! I'm ready to revisit you once more!

The morning of the second day greeted us with this beautiful sunrise view from our accomodation. Not wanting to miss it, Kirby and I immediately jumped in to the boat and took these beautiful photos! I am so in love with these! Kirby is a great photographer and the ideal Instagram boyfriend so I'm one lucky girl!

I think we were the only people whose energies have been fully recharged from yesterday's trip. Or maybe we were just so excited to experience more of Sohoton. When we reached the first stop for today, there were only 5 of us who readily went out of the boat and swam around, basking in the beauty of the beach. We know we're getting sunburned for sure but that was the last thing we care about! I can say that we had the most fun on the second day.

1st STOP: BUBON ISLAND/WHITE ISLAND

Click the arrow for more shots!

Bubon Island's most prominent feature is its long stretch of white sand bar when it is low tide. But when we arrived there, the water is already waist-deep but really clear that we can’t help but give in and swim. Our guides also took drone photos of us and I'm so glad they did! To this day, everyone on the boat who did not experience the beach is drooling with envy over our photos! Haha!

2nd and LAST STOP: JELLYFISH SANCTUARY

At the start of the tour, the guides already prepped us with the fact that it is not Jellyfish breeding season. And, if we are lucky, we could only see around 3-5 of them. That made me sad at first, because I really look forward to swimming with the jelly cuties.

However, on the day we visited the sanctuary (the operator of our boat has a docking port where jellyfishes are also found), we were greeted not by one, two, or three jellyfishes but many of them! (Although they appeared one by one and not in groups.)

At long last, we got to meet and greet the highlight of our Sohoton tour: The Stingless Jellyfish!

We can't wait to jump from the boat and swim with these cuties! When the guides gave the go signal, we didn't miss a beat and jumped immediately! This jellyfish is one of the few who welcomed us and swam with us.

I was hesistant to hold the jellies at first because they’re too soft and fragile I might kill them! Also, I didn’t have any pictures holding them so just trust me when I say that a.) they really stingless! b.) they're too squishy! and c.) they're too fragile so put them back gently in the water because you wouldn't want these poor jelly babies to lose their tentacles.

I didn’t mind the sun or being burnt by it at all. I was just so happy to be swimming in this beautiful place. The sanctuary was like a big circular pool surrounded with trees and on the middle stood a small hut with docking board and mini fish cages.

I wouldn’t be able to justify the beauty of the place in pictures as we immediately jumped on the water upon seeing the third jellyfish approaching but it really is the kind of place you’d wish to be a location of a film or TV series. (I am really regretting not taking more pictures of the place)

If White Island is so dreamy in pictures, Jellyfish Sanctuary made the dream a reality. It was a beautiful finale to a long-anticipated, super-craved for trip. It remains to be a vivid memory, one that I like to visit from time to time when life gets a bit overwhelming.

I was so happy to be here! I hope to be back someday and I hope more people could visit these wonderful, beautiful islands. I also want to thank my travel buddies, Kirby and Ella, for sharing this experience with me. You guys made this trip extra memorable!

This is one of those places you wish you could stay forever. So if things get better and we're allowed to travel once again, GO. UNWIND. BE CAPTIVATED by Sohoton’s charm and wonders. You'll never regret it!