Came across this streamer below while cruising along Pedro Acharon Boulevard one morning and stopped by to read it. It announces a new ship, M/V Song of Dolly 3 which travels to Balut Island, Davao del Sur from Gen. Santos City’s Makar Wharf.

There are actually existing shipping vessels that go to Balut, but all are cargo ships which have sparse or barely no accommodations at all. This new one has at least, air-conditioned rooms and private showers. It also boasts of “TV and DVD”.

Small Balut Island (size: 6,o47 hectares) with its unspoilt, clear beaches is one destination which have piqued my interest after I have seen pictures of it in this Multiply Site courtesy of the Sarangani Province- Click here.

Sandwiched between Sulawesi Sea and Pacific Ocean, it lies to the right of the mouth of Sarangani Bay, near the tip of Sarangani Province. It is inhabited by Maroris, Sangils and B’laans who speak a combination of Cebuano and Bahasa Indonesia. The nearest Indonesian island which can be seen from afar is only an hour’s boat ride away.

With the availability of M/V Song of Dolly 3 which sails every Tuesday and Thursday midnite to Balut (with approximate sailing time of 4 hours) aside from the other cargo ships, this now makes the island a choice Holy Week hide-away for people on the lookout for vacation places which are uncluttered, sparsely populated and are great venues for reflection and retreat and of course, adventure.

M/V Song of Dolly 3 is owned & operated by Sarangani Transport & Trading Corporation, with office address at RDRDC Building, Cagampang St., GenSan. They may be contacted through telephone #s (083) 552-4435 and 0916-8861726, 0917-7145006.

UPDATE: A one-way ticket costs P300 only. There are no sleeping bunks, I heard, only chairs where one can sit-out the duration of the 4-hour trip. The vessel is owned by RD Group of Companies, which owns the smaller Ulaniban Island beside Balut.

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