Last night Michael and I watched The Space Between Us, it's a romantic science fiction film about a teenage boy named Gardner, he was born and raised on Mars and travels back to Earth. It's a good movie. It made me appreciate earth and all the little things and it kinda inspired me to start blogging again. Yeah, I know it's been a while since the last time I've posted something here and I am not gonna make any excuses, I'll just make it up to you guys instead. Going back, what I love most about the movie is how Gardner asked everyone this question: 'What's your favorite thing about earth?' and if he'll ask me, I'll tell him it's summer, my favorite season (though I always complain of being a 'pandesal in a pugon' and my migraine usually kicks up because of the scorching heat) as ironic as it sounds Summer really is my favorite thing about earth, or I could say one of my favorites. Summer has it's magic.Who wouldn't love summer? The travelling, the blazing sun, the tropical warm days, the wild breeze, the splash, the sea world, the much deserve vacation, the beach, the sand castles, the smell of the ocean air, the whooshing waves, the wind in my face, the sun-kissed hair, the colorful bikinis, tan lines and the carefree days. I just love everything about it. And finally, it's that time of the year again.Time for long vacations and time off from the daily grind. It's time to search for a perfect beach spot away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Speaking of which, do let me share you guys about my recent trip to the BEACH. I'll be sharing some info and expenses~ mainly based on my personal experience.
Last holy week, the boyfriend and I went on a double date trip with our friends Rommel and Julien. It was actually a triple date trip we have been planning for quite some time now but our other friend Elmer left for Taiwan just before the holiday~so it ended up just the four of us. And our destination, the island of Cagbalete. Cagbalete Island sits off the coast of Mauban, a municipality in the province of Quezon (my hometown), on the eastern Pacific side of the Philippines.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Public Transport
From Metro Manila direct to Mauban
JAC Liner has two trips daily from its Quezon City terminal (Kamias Road cor EDSA) direct to Mauban town. The bus departs at 5:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There are no reservations, therefore seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s best to arrive at the terminal by 4:00 AM or earlier to stake out your seats. Once the bus is full it may leave earlier than 5:00 AM. Travel time varies between 4-5 hours and the fare is around Php 280.00. Our bus left Manila at 4:33 AM and arrived in Mauban at 9:38 AM. The bus offloads passengers at the outskirts of the town, so after you get off, take a 10-minute tricycle ride to the port or “pantalan” at Barangay Daungan for Php 50.00.
From Metro Manila to Lucena City to Mauban
JAC Liner, JAM Liner and Lucena Lines have hourly trips to Lucena City from their terminals in Quezon City (Kamias Road corner EDSA) and in Pasay City (Buendia Avenue corner Taft Avenue). Travel time varies between 3-4 hours. All buses will unload Lucena-bound passengers at the Lucena City Grand Terminal. From here, there are non-airconditioned mini-buses run by NCR Bus Lines that leaves for Mauban on an hourly interval, with the first trip at 5:00 AM and the last trip at 6:00 PM. Travel time is roughly 1.5 hours and the fare is Php 60.00.
If you would like to take the Lucena-Mauban leg of the trip in cooler comfort, then you may take a 15-seater air-conditioned van. From the Grand Terminal, take a jeepney to the SM Lucena Mall or Pacific Mall. There you’ll find the GT Express vans bound for Mauban. Fare is Php 70.00. Since the van has a smaller capacity, there are fewer stops, therefore you can cut travel time by about 30 minutes.
ctto
Private Transport
If you are bringing your own vehicle (which what we did) then Waze and Google maps are your best friends. We left Manila half past three. Had quick stop over for breakfast. Arrived Mauban Port almost 8am. There are parking areas nearby the port where you can leave your car. Parking fee: 150/day.
From Mauban to Cagbalete Island
At the port, proceed to the Tourism Information and Ticketing Booth. Pay the Php 100.00 ferry fee and the Php 50.00 environmental fee. There are two scheduled public commuter ferry trips from Mauban port to Cagbalete Sabang port daily, one at 10:00am and another at 4:00pm but since it's a holiday ferries and boats were allowed to sail in varying times. There are also private ferries and boats you can charter (price varries) that can directly bring you to your chosen resort.
We left Mauban port at around 8am and reached Sabang port at around 9am. Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour. From Sabang fort we had a little trekking to get to Villa Noe Beach where we decided to camp for our 3 day-2 night trip. The original plan was to stay at Nilandingan but unfortunately it was already fully booked by time we've arrived. It was ok cause Villa Noe didn't disappoint. It's a great resort and a little close to the port, maybe 10 minutes away if you walk fast haha! There are people there too who can help you get to the resort and will also help you bring your stuff and set up your tent. Entrance fee is only Php 100. You can check room and cottages rates on their website but if you're looking for a little adventure you can bring or rent a tent (Php 400 good for 2-3 person per night) and camp. If you have your own tent then you only have to pay Php 300 per night for camping fee.
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| photo from Villa Noe Website |
After setting up our tent we did rest for an hour then went for a swim and cooked lunch. We brought everything we need (I meant Julien and Rommel haha). They're really prepared and they've got everything covered. They're already hard core campers and Michael and I are just a novice. LOLS. The whole camping experience was just a first for us and that's what made this trip extra special and fun. Thanks to them, we've learnt a lot from this trip. And we'll surely know better next time.
In the afternoon while it's low tide and while Julien and Rommel were resting, Michael and I had a our me time, and me time means~ Michael doing his job as my personal photograper haha! The weather was fine and it wasn't really that hot, perfect time for photo shoot and another thing during low tide, the water recedes 800meters (up to 1km in some areas) from the shore, drying up a 3.6km stretch of white sand beach. It's so beautiful and serene.
Day 2
The next day was spent exploring the island and doing some activities like island hopping, snorkeling, swimming and lots of swimming. Our little island guide JP offered us an island hopping package for only Php 1600 and that includes~snorkeling, the sand bar and a side trip to Bonsai island. We woke up 6am and while waiting for JP and the boat we had a quick swim, prepared breakfast, ate, changed into our swimming clothes and voila we're good to go!
First stop: Snorkeling
Second Stop: Yang in Sand Bar Island
Last Stop: Bonsai Island
We had so much fun exploring Cagbalete and we're so amazed with its beauty. With its long stretch of fine white sand, amazing blue skies, pristine water and its serenity, wow just wow! How I wish I could stay there forever. But time passed really fast and little did we know the tour was over. We headed back to our resort and since it's already lunch time, we were already starving. We decided to just eat at Villa Noe, not a good idea though. First, they only offer Silog meals and second, argh very pricey. Went back to our camp after eating, cleaned up, rest and had some me time again! you know, ME TIME, haha!
We went back to the port in the afternoon to buy some fish for dinner. Cooked dinner. Watched fire dance and called it a day. Woke up in the middle of the night because it was so windy, was told there was a low pressure. Michael went out to secure our tent so it won't fly away. Was a little scared but they said it was just normal in the island. Sorry guys, first time. Haha. Went back to sleep and woke up 5am the next day.
Day 3
On our last day in the island we woke up really early so we could still enjoy the sea before we leave. We've waited for the locals who sell pandesal and pansit habhab for breakfast. Went for a quick dip. Cleaned up. Took down the tent and left the island at around 8am. We wanted to leave early so we can avoid traffic and be back home at noon so we can still rest after a long drive, for the next day we'll be back in the salt mine. Arggh!
The worst part of the vacation is ending the vacation. I hate that part. I didn't want to leave the island and end my vacation just yet. If only I could just stay there forever. But yeah, it's time to go home and on the lighter note, I had a great time and I was able to recharge and repent even just for a few days. Not bad at all. So yeah, this is good bye for now. So long, BEACH! Till we meet again!
I can't upload the video here so just click this link if you want to see the video. Enjoy watching!
P.P.S
Breakdown of expenses (food, gas and toll fees excluded)
Parking fee for two days: Php 300 (divided by 4) Php 75 x 2 = Php 150
Environmental fee: Php 50 x 2 =Php 100
Ferry ride back and fort: Php 200 x 2= Php 400
Resort Entrane Fee: Php 100 x 2= Php 200
Camping Fee: Php 300/night x 2 (nights) = Php 600
Island hopping package: Php 1600 (divided by 4) Php 400 x 2 = Php 800
Total: 2,250 php
I hope you guys like the post and you find it helpful just in case you're considering Cagbalete for your next Summer adventure. Happy Summer! See yah!
CTTO: Most photos aside from my ME Time photos were taken by Julien and Rommel.
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