May 11, 2016
'cause nuttin in this world ain't more dan what u worth (I love cheap thrills)
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'cause nuttin in this world ain't more dan what u worth (I love cheap thrills)
Kwebang Lampas, Pagbilao, Quezon
Kasama sina Jerico James Milo, Noel Umandap at Rhoane Gilson L. Tañada… Nagtampisaw kami sa Lukang Cove in Pagbilao, Quezon Province
Lukang Cove, Pagbilao, Quezon Province, Philippines Kasama sina Jerico James Milo, Noel Umandap at Rhoane Gilson L. Tañada... Nagtampisaw kami sa Lukang Cove in Pagbilao, Quezon Province
Transit: Padre Burgos, Quezon
This is a late post. Only got around to it because it's a holiday. :)
I celebrated my 24th birthday on the beautiful islands in Padre Burgos, Quezon. My friend and I were looking for getaway destinations near Manila and came across this blog post that lists 15 destinations that we can go to. Borawan piqued my interest because of the amazing photos and I have never been there. So with the help of travel blogs that featured this place, we map out our itinerary and start this YOLO adventure since we have no idea how to go this place. We catch a bus ride around 7 AM from Cubao going to Lucena. The only available bus leaving at the time was ordinary. The fare was around 160 (cannot really remember). We arrived at the Lucena Grand Terminal Station around 12 PM. From the station, we catch this miniature bus. It was like one of those buses from Marimar where there are chickens at the back and people are super crammed inside it. We asked to be dropped off at Villa Anita Hotel and Resort. The conductor informed us that there were two Villa Anita and we frantically did a Google search for the correct one. And of course, we alighted at the WRONG one. We had to go back, it was absolutely hilarious. The fare from the terminal to the correct Villa Anita was 35 pesos. There were no other guests in Villa Anita when we arrived. The caretaker showed us the room for two and the rate was 2,800 pesos. I then asked if there was a cheaper room since we were the only guests and he showed us this dorm type of room. It was for 2,000 pesos. It is actually for 6 people. There are 3 double deck beds, aircon, TV and a comfort room. Lucky for us, we get the room to ourselves.
After resting for a bit, we asked the caretaker for the contact details of the boat that can take us island hopping. I asked for Ate Tess (09214543137) and the Island Hopping rates.For three destinations, it was 1800, two for 1600. These three destinations were Borawan, Dampalitan and Kwebang Lampas. Her husband actually is the boat driver and they run a little sari-sari store. This is our boat.
We started our island hopping around 3 PM. Since it was already afternoon, we figured we cannot do two islands on Saturday. So we head out to Borawan first then go to Dampalitan and Kwebang Lampas the next day. It was a 15 to 20 minute ride to Borawan Island. There is an entrance fee (80 pesos) and you can camp out. We did not have camping materials that's why we opted to stay in Villa Anita. Borawan is a small island but the sights are a real treat to the eyes. My friend told me that the rock formations are reminiscent of the rock formations in Palawan. (But of course, those is Palawan are far nicer).
Me, taking in the sights.
The waters are pristine. Though I just waded since there are sea urchins and I am absolutely terrified of them. Borawan is such a quiet place. I imagine myself sitting on the shore with a journal in hand, writing furiously away.
We went back to mainland around 5 PM. We ate at the eatery beside Ate Tess' sari-sari store for an early dinner. Around 7 AM the next day, we called Ate Tess to fetch us to continue our island hopping experience. We went to Kwebang Lampas first because it was farther from the mainland. The ride was approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Entrance fee to this island is also 80 pesos. This island was my favorite of the three. We entered the cave and luckily it was still low-tide.
The sand here is much whiter than in Borawan and the water is much clearer so of course, we just had to swim.
Around 11, we decided to hop to Dampalitan. It's a small island and the sights are not as fantastic as the other two. There is no entrance fee here. We just took pictures and took a quick dip on the beach.
We packed up and at around 1 PM, we started our journey back to Manila. We got a discount from Ate Tess so the island hopping went from 1800 to 1600. It was an exhausting overnight trip but it was worth it and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a beach getaway. Itinerary:
Oct. 5 (Saturday) 7 AM Catch bus at Cubao going to Lucena Bus fare: Less than 200 pesos 12 PM Arrive at Lucena Grand Terminal Take bus to Burgos, Quezon Fare: 35 pesos 1 PM Arrive at Villa Anita Room rate: 2000 for 1 night 3 PM Start Island Hopping (Destination: Borawan) Island Entrance Fee: 80 pesos Island Hopping Fee: 1600 pesos Oct. 6 (Sunday) 7 AM Island Hopping (Destination: Kwebang Lampas) Island Entrance Fee: 80 pesos 11 AM Island Hopping (Destination: Dampalitan) 1 PM Go back to Manila