Wednesday, May 20, 2015

DIY Trip Cagbalete Island: Our Holy Week Adventure

Every year, we're always looking forward spending great holy week on places we never been before. Normally, were doing it in Zambales. But now its different... instead of travelling North, we're heading South. From supposedly three, only the two of us traveled together. We explored one of the hidden gems in Quezon Province -- Cagbalete Island in Mauban Quezon.

Cagbalete island at night
Cagbalete Island at night







We started our journey leaving Manila at 1:30 am on Holy Thursday by riding Jam Liner bus bounded to Lucena Grand Terminal in Pasay. Bust fare is PHP210 and travel time is approximately 3 hours. Upon reaching Lucena early in the morning, there were no mini buses but there's a jeepney going to Mauban. Fare is PHP 80 and travel time is 30 min. When we get to Mauban, we rode a tricycle going to the port which costs PHP 10. At the port, we paid the environmental fee of PHP 50. From there we waited, bought our foods and road the Mauban Public boat going to Cagbalete. Fare is PHP 50 and travel time is 45 min.


Touchdown! Mauban Quezon


Sunrise at Mauban Quezon.
While waiting for the public transport ferry


FIRST IMPRESSION

At first its a bit disappointing -- Need to wait for the scheduled public boat transport to get into the island. Then when we get in, the ride was a bit scary as the boat contains around 70-80 passengers.


 Public boat to Cagbalete Island
 Since its low tide, when we get off to the boat another boat need to accompany us.
Non-motorized boat that transfer passengers  from public boat to the island
When we reached the island, we need to walk roughly 500 meters to the resort. Its a long, grassy, rough, hot walk. Considering that we have loads of baggage that needs to be carried.


The sign! Halfway to our destination


Oh my beach! I'm patiently walking to see you.
Almost there! Bit more pose and push!

APPRECIATING ISLANDS BEAUTY
When we get into the resort we can't help but compare it to the other beaches we've been before.

Our Home Resort


Villa Noe



 Set-up done! Havin' a break!


Lunch!

Cagbalete Island Moments


But the disappointments turned into Wow! when we had our first night at the island. It's full moon on a holy friday and its low tide. We were amazed how this island turned into lovely place... a really romantic one. Imagine there's a wide ocean that is not being close but not that far. When we lied down to the sand, we felt how the air embraces us. And the most precious moments was when we turned our eyes above. Up there, we saw, how the moon shines, how the stars sparkle and how the clouds in different form moved from left to right from one place to another. It's one of the best lovely experience I ever had. If it is a date, i would probably say yes to someone :)

Cagbalete island

The bonsai and the waves of Cagbalete

Bonding with the moon, stars and clouds


CAGBALETE ISLAND WITH SIDETRIP TO KAMAY NI JESUS EXPENSES
CAGBALETE ISLAND EXPENSES For 2 Per Person
Taxi to Jam Liner Terminal 80 40
Jam Liner Bus from Taft to Lucena Grand Terminal 210
Jeep from Grand Terminal to Mauban Quezon 80
Tricycle from Mauban to the Port 10
Environmental fee 50
Public boat from Mauban to Cagbalete 50
Villa Noe Entrance fee 50
Tent fee 250 125
Island hoping + tip 500 250
Foods for 2 days 818 409
Private boat from Cagbalete to Mauban 500 250
1524
SIDETRIP TO LUCBAN/KAMAY NI JESUS
Tricycle port to Tayabas 40
Van Tayabas to Lucban 100
Jeep from Lucban to Kamay ni Jesus 40
Return to Manila-Jeep from Kamay ni Jesus to Lucban 7.5
Return to Manila-Jeep from Lucban to Sta Cruz 45
Return to Manila-Bus from Sta Cruz to Manila 102
334.5
OPTIONAL EXPENSES
Souvenirs/Pasalubong 1200
Foods 200
1400
TOTAL EXPENSES (in PHP)
3258.5

The trip was over but the romantic formation of the clouds in the cool breeze night is still in my head... Thank you Cagbalete! That fun filled memories will surely last forever :)

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