Adventures in Isla Verde

It took four years before this tour happened. I've always been planning this tour every year and every year it fails. I am from Tanauan City, Batangas and the destination was Batangas City. And after years of craving, planning and aspiring, it just happened. The trip to Isla Verde!

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, take the bus en route to Batangas City Pier. There are several buses plying the route such as Jam Liner, DLTB, and Batangas Starex. Fare is around P165 from Manila. Travel time is more or less 2-3 hours. 

Alight in Batangas Grand Terminal and take the jeep going to SM City. In SM City, take the jeep going to Tabangao. Fare to Tabangao is P15.00. Travel time is 20-25 minutes from SM. Alight at the aplaya and board the boat going to Isla Verde. Fare in the boat is P100. All the 5 boats will leave in between 9-10 am. The moment all the cargoes are loaded. The boats will depart. 

There are 5 boat destinations.

San Agustin Silangan

San Agustin Kanluran 

San Antonio 

San Andres Kuweba

San Agapito 

The five boats are:

1. St Paul - going to San Antonio and San Agustin Kanluran (best boat)

2. Sea Queen - going to Kuweba

3. Acqua Taxi - going to San Antonio

4. Via Italy - going to San Agapito

5. Raising Sun - going to Silangan

Best destinations are Mahabang Buhangin and Kuweba.

From Isla Verde back to Batangas City, the boat will leave the next day at 5 am.

I arrived at the aplaya at around 8 am. I waited for the boat to depart.

Chartering/Renting the small boat is P1,500 and the bigger boat is P3,000.

Small boat c/o Sherwin Acebeda (0999) 688 0563 / (0975) 737 4243.  He can also give you a bigger boat.

Another person for boat hiring is Mang George 0918 548 6286.

I decided to board St. Paul and hire the boat back to Batangas City.

Along the way, the sea was a bit rough! And it suddenly happened! Acqua Taxi lost its control and almost hit St. Paul. Good thing we were only partially hit and we survived the mild collision! Now I know the feeling of sea tragedy!!!

Everybody was jolted and shocked by the fortuitous event! We remained calm and continued with the voyage.

After 1 hour and 30 minutes, we reached Silangan. But we, Sherwin (the boat operator that I hired) and I alighted at the next stop.

After a couples of minutes, we arrived at Mahabang Buhangin. 

The sight of Mahabang Buhangin was breathtaking! This is Isla Verde!

We alighted and walked towards the house of Sherwin.

The scenery while walking was relaxing.

I told myself after seeing the road that its going to be a long walk.

 

And we started walking towards our destination. We passed a chapel along the way.

We arrived at Sherwin's house after walking for nearly 20 minutes. Then, we went to where his boat was docked. 

Lodging

Gloria Macalalad

0920 451 5011

We boarded the small boat and started our island tour.

First stop was Verde Island Resort. Unfortunately, it was already closed.

I roamed around the resort and took pictures.

Then, from Kanluran we went to San Antonio, then to Sawang Dive, San Agapito, Batalang Bato, Punta Verde in San Agapito, Barangay Matalisay and then to Barangay Liponpon.

                      Sawang Dive

 

                      Punta Verde

The island tour is not suited for the weak hearts. The sea waves and current are really strong! Imagine, it was summer. What more during rainy season or during Xmas season when the Amihan is really strong!

Our last destination was Kuweba. There I met Jojo Cueto whom I met due to the help of Kristine Cueto and his sibling, Nelson Harold Cueto. They were very helpful and accommodating!

This is the reason why it was called Kuweba (cave)!

           Yup! There is a lighthouse!

And the scenery was the best part of it!

Thank you Sherwin (wearing cap) and Jojo for my Isla Verde Tour!

 

Past 3 pm, we went back to Aplaya Tabangao. It took 1 hour and 20 minutes thru the small boat.

Sherwin Acebeda (0999) 688 0563 / (0975) 737 4243

Island tour - P1,500

Rent of boat going back to Tabangao - P1,500

But I asked for a discount and got it for P2,500. And it was worth it!!!

                Thank you Isla Verde!

Ambon-Ambon Falls and Malagaslas Falls, Laurel, Batangas

There are actually three (3) falls in Laurel, Batangas.

The most famous is the Ambon-Ambon Falls. The second is the Malagaslas Falls and the third entails more than 2 hours of trekking en route to Tagaytay City. I went to the first two falls but I did not go to the third one due to time constraint. But I will definitely go back and explore the third falls this summer 2014.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning of March 2014 when I decided to go to Laurel. I woke up around 6 am and my first instinct was to look at the sky and see for myself whether it was cloudy or not that day and much to my surprise, it was a clear blue sky! 

And I took my breakfast, fixed myself and immediately boarded my bike and sped off towards the municipality of Laurel.

How to get there

From Manila or Cubao, board a bus (either DLTB, Jam, Starex, or Ceres) en route to Batangas City. Never board a bus with the signage "Calabarzon" instead the bus that you have to take should be having the signage "Tanauan City/Lipa." The trip is good for 1.5 to 2 hours only. Fare is P99.00 only. Alight at Tanauan City bus terminal and board a tricycle to the city market. Fare is P15.00-20.00 only. 

Reaching the market, go to the jeep terminal of Laurel (or Talisay but you have to take another jeepney from Talisay). Travel time is more or less 1.5 hours from Tanauan City to Laurel. Fare is P45.00. Then, alight at Total gas station in Laurel or in the market itself and hire a tricycle for P75.00 only to Sitio Salipit (jump-off point towards the falls).

Sitio Salipit - jump-off point

My guide that day was Edwin (0949-609-1196) and I paid P300.00 for the tour.

The exact address of the falls is Sitio Salipit, Barangay San Gabriel, Laurel, Batangas.

First trip from Tanauan City to Laurel - 7 am

Last trip from Tanauan City to Laurel - 8 pm

First trip from Laurel to Tanauan City - 3 am

Last trip from Laurel to Tanauan City - 3 pm (in case you miss the last trip, you can rent a tricycle to Talisay and from there ride a jeepney to Tanauan City)

From the jump-off point, it will take you 20-25 minutes before you reach Ambon-Ambon Falls. The trek is quite easy and you can enjoy the scenery while walking towards the falls.

You have to cross the river for three times before you reach your destination.

The best time to go to the falls is between the months of January to May. And there are plenty of local tourists going to the falls and you have to go there early in the morning. 

After ten minutes of walking, you will reach the first falls called - Malagaslas Falls.

You can rent cottages (P300) and tables (P100) while you are here. There also videoke, food and other amenities offered in this site.

And you will cross the river for the third time and this one will surely make you wet since the trail goes directly through the water and there is no other alternative. But the river crossing is going to be fun!

And finally, you've reached Ambon-Ambon Falls of Laurel! It is approximately 60 meters high and the sight will surely make your jaw drop.

The falls is two-tiered and you will surely be awed once you see the majestic falls!

In case you want to spend the night at Laurel, the best choice is Hacienda Cascada.

You can experience their adventure camp at Pugad Lawin.

Standard room - P2500

Family room - P5,000

Use of infinity pool and acqua pool P199/pax

Unlimited adventure - P250

website - http://www.philippinescondominium.com/mp_lashaciendas.html