Showing posts with label Cagbalete Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cagbalete Island. Show all posts

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Yang-In, Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon, Philippines

private boat to Cagbalete Island
Day 2 in Mauban, Quezon

Thanks to RDML Travels (Contact persons: Randell Dy 0917 836 6506, 0998 995 7876, 0922 858 4337 and Mae Llamas, 0917 821 2796), we were able to have this island hopping tour.

Originally, we were supposed to go directly to Cagbalete Island but part of our tour is the island hopping tour to Butas Butas Beach and Yang-In.
Butas Butas


After nearly 1 hour of travel, we were able to reach one of the famed tourist spots in Mauban - Butas-Butas Beach.



How to get there

Mauban is 147 kilometers from Manila and 40 kilometers from Lucena City.

It is accessible by bus and other modes of transportation. 

Options 1 - Quezon City
Go to JAC Liner bus terminal at Kamias, Quezon City. The first bus leaves at 5 am. The afternoon bus leaves at 1 pm. Travel time is more or less 5 hours.

From Mauban, JAC Liner leaves at 4 am and 2 pm en route to Kamias Bus Terminal and 4:30 am to Buendia Terminal.


Option 2 - From Buendia, Pasay City 
Go to Buendia-LRT Taft station. There are several buses servicing the route to Lucena Grand Terminal such as JAM Liner, DLTB, and JAC Liner. As early as 4 am, they offer the trip to Lucena. Last trip going to Lucena is around 9 pm. Board a bus going to Lucena. Fare from Buendia to Lucena Grand Central Terminal is P209.50 (127 kilometers). Travel time is 4-5  hours from Buendia. 

Once you reach Lucena Grand Terminal, board the NCR Bus to Mauban. First trip is 4:30 am, then followed by 5:10 am and so on. Every 40 minutes, the NCR  bus leaves. Travel time is 1.5 hours and fare is P54. Last trip going to Mauban is 5:30 pm.  

Airconditioned  vans are also available at SM City Lucena and Metro Gaisano Lucena City Va Terminals from 10 am to 9 pm. Fare is P70. 



After seeing the Butas Butas Beach and Bisibis Falls, we went to our next spot - Yang-In. During high tide, Yang-In is the best spot to take a swim. On the other hand, on a low tide, it is the best place to take souvenir pictures and enjoy the sand ripples. 



I could not help myself, I enjoyed the waters of Yang-In. I do not normally swim on a tour but Yang-In's waters tempted me to enjoy its crystal-clear waters.


Heaven on Earth!



Day 3 


After watching the sunrise in Cagbalete Island, we went back to Yang-In and this time to see and enjoy the sand ripples! But this time our mode of transportation was the the floating bamboo raft (balsa). Again, this was part of the tour provided by RDML Travels. Good thing we were accommodated by RDML Travels!


The bamboo raft was tugged by a boat. You can enjoy your breakfast or lunch at the floating bamboo raft for a minimal fee.

We walked around Yang-In and enjoyed the scenery!


Sand Ripples!


Yang-In is the best spot to take souvenir pictures. A place for relaxation. An escape from the the stress and pressures of the work in the city.


Public Transportation to Cagbalete Island

There are only 2 schedules of the public boat transportation from Mauban to Cagbalete island – 10:00 am and 3:00 pm (from Cagbalete to Mauban – 7 am and 1 pm). 

Travel time is 45 minutes only and the fare is P50. It is better to arrive at the port early. During lean season, the boat leaves 10:30 but during peak season, it leaves 9:30 am.

However, that during the influx of tourists (most often during Saturdays, holidays and summer season), the coast guard allows passenger boats to sail in varying times.

Maximum capacity of the boat is 50 passengers only.

Again, try to go to the port early or else you might miss your ride to the island. In case you miss the 10 am ride, wait for the 3:30 ride or you can charter a boat for P1,000 to go to the island.

Leaving the port, you can look back at the town of Mauban and wonder at the scenery.

Environmental fee – P50 (payable at Brgy. Sadsaran Ticketing Office)
Terminal fee – P20

Chartered Boats / Tourist Boats
1-2 passengers - P1,000 (one-way) / 1,500 (round trip)
3 pax - P1,500 (one-way) / P2,000 ( round trip)
4-5 pax - P2,000 / P2,500
6 pax - P2,500 / P3,000
7-8 pax - P3,000 / P3,500
9-12 pax - 3,500 / P4,000
13-15 pax - P4,000 / P4,500
16-20 pax - P4,500 / P5,000

Tour around the island by boat is P1,000

Special Thanks to 
Mr. Mark Christian Apordo
My tour guide - Melvin T. De Los Santos (0999-905-8490)

and

RDML Travels

It is the first travel agency in Mauban, Quezon. It offers hassle-free and absolutely affordable customized tour packages. It provides the following services -

Mauban town guided tour

Private boat transfers to Cagbalete, Island, 

Room accommodation

Yang-in Island tour via Bamboo raft (Balsa) where you can savor your sumptuous feast, drink, party and relax while enjoying the view of the island 

Island tour via boat. (activity includes swimming, snorkeling, fish feeding, cliff diving)

Private shuttle Transfers From/To Manila or Lucena, City

Side-trip to Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon

Soon to offer: Waterfalls chasing



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INSTAGRAM
@rdmltravels

Contact person:

Randell Dy - 0917 836 6506, 0998 995 7876, 0922 858 4337

Mae Llamas -  0917 821 2796


Greenview Beach Resort


Near island port, about 100 meters or a 5-minute walk to the resort
Budget-friendly resort
Common and private bathrooms
Beautiful sunset view
Island tour services
Room rates for as low as Php 325.00 per person/night based on Quad-sharing. Air-conditioned rooms also available.

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Contact person and number.:

MAE 0917 821 2796

Enjoy Mauban and Cagbalete Island 
through RDML Travels!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Panoramic Shots/Pictures 2014

And once again, for the year 2014, here are my panoramic shots 
(both local and international)...

Local (Philippines)


Kayangan Lake, Coron, Palawan



Snake Island, El Nido, Palawan



Dampalitan Beach, Padre Burgos, Quezon



Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon



Coron Port, Palawan



Borawan, Padre Burgos, Quezon


Malcapuya Island, Coron, Palawan



Puting Buhangin / Kuwebang Lampas, Padre Burgos, Quezon


International


Rolous Tour, Siem Reap, Cambodia



Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia



Reclining Buddha, Yangon, Myanmar



Siem Reap, Cambodia


Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Human Interest Pictures 2014

Normally, I prefer shooting landscapes than human interest pictures. Here are some of my attempts to capture them..


Docking the boat (Coron)


Quenching the thirst (Siargao)



Making of the flower garland (Intramuros)


Let me drink (Cagbalete Island)



Charge! (Celdran in Intramuros)


Coin diving (Masbate)


The Smile (Tanauan City, Batangas)



Against the rapids (Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna)



What's for lunch kuya? (Sabtang Beach, Palawan)



Going to school (Myanmar)


Child frolicking (Banana Island, Coron, Palawan)


Superman (Matnog)



3 on 3 (Coron, Palawan)



It's More Fun in the Philippines!!! (Cagbalete Island)

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Cagbalete Island, Mauban, Quezon


The last time I was in Mauban, Quezon was 2008. 
Back then, I was not yet a full-pledged traveler nor the thought of being a blogger came to my mind. I went to the house of my former student Mark and stayed in Mauban for just one day. I never thought that Mauban offers one of the best island resorts in Quezon until lately when I was reading my co-travelers' blog.

And I learned the tourist spot called - Cagbalete Island.


How to get there

Board a bus going to Lucena or Bicol either from Cubao, Buendia or Alabang.


From Buendia, travel time is 3-4 hours (129 kilometers/ 72 kilometers from Sto. Tomas, Batangas) and the fare is P209.50. 

Alight in Lucena Grand Central Terminal and then, board the mini-bus going to Mauban. The mini-bus leaves every 40 minutes. NCR Bus Transport is the servicing common carrier.  


Travel time to Mauban is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Fare is P50.00. Another option is to go to SM City Lucena and board the aircon vehicle to Mauban. Travel time is only 1 hour and the fare is P60.

You can enjoy the scenery on your way to Mauban.



Arriving in Mauban, go to the Pantalan (port) at Barangay Daungan and board the boat to Cagbalete Island. Fare ride using the trike to the port is only P10.

You can also contribute to their economy by paying the Environmental fee at the Tourism office for only P50.





There are only 2 schedules of the boat transportation from Mauban to Cagbalete island – 10:00 am and 3:30 pm (from Cagbalete to Mauban – 7 am and 1pm). 

Travel time is 45 minutes only and the fare is P50. It is better to arrive at the port early. During lean season, the boat leaves 10:30 but during peak season, it leaves 9:30 am.

Maximum capacity of the boat is 50 passengers only. But during my trip to Cagbalete, I know that we were overloaded. Good thing it was summer.

Again, try to go to the port early or else you might miss your ride to the island. In case you miss the 10 am ride, wait for the 3:30 ride or you can charter a boat for P1,000 to go to the island.



Leaving the port, you can look back at the town of Mauban and wonder at the scenery.

Environmental fee – P30
Terminal fee – P20

Hired Boats
P1,500/P2,000/2,500/P3,000/4,000 depending on the number of passengers 2 way

Tour around the island by boat P1,000
You can tour the island in 2-3 hours by foot.


The boat ride was pleasant. The sea was calm that day.

It took us only 45 minutes and we reached our destination.

You will pay the fare for the boat ride once you are onboard the boat. A member of the crew will be collecting the fare.



Once you are in Cagbalete Island, the experience will be different. There is no port. The passengers will be fetched by a small boat paddled by a single man. Usually, this is the scenario during low tide.


It takes 5-10 minutes before you are fetched and transported to the beach.


You have 3 options in touring the island, either by boat (P1,000), by motorcycle (no idea about the price) or by foot with a local guide (P100 only!).


Now, before we go to the resorts in Cagbalete Island, it pays to know that the island has homestays and rest houses.

Just a stone's throw from the docking area, you will find Aling Pinay's rest house (0948-547-9943). She offers the lowest accommodation in the island for P1,000, P1,500 and P2,000. 

It is not air conditioned and there is no wifi. The truth is that the lowest accommodation in the island is using tent (P300). 


It was 10:30 am, weather was around 33 degrees and we started our tour by foot wearing my jacket and my backpack. It was scorching hot!

There are several resorts in the island. They also offer homestay. The resorts are Pansacola Beach Resort, Villa Cleofas, MVT Sto. Nino Beach Resort, Joeven’s Blue Beach Resort and Villa Noe Beach Resort.


After less than 10 minutes of walking, we reached the first spot and the nearest to the docking area -

Pansacola Beach Resort


Pansacola Beach Resort
Contact Numbers
042-784-0158
0928-505-8633
0917-546-5901


Pansacola offers the best spot for your souvenir pictures. It offers the finest white sand.


You can stroll in the beach and enjoy the white sands and sand ripples during low tide! 


According to one of the locals I talked to. The low tide depends on the size of the moon. If it is a full moon, low tide is 8:00 am - 10 am and 2 pm - pm. But if it is not full moon, low tide is during midday. Honestly, it is better during high tide, since you cannot swim, snorkel or kayak during low tide. But during low tide, you can enjoy the sand ripples!



After staying for 20 minutes at Pansacola, next stop was -



Dona Choleng Camping Resort


Dona Choleng Camping Resort
The Boracay of the Pacific

Contact numbers
Office: (042) 784-0789
Smart: 0910-882-3346
Smart: 0998-352-0544
Smart: 0910-524-4370
Sun: 0932-852-5489
Globe: 0926-654-9958
donacholeng.com
donacholengcampingresort.com


It offers the best accommodation and the staff are very accommodating and cordial.


Third stop for the day -


Villa Noe Beach Resort


Villa Noe Beach Resort
0929-217-6971
0905-519-3847
facebook.com/villanoebeach


Walking further, fourth stop -

Joeven's Blue Sea Beach Resort 


Tired and exhausted, I forgot to get their contact numbers. Villa Noe and Joeven are new resorts in Cagbalete.


Last stop for the day -

Villa Cleofas



Villa Cleofas
Tonet - 0917-839-5852
Tess - 0917-814-3475
Ed - 0919-220-5000
02-928-7934
http://www.cagbalete.net


Personally, I met both the owners of Dona Choleng and Villa Cleofas. Both of them are equally courteous, accommodating and hospitable.

For my insights, if you want to enjoy the beach, go to Pansacola and Bonsai Island.

If you want to have a nice and affordable accommodation, Dona Choleng.

If you want to have the space to relax, roam and have fun, Villa Cleofas.


Due to time constraint, I was not able to go to MVT Sto. Nino Beach Resort.


I started my tour 10:30 and and finished 12:30. Afterwards, I went back to the docking area to catch the 1 pm trip back to Mauban. I was planning to stay, but I cannot afford the accommodation due to limited budget. I went back to Lucena and stayed at Diamond Hotel and Resort and paid P1360 (with wifi, hot shower, swimming pool and cable television). 



I enjoyed my tour of the island and I'm planning to go back next year to do camping in the beach.

It's Really More Fun in Cagbalete island!

  RAV Transportation Services
Van for Hire
Derick Villegas
0998-545-0016
0917-504-0770
(043) 778-4657
(043) 703-0435
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Address: 938 Brgy. Darasa, Tanauan City, Batangas 4232

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Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvmmB5OnGho