Smart Backpacker: Real

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Saturday, June 17, 2017

Get Lost in Polillo Islands

After our Apo Reef Tour, Red and the rest of the group decided to have another tour.

This time in the islands of Polillo.

How to get there by public transport

Option 1 (Antipolo Route)

Ride either the van or Raymond bus (ordinary) going to Infanta, Quezon situated at Legarda, Manila. Fare in Raymond bus is P205.00 while the fare for the van is P220.00 Travel time using the bus is 6 hours while for the van is 3-4 hours only. Infanta, Quezon is 148 kilometers from Manila while Real, Quezon is 136 kilometers from Manila.

If you are traveling in a group of 10-15 pax, better hire the van for P2,500.00 (one-way) and contact Sir Herman 0910-980-9755.

Option 2 (Sta. Cruz, Laguna Route)

Ride the aircon bus (either Greenstar or DLTB) en route to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The terminal can be found in Buendia, Pasay City. The fare from Manila to Sta. Cruz is P140.00 Travel time is 3 hours. From Calamba City to Sta. Cruz, the fare is P61.00 and travel is only 1 hour and 30 minutes. Reaching Sta. Cruz, board the jeep going to Siniloan for P40.00 and travel time is 1 hour (There is also a van in Pagsanjan directly going to Infanta and travel time is only 1.5 hours; from Sta. Cruz board a jeep to Pagsanjan for P8.00 only). Then, alight in Siniloan and board the jeep going to Real, Quezon. Travel time is 2 hours.

You can also rent a van from SM Calamba City to Real, Quezon for P4,000.00 and contact Sir Herman 0910-980-9755.

Option 3 (Lucena Route / longest route from Manila)

Ride the bus going to Lucena either in Cubao or Buendia. In Buendia, the bus companies available are Lucena Lines, Jacliner, DLTB or Jam. Travel time from either Buendia or Cubao to Lucena is approximately 4 hours. Fare in Cubao to Lucena is P218.00 and it is 132 kilometers. Fare in Buendia is P209.50 and it is 127 kilometers. Alight at the Lucena Grand Central terminal,and then ride either AH bus or the van going to Infanta, Quezon. Fare in the ordinary bus from Lucena to Real is P158.00 and travel time is 4.5 hours. While the fare in the van going to Real is P200.00 and travel time is 4 hours.

If you are traveling in a group of 10-15 pax, you can rent a van for P4,500 and contact Sir Ryan 0920-260-8471.

Getting the number of the participants for this tour was the primordial problem. Good thing my original travel buddies, Laine, Jayson, Lester, Nikko and Jen were able to give their much needed yes for this tour.

It has been a while since we had toured together. I think the last one was in Bicol about two years ago. But the feeling of again being with them in this tour was priceless. I missed these guys. They were my former students (Red Chuca was also a former student).

We have another tour slated on July for MJ Corillo but this tour is a much needed respite for everyone.

Anyway, at the appointed date and time, we met, parted, and arrived in Real, Quezon. We boarded the boat ride to Anawan. Fare was P200.00 and the ride was good for more than 2 hours. There are two stops for the said boat ride. First stop is in Anawan and the second stop is in town itself of Polillo.

Schedule of boat trips from Real to Polillo: 5:20 am; 5:30 am; 6:30 am; 7:30 am; 9:15 am; 10:00 am

Our boat ride to Anawan was good only for 1 hour and 45 minutes. The boat ride from Anawan to Polillo is good for another 35 minutes.

From Pollilo to Real, the schedule of boat trips are: 4:45 am; 5:00 am; 9:15 am; 11:00 am; 12 noon; 1:00 pm

After the boat ride in Real to Anawan, we boarded the jeepney ride to the heart of Anawan. Travel time was good for 45 minutes. We were hoping to ride at the top of the jeepney (just like in Sagada) but the driver refused our request. Nearing the town, we were informed that there was one passenger who fell from the roof of the jeepney. And there were plenty of electric cables that can drag the passenger down from the top of the jeepney.

Finally, after the bumpy ride, we reached Anawan. There we met our tour organizer and took our breakfast.

Tour organizer

Rommel - 0928-623-8277

Emy - 0907-535-8346

After our sumptuous breakfast, we boarded our boat ride to Anilon Island.

The boat ride to Anilon Island was more or less an hour. And we were greeted with monsoon rains along our ride. Weather was not at its best but we did not mind it. We are here to enjoy! It was cloudy that day.

We reached Anilon Island past 12 noon and we went to our place of stay.

Anilon Island is one of the best islands in Polillo to stay and it has one of the finest white sand beaches. But you can choose from the numerous islands. But Anilon offers fresh water, food, and shelter. You can buy fish here at a very minimal price.

Nelson and I remembered and relived our last tour in Apo Reef. We even remembered Atty. Judy. We were prepared to get intoxicated.

Everybody was busy pitching their tents or tying their hammocks.

After we are done pitching our tents, we decided to start with our escapade. Explore Polillo!

First stop was Pulong Buhangin!

For me, I think this was the best part of the tour. I enjoyed snorkeling here and the tide was quite shallow. Everybody was busy either swimming, snorkeling or looking at the corals.

This is the best place to enjoy the beautiful corals of Polillo!

After nearly an hour, we decided to embark to our next destination - Puting Bato.

There were also plenty of corals in the said island but the others were busy exploring the island. I lost my "tsinelas" in the vicinity and Mon was kind enough later on to lend me his spare sandals.

Last stop was - May Leeg.
This area is abundant with corals and various kinds of fish.

After 3 hours of exploring the islands of Polillo, we decided to head back to Anilon Island and catch the sunset. It was cloudy that day and we were given only a glimpse of the sunset.

The best part of the day was the dinner and the drinking spree! We consumed all the liquors we brought in the island. It was already raining hard when we were having our drinking spree and the weather got worst later.

We played several parlor games and the unanimous winner was Lester. Mon was very busy that night doing what he does best and his most avid and persistent client was Red Chuca.

Day 2

A lot of us did not sleep well. It rained hard that night. All our tents, hammocks and some of our stuff got wet. But still everybody had high spirits and enthusiastic of what Polillo has left to offer for that day. Jen's clothes got wet. Laine and Jayson also got wet. And I was not able to sleep for the whole night.

After our late breakfast, we decided leave Anilon island and head to the other islands. It took us more than an hour to reach our first destination. Weather was not again on our side. Mother nature was still raining.

Add caption

This was the best island for that day!

After our joyous ride, we reached Pulong Coccok.

The boat ride was almost two hours from Anilon Island.

It was low tide and we explored the enormous area of the island.

Next stop was Binunbunan Island.

We took our late lunch on this island.

notice the jumpshot

And since it was low tide, we again explored the entire area of the exposed land mass.

We stayed for more than an hour and then headed to Bakaw-Bakawan. We reached it after 15 minutes and then headed to the port. After reaching the port, we went to our hotel left our bags and went to the dam.

Honestly, I was expecting a huge dam.

The best part of the day was the birthday celebration of Nelson Aclan.

He bought two enormous Lapu-Lapu and we enjoyed the whole night drinking beer!

Happy Birthday again Nelson!

Day 3

Red, Nikko, and I woke up early the following morning and headed back to the port. The weather that day was at its best and the sea was calm. The sky was so clear you can see the milky way.

We enjoyed the scenery and took pictures of the sunrise!

After breakfast, we headed to the town of Polillo.

After almost two hours, we reached the town of Polillo and thereafter boarded the boat back to Real, Quezon. In Real, Red bought pancit for everyone and then we parted ways.

Till our next journey guys!

The Team

Red Chuca

Nelson Aclan

Mayrene Uy

Lester Reyes

Nikko Darilay

Jen Torres

Laine Dave

Jayson Javier

Mon Torres

Estrangherang Gala

Ivan Jingco

Ma Cherrie D Amour

Naiza De Los Santos

Olay Rullan

Philip Lim

Robin Papina Jun Villegas

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Jomalig Island Experience

panoramic view of Jomalig Island

Yes, I am a lone traveler!

In fact, I have been doing it for seven years already.

And I guess it will always stay that way.

Until, I joined Red Chuca's (aka Adobo Journey) Jomalig Beach Bumming and BBQ Party!

Real port

Red Chuca (event organizer) was the brain of this event. It was actually his post-birthday celebration.

From his invite in facebook and after a series of second thoughts, I decided to join the group. A group of total strangers. From that perspective, it was already an adventure on my part. Imagine, being in an island with group of total strangers, without electricity and accommodation and you are 2 hours away from the nearest island (Pandanungan Island). This is a first for me and I had to be there!

Day 0

Per Red's itinerary, we met at Teleperformance, Greenfield District, Shaw Boulevard 11 pm. We were able to leave 12 am and proceeded to Real, Quezon.

There were a total of 35 pax joining the tour and 3 vans were chartered for the event. The stopover was in Manggahan, Mabitac, Laguna.

How to get there by public transport

Option 1 (Antipolo Route)

If you are traveling in a group of 10-15 pax, better hire the van for P2,500.00 (one-way) and contact Sir Herman 0910-980-9755.

Option 2 (Sta. Cruz, Laguna Route)

You can also rent a van from SM Calamba City to Real, Quezon for P4,000.00 and contact Sir Herman 0910-980-9755.

Option 3 (Lucena Route / longest route from Manila)

If you are traveling in a group of 10-15 pax, you can rent a van for P4,500 and contact Sir Ryan 0920-260-8471.

arrival in Jomalig Island

In all these options, you will reach Real, Quezon (128 kilometers from Manila).

At Ungos Port in Real, ride a boat going to Jomalig. There is only one boat going to Jomalig per day. The regular schedule of the boat trip is 9 am and travel time is 5-6 hours at a speed of 14 km/hour or 4 knots. There are instances when the other boat leaves 2 pm or 12 am depending the availability of the passengers. From Real to Agta, Polillo, it is 37 kilometers. From Polillo to Jomalig, it is 42 kilometers. From Jomalig to Atimonan, it is 91 kilometers. There are 6 operators of public utility boats in Real going to Jomalig. But one boat was hired for the event. The boat was owned by Captain Joel (0908-702-0806). We were supposed to leave 4 am but due to foreseen delay on the part of the owner, we left past 6 am.

Day 1

After 5 hours of sea travel, we reached our destination. Salibungot Beach!

Jomalig was a sight for a sore eyes! Behold Jomalig!

Although, It was raining profusely when we arrived at the island. I was still carried away by the splendor of the island. And we had to carry everything while it was raining.

After an hour, the rain stopped. And we started assembling our tents and hammocks.

In due time, everybody was able to finish assembling the tent due to the help of Red and Erwin.

It was past 12 pm and Chef Arvin started cooking the sumptuous and overflowing lunch for the group.

While others were busy preparing the meal, I decided to explore the island.

It was a good thing that the rain stopped, the clouds cleared and the sun came out shining amidst the adversity of the previous rain. There was no stopping the group from enjoying this event. Our prayers were answered.

Everything (except for the rain or it might be a welcome blessing after all) was perfect that day!

We strolled along the beach and wandered around not mindful of where we were going, what lies ahead or that time was ticking away from us. In other words, we were enjoying our walk in the beach. The pristine waters and powdered white sand beach of Jomalig offered as a welcome sight for everybody!

With the help of Francis, Red, Koko, Mayreen, Kat and the rest of the group, lunch was prepared and served. And the inevitable was about to unfold!

The Boodle Fight!

After the sumptuous and belly-breaking lunch, I strolled once more in the beach to shed away some of the weight of the food that I consumed. After an hour, I decided to swim while watching the sunrise take its course.

Although the sunrise was missed that morning,

the sunset was breathtaking, captivating and majestic!

After the sunset, Erick and I decided to lend a hand in the preparation for our dinner. I enjoyed grilling the food!

Grilled pork, chicken, barracuda and tuna plus ensaladang eggplant

and a whole lot more! A repeat of the belly-breaking lunch!

Boodle Fight Part II!

After dinner, we gathered in the middle and joined singing some of the tunes while having our drinking spree. Well, it was supposed to be a drinking spree until the liquor (Ginebra gin) was consumed. We thought that there will be reinforcements of lambanog but the wait was a futile one. Past 11 pm, everybody was in their respective tents and hammocks and in the atmosphere of serenity, I heard somebody shouting, "Alak pa!" Ayan ang bitin! LOL

Happy Birthday Red!

Day 2

I did not sleep much that night. Either because it was very hot that night or because there was no liquor to consume the previous night! =)

What I did was to rise up early and enjoy the morning swim in the clear, pristine and cold water of Jomalig.

Afterwards, we hired a boat going to Canaway sandbar for P2,000 good for 15 pax and after 1 hour and 20 minutes, we reached our destination.

panoranic view of Canaway Laki

There are actually 2 islands called Canaway, namely: Canaway Laki (Big) and Canaway Liit (small). Our first stop was Canaaway Laki.

Canaway Laki reminded me of the islands of Siargao!

I joined Cara (of Travel Up), Erick and Ervin in exploring the island. The others did swimming and snorkeling.

The scenery was simply majestic and overwhelming!

After an hour, we hopped to nearby island - Canaway Liit.

During low tide, there is sandbar formation which can be seen in the island.

Everybody was busy taking their souvenir pictures while I was busy taking their pictures.

And the day will not be complete without a jumpshot!

We missed breakfast that day but we were overloaded with tons of fun and adventure. The ride itself was already an adventure for the group. Afterwards, we went back to Salibungot beach, broke our tents, brought our stuff back to the boat and bid goodbye to the island. We took our lunch onboard the boat, Again, thanks to Chef Arvin!

After 4.5 hours, we arrived at Real and took our dinner at Eva's Canteen.

Two days!? No! It is not!

It was an eternity of fun, laughter and adventure that will linger in our minds.

Thanks to Red Chuca!

The Jomalig Experience!

is Simply Awesome!