It is during the Christmas season that me and my college friends travel to a place we haven't been. We are about to finalize the Puerto Galera trip but with some spoiler around, it didn't push through. So I did the reasearch and eventually planned for our next Christmas getaway. And so we decided to have it in an uncommercialized place like one in the province of Quezon.
We stayed in Brgy. Marao in Padre Burgos, where we rented a house for two nights courtesy of Ate Irma Saniel. The house is located by the shores of Marao beach but that isn't a place you would love to bum. The place serves as a jump-off point to the islands of Pagbilao Grande & Chica and Dampalitan. Seen from the shores of Marao is the Borawan beach, situated in the Pagbilao Chica Island (A small island, the reason why it was called 'chica', annexed to a larger island of Pagbilao). Due to its proximity, we opt not to land on Borawan first but rather headed straight to Puting Buhangin on Pagbilao Grande Island. As the name of the beach suggests, the beach takes pride of its white sand shoreline.
We were welcomed by the so-called guardians of the beach, Wanay and friends.
Puting Buhangin, with its crystal clear water. Sea urchins and jelly fish can be seen even without using a snorkeling gear. We used to play with the jellyfish, I think the specie is stingless as we were not harmed when we touched it. Not an itch or so but please be extra careful with the urchins.
Stroll along the shore and you will reach a small opening which is popularly known as Kwebang Lampas. You can pass trhough the cave which will lead you to the other side of the island. Writings on the wall and ceiling of the cave can be seen, which simply testifies the irresponsiblity of visitors who already visited the place.
According to a local of the place that I talked to, there is a dispute regarding the ownership of the beach. A signage tells you that the beach is privately owned by Lukang Family (the place is also reffered to as Lukang Beach) but a governement official of the province takes the claim.
Borawan beach is our next stop. Borawan gives you an idea of its derivation from two famous islands, Boracay and Palawan. The 'Bora-" for its white sand and "-Wan" for its cliffs.
Huts can be rented if you want to stay for a day or you may even bring your own camping materials. Mind you, there are no resorts found in the island so if you wish to stay overnight, pitching a tent is a must.
To complete our island hopping list, we visited Dampalitan Island.
Going home, you may wish to drop by Pagbilao Park and Sta. Catalina de Alexandria Church just in front of Pagbilao Municipal Hall.
Grab some Longganisang Lucban for pasalubong.
Breakdown of expenses:
Transportation/Pax
Bus:
MNL-Lucena-MNL
|
Php
418
|
MiniBus/Jeep
: Lucena-P. Burgos-Lucena
|
Php 70
|
Boat:Marao-Dampalitan-Borawan-Kwebang
Lampas-Marao @Php2000
|
Php
225
|
Lodging
Php 500
/ 3D2N
Food
Php
300/pax contribution for 3D2N
Entrance Fee
Dampalitan
|
PhP30
|
Borawan
|
PhP15
|
Puting
Buhangin
|
PhP50
|
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
PhP 1,608
|
1 comment:
one of island i visited in padre burgos was dampalitan , i found it difficult to swim because too many jelly fish.. but the island itself was very nice not a wow factor to me but the serenity of the place i really love it.. it became a moment to me to unwind and enjoy the nature around me �� .. still will come back to this place and will try to visit the other islands... ciao
Post a Comment