YOLO-ing in Padre Burgos, Quezon Province

Unknown Sunday, June 28, 2015

Note: This write-up has been long overdue -- our trip was last 21-22 February, so pardon me if i'm not going to be accurate with the details of this trip. But I promise to make it brief compared to our last trip in Burot Beach
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HOLA QUEZON!

Are you looking for a quick weekend getaway just to relieve your stress and pressure from work? It's time to recharge and rest. Whether summer or during off-peak season, Quezon Province particularly in Padre Burgos is a must go because it's a home for three spectacular beaches -- Borawan, Dampalitan and Puting Buhangin or Kwebang Lampas (we weren't able to visit this island).


Dampalitan from a distance


Welcome to Dampalitan
Shoreline in Dampalitan
Boat ride to Borawan
One of the many rock formations on the way to Borawan
Borawan Island from afar
Welcoming view in Borawan

Borawan and Dampalitan may not as enchanting as Boracay or Palawan yet they can offer equally memorable experience -- if you just make the most of your stay. To make it more fun, bring with you your most awesome friends and indulge yourselves in white sand, high-definition backdrop (not to mention the sunset is almost perfect here), and a noteworthy camp.



Sunset in Dampalitan Island *speechless*
Cezarah!  (Nakaharap o nakatalikod?)
Me. "Just wow!"


HERE WE COME!

After Burot, me and my travel buddy Cezarah couldn't just get enough of the sun and the sands, so we decided to embark again into another YOLO adventure. We came across good reviews about Borawan which said that it was named after Boracay and Palawan because of its almost-fine white sand and limestone formations.

Make sure to wear your step-ins
Camping under the rock formations is more fun than renting a cottage
Feels like reaching the summit already
Water is much clearer here compared to Dampalitan

However, we ended up picking Dampalitan over Borawan. It's a very wise decision though because Dampalitan is a perfect camping ground with its wide stretch of sands. Dampalitan is like Anawangin Cove in Zambales, most part of it were covered in pine trees. Though its sand may not be that fine, the location is perfect for sunset lovers. Dampalitan is also the perfect venue if you wish to have bonfire at night while having some booze.

On our way to Dampalitan
Just a perfect weather
This is actually the view on the other side of the island

You can walk through this islet during low tide
Cottages are for rent -- though camping is more fun.
Yun oh!
Yes?
Hammocks are everywhere

MINGLING WITH THE FOLKS!

Arriving in the island, it felt a little gloomy. We are just glad that everyone is very accommodating and friendly. We were kind of lost the moment we arrived in Padre Burgos because we were not able to contact any boatman ahead of our trip. But fortunately, in our search for a boat ride in the middle of a community in the other side of Dampalitan Island, we were able to come across a local, with her child, who were headed somewhere in the farm nearby. They helped get our boat ride to Dampalitan and even carried some of our stuffs.


Mangroves. Mangroves. Mangroves.
We have to walk in the mud to reach our boat since it's low tide

Yes, you see it right. The boat was too small -- can only carry 3-4 persons. Oh well, this is adventure.
The boat ride was about 15-20 minutes -- in our case since our boat was too small. Arriving in Dampalitan there were only very few tourists, we don't know if it's good or bad news.  After setting up our tent and eating our first meal for the day we decided to tour ourselves in the island. We found out that Dampalitan is actually a quite big island connected to another island during low tide.

Campers come and go
Rock formations in Dampalitan are also perfect for picture taking
What a great view but sad to see dead corals -- if you just look closely 
What else to say?
Uh-uh!
The other side of Dampalitan

We also met these two energetic and smart kids named Yuri and Lawrence and spent the rest of our stay in the Island with them. Adding more to the fun were Badjo, Honesto and the other kids who are really cute and innocent. Apparently, because of them, we had a youthful trip, full of high hopes, ambitions and of course, puppy love stories! Eventually we gained additional two friends in FB!

Hanging out with the boys
Yuri and Lawrence playing with the bangka
Too cute and innocent
Bahay-bahayan with the kids
Just like little brothers, indeed.

The next day, we really had no money to rent a boat for island hopping. But, another fortune striked us -- Tatay Yow who is the caretaker of the island invited us to join his other guests heading to Borawan. Who are we to refuse? Yahoo!

Off we sail!
Couldn't be more happy to get a free ride
Always love to sit at the edge of the boat
Tatay Yow and his co-pilot

Too bad, we were still hoping we could drop-by Puting Buhangin but the guests just decided to stay in Borawan. Still, because of this not-so-well-planned and super-tipid-trip that we were able to appreciate those simple things.

Indeed, this trip was very special and memorable for us. We would definitely be back not only for the place but moreover because of the people we get to share our story.

Hmmmm!
Last hurrah!
Before we left, they handed us free souvenir bracelets
Until next time
Sun-kissed skin
Must try resto at the jump off point


HOW TO GET THERE?

Just before dawn (February 21) we decided to leave Manila and catch the earliest bus to Lucena (Jac Liner Buendia), the fare cost P220. We arrived at Lucena Grand Terminal in roughly 3 hours (the dawn trip was pretty fast, so better leave Manila around this time). From the Grand Terminal, you can ride a van or an ordinary bus to Marau, Padre Burgos. A bus ride costs P30 while a van costs P70. Considering it was just 5 o’clock in the morning, buses were not yet available so we had no choice but to ride a van. Well, according to van drivers, a bus ride will take a lot of time compared to a non-stop van trip. In 45 mins, we reached Padre Burgos. From there, we rode a boat to Dampalitan Island. (WARNING: The bangkeros are not available yet early in the morning the water level is still low. While an early morning travel from Manila will save you some time from traffic, it is better to wait until the sun rise before heading to Padre Burgos to have a less hassle boat transfer to the islands.)

And the fun starts as you step into the rough sand, the salty and cold water. Take those shirts off and feel the heat of summer sun!


Boat Transfer:

P800/boat (Borawan only up to 10 pax)
P1,200/boat (Borawan + Dampalitan up to 10 pax)
P1,800/boat (Borawan + Dampalitan + Puting Buhangin up to 10 pax)


Budget Breakdown:
Our Expenses
Bus fare  (Manila – Lucena)
220
Van fare (Lucena – Padre Burgos)
70
Boat rental (Dampalitan)
600/2 = 300
Entrance fee (Dampalitan)
75
Entrance fee (Borawan)
Free
Camping fee
200
Water (Per gallon)
50
Food
Baon
Bonfire
Free
Bus fare (Padre Burgos – Lucena)
30
Bus fare ((Lucena – Manila)
220
TOTAL
P 1,165.00


Contributing writer: Cezarah Caldit (Thanks for filling the blank spaces)