Cagbalete Island Trip with Friends
It was on May 22, 2010 when me and my HS friends have been to Cagbalete Island for a summer getaway! I’ve learned of this island when I was searching for a beach to go after my island hopping at my Zambales Trip. Cagbalete Island is still undiscovered paradise located in Mauban, Quezon so we thought of going there for a perfect escape.
Me and my friends met around 4.00 AM to catch the 05.00 AM bus trip going to Lucena City. Bus fare is around PHP 300.00. We arrived at Lucena City (Lucena City Grand Terminal) around 08.00 AM. and from there we rode a mini-bus (non-aircon) bound to Mauban. The mini-bus leave on an hourly interval and the travel time is one hour and 30 minutes, with bus fare of PHP 60.00. I’ve read from a site that there are also van from SM Lucena going to Mauban but we found the mini-bus more convenient for us (commuters from Manila) since we don’t need to go to SM Lucena City anymore.
We arrived at Mauban around 09.30 AM, from there we rode a tricycle going to port (fare is around PHP 30.00). Passenger boats going to Cagbalete Island with trips at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm daily only cost PHP 40.00 each. Since we arrived 30 minutes before the boat leaves, Mark, Patrick and Vane went to the wet market first to buy foods and things that we need since there are no public market and electricity in the island. At 11:00 AM we reached the drop off point at Sabang, Cagbalete Island and from there we rode a boat going to the resort (Pansacola Beach Resort). The boat cost PHP 250.00 (one-way) after haggling with the boatman. By the way we already asked the boatman to fetch us tomorrow from the resort.
The weather is sunny, and the water is only knee deep (you will not get drown in here). We are all amazed of how beautiful it was. Gusto na namin mag-swimming!
Because it was already lunch time, we first prepared for our food. Gutom na kami! Our chef friends prepared the menu while us, the assistants arranged the things at the cottage. The resort uses generator thus; we only used charcoal for our food to be cooked. It took an hour or more before we can eat. Ang hirap gumamit ng uling but the chicken-pork adobo is still yummy! Anyways, we stayed at the open cottage/hut overnight which costs PHP 1,300.
After our lunch, we explored the island. And from afar, the water is still knee deep.
We are all going crazy at the water as we didn’t mind how hot the sun was. We just enjoyed being there and having fun at the beach. We took a lot of pictures – solos, jump shots, emo mode while Mara and Vane didn’t mind of going two-piece at the camera. Wow!
All of us have its task on our trip, since I’m not a good cook. I volunteered to be in charged on our snack which is pancit canton! It was my first time to cook a pancit canton using a charcoal, it took me an hour for that. By sunset, we all got tired. We took a shower and just strolled and explored what the island has to offer. Of course, kasama pa din ang picture taking. Dinner time! How time flies, kain na ulit. For dinner, we had sinigang, chicken barbecue and grilled squid. Of course, hindi mawawala ang alak.
After dinner, we set up a bonfire. Since me and best enjoyed the marshmallow burned on fire, we bought marshmallow. Mara was our “tanggera” that night and she seems facetious. She always making fun of something, and that was funny. I found her nice and amusing. That’s why I enjoyed having her on our trip. I just laughed all the time. 😉
After a couple of drinks, we became playful. We took a dip at the beach. And the last thing I remembered was I fell asleep at the sands.
Good Morning Cagbalete! I woke up curiously on how did I get into the cottage… Patrick was looking for us when woke up and he found us lying in the sand. The rest of the story has been kept secret among us. Hahaha!
To make the story short, we are all safe and sound. Here’s our breakfast.
I had hangover, I’m not feeling well but that doesn’t stop me to enjoy the beach. More Pictures!
It was 10.00 AM and we went back to our cottage and packed our things, and it’s time to leave.
It was a memorable and fun-filled vacation. Sarap magswimming, the island was peaceful. Truly paradise. We left Cagbalete Island at 11.00 AM. We rode the van this time going to SM Lucena City and took a lunch there. It was not a good choice to ride a van since masikip at mainit. Anyways, from SM Lucena City, there are buses bound to Manila. We arrived Manila at 09.00 PM, and it’s back to reality.
Cagbalete Island Trip
May, 2010
Itinerary
Day 1
04.00 AM Meet Up
05.00 AM From Cubao terminal – bus bound to Lucena (Bus Fare: PHP 300.00)
08.00 AM From Lucena City (Grand Terminal) – bus bound to Mauban, Quezon (Mini-Bus Fare: PHP 60.00)
09.30 AM From Mauban to Port (Tricycle: PHP 30.00)
10.00 AM Passenger Boats to Sabang (Cagbalete Island Drop Off Point) (Fare: PHP 40.00)
11.30 AM Boat Going to Resort (Two-Way: PHP 500.00)
12.00 PM Pansacola Beach Resort (Cottage Rate Overnight: PHP 1,300.00)
01.00 PM The Beach
Day 2
07.00 AM Good Morning Cagbalete!
11.00 AM Boat to Sabang
12.30 PM Arrival at Mauban, Quezon (Passenger Boat Fare: PHP 40.00)
01.00 PM Tricycle going to Van Terminal (Tricycle Fare: PHP 30.00)
01.30 PM Arrival at Van terminal Going to SM Lucena City (Van Fare: PHP 70.00 – 100.00 (Estimate))
03.00 PM Arrival at SM Lucena – Lunch
05.00 PM Bus going to Manila (Bus Fare: PHP 300.00 (Estimate))
09.00 PM Manila!
* We are 7 in a group and I spent PHP 1,700.00 only
Pansacola Beach Resort
Cagbalete Island, Quezon
www.facebook.com/pansacolabeachresort?v=info
@Anonymous, nope for the whole group na yun.
@Anonymous, nope for the whole group na yun.
yung boat fare n P500 bucks per person b yun?
yung boat fare n P500 bucks per person b yun?
wala talagang kuryente dn?
wala talagang kuryente dn?
I've never heard of this place before but it looks so nice in your photos! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I've never heard of this place before but it looks so nice in your photos! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
@Ada, Kayang-kaya ang 1,500! Enjoy Cagbalete!
@Ada, Kayang-kaya ang 1,500! Enjoy Cagbalete!
Eto next trip ko siguro since pwede na lang for 2-day trips na lang pwede ko sa bago kong work 🙁
Thanks for sharing, ttry kong gawin 1,500 lang ang trip na ito hehe!
Eto next trip ko siguro since pwede na lang for 2-day trips na lang pwede ko sa bago kong work 🙁
Thanks for sharing, ttry kong gawin 1,500 lang ang trip na ito hehe!
Caramoan??? 🙂 more unexploited beaches please.
Caramoan??? 🙂 more unexploited beaches please.
yes, 2 days and tipid pa! 😉
yes, 2 days and tipid pa! 😉
hmmm…so dapat tlga 2 days ang cagbalete. mapuntahan nga! 🙂
hmmm…so dapat tlga 2 days ang cagbalete. mapuntahan nga! 🙂