Saturday, March 10, 2012

All Smiles in Alibijaban Island

Alibijaban (Alibihaban) Island, San Andres, Quezon

Having doubts about the traffic ahead and the strict available time i have, i asked to go 1hour undertime just to be sure i catch the san andres bus in Lucena grand.


pickers in Alibijaban Island, San Andres Quezon


It was 4pm when the LUCENA lines bus bound to Lucena Grand left the central terminal in cubao.

Because of the weekend rush, it was already 20mins past 8pm when i reached Lucena grand.

When i got there, that last bus was already almost full, and totally jam packed with baggage. Alighting passengers literally climb the dump of goods on the bus aisle.

Mangrove in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


A few mintues after 9pm, the bus left; And, so, there we were... I'm finally riding an R&R bus(by far my third attempt to reach alibijaban)

2 bus stops from there, we reached San andres market. From there, my co passengers had advised me to speak to yet 2 sets of passenger who are bound for Alibijaban. They said that the trips going to alibijaban will be later at about 7, and I might want to negotiate with the other passengers so i can ask to fit in their boat.


Walking around Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

The first set were 2 ladies with 2 babies and plenty of baggage. The boat was too small for me to fit me in, plus the waves were strong at the time. The boatman agreed to come back though to fetch me and the other passengers, which he did in less than an hour.


Fisherman in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Fisherman in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Children in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Children's pick of weeds from the waters of Alibijaban


It was when I was in the boat when i felt how kinda risky the waves are. The boat was swinging left and right, smashes forward, and my grip on the boat was just hilarious. There isnt even a comfortable seat in there.. I felt like i'll be thrown away. Plus, the boatman didnt even have a light.

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


Luckily, we docked safe.
Although the moon wasn't around to give some light, from the shore, you could tell how clear the water is. You'd see the silhouettes of the stones; The sand was obviously bright.

I sat on a bench and waited for the sunrise.

Kuya randy, the boatman, stood with me for the time and entertained with quick facts about alibijaban.

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


By the time it was bright, he volunteered to walk me around after getting permission from kagawad (Kaptain isn't there at that time). 

After telling kagawad about ME and stuff, he asked Randy to go ahead and escort me. We walked through a guesthouse which he said is intended for visiting tourists. It's actually a DENR facility though since it's not really occupied most of the time, they allow tourists to stay in it. 


Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon



Next to the facility is the barangay school, which, according to Randy and the locals is impending turnover into a resort.

Further inland, we got to the mangroves, the dismantled boat (in Dong Ho of Eskapo's blog, it was still erect and docked), then the bridge to the next barangay.


kids in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

kid in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon



After the bridge, we walked back to the bench and off i was for my picture moments.

By 9am, i felt sleepy and walked back to the guesthouse and took a nap. 

When i woke up, it wa already past 11. I woke up very hungry and cooked some noodles. Lit a cigarette and then then walked back to the beanch to find kuya randy. 

Along the way, There were some locals along who asked if i were bound to 
bayan, and walked with me towards randy's boat. 

By 12:30, i was already at the bus station. Since the bus is leaving only by 1pm, i took the time to charge my phone.



Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon




Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


It was already past 1 when it left and thank god the bus isn't as loaded as it was at the night. Every so often, the bus has to stop to pickup passengers along the way. Just before reaching san narciso, a man walked in carrying a toddler and a kid. As soon as he sat, he yelled over a woman in the window. My tumor has it, they were on a fight. When the conductor came to get his fare, he was pleading to be excused as he doesn't have money. The conductor noded and left. Try doing that in manila. Also, on my trip going to san andres, a lot of the passengers were bargaining on the fair. I was amazed how the system here is.

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


Meantime, along san narciso, traversing through the mountain range, the other extension of the province was very visible. It seems that they also have white sand at that part. I asked my bus seatmate, and she said it is called punta. It is a beach stretch all over the coast of the land between that going to bicol and san narciso. Something to add up to a alibijaban itinerary.

kids in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

waters of  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

departing  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


*add'l details:
*from Cubao to Lucena Grand terminal is P218. Trips to san andres, from lucena starts 5am. Last trip at 8pm (they actually leave 9, but you wont want to be left by the bus, just like what happened to me before and i had to cancel the trip in lucena itself). Fare is P270. Prepare to tight fit in your own seat as people would normally carry boxes and bags of whatever goods they can get from the city.

Regular boat fare from and to san andres pier to alibijaban is P20 (though i had to pay kuya P50 in the morning dahil wala ako barya; And P200 on my way back to the port since it was supposedly a special trip plus considering his hospitability).
*people in the island, and generally in town are very, and i mean very, superstitious and speculative. Quezon is known for the pogi (Communist brothers), so all eyes on unfamiliar faces. When i got off the bus, foot set in san andres, i had some coffee in one store and opened a converaation with manang about the island. She asked if i was carrying my water as it is unsafe to drink from there. In turn, i said yes, but again asked if it were with the quality of the water. She exclaimed it was of poisoning which I was having a hard time to believe. Meantime, when I was with the other passenger waiting for Randy to come back, the passenger was telling me too not to eat just on anywhere. Again, he said it was bec of poisoning.


*an even better view was the kids enthusiasm on the cam. When they see you taking pictures, they'll get close and will be very happy to pose for you.
*please approach and talk to the locals. They'd love to talk to u.. They're rather just hesitant.
*try the bibingkas sold on stopover.
*i was informed that a lot of the people from the pier offer guiding services, etc and ask for vain tip. Careful.
*kuya randy may be contacted, for guide and boat service, at 09773708487, 09982758413 (new as of June 2015).
*you can also do a sidetrip to Sombrero Island in San Pascual Masbate which shall be 2 hours boat from Alibijaban island (see burias island post for details)
*superlines now ply cubao-san andres



see here for the outreach activity we did in Alibijaban
see here for a cool sidetrip of your travel to Alibijaban: Talao Talao Rock Formation in San Narciso

Looking to travelling to this destination? Talk to me and we'll let's talk about your accomodation, transpo, and tour options

Alibijaban (Alibihaban) Island, San Andres, Quezon

Having doubts about the traffic ahead and the strict available time i have, i asked to go 1hour undertime just to be sure i catch the san andres bus in Lucena grand.


pickers in Alibijaban Island, San Andres Quezon


It was 4pm when the LUCENA lines bus bound to Lucena Grand left the central terminal in cubao.

Because of the weekend rush, it was already 20mins past 8pm when i reached Lucena grand.

When i got there, that last bus was already almost full, and totally jam packed with baggage. Alighting passengers literally climb the dump of goods on the bus aisle.

Mangrove in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


A few mintues after 9pm, the bus left; And, so, there we were... I'm finally riding an R&R bus(by far my third attempt to reach alibijaban)

2 bus stops from there, we reached San andres market. From there, my co passengers had advised me to speak to yet 2 sets of passenger who are bound for Alibijaban. They said that the trips going to alibijaban will be later at about 7, and I might want to negotiate with the other passengers so i can ask to fit in their boat.


Walking around Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

The first set were 2 ladies with 2 babies and plenty of baggage. The boat was too small for me to fit me in, plus the waves were strong at the time. The boatman agreed to come back though to fetch me and the other passengers, which he did in less than an hour.


Fisherman in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Fisherman in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Children in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Children's pick of weeds from the waters of Alibijaban


It was when I was in the boat when i felt how kinda risky the waves are. The boat was swinging left and right, smashes forward, and my grip on the boat was just hilarious. There isnt even a comfortable seat in there.. I felt like i'll be thrown away. Plus, the boatman didnt even have a light.

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


Luckily, we docked safe.
Although the moon wasn't around to give some light, from the shore, you could tell how clear the water is. You'd see the silhouettes of the stones; The sand was obviously bright.

I sat on a bench and waited for the sunrise.

Kuya randy, the boatman, stood with me for the time and entertained with quick facts about alibijaban.

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


By the time it was bright, he volunteered to walk me around after getting permission from kagawad (Kaptain isn't there at that time). 

After telling kagawad about ME and stuff, he asked Randy to go ahead and escort me. We walked through a guesthouse which he said is intended for visiting tourists. It's actually a DENR facility though since it's not really occupied most of the time, they allow tourists to stay in it. 


Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon



Next to the facility is the barangay school, which, according to Randy and the locals is impending turnover into a resort.

Further inland, we got to the mangroves, the dismantled boat (in Dong Ho of Eskapo's blog, it was still erect and docked), then the bridge to the next barangay.


kids in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

kid in Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon



After the bridge, we walked back to the bench and off i was for my picture moments.

By 9am, i felt sleepy and walked back to the guesthouse and took a nap. 

When i woke up, it wa already past 11. I woke up very hungry and cooked some noodles. Lit a cigarette and then then walked back to the beanch to find kuya randy. 

Along the way, There were some locals along who asked if i were bound to 
bayan, and walked with me towards randy's boat. 

By 12:30, i was already at the bus station. Since the bus is leaving only by 1pm, i took the time to charge my phone.



Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon




Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


It was already past 1 when it left and thank god the bus isn't as loaded as it was at the night. Every so often, the bus has to stop to pickup passengers along the way. Just before reaching san narciso, a man walked in carrying a toddler and a kid. As soon as he sat, he yelled over a woman in the window. My tumor has it, they were on a fight. When the conductor came to get his fare, he was pleading to be excused as he doesn't have money. The conductor noded and left. Try doing that in manila. Also, on my trip going to san andres, a lot of the passengers were bargaining on the fair. I was amazed how the system here is.

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


Meantime, along san narciso, traversing through the mountain range, the other extension of the province was very visible. It seems that they also have white sand at that part. I asked my bus seatmate, and she said it is called punta. It is a beach stretch all over the coast of the land between that going to bicol and san narciso. Something to add up to a alibijaban itinerary.

kids in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

Ian Limbonis in  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

waters of  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon

departing  Alibijaban Island, San Andres, Quezon


*add'l details:
*from Cubao to Lucena Grand terminal is P218. Trips to san andres, from lucena starts 5am. Last trip at 8pm (they actually leave 9, but you wont want to be left by the bus, just like what happened to me before and i had to cancel the trip in lucena itself). Fare is P270. Prepare to tight fit in your own seat as people would normally carry boxes and bags of whatever goods they can get from the city.

Regular boat fare from and to san andres pier to alibijaban is P20 (though i had to pay kuya P50 in the morning dahil wala ako barya; And P200 on my way back to the port since it was supposedly a special trip plus considering his hospitability).
*people in the island, and generally in town are very, and i mean very, superstitious and speculative. Quezon is known for the pogi (Communist brothers), so all eyes on unfamiliar faces. When i got off the bus, foot set in san andres, i had some coffee in one store and opened a converaation with manang about the island. She asked if i was carrying my water as it is unsafe to drink from there. In turn, i said yes, but again asked if it were with the quality of the water. She exclaimed it was of poisoning which I was having a hard time to believe. Meantime, when I was with the other passenger waiting for Randy to come back, the passenger was telling me too not to eat just on anywhere. Again, he said it was bec of poisoning.


*an even better view was the kids enthusiasm on the cam. When they see you taking pictures, they'll get close and will be very happy to pose for you.
*please approach and talk to the locals. They'd love to talk to u.. They're rather just hesitant.
*try the bibingkas sold on stopover.
*i was informed that a lot of the people from the pier offer guiding services, etc and ask for vain tip. Careful.
*kuya randy may be contacted, for guide and boat service, at 09773708487, 09982758413 (new as of June 2015).
*you can also do a sidetrip to Sombrero Island in San Pascual Masbate which shall be 2 hours boat from Alibijaban island (see burias island post for details)
*superlines now ply cubao-san andres



see here for the outreach activity we did in Alibijaban
see here for a cool sidetrip of your travel to Alibijaban: Talao Talao Rock Formation in San Narciso

Looking to travelling to this destination? Talk to me and we'll let's talk about your accomodation, transpo, and tour options

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