Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Perfect sunset found: Lubang Island, Mindoro




I've been enjoying surprise trips lately, getting rid of Itineraries, research, etc. I must say I have adopted comfort and challenge at the odds of every travel.

This weekend, I have initially planned on visiting samar and leyte, but, as I have been telling myself recently, I should not be rushing on destinations. They'll always be there, and i'd rather that I enjoy every visit as much as I can.


One of the destinations that has been rotting in my bucket list is Lubang island in Mindoro. I have special interest with this island for that Japanese Soldier Onoda's story.






Til the time of our arrival in Tilic port in Lubang, we did not have any fixed plans of what to do or where to go. I was initially planning to do a staycation at Kaypalad Resort after seeing their really enticing lone hut in a hill accomodation, but, owner Ms Nori informed me that she isn't around and do not accomodate any visitor without her in their vicinity.

From wikimapia and google maps, I could see a stretch of white beach fronting the port. I thought about camping here for the night, but 4pm is too early to settle. We thought we might as well visit this beach on our way back to Calatagan. 

Also, during my (several and long as if we were close friends) conversation with her, she adviced that Looc has the best beaches and coral beds.

Upon arrival in Tilic, we asked if there are any jeepneys bound to Looc. We were told there isn't; And since we have not had lunch, and it's already almost 4pm, we decided to get into the nearby eateries. There are only 2 eateries there, and honestly, none is inviting. The owners have also said they don't have really anything prepared for a diner (as there are no expected customers). We asked if they can cook eggs and instant noodles for us, and they gladly did (except that we were shocked at how much we were charged; each egg was P20 and more, when the owner calculated the bill to P240, an additional charge of P10 for was included, and we suspected it was rather to round off the bill). Suddenly, just while the eggs were being prepared, a jeep for Looc dropped by to check out if there are any passengers from the just-arrived ferry, but then, I was too shy to ask the jeep to wait as there are a number of passengers already in the jeepney.

After that meal, we thought about trying out some hitchhiking by walking towards the direction of Looc. Then again, just a few meters away, I asked that we sit and rethink. It might be dark by the time we arrive, and it might be too late to arrange for food and  a place to stay. Meantime, we have the Onoda trail on our priority, and I'm afraid of missing it we were to head rightaway to Looc.

Most locals we spoke to were recommending the resorts in Tagbac; I also know that one of the resorts there, Bamboo hut resort, is serving meals. We decided to stay in Tagbac for that night, and then do the Onoda Trail in the morning.

The jeeps going to Town Center have all gone; A few meters from where we were, there is a construction truck that seems to be leaving; I approached the driver and asked where they are headed... They're heading to "Bayan" (Town Center) where, from there, we can take a trike to Tagbac. We hitched in (and saved us about 74 pesos each). From Town Center, the tricycle was asking P100 to bamboo hut, and we managed to haggle for P80.






We arrived at the perfect time for sunset. My eyes stood at the sea's horizon while I was setting up, until the sun finally hid completely.








We woke up early enough the following day. From bamboo hut, we inteded to check out the Cabra island. We had difficulty haggling the boat service to below P1000, so we decided to skip and proceed to Onoda Cave.



We managed to get a tricycle to drive us (or somewhere close) to Onoda, and some beaches after. Arni agreed on P500 (including his fuel).

I've called up tourism to secure permission and guide, but we are being advised that the tricycle can't make it up to the site. I decided to hold my reply until we get to the jumpoff. I was anticipating the expensive jeep rental, so thought about holding my confirmation too til we get there.

Meantime, on our way to the detour for the Onoda Cave, we did a quick stop at this white beach, which sand makes it very inviting, even if you're just passing by the highway.




After some pictures, we moved to Onoda. The tricycle didn't make it indeed to the very jumpoff, but from where we parked, it was just a 20minute walk.

When we saw the Onoda marker, I called up the tourism again. Unfortunatly, tourism officer was saying it don't work that way. Prior arrangements have to be made so they can arrange for guides. We couldn't do anything; it's a cave, and unlike mountains, it's almost impossible to get in without anyone familiar to the cave (and not to mention we don't have a headlamp nor a flashlight).




We pulled away, and tossed our frustration to the cashew trees we enountered along way.




We moved out, and asked to be brought back to the white beach. We wanted to take some more better pictures from what we've got; At our arrival though, since it was already low tide, the sight isn't so good as the morning.

We asked Arni, our driver to get us to some beach good for swimming. All the beaches we've been to have less than a foot depth. The driver brought us to sawang where he said there are cavities in the shalllow water where we can swim as in a pool (was assuming the same kind of what I've seen in Pollilo Islands). Then again, when we got there, the water isn't so deep, and there were quite a lot of sea urchins.

Further from where we went is brgy tumibo; One of those who has been helping me with information is the Tourism President, sir Jimmy. He said he is in brgy tumibo where most of the villagers are his relatives. I thought about dropping by at least for courtesy of helping me out with some doubts.

His relatives served us coffee and bread upon our arrival, and as soon as we finished, he asked that we got to another "pebble beach". Apparently, more than the pebbles, I thought it was the best spot to observe the sunset. Towards the shore is a very shallow water that looked like the celebrated picture of that saltbed in Bolivia.







The sun has completely set, and we decided to scout some accomodation. Before we left, we spotted a fisherman with his catch, and asked to buy 1 fish out of this. We got one huge fish for 120 (and we thought it was a great bargain until we were told it should've been only P50).






We stayed at Protacio Resort for that night. 

How to Go:
From Manila, take a Calatagan Bus from the Grand Terminal in Coastal Mall. Ordinary bus fare is P120. Upon arrival in calatagan, take tricycle to Port. Fare to port is P20/head in a tricycle that needs at least 4 passengers to move. The port charges P15 terminal fee. Uon arrival in the fishport, secure ticket from the desk right in the Ports Authority Office. You'd see the tarpaulin on the table for the God's Grace/Lubang trips. There are seats nominated in the ticket for proper occupation in the boat.
As the trip may take 2.5hrs minimum, and might be too rough for others to handle, prepare necessary (food, puke bag, etc). Upon arrival in Tilik, ask for the jeeps towards your destination.


Additional Notes:

Every tuesday, god's grace has an afternoon trip, Tilik-calatagan at 3pm.
Jeep fare from Tilic-Tagbac is P100. There are no regular jeeps that travel around Lubang Island. Passenger jeeps are available only during arrival and departure of the ferries. Else, the transpo means around Lubang will only be via tricycle.
There is a calatagan-agkawayan (in the town of Looc, which is said to have the better beaches) trip every sat at 7am. Future lubang travellers may take this for an early arrival in Agkawayan, explore Looc til end of the day and then move before sunset (or the morning after) elsewhere.



What I spent:
Fare to calatagan from Coastal:140/pax
Trike to pier: 20/pax
Terminal fee: 15/pax
Ferry to Lubang: 300 (student; 400 reg fare)
Lunch in Lubang Port: 81.75 (250/3pax)
Trike: 26.75 (80/3pax)
Drinks: 36 (108/3pax)
Dinner, breakfast and resort: 250 (750/2pax)
Lunch: 110 (330/3pax)
Halo halo: 15
Fish: 40 (120/3pax)
Meat: 45 (135/3pax)
Drinks: 99.50 (296/3pax)
Protacio Resort: 67 (200/3pax: 25 entrance + 100 camp fee + tip)
Trike: 267 (500 (half day tour) + 300 (tagbac-tilic)/3pax)
Breakfast: 30
Tilik-Calatagan: 300 (400 regular fare)
Trike to Terminal: P26.75(80/4)




We stayed at Protacio Resort for that night. 




How to Go:
From Manila, take a Calatagan Bus from the Grand Terminal in Coastal Mall. Ordinary bus fare is P120. Upon arrival in calatagan, take tricycle to Port. Fare to port is P20/head in a tricycle that needs at least 4 passengers to move. The port charges P15 terminal fee. Uon arrival in the fishport, secure ticket from the desk right in the Ports Authority Office. You'd see the tarpaulin on the table for the God's Grace/Lubang trips. There are seats nominated in the ticket for proper occupation in the boat.
As the trip may take 2.5hrs minimum, and might be too rough for others to handle, prepare necessary (food, puke bag, etc). Upon arrival in Tilik, ask for the jeeps towards your destination.


Additional Notes:

Every tuesday, god's grace has an afternoon trip, Tilik-calatagan at 3pm.
Jeep fare from Tilic-Tagbac is P100. There are no regular jeeps that travel around Lubang Island. Passenger jeeps are available only during arrival and departure of the ferries. Else, the transpo means around Lubang will only be via tricycle.
There is a calatagan-agkawayan (in the town of Looc, which is said to have the better beaches) trip every sat at 7am. Future lubang travellers may take this for an early arrival in Agkawayan, explore Looc til end of the day and then move before sunset (or the morning after) elsewhere.

Best visited in May when the town is in fiesta whole month. I was told its eating and dancing the whole month



What I spent:
Fare to calatagan from Coastal:140/pax
Trike to pier: 20/pax
Terminal fee: 15/pax
Ferry to Lubang: 300 (student; 400 reg fare)
Lunch in Lubang Port: 81.75 (250/3pax)
Trike: 26.75 (80/3pax)
Drinks: 36 (108/3pax)
Dinner, breakfast and resort: 250 (750/2pax)
Lunch: 110 (330/3pax)
Halo halo: 15
Fish: 40 (120/3pax)
Meat: 45 (135/3pax)
Drinks: 99.50 (296/3pax)
Protacio Resort: 67 (200/3pax: 25 entrance + 100 camp fee + tip)
Trike: 267 (500 (half day tour) + 300 (tagbac-tilic)/3pax)
Breakfast: 30
Tilik-Calatagan: 300 (400 regular fare)
Trike to Terminal: P26.75(80/4)



6 comments :

  1. A very good read. I love the way you tell your stories. And your photographs are amazing. You are a very good photographer. Being a native of Batangas, it has always been my dream to see the neighbouring places and Mindoro is not an exception. I would be visiting your blog more often as I can see that I can learn more about our country. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi, I know you weren't able to swim in a decent spot, but are there really places in the beach that are good for swimming (not the shallow ones)? :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not on those we visited sir. But i heard the other side of the island are great for swim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh nice! Do you have a contact whom I can coordinate with at the island? :D

      Delete
  4. Inasmuch as id like sir, but the only no i can share is that on the picture. No permission from owners to share their details sorry.

    ReplyDelete

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