Burot Beach

Burot beach is an inexpensive getaway just hours away from metro manila. Located in Calatagan Batanggas it is a 3 to 4-hour bus/van ride from Pasay. I have read in a blog that they have a bus terminal at the back of Mcdonalds (Pasay Rotonda) but as of July 2014 (the time of our visit) there is no longer a terminal there, there is however a terminal for Vans, near Mcdonalds, at the back of Kabayan Hotel. If for any reason you can't take the van there is a terminal in Coastal Mall but you have to wait for the bus for an indefinite time since there are very limited buses going to Calatagan.

This was taken near our camp, those little trees from afar are along the breakwater.

At our arrival I have to say that I was not amazed by the place (but it wasn't bad for the budget either) I considered it to be on  scale of 4 out of 10 but I did enjoy our boat ride to "Puting Buhangin" a small islet just 10-15 minutes away from the beach. Puting Buhangin dissapears at low tide and the boatman will advice you of the time, I'd say ask right away when you arrive so you can plan accordingly. The caretakers are in the store, you will easily identify it once you're there.

At Puting Buhangin, there are small islets surrounding it with private amenities, really cool.

 After we explored the remote places however on the next day I'd give it a 6/10. Behind the small hummock on the left side when you are facing the sea there is a trail (not so visible, but you'd figure it out) that leads you to another hidden beach area with a green facade at it's back resembling what seems to me as little (forced) Batanes.

This is the hidden view for the little (forced) batanes. 

and here's from another angle

On the far right side of the beach they have placed a concrete to break the water so you'd have a shallow sandy part on one side and a deep water on the other side so just don't cross the line if you can't swim (that's common sense, I just want to verbalize it). At the other end of the breakwater there are a couple of mangroves which makes it unique because it looks like trees are growing in the middle of the sea made possible by the barrier, a spot to take those beautiful photos (most probably better than ours).

the breakwater

How to get there (Public Transpo):

• Ride a bus/van bound to Calatagan. I personally recomend the van located in Zamora St. at the back of Kabayan Hotel. If worse comes to worst there are buses from Coastal Mall terminal but you have to wait for a very long time (or not if you arrive in a very opportune time) since there a few. Either rides will cost you 180PHP as of writing.
• The bus/van's last stop would be the terminal in Calatagan just in front of the market.
• Tricycle drivers will come to you at the terminal, if not look for one to take you to Burot beach. I say get the trike driver's number and ask him to pick you up on your ETD because there are no public transpo available from the beach. 150PHP per trip - 3Pax.

Fees:

• Admission Fee - 130PHP/Pax
• Tent Fee (Own Tent) - 20PHP/Pax
• Boat Ride to Puting Buhangin (Optional) - 500PHP/Trip (Max of 5 pax, but depends on the boat)

Travel Tips

• Leave early from Manila so you will have more time to enjoy the beach, contact the number below to know the timetable of the Vans leaving from Manila. 
• To enjoy the place, stay overnight. They have tents for rent (500PHP if I remember it correctly) but you can also bring your own but you have to pay 30PHP/pax aside from your 130PHP entrance fee.
• There are no ready to eat foods for sale so bring your own cookset and the whole paraphernalia for cooking unless you want to eat bread the whole time (though there is an option to let the caretakers cook your food for a fee).
• Buy all your ingredients from the market or from Manila, the store there have a very limited supply. Early in the morning there are fishermen selling their catch at a considerably lower price compared to the prices in Manila but this is not a guarantee as you never know if they are going to catch anything or who knows what else so this should only be a side dish plan (its main course but you get the idea), not the main menu. 
• You can rent a grill but you can also bring your own, who knows if everything else is rented.
• Bring flashlights and camplights if you are staying overnight, there is no electricity.
• Bring potable water enough for the duration of your stay.
• Those who can't live without bathrooms can celebrate, they have those in place. 

Prices may vary and is not guaranteed, this info is as of July 2014.

Riding Siargao's Waves

Siargao, the surfing capital of the Philippines and my first impression was, how lonely can this place get? I mean sure there were hundreds of people at the port who boarded with me on the fast jet (ferry), but when I arrived at cloud nine (where everyone surfs) I can count the people I see with the fingers in my hands and the air was just oh so lonely, you know the feeling of homesickness because I’m at a province but of course it’s not my province and my being alone is slapped in my face. Well, that was until I was riding my perfect waves.

This was after my trip to Tinuy-an falls and Hinatuan river last October 12, right after my visit to tinuy-an I went back to Butuan only to ride another van to get me to Surigao city so I can get a ferry to Siargao the next morning(Sunday). At Surigao City I was able to get a decent enough room at 350PHP with a bathroom but I am not recommending it because I don’t feel that the place is safe, I locked myself in right after I paid and vowed to never open the door unless I’m all packed and ready to go. The only reason I took it was I was already tired and needed sleep.

Early the next morning (around 6:00) I hired a tricycle to get me to  the port but the earliest boat had already left and the next ferry is scheduled to leave at 11:30 at a different port, which is the official one, if you want to ride the earliest boat you have to be at that other pier at 5:00 – this is what the locals usually ride, just ask around and I’m sure they’ll tell you where it is or just ride a tricycle. I decided to buy a ticket first to make sure, and then went on to have my breakfast, and you won’t guess where it was, at Jollibee. Yes, I was trying something different and then went on to Gaizano and made my way back just in time for boarding.

I slept on the fast jet (for three hours) and I envy the ones riding the cargo ship enjoying the open air,  I made sure to take that one for my return trip. At the port drivers were asking me where I was headed so I said I’m okay and when everyone seemed to calm down I asked one driver to take me to Cloud Nine. I asked if he knew a safe but not costly place to stay and he said no, so I said okay, we’ll go on an asking adventure, I told him to just take me to where surfer’s meet and I’ll ask around.

I found Patrick’s on Cloud Nine  with only 400PHP per night, so I left my things and headed to the beach. The huge waves looked really powerful that when an instructor asked me if I would want to surf I asked if I could only ride the smaller waves. I agreed to have my one hour surfing lesson for 500PHP which comes with a shoes for safety because the shore had sharp reefs.  

I was surfing until sundown (I think I had more than an hour, *grin*) and looking at the sunset was like God telling me I answered your prayers. I was praying even long before this trip because I am going alone and all I can say is God made it perfect. Riding the waves while looking at the sunset felt so romantic it feels like Jesus was asking for my heart. After surfing the instructor told me “Perfect yung waves mo maam (you had perfect waves)”, then I realized that I never missed a wave, primarily because we had enough distance from the shore that I always find my balance before I loose the wave (yeah, that was cool).

While talking to my instructor however he told me that most of the tourist are at  the town proper, General Luna. I knew I had to go there or the quiet stillness in my room will not let me sleep, I asked the caretaker and she was okay with it, I said I am going to stay at their another beach hut Patrick’s on the Beach at General Luna and I was very glad I made that decision, it was like bits of puzzles falling into places.

General Luna was indeed were sea people (people who loved the beach) gathered. Thankfully Patrick’s is not near the place where they had KTV’s, so I had serenity and at the same time felt safe because I know there are people around. I ordered dinner and befriended the caretakers and even had a picture playing with their cute dog.

I enjoyed the place just siting at the beach front listening to my good old music the next morning while enjoying my breakfast - picture that! And I have to tell you that their Nipa Hut is also something to look forward to specially for couples, it has the laid-back feel of privacy that can really be romantic (I just love the term romantic because I am a hopeless romantic so cut me some slack). It costs me 800PHP (this is good for two persons) for a non-aircon room (it has an aircon it's just a matter of not turning it on, who would? it was cold) with a bathroom and you have a front porch, how awesome is that?

I packed up my things at 11:00 (Tuesday) so I can leave at twelve as I need to catch the Cargo ship leaving at 13:00, bid the caretakers farewell and rode another motorbike. Motorbikes should only cost you 50PHP but there has to be 3 of you – if you are alone and don’t want to ride with other passengers it will cost you 150PHP. There are still more places to visit at Siargao (there's an island there with glowing jelly fish) but I came here primarily for surfing and it would cost me more if I did Island hopping on my own so I’m hoping to go back with friends some other time.

Of course you have to check on my pictures below. 

Scenery at Cloud Nine's view deck, and there's me because I had to be there.. :)

I wish I could surf those gigantic waves, but maybe next time.

With the cute doggie..

General Luna  Beach,..

Yes, I enjoyed my breakfast.

I loved this, and that's why I have to have two photos.

Weekends in Magalawa

Weekends in Magalawa

It was the last day of the work week for us, which was unfortunately not a literal day but night (call  center folks can so relate to this) so we had to go directly to the bus station from the office so we can make it to our destination at least before 14:00. We arrive at Victory’s Kalookan bus terminal at 5:30 but were not even able to ride the 6:00 bus (they have a bus departing every 30 minutes) and had to take the 6:30 bus - that’s how many travelers they have so if you want to ride the earlier trip you have to be at least an hour before the desired departure time. We were supposed to be riding the bus directly going to Sta. Cruz ( Iba Zambales) but the first bus bound to Sta. Cruz only leaves at 7:00 which would give us 1 more hour to basically do nothing so we opted to take the bus going to Olongapo. We dropped off the Victory station there and rode another bus bound to Sta. Cruz, you just need to tell the bus conductor to drop you on the way to magalawa Island if you opt to take this route.

On the way to Olongapo surprisingly I found it hard to sleep (I always slept on bus rides) maybe because I had enough sleep the night in the office :D. Anyway, so we arrived on the road to Magalawa at around 13:30 and rode the tricycle to take us to the port to Magalawa. The trike ride is really an adventure by itself as the road is rocky  but it was fun except it was very dusty so have something to cover your eyes, nose and mouth. After around 20 minutes of the bumpy tricycle ride we arrived at the port which is probably the fishermen’s port as well as we saw barrels of fish being transported so it’s a bit messy place. As always the boat ride is entertaining, knowing you are above water and safe is one of the best feeling in the world, while hoping the boat won’t sink for whatever reason at the same time.

Arriving at Magalawa I told myself it was better than Boracay, well this depends on your preference of course. I prefer Magalwa because it was peaceful, no clubs, no people roaming around selling you stuff and the food was great. I felt like we got more than what we paid for with the food (package from Armada resort is 1500PHP for a Fan Kubo Accomodation – varies according to your group size) plus the free equipments for snorkeling. Since the Island is private you will really find the peace you are looking for sicne the owners decided to cater only a certain number of people where they can still maintain the island’s cleanliness and tranquility as I was told by one of its owners (the Island is owned by a family). I really liked their idea, and even dreamed for a moment to have my own island and resort and who knows I might really be blessed with one. :)

It was great to meet the people taking care of the island, and even meeting those other visitors trying to find whatever it is that they are hoping to find in the island. Traveling really does give you a better perspective in life. Seeing new people and beholding a newfound beauty tells you that there is more to life than all the hurt, the pain and the confusion. I know, I sound very lonely but I’m not, at least not anymore – we all have to go through these things at some point in our life but remember we just got to hold on and look forward to discover another beautiful creation. Seeing the grandeur of nature reminds us of God’s sovereignty, telling us that He is in control.

Below is the link to Armada Resort's site so you can check on their rates:

http://magalawaislandresort.com/

Below are the pictures taken from my phone (these are raw pictures so you know what to expect):

 me on the nose of boat (don't know what it is really) on our way to the island

 

below is our food on our first meal at Armada (we felt like being in a five star hotel and I haven't been in one so :)..

my early morning shot that raft you see in the background is tied to the small boat that takes us to the snorkeling site...

Last meal at Armada

the following photos were taken by Ragie:

since Ragie took this picture, she is the one who isn't her, thsi was our first meal here btw.. :)

good morning!

the friendly dog, they have lots of this kind...

a group shadow shot...