Burias Island in Masbate

  

one of the islands around Burias Island 

See here for the suggested itinerary to San Pascual Burias Island, Masbate

This trip to Burias Island has been planned a few months ahead, and it was almost frustrating that days before the long weekend, a strong typhoon is impending to screw it up.

2 days before the event, i had been closely monitoring the typhoon; looking regularly on the PAGASA site for updates on its location.

We were scheduled to leave thursday night, and wednesday night, I wasn't so agreeable on a plan B. The typhoon was in Roxas city and the reports don't mention where its location will be by thursday night.

I did my own estimate and SMSd everyone about my projection and/or absence of any other plan.

Thursday morning, the typhoon is, as weather report notes, exactly in burias island and it is signal no 2 in san pascual, masbate. I was cool enough though I was still praying it doesn't go U turn like the other typhoons.

After work, I rushed home to get my stuff. Suddenly, I got a call from the local tourism, Sir Tony, who gave me the other info I couldn't find on the net, including, as he said, The P1000 tinalisayan, and P2500 sombrero+tinalisayin combo boat trip costs.

He warned us that there are no trips at the moment, because of the weather, but I insisted that we're OK with waiting in Pasacao port until trips resume (I've seen from wikimapia some beaches along Pasacao anyway where we can hang out while waiting in case we get stranded indeed)

We met as agreed, though as expected, heavy rains were pouring in Manila thursday afternoon. By the time of our meeting, GMA correspondent Susan Enriquez was still reporting in the araneta terminal while we were waiting for the rest of the group.

Bus strips have resumed later, as the port in Matnog, sorsogon has been cleared by the coastguard. Suddenly, all trips are closed and fully booked, and we played our chances on the no-show passenger seats. We almost split on different buses, but just on time, we found a bus that can take 5 chance passengers.

Everything was on place thereafter. Upon getting off from the bus in pasacao junction, there was the NAGA-PASACAO jeep waiting for port bound passengers. And, when we got to the port, the first boat which is supposed to leave only by 10:30am left at our arrival because of the good number of passengers who were stranded the other day.

Pasacao Town Center

Manifesto

M/B Maxim

Finding comfort zone in Maxim

From the San Pascual Pier, as we were obviously touring around, some men offered boats, and we got quotes for P300 to tinalisayin, and P1500 for Tinalisayin and Sombrero Islands. I did not make any commitment though as I did not know why such a difference from the tourism's offer.

San Pascual Port

Anyhow, we had lunch from Ate Jing's carinderia and asked about boat prices to these islands. She said that the random fishermen's offer was fine.

While eating, since the tourism office is expecting us, 2 men came took shade from ate jing's place, and were looking at us. Then ate jing told us they were looking for us.

A little while later, sir Tony came and invited us to the tourism desk after our lunch.

At the tourism desk, we were given the info about the possible destinations, and right after, we were ready for the island hopping. The guy who offered us a boat was there all the time, and I pity that I couldnt get hi offer since I have more peace of mind dealing with the tourism. We agreed to check in at Virjen, where the P2500 charge would include drop and pickup in that resort.

waters of Burias

Heading close to Sombrero Island

Docked in Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

We started the island hopping, and got really hooked up with sombrero. If only we had alcohol available already at that time, we would have rather camped in Sombrero.

After sombrero, we headed to tinalisayin. Unfortunately, it was already high tide at the time and our guide wont want us to cross as we may be waved off by the tide.

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Shortly after going round the island, we sailed back to the port to scout some goods and then to Virjen resort.

When we got to virjen, we were asked how many rooms we'll be occupying. When we said only 1, the caretaker said he'll have to ask his manager as the generator would consume more oil than what we'll pay. With all the lights around the resort turned on, it might be the case indeed. We said we are ok with turning off the lectricity after some time. A little while after, the tourism staff has to leave and said they've spoken to the resort and everything's fine.

Back in the port while having dinner, again at Ate jing's, we were asking how to get to Claveria. There is a commuter boat that plies san pascual masbate city, M/B Mark Mike, but it has sailed already the day before. Its schedule is thursday, San Pascual-Claveria/Masbate and Sunday for return.

A bystander, the municipal Engineer offered his boat (and in fact free lodging) for P1500.

Before the tourism officers left at Virjen, they asked us for our plan. On google maps, the sands of claveria are whiter than san pascual's so I was very eager to see the other town. Besides, We ca'nt tell when we can come back, so the convenient option is too see everything we can. So, we said we'll go by Engineer's boat, whom the tourism officer this time said is P2000.

It was almost 7am when we woke up, and it was already 8am when we left virgen. Since we didn't have time the other day for San Pascual church and Balinsasayaw House, we decided to see these first before going to claveria.

San Pascual Church, San Pascual Masbate

San Pascual Church, San Pascual Masbate

lodging house in San Pascual, Masbate

lodging house in San Pascual, Masbate

Balinsasayaw House in San Pascual Masbate

It was already past 10am when we left. For the next 4 hours, we were sailing the shores of burias. A coast of various sites of rock formations and sandy borders. It has been several hours already, and fishermen we approach said Putting baybay (our area of interest) is still far away. We then decided to go U turn and just check out brgy pasig. It wasn't as I expected. The water is quite clear, but the bed is rocky and full of urchins -that google can't zoom enough.

skin tones

We decided to check out instead that rocky cove that had a really nice view. It was already dark when we got back to port.

Ian's Cove? Lolz.. it doesn't have a name. We passed by it, and thought of dropping by on our way back

Ian's cove again

and more pics of Ian's cove

For that night, we took engineer's offer for a hosted homestay. He even served us a bounty of big shrimps in sinigang for breakfast.

At 9am, we left his house only to find out that Maxim boat has left at the same time. Thank God there was a copra delivery boat that will sail after lunch.

Navy vessel docked in San Pascual Port, Masbate

Copra beddings

staff chow

It was already past 3pm when we got to Pasacao.

see here what happened next...

See here for the suggested itinerary to San Pascual Burias Island, Masbate

see here for other visited places in Masbate

  

one of the islands around Burias Island 

See here for the suggested itinerary to San Pascual Burias Island, Masbate

This trip to Burias Island has been planned a few months ahead, and it was almost frustrating that days before the long weekend, a strong typhoon is impending to screw it up.

2 days before the event, i had been closely monitoring the typhoon; looking regularly on the PAGASA site for updates on its location.

We were scheduled to leave thursday night, and wednesday night, I wasn't so agreeable on a plan B. The typhoon was in Roxas city and the reports don't mention where its location will be by thursday night.

I did my own estimate and SMSd everyone about my projection and/or absence of any other plan.

Thursday morning, the typhoon is, as weather report notes, exactly in burias island and it is signal no 2 in san pascual, masbate. I was cool enough though I was still praying it doesn't go U turn like the other typhoons.

After work, I rushed home to get my stuff. Suddenly, I got a call from the local tourism, Sir Tony, who gave me the other info I couldn't find on the net, including, as he said, The P1000 tinalisayan, and P2500 sombrero+tinalisayin combo boat trip costs.

He warned us that there are no trips at the moment, because of the weather, but I insisted that we're OK with waiting in Pasacao port until trips resume (I've seen from wikimapia some beaches along Pasacao anyway where we can hang out while waiting in case we get stranded indeed)

We met as agreed, though as expected, heavy rains were pouring in Manila thursday afternoon. By the time of our meeting, GMA correspondent Susan Enriquez was still reporting in the araneta terminal while we were waiting for the rest of the group.

Bus strips have resumed later, as the port in Matnog, sorsogon has been cleared by the coastguard. Suddenly, all trips are closed and fully booked, and we played our chances on the no-show passenger seats. We almost split on different buses, but just on time, we found a bus that can take 5 chance passengers.

Everything was on place thereafter. Upon getting off from the bus in pasacao junction, there was the NAGA-PASACAO jeep waiting for port bound passengers. And, when we got to the port, the first boat which is supposed to leave only by 10:30am left at our arrival because of the good number of passengers who were stranded the other day.

Pasacao Town Center

Manifesto

M/B Maxim

Finding comfort zone in Maxim

From the San Pascual Pier, as we were obviously touring around, some men offered boats, and we got quotes for P300 to tinalisayin, and P1500 for Tinalisayin and Sombrero Islands. I did not make any commitment though as I did not know why such a difference from the tourism's offer.

San Pascual Port

Anyhow, we had lunch from Ate Jing's carinderia and asked about boat prices to these islands. She said that the random fishermen's offer was fine.

While eating, since the tourism office is expecting us, 2 men came took shade from ate jing's place, and were looking at us. Then ate jing told us they were looking for us.

A little while later, sir Tony came and invited us to the tourism desk after our lunch.

At the tourism desk, we were given the info about the possible destinations, and right after, we were ready for the island hopping. The guy who offered us a boat was there all the time, and I pity that I couldnt get hi offer since I have more peace of mind dealing with the tourism. We agreed to check in at Virjen, where the P2500 charge would include drop and pickup in that resort.

waters of Burias

Heading close to Sombrero Island

Docked in Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

Sombrero Island, San Pascual Masbate

We started the island hopping, and got really hooked up with sombrero. If only we had alcohol available already at that time, we would have rather camped in Sombrero.

After sombrero, we headed to tinalisayin. Unfortunately, it was already high tide at the time and our guide wont want us to cross as we may be waved off by the tide.

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Tinalisayan Island, San Pascual Masbate

Shortly after going round the island, we sailed back to the port to scout some goods and then to Virjen resort.

When we got to virjen, we were asked how many rooms we'll be occupying. When we said only 1, the caretaker said he'll have to ask his manager as the generator would consume more oil than what we'll pay. With all the lights around the resort turned on, it might be the case indeed. We said we are ok with turning off the lectricity after some time. A little while after, the tourism staff has to leave and said they've spoken to the resort and everything's fine.

Back in the port while having dinner, again at Ate jing's, we were asking how to get to Claveria. There is a commuter boat that plies san pascual masbate city, M/B Mark Mike, but it has sailed already the day before. Its schedule is thursday, San Pascual-Claveria/Masbate and Sunday for return.

A bystander, the municipal Engineer offered his boat (and in fact free lodging) for P1500.

Before the tourism officers left at Virjen, they asked us for our plan. On google maps, the sands of claveria are whiter than san pascual's so I was very eager to see the other town. Besides, We ca'nt tell when we can come back, so the convenient option is too see everything we can. So, we said we'll go by Engineer's boat, whom the tourism officer this time said is P2000.

It was almost 7am when we woke up, and it was already 8am when we left virgen. Since we didn't have time the other day for San Pascual church and Balinsasayaw House, we decided to see these first before going to claveria.

San Pascual Church, San Pascual Masbate

San Pascual Church, San Pascual Masbate

lodging house in San Pascual, Masbate

lodging house in San Pascual, Masbate

Balinsasayaw House in San Pascual Masbate

It was already past 10am when we left. For the next 4 hours, we were sailing the shores of burias. A coast of various sites of rock formations and sandy borders. It has been several hours already, and fishermen we approach said Putting baybay (our area of interest) is still far away. We then decided to go U turn and just check out brgy pasig. It wasn't as I expected. The water is quite clear, but the bed is rocky and full of urchins -that google can't zoom enough.

skin tones

We decided to check out instead that rocky cove that had a really nice view. It was already dark when we got back to port.

Ian's Cove? Lolz.. it doesn't have a name. We passed by it, and thought of dropping by on our way back

Ian's cove again

and more pics of Ian's cove

For that night, we took engineer's offer for a hosted homestay. He even served us a bounty of big shrimps in sinigang for breakfast.

At 9am, we left his house only to find out that Maxim boat has left at the same time. Thank God there was a copra delivery boat that will sail after lunch.

Navy vessel docked in San Pascual Port, Masbate

Copra beddings

staff chow

It was already past 3pm when we got to Pasacao.

see here what happened next...

See here for the suggested itinerary to San Pascual Burias Island, Masbate

see here for other visited places in Masbate

Read More »

Mt Maculot | Cuenca, Batangas

View of Taal Lake from Maculot Rockys

From my final exam in school, i head straight to the araneta terminal in cubao where i am to meet a travel
bud who'll join me for an overnight trek. The event was supposedly a daytrip but dull homey saturday night will be a nightmare. It was half past 2pm already when the ALPS batangas Pier ACTEX bus rolled on the road.

By 4:13 pm, we were in tambo exit already where we'll meet another trav bud. Having my student id, i paid 105 for that distance.

From there, we rode a Lemery bound jeepney, paid 20 each, and got off in the Iglesia Ni Kristo church in Cuenca.

From there, a trike for 20/head drops us at the jump off.

It was already past 5pm when we started our trek. We got to the summit by almost 7pm.

The following day, since there were 16 of us, and a number are newbies enjoying their newfound interest, it was already 4:45 when we got back to camp from the rockies.

As only 2 of us have lights, we had to be quick in the descend. We got to the village in less than an hour.

camp (taken just after sunrise)

Breakfast cake

Gamblers from afar

Gamblers up close

At stake!

headed over to the rocky's from camp

marker en route to the rocky's; right after camp

PEXers in Maculot

Aling Marissa's Facility

The chargeable washrooms; 1 with toilet bowl; the far 3 cabins for pure wash

their buko juice is P7; tastes better; P3 cheaper than that sold up in the hill

Clean washrooms; bath=15; dumi=10; ihi is 5 (as if iihi ka lang, jan pa)

Ate Marissa cooks by request; here are some she can cook at prices noted; You can ask her to cook ahead before descend; just negotiate for prices

View of Taal Lake from Maculot Rockys

From my final exam in school, i head straight to the araneta terminal in cubao where i am to meet a travel
bud who'll join me for an overnight trek. The event was supposedly a daytrip but dull homey saturday night will be a nightmare. It was half past 2pm already when the ALPS batangas Pier ACTEX bus rolled on the road.

By 4:13 pm, we were in tambo exit already where we'll meet another trav bud. Having my student id, i paid 105 for that distance.

From there, we rode a Lemery bound jeepney, paid 20 each, and got off in the Iglesia Ni Kristo church in Cuenca.

From there, a trike for 20/head drops us at the jump off.

It was already past 5pm when we started our trek. We got to the summit by almost 7pm.

The following day, since there were 16 of us, and a number are newbies enjoying their newfound interest, it was already 4:45 when we got back to camp from the rockies.

As only 2 of us have lights, we had to be quick in the descend. We got to the village in less than an hour.

camp (taken just after sunrise)

Breakfast cake

Gamblers from afar

Gamblers up close

At stake!

headed over to the rocky's from camp

marker en route to the rocky's; right after camp

PEXers in Maculot

Aling Marissa's Facility

The chargeable washrooms; 1 with toilet bowl; the far 3 cabins for pure wash

their buko juice is P7; tastes better; P3 cheaper than that sold up in the hill

Clean washrooms; bath=15; dumi=10; ihi is 5 (as if iihi ka lang, jan pa)

Ate Marissa cooks by request; here are some she can cook at prices noted; You can ask her to cook ahead before descend; just negotiate for prices

Read More »

White Beach, Puerto Galera | Mindoro

White Beach Puerto Galera Mindoro

So.. it's been two weeks, and my blood is pumping on the road..


The initial plan was to head to Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro, but earlier the night, I received a call from the resort owner and was informed about the travel time. According to her, a weekend is not enough as i'd end up just sleeping there. She also said she has a waterfall right behind her resort, which made me quite excited. I had to put it on another date.

The night before the trip, I was still clueless as to where to go. The next alternative, I was initially thinking of spending overnight in Mt Balagbag Mountain Resort where I can just sit in the pool while enjoying the view of the Metro Manila city lights, but rain was pouring hard.

It was dawn, and rain was still pouring. It was already almost lunch time when I woke up. There was no other option but Puerto Galera.

I don't have that much appetite with Puerto Galera as it has been a traditional destional. I could just imagine the crowd. But then again, I have no choice. My feet are itching to move.

The ride to Puerto Galera (the last time I went here in 2001, it was a ferry and not a boat)

It was already almost 1pm when I reached the Araneta Terminal in cubao. There was a heavy traffic in Edsa such that It was already 5pm when i reached Batangas port. I took the 5:30 Minolo Shipping last trip, and it was almost 7pm when I reached Puerto Galera. We were dropped in Muelle and from there, we took a free jeep transfer to white beach.

When i reached white beach, I immediately scouted for my shelter. There were a few I've asked, including one nipa fan room for P400; It was quiet and offside, but, I was thinking of the wifi; So, i took the P500 offer from Islas de Natividad. Ms Juliet, the owner, has offered me the bigger room for the same rate as she doesn't have anything smaller (Though I almost left as her collector was irritating; looking like boy abunda and with his eyebrows going up when he heard I'm paying only P50; Had to remind me sarcastically that I can't bring anyone since I'm paying only P500). There are other more offering fan rooms for the same rate, but I thought being closer to the pubs was better in case I overdrink.

I took some shower, had barbeque for dinner from the same resort, and off to my alcohol just on the bar next to this resort.

There were a number of impersonation performances from the nearby bar, but a little while later, I thought about checking out the rest of the pubs.

my P130 peso dinner. P90 for the grilled chicken; P10 for the rice; and P30 for an eggland i missed in this pic

Zoom for other food prices in Islas de Natividad

I brought my bottle and took a walk.

A little while, I spotted some foreigners talking to a man with his monkey. I was intrigued at what they were trying to negotiate, so I walked closer. By the time I get very close, the expats left. I took the time to ask manong. Mr Local has a number of monkeys which he sells to tourists :-(. He claims there's a good population of monkeys freely wandering around the island, and some white monkeys on a cliff he pointed eastwards (towards sabang).

trying out the fire dancing

The boring bar

The better performers from the boring bar

my P195 mindoro sling

After some pics with the monkey, a little more walking and saw Mystica performing in a not so classy bar. The other performers are just as nuts. I met some people later in another bar who had the same comment about the performances on that bar.

After tirelessly walking back and forth and checking out where I can settle for more alcohol, I went back to the bar next to my resort, sat at the bar, ordered my Mindoro Sling, and met a group working from Acquire. Thanks for their company I was awake jumping from a bar to another til 4am.

It was past 10am when I woke up the next day. There wasn't really anything I found spectacular to see further so I cleaned up and took the 12noon boat back to Batangas Pier.

And where is the terminal in here?

*Ms Juliet may be contacted on 09174820505
*I initially intended to stay in Tuna Joe's Backpackers (where internet says there's a night for US$3). But I was informed later that this is in Sabang.
*Fare from Batangas Pier to White Beach is P275 one way, but if you take both ways right on, it will be P500.
*There is a P50 environmental charge in Batangas Terminal for local tourists (I think expats pay higher as they have a differently colored receipt). Terminal fee is P30 in Batangas and P10 in White Beach (though there is really no terminal there).
*On the way back, I had a sight of the other coves, and If I were to go there on a group, I might as well beach on these secluded areas rather than white beach. The sand isn't as white, and it felt like I was in Morong, Bataan with the sand and water and waves.

White Beach Puerto Galera Mindoro

So.. it's been two weeks, and my blood is pumping on the road..


The initial plan was to head to Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro, but earlier the night, I received a call from the resort owner and was informed about the travel time. According to her, a weekend is not enough as i'd end up just sleeping there. She also said she has a waterfall right behind her resort, which made me quite excited. I had to put it on another date.

The night before the trip, I was still clueless as to where to go. The next alternative, I was initially thinking of spending overnight in Mt Balagbag Mountain Resort where I can just sit in the pool while enjoying the view of the Metro Manila city lights, but rain was pouring hard.

It was dawn, and rain was still pouring. It was already almost lunch time when I woke up. There was no other option but Puerto Galera.

I don't have that much appetite with Puerto Galera as it has been a traditional destional. I could just imagine the crowd. But then again, I have no choice. My feet are itching to move.

The ride to Puerto Galera (the last time I went here in 2001, it was a ferry and not a boat)

It was already almost 1pm when I reached the Araneta Terminal in cubao. There was a heavy traffic in Edsa such that It was already 5pm when i reached Batangas port. I took the 5:30 Minolo Shipping last trip, and it was almost 7pm when I reached Puerto Galera. We were dropped in Muelle and from there, we took a free jeep transfer to white beach.

When i reached white beach, I immediately scouted for my shelter. There were a few I've asked, including one nipa fan room for P400; It was quiet and offside, but, I was thinking of the wifi; So, i took the P500 offer from Islas de Natividad. Ms Juliet, the owner, has offered me the bigger room for the same rate as she doesn't have anything smaller (Though I almost left as her collector was irritating; looking like boy abunda and with his eyebrows going up when he heard I'm paying only P50; Had to remind me sarcastically that I can't bring anyone since I'm paying only P500). There are other more offering fan rooms for the same rate, but I thought being closer to the pubs was better in case I overdrink.

I took some shower, had barbeque for dinner from the same resort, and off to my alcohol just on the bar next to this resort.

There were a number of impersonation performances from the nearby bar, but a little while later, I thought about checking out the rest of the pubs.

my P130 peso dinner. P90 for the grilled chicken; P10 for the rice; and P30 for an eggland i missed in this pic

Zoom for other food prices in Islas de Natividad

I brought my bottle and took a walk.

A little while, I spotted some foreigners talking to a man with his monkey. I was intrigued at what they were trying to negotiate, so I walked closer. By the time I get very close, the expats left. I took the time to ask manong. Mr Local has a number of monkeys which he sells to tourists :-(. He claims there's a good population of monkeys freely wandering around the island, and some white monkeys on a cliff he pointed eastwards (towards sabang).

trying out the fire dancing

The boring bar

The better performers from the boring bar

my P195 mindoro sling

After some pics with the monkey, a little more walking and saw Mystica performing in a not so classy bar. The other performers are just as nuts. I met some people later in another bar who had the same comment about the performances on that bar.

After tirelessly walking back and forth and checking out where I can settle for more alcohol, I went back to the bar next to my resort, sat at the bar, ordered my Mindoro Sling, and met a group working from Acquire. Thanks for their company I was awake jumping from a bar to another til 4am.

It was past 10am when I woke up the next day. There wasn't really anything I found spectacular to see further so I cleaned up and took the 12noon boat back to Batangas Pier.

And where is the terminal in here?

*Ms Juliet may be contacted on 09174820505
*I initially intended to stay in Tuna Joe's Backpackers (where internet says there's a night for US$3). But I was informed later that this is in Sabang.
*Fare from Batangas Pier to White Beach is P275 one way, but if you take both ways right on, it will be P500.
*There is a P50 environmental charge in Batangas Terminal for local tourists (I think expats pay higher as they have a differently colored receipt). Terminal fee is P30 in Batangas and P10 in White Beach (though there is really no terminal there).
*On the way back, I had a sight of the other coves, and If I were to go there on a group, I might as well beach on these secluded areas rather than white beach. The sand isn't as white, and it felt like I was in Morong, Bataan with the sand and water and waves.

Read More »