Three beaches in three days!

Summer time is here again, and doing nothing about it should not be an excuse! Whether you're on a budget, there are still simple ways of enjoying the summer heat. After paying some of our bills, I have set aside money for some vacation fun, I had my family go on a brief vacation to Unisan, the hometown of my husband Pepe's parents (he refuses to call the province Quezon for historical reasons). Unisan is located in Bondoc Peninsula were there are still a lot of unspoiled beaches. Not only were we able to save a lot, we were also able to enjoy those beaches.

Day 1: Monte Carlo Beach Resort, Agdañgán (April 29)

The road to the beach has a great view of the countryside. Before going to Unisan, we decided to take a short dip in one of Agdañgán's beach resorts. We always pass by Agdañgán whenever we go to Unisan, but we've never tried its beaches. We got there a few minutes past four in the afternoon. The locals there recommended Monte Carlo Beach Resort, a few minutes from the población, so off we went. Anyway, the sun was still up and the day was still bright, that is why we were able to enjoy the beach until 5:15 P.M. Actually, we contracted a tricycle driver to pick us up at that time. When he fetched us, it suddenly rained hard even before the sun had fully set. The amazing thing during the drive to the town proper was that it was raining hard complete with loud thunderstorms and lightning. Daddy Pepe and Mómay were at the back ride and they were soaking wet because of the rain and the puddles of rainwater along the road. But it was a refreshing rain, and the waters on the puddles were clean because we were at the countryside. At least, our kids got to experience heavy rain on a summer day. The tricycle driver told us that it had not rained for weeks, and that sudden downpour was weird.

Day 2: Soliyao Beach, Pitogo (April 30)

We didn't know that the travel time from Unisan's town proper to Pitogo is quite far but adventurous. The paved road towards the municipality is smooth and the environs surrounding it are refreshing, but the route towards the beach is a dirt road, and it took us a lot longer to traverse it because we were only riding a tricycle that is owned and driven by my hubby Pepe's second cousin, Cuya Cocò. The dirt road going to Soliyao Beach would have be an easy drive for 4x4 vehicles, but not for tricycles. Good thing the build of Cuya Coco's tricycle was strong, and he seemed so relaxed while driving it. Thanks again, Cuya Coco! =) 

Soliyao is a hidden beach for me, still undiscovered by many. When you enter the beach premises, you will immediately notice the huge Talisay tree to the right. That tree is the biggest and tallest Talisay tree we have ever seen so far. We do hope that it will remain as it is for a long, long time, and may the people there will not cut it down. Its fruits are a sight to see, and its weird-looking pink-white flowers look like straws from broomstick!

One thing I love about Soliyao beach is its turquoise-colored waters. But beware because there are small sea creatures that will bite your skin, not to mention jellyfishes. My hubby Pepe actually got stung on his right wrist. Good thing he was able to immediately remove the slimy toxin from the jellyfish, and I brought calamansì with us. But he was still hurt (up to now, his left wrist still bears the scar of that jellyfish sting). Tayabas Bay of which Soliyao Beach is a part of has many jellyfishes which the locals call salabay. But if you are the adventurous type and you really love the sea like me, then take the risk. Just take extra care. Wear goggles most of the time, and don't forget to bring vinegar or calamansì, in case you got stung.

Day 3: Malatandang Beach, Unisan (May 1)

Since my husband's parents are from Unisan, Malatandang Beach has become very familiar to us. We've been here many times already (it's Daddy Pepe and Krystal's first beach while they were still babies). Its golden-like sands are what I love the most in this beach plus the clarity of its waters. It is always exciting to go back here and I do hope they will continue to maintain its beauty and cleanliness, I noticed a few black patches on some parts of the beach, and I hope it is not what I thought it was, that these are oil spills from boat owners who change fuel while on the shore. If this continues, this will put ruin the beauty of the Malatandang. I hope this will not be the case. I keep on telling my husband that Malatandang is on my top three list of the best beaches I've ever visited. =)

Cost

How were we able to afford three beaches in three days? Because the beaches here in Bondoc Peninsula are not expensive despite of their beauty. Actually, the most expensive that we have visited during those three days was Monte Carlo Beach Resort. They charged us for ₱100 each. Since we were seven, it would have cost us ₱700. But I bargained since we only stayed there for about two hours, and we didn't rent any cottage. We just laid our baggages on the sand. In the end, they gave us a discount and I paid them only ₱300.

In Soliyao Beach, a cottage is worth ₱350 pesos, but we opted to stay on the sands of the beach. Anyway, we love picnicking on the sands using just a malong to place our stuff. Renting nipa cottages for me is just a waste of money especially if we would stay on a beach for only a few hours. We placed our stuff underneath the huge Talisay tree. We were charged for only ₱5.00 per person! Perhaps the most expensive part of going to Soliyao is the commute. If you have your own vehicle, then you're lucky (but still, you will have to pay for the high cost of fuel).

In Unisan, we still did the same. We did not rent any cottage. It is still more fun and practical to picnic on the sands. And we were not charged anything at all because we did not use cottages.

For a large group, or those who are not accustomed to staying on the sands, then you may of course go ahead and rent cottages. But for my family of seven who love staying most of the time on the sands and in the water, my malong is enough. =) =)

And lastly, we brought our own food. While there are small stores in all three beaches we visited, it is still best if you bring your own báon so that you'd just spend on transportation. That is what we did.

Tanned skin and jellyfish sting, we didn't mind them all because we really enjoyed our summer! Till next time!!!

Our 3 Beaches In 3 Days, summer photos are already available in our Facebook fan page!!! Please click the link below: =)

Don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! ¡Gracias! =)

Have a happy Summer 2017, everyone!!!

-Yeyette-

Burot Beach again and again!

Who would have thought that we would go back to faraway Burot Beach for a third time? Yes, you heard that right! Actually, the first time was just me and my hubby Pepe three years ago, on April 16, 2013.

The second time was a two weeks later, April 29, this time with the whole family (Junífera Clarita was not born yet). We even camped there through the night.

Then third was just this summer of 2016, last May 22. It was Junífera Clarita's first time. We also tagged along my immediate family members (mother side). It was also their first time in Burot. It was thrilling for their part because they have not visited a beach for such a long time! 

It was raining hard in many places for about a week or so, that's why prior to our Burot escapade, I was always praying that may it not rain on our planned visit to the beach. I prayed to all the angels and the saints, especially to Santa Clara de Asís, the saint you have to call if you do not want to rain on an important event in your life. I also asked Mama Mary's help, that they may all pray to Almighty GOD that it might not rain on our beach escapade, that may the sun shine completely so that my family would enjoy the last days of summer.

Thank GOD! On the day of our excusrion, He granted my prayers! I thank all the angels and the saints, especially Santa Clara de Asís and Mama Mary, for interceding. So now, you know what to do if you don't want to rain on your important events.

Flame trees on the dirt road to Burot. These trees start to bloom during summer.

It was my second time to have experienced this miracle. The first time was during my wedding with Pepe three years ago. It was raining for a week prior to our wedding. So off we went to the monastery of Santa Clara de Asís to offer some eggs (it's a Catholic tradition) and asked her to pray to GOD that it might not rain on our wedding day. And Thank GOD (and also thanks to Santa Clara de Asís' intercession) because it really did not rain on our wedding day! It drizzled for a few minutes, but there were lots of sunshine. The drizzle did not even damage my make-up, as if it never drizzled at all! I really believe in the power of prayers...

Going back to Burot Beach. We were enjoying the sands and the sea as if it was just the first week of April, LOL! We also hired a canoe to go to Burot Beach's sandbar near Pandac Island. It is quite popular among beachgoers because of its unique quality: it is shallow despite its distance from the shore! It's just knee-deep even during high tide! And the waters are so clear you could see the fine white sand on your feet. We all had fun swimming, especially the kids because it's something new to them! We found starfishes, small crabs, and even sea urchins! You can check out our fun sandbar video here!

 It's my third time here!

Summer pose!

My handsome nephew Allen and my pretty nieces Kate and Krishna! 

Mommy and her two gems: me and Kathleen!

From stolen moments...

...to fun moments!

#SunbathingPaMore

Lunchtime!

My sister Kathleen enjoying her first canoe ride!

Something rare: a six-armed starfish!

Handle starfishes with care. Our children do!

There are much bigger starfishes at the sandbar off Burot Beach.

Why do we keep on coming back to this place? Because of its white sands and its clear water plus the exciting beach recreation it offers to people of all ages. We also love the privacy. However, during our last visit last May 22, we saw more people than ever before. It's either Burot has become more popular than ever, or maybe because of the El Niño phenomenon. We didn't get to have much privacy unlike before. Back then, we could even take a selfie with no people behind us, even at the sandbar near Pandac Island. Check out my video with my hubby Pepe recorded during our first time in Burot. We were the only ones swimming there. Another thing me and my hubby had observed was the amount of trash left behind by irresponsible beach goers. You can also check out our first Burot photo album to see how clean the place was when only a few people knew the place. So please, if you plan to go to Burot Beach, please make sure that you bring plastic bags for your trash to keep the place clean and beautiful. Or the management could also install garbage bins and have people check their guests to maintain the cleanliness of the beach. I also noticed that the waters now have dried wood floating. They were obviously from the bonfire of campers. I do hope that guests who will use bonfire would clean dispose their leftover wood on a safe place, or maybe the management should implement their guidelines on cleanliness more strictly. The people administering Burot Beach now charge ₱65.00 per person, much higher than before. And now more people are visiting it. That means more money for them. With that amount of money, we expect a more cleaner Burot Beach.

Peace, everyone. Don't get mad. What I'm telling you is for the love of nature. so that all of us will get to experience the unspoiled beauty of Burot Beach for a long time. <3 =)

Aroma thorns. These plants are plentiful by the beach. So be very careful.

Selfie! Want more of our recent Burot Beach adventure? Then click here!

We Love Burot Beach!

All in all, my last visit there was more fun and enjoyable than the first two. I do hope that the people who are taking care of the place will be more strict in implementing rules on littering. Burot Beach will always have a great place to my heart. I once saw the beauty of it and I want to go back there and see the beauty of it again.

Till next time, Burot Beach!

❤YEYETTE❤

The wild, wild waves of Amazona Beach

Yours truly enjoying the strong breeze!

A beach that is named after female warriors from Greek mythology? You gotta be kidding me. That's why when I first heard of its name years ago, I seriously thought it was a joke. It wasn't. But up to now, I still couldn't figure out why this pristine beach in Abra de Ilog, Mindoro Occidental was named as such.

Playa Amazona begins here at the Port of Abra de Ilog.

Playa Amazona is a long stretch of pebbled beach on the northern coasts of Abra de Ilog, my wife Yeyette's hometown. It's located in Sitio Orilan, Barrio Uauà (erroneously spelled as Wawa). Towards the east, the Port of Abra de Ilog can be viewed from afar. The beach also fronts the famous Verde Island Passage which is rich in marine biodiversity, actually the richest all over the world. And from that same body of water comes the crashing waves.

Our family has been to many beaches, but this one tops the rest in terms of wave strength. The sea breeze in Playa Amazona is so strong you will need to raise your voice in order to be heard. Wave after crashing wave will topple swimmers upside down. While the waves may not be as strong as those in Baler and Siargáo, we still deem them fit for novice surfers.

Now you see her, now you don't.

The waves of Playa Amazona are always strong all year round, especially in the morning; they subside just a bit in the afternoon onwards. The sands are fine and brownish, with lots of pebbles near the water. But swimmers will be delighted because just a few feet from the shore, the sands underneath the water are soft. The place also provides a breathtaking view of the mountain ranges surrounding Abra de Ilog.

The best part about this beach is that it's rarely visited by people. Maybe because there are no known resorts in the place. But you can rent nipa hut cottages for only ₱100.00. This place is also best for camping.

Left to right: John-John, Krystal, Juanito, Yeyette, Ate Cora, Jefe, yours truly, Junífera Clarita, and Mómay.

We visited this beach last April 1st to celebrate Juanito's seventh birthday. Click here to view more photos of our fun beach adventure! And don't forget to LIKE US on Facebook! ¡Hasta la vista!

Chillin' inside our nipa cottage.

There were no birthday balloons, expensive food, a fancy cake, nor several guests for Juanito's seventh birthday. All we could afford to give him was a happy beach memory. ❤️