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-

Take a swim at Swim!

Just swim it.

Swim is supposed to be a verb in the English language. But in Abra de Ilog, Mindoro Occidental, it's a proper noun. At least in the case of one of its far-off waterfall that is completely surrounded by a charming forest.

On our way to Swim Falls last April 3rd (after attending morning Mass and strolling around town a bit). It took us about an hour's walk from the Población. The path starts right behind the municipal building.

At last, after about an hour of walking, we arrived — but on top of the falls! We went the wrong way! We had to go back a few meters for the correct trail to the falls, but John-John, Mómay, and Jefe climbed down the steep boulder, something the rest of us couldn't do (I was carrying Junífera Clarita all throughout the journey). :p

Swim as seen from afar in this "mini-valley" of boulders. The ladies are preparing to swim at Swim!

Cascada de Swim, or Swim Falls, is actually the source of the Lauaan stream which in turn is a tributary of the Matabang River. It is located several miles away from the Población, tucked deep within an upland forest northwest of the town. There is a Mañguián village nearby, but each time we visit Swim, we don't see them swimming there.

Jefe just made a huge splash from above that huge rock to the left much to Junífera Clarita's delight!

Swim Falls is a punchbowl waterfall. Its waters plunge from about ten feet high. It's quite low, but the streaming current is enough to give your body a clobbering if you stay underneath it for several minutes; but a few minutes stay will give you a relaxing water massage. The water from the top of the falls burst forth in constricted form, then spreads out in a wider, circular pool surrounded by giant rocks and boulders. Trees on top of these rocks form a natural canopy to the the pool below, giving the place an alluringly eerie darkness even in broad daylight. The cold water is crystal clear... until everyone wades in it. This is because the ground underneath the pool is made up mostly of gray sand and small pebbles. There are also small fishes (Yeyette's cousin John-John later told us that they're called "paít" and are edible), quite surprising because the pool is technically on a mountainous area (it's located several feet above sea level). We thought that fishes exist only in sea-level bodies of water.

When I first heard of this waterfall's name, I seriously thought it was a joke. Why would a waterfall in Filipinas be named in English? Almost all bodies of water in our country are named either in Spanish or after any indigenous word. But then again, I could be wrong. What if the word "swim" also exists in the indigenous (Mañguián/Iraya)?

Important note: Swim Falls is not a resort. You don't have to pay any fees to get there. In fact, all waterfalls in Abra de Ilog (save for the one in Agbalala) are free for public use. However, while swimming in Swim Falls is allowed, it is not encouraged by the municipal office because it is the Población's source of water supply. No wonder we saw several water pipes on our way there (don't worry; even if people pee on the pool, as is a usual practice among all swimmers, the water would have already been cleaned by a filtration system in the pipes before the waters even reached faucets at the town). Other than that, there are no caretakers in the vicinity, that is why the place is prone to uncouth tourists who throw away their litter everywhere (me and Jefe even had to pick up a few junk food containers left by those impossible people before going home). To be on the safe side, it is best to coordinate with the municipal office before visiting the place. As you can see from the photos, the pool is quite small. It cannot accommodate a huge group of people. You should also have a guide because you might get lost in the forest, as there are several trails all around. It's best to ask for one of Rafaél Atienza's sons to guide you back and forth (they're Yeyette's first cousins and are known by everyone at the Población). Just give them any gift of love.

And lastly: please don't litter. You will surely encounter Swim Falls as an idyllic paradise. Please leave it that way.

¡Hasta la vista!

*L*A*F*A*M*I*L*I*A*V*I*A*J*E*R*A*

Special thank to Ate Pepot (Yeyette's aunt) and her family for a sumptuous dinner at their home right after our trek to Swim! Click here for more of our photos of that exciting day!

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. ❤️

The refreshing waters of Dampalit Falls

This year's summer season was annoyingly hot that a trip to the beach was not enough to stave off the heat. So we thought of going somewhere else. Somewhere much colder. And oddly, it's located in a place where the waters are normally hot: Los Baños, La Laguna Province.

Refreshingly cool Dampalit Falls. This year, the plunging waters were a bit weak when we visited it a few weeks ago. Probably because of record-breaking temperatures.

It was our second time to visit Dampalit Falls (on my own, it was my third). The first time was two years ago, a day after Momay's eighth birthday. That time, the waters were raging, but still tolerable. When we visited the falls last May 18, the place was very crowded. So many people were apparently trying to escape the record-breaking temperatures. Irritatingly, some wiseguy thought it was a good idea to block the catch basin with piles of soil to create a minipool, thus the dark quality of the waters when we got there (because several happy feet were stirring up the soft ground below the shallow waters). Nevertheless, the place is still clean and pristine because it's well taken care of (there's a DENR office nearby). And the heat of the summer sun was virtually helpless when we went underneath the vertical drop.

Dampalit Waterfalls taken two years ago (14 May 2012).

The word "dampalit" is said to be a contraction of two Tagalog words: "daang paliít" which means a narrowing path. The waterfalls is situated at the foot of Mount Maquiling, at the northern part fronting Laguna de Bay. Amazingly, Dampalit is very near the national road — just a 15- to 20-minute walk. And it's not a boring one because the foot path courses briefly upwards through the small houses of Sitio Dampalit and the natural forests of Mount Maquiling. Various fruit trees and wild flowers can be encountered along the way. And if you have a sharp eye, you might be lucky to spot wild lizards, chameleons, and exotic birds and insects. There is also a vantage point along the path where, on a clear day, a sparkling Laguna de Bay can be seen from afar.

This lovely forested foot path, which gently slopes upwards, leads to Dampalit Falls. From the national road, the walk takes more or less 20 minutes. Even my preggy wife survived it!

Arrival.

¡Aquí estamos! The waterfalls can already be seen to the left, partly hidden by vegetation.

Newfound friends (Kumpare at Kumare bonding from Calambâ). And one of them speaks Spanish! From left to right: Justine, Yeyette, Juanito, Kiko, Xian, Wilma, and Raymart. At the back is Reichelle, the Spanish-speaker.

Nos alegramos de haber conocido aquí a una dama que habla nuestra lengua. Ella es Reichelle Cansicio de Calambâ (la ciudad natal de nuestro héroe nacional). :-)

Dampalit Falls, about three to four storeys high, probably has the most vertical water drop we have ever seen. It may not be as high compared to other popular waterfalls (such as the more famous one in Cavinti), but the waters drop rather calmly and not in a scattershot manner. It's even difficult to take a photo of the whole height from a short distance.

Dampalit Falls is situated on an elevated site. The water from the catch basin flows downward as a serene stream on a rocky course through Barrio Lalacay, crosses the national road, and drains towards Laguna de Bay. Downstream, the people call it Estero de Dampalit  (Dampalit Creek).

Spread your wings and prepare to fly, you toast-colored butterfly!

Our kids and other tourists having an awesome time! Yep, that's me underneath the falls, being massaged by huge buckets of water dropping endlessly.

♥  ♥  ♥

For families living in Metro Manila who are a bit fed up with beach outings and who are looking for an alternative summer venue, Dampalit Falls is the place to be! Amazingly, it's budget friendly for such a nature-filled place!

Me and my family went there from Macati (in front of Dusit Thani Manila) by bus going to Santa Cruz, La Laguna. And wouldja believe? We left at around half past 12 noon and arrived at the falls before 2:00 PM! Well, it was a Sunday. But still, travel time isn't that bad on weekdays I believe. And the entrance fee is only ₱20.00 for adults and ₱10.00 for kids. Me, Yeyette, and Krystal were charged ₱20.00 each, Momay for  ₱10.00, but Jefe and Juanito got in for free (all in all, we were charged just ₱70.00). We bought some báon (mostly junkfood because we already had lunch at the place we're staying) from a sari-sari store along the foot path leading to the falls. You may bring your own báon, too. The only downside is that you will have to bring them on foot because there are no roads for vehicles. There are bamboo tables and cottages for rent, and they are placed all around the catch basin facing the falls. Prices vary from ₱150 to ₱200 (negotiable). We did not rent one anymore because kind-hearted young souls from nearby Calambâ willingly shared their table with us (¡Gracias, amigos!).

This is one place in La Laguna we will never tire of visiting. We plan to go back there on a rainy season to see and experience how strong the falling waters of Dampalit are. See you there!

On our way home.

❤L❤A❤F❤A❤M❤I❤L❤I❤A❤V❤I❤A❤J❤E❤R❤A❤

Click here for more photos!