Long weekend hang-over!
There have been consecutive holidays this October and November. Taking advantage of the long weekend, my boyfriend and I planned on making the most out of it by going on an adventure trip- backpacking style. Having a limited budget to spare we decided to look for places within Luzon that is accessible by land. We thought of camping at Nagsasa Cove, Zambales but the 2,000php boat ride going to the island didn't excite us that much. Our budget to spare was only 3,000php-5,000php max for the two of us and that should include our meals-literally all expenses must be accounted and within that budget.
With this dilemma, I browsed through the net looking for other options. I was reading then a blog about Camara and was considering it (but still we have to spend for the expensive boat ride),better to do this next time with a big group. I always read the comments section of blogs to get a fair view (sorry, i forgot the blog site) and found this comment by Raymond Tordillo about Magalawa Island. I read his blog about how beautiful his island is and saw pictures of coral gardens, white sand, clear waters, etc. but what really caught my attention was the affordable rates listed. I also read a blog by demeter sharing his experience, he even went back to Magalawa, that's how much he liked it. His blog made me want to go there asap.
The island is located in Palauig, Zambales and can be reached by land so I immediately called my boyfriend and asked him to call Raymond and book our trip, he gave us his tito's number Kuya Mulo and asked us to coordinate with him. Unable to contact Kuya Mulo, we called Junior Tordillo and finally inquired about the rates. All set, he told us to contact Kuya Mulo upon arriving in Luan. P.S. only transact business with the Tordillo Family, they are the caretakers of the island owned by the Ruiz Family. You might encounter a "Magalawa Island" facebook account run by Grace Armada, they offer certain packages that are overpriced, uneccessary charges, they are squatting on the island owned by the Ruiz Family and claiming that they own a certain portion of the island, currently a court hearing is in progress awaiting for the decision.
Before the day of our trip, Jai and I planned to bring "baon" so as to avoid buying food from the island thinking it was expensive. We bought carbonara mix, spaghetti mix, tuna paella and snacks, it costs us roughly 250php-300php. We bought our own tent to save on the accommodation (500php/night for a fan room).
Nov. 4 - before 11:55 pm bus ride via Victory Liner Sta. Cruz
Jai had some deliveries to do before we were able to go, we left the house around quarter to ten, stressing ourselves out hoping we make it before the bus leaves. 15 mins. before the said departure time we were running on the streets in Caloocan with our heavy backpacks. Low and behold, we made it! There were no seats available so standing ovation for 2 hours until we got the chance to sit, first on the floor then on an actual seat. Whew! Trip Tip: Buy your tickets in advance!
Nov. 5 - around 5 30am-ish
After a 5-hour trip we reached Pangolingan, Veritas which is the drop-off point and tricycle terminal going to Luan. it was pitch dark that time, luckily there were tricycles already.
A bumpy tricylcle ride to Luan indeed! The view from the fish port at Luan was magical, as if your reuniting yourself with the wonders of nature. Finally after 30 min. our ride came, Kuya Mulo with his assistant fetched us. Magalawa Island greets you with calm waters and powdery white sand. So lovely, the locals were very accommodating as they greeted us with sincere smiles and offered their assistance. :D
We were the only ones there that time, we instantly set camp (thanks to my ever trusty bf Jai). We settled the bill - 100php camping fee, 200php entrance fee for 2, 200php for a cabana (eating place), 200php roundtrip boat ride for 2= 700php. Also, there is no strict "check-out" time, as long as there are boats and weather is good you can stay the whole day with no additional charge/s. Not bad at all.
After a tiring bus ride and bumpy tricycle ride we took a nap. It was my first peaceful nap after weeks and months of always sleeping late. We woke up at around 11 am and ate our packed food "baon" for lunch sitting on the cabana (if that's what you call a shaded eating place) facing the beach, best way to enjoy your food yum yum!
After eating, we changed into our swim gear and ready to charge the crystal clear waters. Jai is a really good swimmer while I don't know how to (opposites attract :D) , Kuya Mulo's wife must have noticed this and she was kind enough to let me us their life vest free of charge. Fully-relaxed, well rested, recharged and in touch with nature, we fell in love with the place. We swam all day, seeing starfishes and a small jelly fish (polkadot) too bad I don't own an underwater camera boo!. We enjoyed picking up shells and playing with hermit crabs (jai enjoyed this the most I think), we were like little kids, no problems,no stress just FUN. It was around 5pm when we decided to freshen up and stay inside out tent scared of mosquito bites. We had Tuna Paella (the canned one from San Marino) for dinner which we ate inside our tent. It was warm in our tent so we took a walk outside and saw baby crabs, no stars that night and the moon was covered with clouds that suggested that it was going to rain. We headed back to our tent, Jai still couldn't sleep so he went for another walk outside while I stayed in and slept like a baby.
Nov. 6 - I woke up around 6 30 am-ish and it was raining, good thing we didn't get soaked inside our tent although the sides of our sleeping bag were wet already. I looked outside and saw Kuya Mulo in his boat, he just came back from fishing, the locals hurriedly gathered around the boat checking out freshly caught seafood. Fresh seafood are available every morning, you can choose from the fresh catch and ask them to cook it for you or you can cook it yourself "ihaw-ihaw" style. I think it's around 50php-100php. Around 10am we transferred our things in the kubo that they let us use for free and went swimming again. After swimming we fixed up the tent and ate lunch, we ran out of packed food so we just ordered there, for a measly 30php per viand, 17php 1/4 kilo of rice and 20php paluto fee we were so full = solb! After eating, we swam again on the crystal clear waters and lay down on the powdery sand infused with crushed shells (all by nature's work). It was around 4 pm when we finished packing up, I felt like canon balls were chained on my feet, that's how hard it was to leave Magalawa, this is with no exaggeration. I loved the place, it may not be as prestige as other beaches but its rawness and simplicity made it beautiful and unique. Upon alighting the boat it started to rain again, it was a bumpy boat ride going back to Luan, Port. We had a hard time waiting for a tricycle that would take us back to Veritas due to the rain and muddy pathways. After 30 min. or so our ride arrived, and true indeed the pathways were muddy and slippery.
Upon reaching Veritas, we rode a mini bus to Victory Liner Iba, Zambales. We bought our tickets going to Victory Liner Caloocan--- after a 5-hour ride we reached Caloocan then rode a bus to edsa crossing , a jeep to Kapitolyo and a tricycle to west capitol. This is the downside of our supposedly stress-free island getaway. Nevertheless, it was an adventure I'll truly remember. Now missing Magalawa Island. :D
I highly recommend this place. Good for couples, family and groups.
Travel worthy: Brain Happy (10/10)
Budget: Worth your Pay (abt. 3,000-4,000php for 2, cheaper if by group) (9/10)
Walker Repeat: Definitely
>>> please see a separate post on expenses
How to get there:
Via Victory Bus Liner (you can try Cubao or Pasay too)
1. From EDSA-Crossing, ride a bus going to munoz-novaliches, tell the conductor to drop-you off at Victory Liner Terminal Caloocan. Landmark: Andres Bonifacio Statue
2. Walk to Victory Liner Terminal.
3. Ride a bus via Sta. Cruz, Zambales.
4. Tell the conductor to drop you off at Pangolingan, Veritas.
5. Ride a tricycle to Luan Port (Ruiz).
6. Wait for the boat ride going to Magalawa Island. (contact Kuya Mulo)
