BORAWAN ISLAND, QUEZON | Sweet Little Trance From a Distance

how tropical can you get? - Kwebang Lampas

Quezon, formerly known as Tayabas, is one of the provinces in Region IV-A which completes the CALABARZON constituency. Its heavenly topography and climate makes it ideal for exceptional summer setting. Being able to be rewarded with vast coastal – Tayabas Bay and Ragay Gulf; it sure vouch nothing but just great sea adventure.

Lucena, the capital of the province, is the point of entry of nearly all of Quezon’s assets . The center of commerce and even a few of the country’s major factories – Nestle, Coca Cola Brewery just to cite some; can be found in this locale. Padre Burgos, one of Lucena’s municipalities, is perhaps the most famed destination for tourists who yearn for a valid backpacking experience. Three beautiful beaches are being housed in the area – Borawan Island, Kwebang Lampas and Dampalitan Beach; which are all aligned in close proximity.

HOW TO GET TO QUEZON  (from Manila)

Getting to the province is a breeze via public land transport. This is one of the main pros of choosing Quezon as an over the weekend trip for it allows you to experience the sun, sand and Zen without going too far from Manila.

 1.       Any bus which is bound for Lucena City will do. Numerous bus lines sited in Cubao are great choices. The earlier you leave the city the better so as to avoid the heavy traffic along SLEX. Travel time ranges from three and a half to four hours (3 ½ - 4 H). Fare is between two hundred to two hundred fifty pesos ( Php 200 – 250). You need to get off in Lucena Terminal or commonly called as the “market” by locals.

2.   From Lucena terminal, ride a mini bus (non-A/C type) bound for Unisan. Tell the driver to pull over once you reach Padre Burgos Market. Travel time is about an hour and a half (1 ½ H). Fare is thirty five pesos ( Php 35).

 3. From Padre Burgos town, ride a tricycle bound for port. Fare is between eight to ten pesos ( Php 8 – 10 ); approximately just five minutes ( 5 mins ) of travel time.

4. Once the port is reached, you can ask the boatmen to bring you to your desired location – Borawan, Kwebang Lampas or Dampalitan; but it is always Borawan which gets to be the the first destination of almost all travelers. Fare is a thousand and eight hundred bucks ( Php 1,800); this comprises of a round-trip and an island hopping in those beaches mentioned above.

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Borawan Island

The calmness of the sea, tender sunbeam and sufficient wind from above made the sea ride almost close to meditation. Still seated on the frayed boat, I tried to gasp as much air as I can and watch how it leaves my skin and hair wonderfully damp. With a hand filling the spaces between my fingers and periodic splashes of saltwater thrown on my cheeks like they were kisses, I felt okay, more so at home. Words are out of reach when things are plain vague yet too beautiful to depict. So I kept quiet and took pleasure in listening to the waves echoing like a heartbeat. Then the fine-looking island slowly emerges from afar just after a few minutes of a fair boat ride. And right away, I know that this is something interesting. 

a sneak view of the beautiful island of Borawan from afar

A group of people – an armed security officer, locals and official safe keepers on the island; welcomed me just before I make tracks onto shore. Instructions and a very basic orientation were given to guests as part of the island protocol. Please see below details for a few useful tips:

• Entrance fee is Php 220/overnight | Inclusive  of unlimited use of rest room.
• There is no room accommodation on the island | You can either pitch a tent for Php 200/ day or rent one for Php 400. Open cabanas are being rented by large groups for Php 1500/day.
• Food and drinking water is extremely pricey | Because almost everything has to be shipped from the neighboring island, this is quite understandable.  It is advisable to get all your basic needs prepared right before you jump into the boat.
• Electricity is only being generated on a daily schedule | Starts from 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM. Recharging of gadgets can be done during these hours for Php 20/ gadget.
• Lights are being turned off at around 10:00 PM | Make sure you are all set before this happens; an armed security officer roams on the island at regular intervals though.
• There is no pharmacy on the island | An emergency kit is necessary.
• Jellyfish is one of the most common cons | I did not encounter one during my afternoon dips. Safety nets are also placed to safeguard guests. Nevertheless, KEEP SAFE.
• Saltwater and the coarse sand of Borawan can be a little drying and harsh | Any moisturizer to rehydrate the skin after a long swim can be handy!

the colossal rock formation of Borawan Island

rehydrate, I said :)

my little red tent hemmed in between king-sized rocks

encapsulating the scenic sunrise along with my good morning coffee

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Kwebang Lampas

Following the breakfast at Borawan, I found myself subdued over again the same boat towards Kwebang Lampas. I thanked heaven for it granted the day with a favorable weather, making it superlatively advantageous for an island hopping. Some facts are promptly given by the boatman as we boated across the sea. The 30 minute ride won’t bore you for the extensive view of its natural landscape is simply rousing. Mag-asawang Bato, for instance, is at midpoint between Borawan and Kwebang Lampas; is one cool spot for snorkeling too!

Mag-asawang Bato

You get to pass a few locals go fishing while a good number of tourist guides accompanying travelers are also evident. An island, compressed in the distance with numerous tropical trees beautifully aligned just before the shoreline, little by little came into sight. Kwebang Lampas, a true treasure of Quezon, finally has set before my eyes. Visitors who like to jump off the boats to swim and roam are charged Php 150/ head. The quality of sand is much finer and water is way too clearer, but I decided to skip for I find it too crowded for my liking. I was able to at least capture great photographs and promised to come around on my next visit.

Kwebang Lampas

one "hole" new world

- a see-through beauty

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Dampalitan Beach

Dampalitan beach, the last island to be conquered, is to be found just transversely from Borawan. It gives an imaginary straight coastline from a distance which is almost close to a faultless margin. A docking fee of Php 75 is charged per head for a relaxing island experience; inclusive of rest room usage (without shower). 

the imaginary faultless straight margin of Dampalitan

natural sunshade
 love lots,
agoho trees

Agoho trees are naturally architectured by Momma Nature to be in their most possible perfect alignment; providing a vast horizontal sunshade across the island.

Imagine you are lying on powdery sand with a book in your hand; a few sunrays try to escape the leaves of the trees giving you a few blinks of lights from time to time – heavenly it is.  

halo-halo over magnum. always.

two things that kept me sane on the island - coconut juice and yes, the balls.

Comfortably lying in a hammock with nothing in mind but just serious thoughts of indefinable delight, quieted me and made me feel grateful for this life’s little pleasures. The few hours of my stay in Dampalitan were mostly spent lounging whilst I killed time watching some boats being clung and unclung to and away from the shore. 

solitary initiates art

when words become too elusive for such a picturesque vista

that thing called "sunset"

To traverse across unfamiliar route makes one relish familiar feelings gathered from the past, I think.

Maybe it is the boundless ocean that makes me reunite with myself or separate me from unknown treats of the future.

The surprise in each travel bit by bit fosters acceptance to what is unpredictable and to what I find impossible too.

As the moon lit the infinite darkness of the space and creates beautiful shadows that only me can comprehend; 

I am fine.

As long as sunrays can hit the surface of the ocean’s floor and so long it creates a glittering diamond-like effect, 

giving radiance sporadically;

 all is good.