THE MARVELOUS MARIVELES

The sun is out and its blazing heat is just way too much to handle. Undoubtedly, summer is one of the best seasons ever. Sunny days seem to go on forever and mornings are so bright they make you want to go up. This is the season where you just want to dip yourself in a bucket of ice or just stay in the pool for hours.

I have always been fond of the beach, it makes me feel sane and it reminds me how small I am compared to land I’m standing on. It puts everything into perspective. We traveled north to Mariveles, Bataan.

MARIVELES, BATAAN

A wide area of white sand and tall coconut trees place themselves among us as we landed. Nothing but beauty itself. The smell of the sea evokes nothing but good memories. Imagine releasing all the stress emitted by work, school, and other personal matters that have been piled up for who knows how long in a weekend getaway. Life really is better barefoot.

Trust me, Mariveles Bataan is a beauty. And be aware, Bataan is just one of the thousands of islands making up the Philippine archipelago. If you are looking for a perfect relaxing beach holiday without traveling to many places, this is definitely one of the most ideal places to go to.

ISLAND HOPPING

A remote island filled with lush green coconut trees, surrounded by crystal clear water and offering white beaches is what Bataan is all about. Our package tour included hopping from one island to another, which was really exhausting, honestly. But, then again, it was an overall amazing experience.

Bataan is a small island in the Philippines that from first glance may seem to have no cliff jumping opportunities. Throughout our adventures, during the weekend we found quite a few spots ranging from 30 meters to 40 meters.

Overall this was a much needed trip to getaway from everything temporarily, especially when you feel lost. Everyone, at some point in their lives will go through a phase where everything just doesn’t seems right but at the end of the day it gets better. Situations that get the best of me and cloud my judgments really are factors of an unhealthy lifestyle, and a beach getaway as I have mentioned always puts everything into perspective, for me that is . . .

THE CONCEALED GEM OF TINGLOY

To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude – Jeanne Moreau

Masasa Beach was once a concealed gem, stored away from the watchful eyes of Manila. This beach is definitely one of the best in Luzon, arguably that is. It has captured the attention of most millennial due to its rates and accessibility from the Metro.  Beaches remind me that it kind of sucks that we live in a material world. A stretch of delicate cream white sand on a mellow seabed reflecting a breath-taking turquoise at daylight.

M A S A S A   B E A C H

We have been planning this trip for months now and due to the inclement weather that occurred over the past months it got delayed. But last week, all of our plans have now been put into action. We finally arrived after hours of travel! Coconut Trees place themselves in front of us as we step out of the vehicle. That scent of salty air just breezes through and it made me feel so alive. It made me forget the “reality of life” for a day or two. It was low-tide when we went to the beach and took photos, so we were able to walk around the shore and observe all the marine animals we could find from the shore. From sea urchins and any other sea and sand dwellers.

 

The waves crash through every stoned-reefs by the shore and the sound it makes is just pure island orgasm. The sound it makes signifies purity and calmness. On top of that, these rocks make good reflectors, I don’t know but the photos I took of myself looked extra-stunning. I will also be sharing how we got to this place including our estimated fares and expenses as much as I can, if I still remember the amount. The multiple delays we had was a sign. We waited for the brighter days to come and it was worth the wait!

S E R V I N G   Y O U   B E A C H   B A B E   

R E A L N E S S 

It was very much a struggle to take these photos, because there multiple sea urchins inside these reefs and I’m trying so hard to avoid them and not get stung. But, everything turned out well. Great photos and ended back at the resort house safe and satisfied ! Now back to the journey. My colleagues and I were not successful in renting out a van to take us, so last resort is for us to commute, which we did. Here’s how . . .

HOW TO GET TO MASASA BEACH

1. If you’re coming from Manila, then you’ll either go to Cubao Terminal or Buendia Terminal and take any bus that leads you to Batangas City Bus Grand Terminal. Fare costs P160 per head and travel time takes approximately about 3-4 hours.
2. From the terminal, you’ll need to take a jeepney going to Talaga Port in Mabini. fare costs P40 per head and travel time takes 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Once you get there, take the public transport boat and you’ll be routed to Tingloy. Fare costs P100 per head and travel time takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
4. Lastly, when you land in Tingloy, take the tricycle going to your preferred and booked transient. Fare costs P40 per head and travel time only take 15 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the location of your transient.

The transient we stayed at was big enough to accommodate all twelve of us and it comes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Not only that, it comes with a Karaoke Bar which is everyone’s favorite. So, there I was belting all of Regine Velasquez’s greatest hits while we drink. I know that we can have fun without alcohol, but alcohol has already remained a potent part of our lives. A little intoxication of alcohol won’t hurt me anyway, well for now that is. We stayed up to who knows what even time it was already, but what we know is we leave at six in the morning for all the water adventures that await us. We rode a boat from one island to another, went snorkeling, fish-feeding, and beach cave trips.

We did a lot of things at the beach while most of us were hang over from alcohol and some were well-rested but tired from the travel. There’s not enough words to describe how excited I was when we got there and how much I enjoyed the trip. I wouldn’t even be sharing this to you all if it’s not that good, and also I don’t have much drafted posts, so this will do for now.

S E R V I N G   Y O U   M E R M A I D   

R E A L N E S S

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Summer in October

It may not be the best time, but it will always be one of the all time greats. Imagine being exhausted for an entire week and then just letting all the frustrations out on trip.

Pinto Art Museum

Set of white statues and towers place themselves in front of us. Everywhere I looked there seemed to be doorways and paths waiting to reveal more hidden gems.

This was the first ever Philippine museum I have been to and I was not disappointed. Located at the heart of Antipolo, the museum was indeed captivating. Pinto Art Museum is the gateway for modern and contemporary art.

Good Times and Tan Lines : Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club

It was a fun-filled summer experience like no other. The resort took our breaths away like it wasn’t ours to begin with. My friends and I have always wanted to go to a place we’ll surely remember. We’re determined to turn our plans into feasible actions. We had the opportunity to travel and we took advantage of it. It’s our first time to travel together, and we’re looking forward to more adventures.