Sweet Weekend in Dampalitan Island

Dampalitan Island

This is supposed to be a Cagbalete Island post but things didn't turn out the way we expected it. Armed with our camping gears and stocks of food, we headed to Mauban, Quezon port were boats are stationed heading to Cagbalete Island. Then we received the most awful news that day: ubos na ang bangka papunta sa Island. Yes. They run out of passenger boats that would transit tourist to the island. 

My jaw dropped. Nanlabo paningin ko. Gusto kong burahin ang red lipstick ni ate sa tourism area. I told myself "Di pwede to!" Ang aga pa namin para maubusan ng banka! Pano na ang detailed itinerary na ginawa koooo?! (Ha-ha).  

We actually got two options. One, we wait for the 4:00 PM scheduled trip. Two, pay for a private boat ride which costs P2,500 two-way ride. Well, we didn't choose any. Instead, we decided to go to Padre Burgos even it would take us to go back to Lucena Grand Terminal (again!). 

From Mauban port, the tricycle driver took us to this station because I told him Cagbalete's full and we're heading to Padre Burgos as alternative. Thus, we need to go back to Lucena Grand Terminal to start all over again.  Thankful to manong tryc driver because were able to go back to Lucena Grand Terminal in less than an hour thru this van service. It's very convenient and fast. It usually takes 2-3 hours ordinary bus ride to get to Mauban from Grand Terminal and vice versa. We paid P70.00 each. 

Getting to Padre Burgos

From Lucena Grand Terminal we took Jay Liner (non-airconditioned bus) to Padre Burgos. Paid P35.00 each, travel time 1 and 1/2 hours. 

Lucena Grand Terminal biyaheng Padre Burgos. Easy as 1,2,3

While in transit going to Padre Burgos. "Quezonians" are friendly and hospitable people. At kilala nila ang isa't-isa kahit isang kilometro ang mga bahay-bahay at baryo-baryo nila! 

Upon reaching Padre Burgos arch in bayan, we took a tricycle to get to Barangay Campo were Padre Burgos tourism office is located. And yes, lumagpas kami ng halos dalawang kilometro. (He-he!)

Padre Burgos main road. From here, tourism office is just a tricycle away.

Padre Burgos tourism or locally called "aplaya". We registered and paid P35.00 each. We chose the Borawan-Dampalitan island tour/boat rental which costs P1,200 two-way as indicated.

Azul and Elbert ready to go at gutom na ako (he-he)

Dampalitan here we come!

serene water

It took us approximately 30 minutes to get to Dampalitan Island from the aplaya. We were able to eat our lunch at 1:30 PM and pitched our tents afterwards. We paid P30 each for the entrance and P150 per installed tent. That cheap! :D

chose a spot that has less hantiks

manang caretaker allowed us to use one of their bamboo shelters for free

There's nothing much to do in Dampalitan. In fact, there's no electricity, and provides common washroom/toilet only. Tabang water for shower costs P40 per pale which makes P400 per bariles. Mahal, no? Locals say they they had to transit tabang water from Borawan Island and sometimes from aplaya. Kaya naman pala ginto ang presyo ng tubig.

So what we did in Dampalian? Two things: Chill....

...and shoot :D

the knock-kneed traveler :)

jelly fish

Steal shots of Borawan Island

Borawan

 

The only time we got to take shower was when we got back to aplaya. Oo, hindi kami naligo sa island. Lublob lang ;p  

12:00 NN, we took a jeep in Padre Burgos bayan which took us back to Lucena Grand Terminal. From Lucena Grand Terminal, we took JAC Liner bus biyaheng Cubao and paid P218 each. 

 
It was a good escape from the stressful life in the city in a pocket friendly budget!