Weekend Biyahera: Marinduque Island

I didn't know that Marinduque is the heart of the Philippines. (Please don't judge me!) I've been wanting to visit this province to experience Moriones Festival. But I figured that it's not going to be an easy journey as Moriones is observed during Lenten break. I can just imagine the huge crowd, the Manila traffic and the scorching heat of the summer. Medyo hardcore ýun, mga besh!
We went to Marinduque at the end of April. The trip was undeniably tiring but it's definitely worth the puyat and pagod. The best part was that I had the chance to experience my first ever RORO and top load ride! Top load was wicked! 😄

Honestly, the reason why I chose this trip is because of Palad Sandbar. However, it was high tide at the time we reached the spot where the sandbar appears. Excited pa naman ako. Well, some things do not always go as planned. #bittermuch 😂

But who cares about Palad Sandbar when you're with awesome beautiful people, anyway? :D

Our home base for this trip was San Miguel, Boac particularly in Abby's Place Hotel. We opted it that way so that we can visit other places and do more activities aside from getting ourselves tanned (he-he).

Day 1 - Luzon Datum and Boac

We took a bus ride in Kamias, Quezon City via JAC Liner going Dalahican Port, Quezon. Bus left the station at 2.:45 AM. We arrived at Dalahican Port at 6:30 AM, just in time for RORO's departure (Starhorse ferry) going to Balanacan Port, Marinduque.

We arrived at Balanacan Port at 9AM, took a quick breakfast and so proceeded to Luzon Datum. We had time to spare before our 2PM check-in time.

And then everything happened just like that :D

The 300 steps going up Luzon Datum was quite a challenge. We were under the heat of the Marinduque summer!

By the way, there was a road block when we visited Luzon Datum. There was an on-going road development hence we didn't have a choice but to walk an extra 3-5km before we reach the jump-off point. Effort itech!

upon this rock...i shall call you the center of the Philippines. he he

Day 1 was kind of exhausting. We rested from the time of check-in until the day ended. We just took a quick dinner at a nearby eatery and everyone just tucked themselves to bed after. Pagoda!

Please note that our jeepney ride was exclusive for group of 9 pax. We did a little haggling with jeepney drivers at Balanacan Port to take us to Luzon Datum and Abby's Place Hotel. It's very convenient and VERY fast too! 😜

Day 2: Palad Sandbar, Mongpong Island, Ungab Rock Formations, Maniwaya Island

We're up and about at 5AM. The town was still asleep and we were pretty much anxious because we couldn't see any public transport roaming in the area. Our goal was to reach the famous sandbar at 7AM or earlier as advised by kuya boatman. Well, as you know already, we're not so mapalad to see the Palad Sandbar (ha-ha). We reached the area earlier than 7AM, but the high tide was such a spoiler :D

Even so, we enjoyed the clear turquoise green water...and goofed around like nobody was watching! :D

After Palad Sandbar, we had early lunch at Mongpong Island where you can also see the Ungab Rock Formation. There were pop-up karinderyas in the island so food shouldn't be a problem. I had hotdogs and hard boiled eggs...and rice :D

Ungab Rock Formation

And then we proceeded to Maniwaya Island which was fully packed. I honestly didn't expect that it would be that congested. Good thing we opted to stay in Boac. We just stayed there for few hours and we headed back to our base camp.

The best part of this trip was the top load...Marinduque style! We were able to ride on top of the jeep when we headed home to Boac.

Top load, baby!!! :D

Day 3 - Mass at Boac Cathedral, free time/buy souvenirs, depart Marinduque to Manila

Our last day. We attended a mass at 8AM in Boac Cathedral which is just a 10 minute walk from Abby's Place Hotel. Bought souvenirs at Boac Hotel which is just across the cathedral. We checked out at 12NN and departed Marinduque to Manila.