Thursday, October 16, 2014

Throwback Trip Thursday : Cagbalete Island 2009

Enchanting Cagbalete Island

It's summer once again and the word "hot" is an understatement. One island that is on the bucket list of summer folks is the Cagbalete Island in the province of Quezon. I, together with Dong Ho and a couple of friends have visited the island in 2009 and here is my recollection of the place thru photos and stories. 

Swirling Low Tide Marks

Tree in Stone

Driftwood

We arrived there at low tide so we were greeted with what is probably the widest beach shore I have ever seen so far. In fact, you will think twice of swimming in the beach because the nearest swimmable waters from the shore is a good ten minute walk amidst the glaring sunlight. Cagbalete is an excellent relatively tourist-free beach with creamy yellow sand underfoot gently sloping beach that lets you walk really far out before you even get your bum wet and the place exhibits an uncanny calm that is both relaxing and spooky.

Long Shores

Up Root

Under the Sea Cave

Probably the best place to talk to God and reflect is on one of His best creations. Imagine this to surround you... bright blue sky, fine stretch of white sand, clear and cool beach waters, green vegetations and trees, amazing rock formations and endless silhouttes of mountains on the backgound. Then, there is just you and your GOD... ain't you lucky to be alive and enjoying all of these?

Relax

Sea... Pond... Rock...

Scenic Sea-nario

Off the coast of Cagbalete Beach, there lies a small speck of an islet which locals call Bonsai Island. During Low Tide, visitors can walk to this island and marvel at the amazing wide flat stone which resembles that of a stone pavement. On these stones, you can see a couple of trees similar to those trees you can see in mangroves. The island is amazing to visit because of the crevices filled with trapped sea water with some small fishes. Then there are also lots of stickweeds or tree roots sticking up from the yellow sand.

Rocky Shores

The Travelers


Cagbalete is located at the east coast of Quezon Province and is accessible via banca from the pier of Mauban. Better be there in Mauban early to catch the passenger boat heading to Sabang. Be prepared thou to have animals such as goats, chicken as well as groceries and even hardware items as your boat mates. Otherwise, if you miss the passenger boat, you can hire a more costly private out-rigger boat. From Sabang, you may ride another boat or walk more than one kilometer to the resort and beach areas.

15 comments:

  1. Looks like a great place to spend a hot day!! Great capture as always, Oman! I love your composition! Have a wonderful weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sylvia. One of my best buddies recently went there and said the place still looks great. Hope to go back there soon.

      Delete
  2. yes a perfect spot for enjoying God's creation and talking and thanking Him for all the blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a beautiful place.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A lot of blogger friends I know have been there once and you're an addition to the list. You know what, it's a place where my brother-in-law practically grew up. Not really in the island but they used to frequent that place since it's nearest to their place in Mauban, Quezon. But the sad thing is that I haven't been there, not even once - but my brothers did as well as my oldest sister who is the wife of my brother-in-law. Hoping that luck favors my schedule that would practically bring me there hehe. Awesome place and stunning photos.

    By the way, visit my place in Sibuyan Island, Romblon where we boeast of Cresta De Gallo - an isolated small island covered with white sands too. Plus, there's more to do in there. Take a plunge in our Cantingas River - twice winner of the cleanest inland body of water in the entire Philippines beating Palawan and the one in Antique. And you can go mountain-climbing in our Mount Guiting-Guiting where Mayo's Peak is considered as the hardest climb of all the peaks in the Philippines.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. there will always be next time jay. and I can't wait to set foot on Sibuyan. I'll schedule my trip there soon.

      Delete
    2. I will patiently be waiting for the time until I read your post that chronicles your experience in our beloved island. I know that day will soon come.

      Delete
  5. There are travels we tend to forget but there are some that lingers in our memories forever and I am sure Cagbalete does that for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, a great place I spent with great buddies. Can't wait to get back there soon.

      Delete
  6. Summer na summer na ah. Ayos!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Romantic place where you can just spend all day in the beach or just wandering around with your love one. Inggit much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sayang lang pag low-tide ang hirap maligo sa beack kasi ang layo sa pampang. Pero all-in-all sarap maglibot sa island.

      Delete