Burdeos, Polilio Island - Day 3

Day 3: a whole day island hopping adventure. 

We passed by Tikling Island, Malaginuan Munti island (there is a groto), Malaginuan Malaki island, Tsubak island, Maydalaga island, Minasawa island (bird sanctuary), Binonbonan island (nearest island from Bordeos, locals usually go here - but the sand is color brown).

Malaginuan Island

Minasawa Island

groto in Malaginuan Island

We saw this rock formation above waters which is part of the Malaginuan munti island. Lots of candles burning and written texts painted on the rocks. The bangkero even told us to keep quiet and not to ask too many questions.  We also experienced our boat's motor died. The bangkero explained that this is a holy place "groto". Locals climb up there to pray and light their candles.

The story on the groto at the Malaginuan munti island, centuries ago, there was a human rock formation. Then his head was cut off. But now, then they discovered that the head started to grow back. 

We bought our fish/squid at the town that we passed by on our way to Minasawa island.  Had our "survivor-style" of lunch at Minasawa island.

Per my observation, I would have prefered to eat our lunch in another island that is quiet. It seems Minasawa island became everyone's destination. I was expecting calm and clean surroundings. I think if they are focused on preserving the island to be a bird sanctuary. They need to do something with the people who visits there. They should make an ordinance that nobody should leave their trash. There are even 2 tables selling halo-halo and fruits. Yes its helpful but its showing 'commercialism" in that island already.

There are other islands you can visit, to name some of them: Bugitay, Anilon, Kabalwa, Ikolong, Palasan,

Pandan, Malawis, Makagitna, Makagilid. For the boatman, he considers Makagilid island to be the nicest island. Though this is the hardest to go to since this island is facing the Pacific ocean.

 

From the Burdeos pier, we went back to our lodging and hired a jeepney going back to Polillo town.  Mang Enong Hernandez +63-907.341.98.44 (who is a relative of Tita Pines of Isla Polillo beach resort) helped us in renting a jeep. We got it at Php1,500.00

Upon reaching Polillo town, we decided to have dinner at Sea Horse hotel before going to our own resort (since its another 30-minute travel). We are too hungry already.

Day 3 expenses - Php1,475.00: breakfast Php60/head + tricycle from lodging to pier Php10/head + boat Php420/head (Php2,100/boat) + lunch Php60/head + snacks Php20/head + tricycle from pier to lodging Php8/head (Php40/tricycle) + jeep from Burdeos to Polillo town Php300/head (Php1,500/jeep) Dinner at Sea Horse Php162/head +  tricycle from town to resort Php60/head (Php300/trike) + Resort lodging at Php375/head (Php1,500/room)

Date of travel: April 21 to April 24, 2011

You can continue to view my picasaweb album on Polilio Island travel

Burdeos, Polilio Island - Day 2

Day 2:  Tricycle travel to Burdeos Town. Island hopping.

We took a 30-min tricycle from Isla Polillo Beach Resort back to the Polillo town proper. From the town, we hired 2 tricycle that will bring us to Burdeos town.  Burdeos is another town that is part of the Polilio Island. The travel time was estimated to be 2 hours.  

We met Neil Conchada but known as "Bronco" by the people around the town. Tel no. (63-907) 438.94.06 He gave us a lot of information on Polilio Island.  We actually hired one of his tricycle to bring us to Burdeos.  Each tricycle Php800.00 maximum load of 4 persons.  Though we prefer to rent a jeep which is Php1,500.  Though later we learned that it should only be Php500-Php600 per tricycle rental.

We stayed in KUYA BONNS lodging. Wherein its being run by "Tita Edita" (63-912-611-3739).  She is the only lodging for rent in Burdeos Town. I can't believe our lodging was only Php100.00/head. Though don't expect anything. The lodge is very basic. Bed, pillow, blanket, thin mattress, wooden bed,  mosquito net. There is 1 comfort room shared by everyone lodging in the area.  ofcourse, no hot water nor running showers.

Tita Edita's bakery. Located next street. Php10.00 per pack

After bringing down our stuffs, lunch at Tita Edita's lodge, we took the tricycle to the Burdeos Port, which is 10 mins away from the lodge. Tricycle is Php8.00/head or Php40.00/tricycle for a special trip.

Now... the island adventure starts, we headed to Anilon Island. Anilon Island is comparable to Boracay's sand. Its still virgin and undeveloped. Only a handful of residents are living there.  

We only got to visit Anilon island as we started out after lunch. We fell in love with Anilon Island and spent the entire afternoon there.

Since its Black Saturday, we were able to observe the procession. Though we missed that morning procession, Wherein locals practice the traditional passion of Christ. Locals would  volunteer go through the act of letting their backs be whipped.

After dinner, we had our courtesy visit with the Mayor Gil Establesida. Wherein his house is right beside our lodging. The Mayor wants to preserve their their town and islands as much as possible. They don't want to be like Boracay, wherein it became too commercialized.

 

Things I learned about Burdeous Town

• Burdeos is one of the 3 municipalities in the island of Polilio.
• "Burdeos" was derived from the French priest who was assigned in the church during the 1940s/50s. They found the church has a bell with 'Bordeaux" text.
• Population is around 23,000. 
• Since population is small, they are related or at least connected to each other
• Mode of living is fishing, rice farming and copra buyer
• There is a "Barangay Farm Association" with 32 members who are promoting organic rice farming. No fertilizer. They have around 50 kinds of seeds. You can buy Php120/kilo of red or brown rice. They also produce the black rice (anti-cancer)
• There are at a lot of virgin white-sand islands, sand bars which are considered as undiscovered getaways. 
• There is also a "Maputing Bato" cave in Brgy Aluyon. Which is 2-hour trek from the Burdeous town

• Minasawa Island "bird sanctuary" is near Panukulan Island. Another jump off can be from Agta island. For those who wants to see birds, its best to go super early in the morning.

fishing

organic farming

copra

there is no market, they sell by going from house-to-house

The carabao. The animal who plays an important role for the farmers

at the end of the day, they put the rice grains on sacks. If its not yet dried, they lay it out again the next day.

HOW TO GET TO AND FROM BURDEOS

• Jeepney ride from Polillo port to Burdeos town - Php140.00/head. Jeepney departs at 10:00 am

• Jeepney ride from Burdeos town to Polillo town or Polillo port - Php140.00/head. Jeepney departs at 1:00 am.

• Rent a jeepney from Burdeos to pick you up in  Polillo town and bring you to Burdeos town. Contact Mang Enong Hernandez (63-907) 341.9844. Jeepney fee is Php1,500.00

• Rent a tricycle from Polillo town. Contact Neil "Bronco" Conchada "Bronco" (63-907) 438.94.06. Tricycle fee is Php800.00. Try to haggle it down to Php500.00-Php600.00

• If island-hopping is the itinerary, its best that you go directly to Burdeos Town.  From Real, Quezon port, ride the boat heading to "Barangay Anawan". The fare is also around Php150.00.  From Brgy Anawan, take a 30 minutes jeepney ride to Burdeos town. Jeepney fare is Php120.00.  Just ask around the schedules of departure. You can contact Tita Edita (Bonn's lodging) for guidance.

Day 2 expenses- Php1,083.00: Breakfast at Isla Polillo Resort Php135/head + Tricycle from Resort to town Php50/head (Php250.00 for 4 pax) + tricycle to Burdeos town Php400.00/head (Php800/trike) + Banca ride Php250/head (Php1,000 for half day) + tricycle to lodging Php8/head (Php40/trike) + lodging Php100.00/head + Php120/head lunch and dinner at Bonns lodge + bread snacks Php20

Date of trip: April 21 to April 24, 2011

You can view the rest of the photos on in my picasaweb album.

Polilio Island, Quezon - Day 1

This 2011 Holy Week, I had no plans of going for a holiday. Apparently Monday came and my friends' informed me that I am welcome to join them in their trip to Polilio Island, Quezon.  I said where is that? She just said we will have a 3-hour drive then 3-hour boat ride. Whoa, that's quite a long travel then it must be something to discover. Go! Am in!  

POLILIO ISLAND is group of islands, comprised of twenty-seven islands and islets belonging to five municipalities, namely: Polillo, Burdeos and Panukulan, which occupy the mainland, and the two island municipalities of Patnanungan and Jomalig.  

One should not be confused between "Polilio" and "Polillo". Polillo is one of the municipalities in the Polilio, while the Polilio is the name of the whole island itself.  reference www.polilioisland.com

Day 1: 3-hour road travel from Manila to Real, Quezon. 3-hour boat ride from Real, Quezon to Polilio Island.

How to get to Polilio Island:
At 7:00 am I met them at the Petron, C5. From Petron C5, we traveled by car and took the route of Taguig C6 to Taytay, Rizal.  C6 is the new highway around Laguna de Bay.  After 20 minutes, we reached Taytay, Rizal. To pick up another friend. *there are road signs going to Taytay, less chances of getting lost.  From Taytay, Rizal (Manila East Road). We traveled passing National Road, Binangonan Rizal then Cardona, Rizal then Morong, Rizal then Pililia, Rizal then Angono, Rizal then Mabitac, Laguna then Famy, Laguna, then Siniloan, Laguna and then Real, Quezon.  Headed directly to the Port. Parked our car at the "Flying V" gasoline station (fee of Php200.00)

We bought our terminal fee Php10.00 each at the "PASSENGER TERMINAL" lounge. Then waited for the boat going to Polillo port, in Polilio island. 

Since we have to kill time, we had our lunch at the nearest carinderia.

Ginataang Tambakol (tuna) Php35.00

Finally after waiting for 4 hours.... 2:00 pm, we boarded the boat. Boat fee is at Php150.00/head (This is unusual, its mainly because at lot of locals are going home for the holy week)

They have boats that leaves as early as 5:00 am then at 10:00 am. They said they have a total of 6 boats.  We reached Polillo port, Polilio Island at 4:50 pm (3 hours).

We had advance reservations at the Isla Polillo Beach Resort www.islapolilloresort.com -- this is the only resort my friend found on the internet. The resort is another 30-minutes tricycle ride (est 7 kms) from the Port/Town proper. Tricycle fee is Php250/trike or Php50/head. 

Good thing I was able to take photos as the sun sets down.

Isla Polillo Beach Resort
Brgy Bocao, Polillo, Polilio Island, Quezon
Contact numbers: (63-2) 920.29.03, (63-928) 382.78.33
Tita Pine (63-918.252.79.74  (the manager/care taker of the resort)

Email: nerazauladds@yahoo.com
www.islapolilloresort.com

Non air-conditioned Room. Php1,500 for 4 pax

Air-Conditioned Rooms. Php2,500 for 4 pax

Isla Polillo Beach Resort is recommendable for tavelers who wants to laze around and relax. Just to stay in the resort most of the time. The resort is complete with its amenities: beach, swimming pool, basketball court, ping pong table, karaoke, etc.  But for travelers who aims to travel around the islands, its best that you get a lodging at the town proper or directly head to where your destination is.

A photo with Tita Pines

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Since we were able to talk to the locals and walk around, we discovered there are other lodgings in Polillo town proper.

• Sea Horse Hotel - Tel No. (63-42) 634.28.59; (63-999) 406.64.17 - Baby.  This is 5 mins walking distance to the Port area. 

Room rates: Php1,200 single, Php2,400 double. Their beds are queen size beds.  

They are not strict on the number of occupants in the room.  But asking for extra bed is Php200.00 each

• Casa Escarlata Hotel - Tel No. (63-42) 314.82.08. Email: casaescarlata1@gmail.com. This is also located in the town proper. I wasn't able to see where exactly is this located. JP Rizal Street, Poblacion, Polillo, Quezon.

•  House for Rent at Mabini Street - Tel No. (63-948) 224.5343, (63-910) 321.4304 Nonong.  The house has 3 bedrooms, 3 CRs, rent is inclusive of breakfast

Day 1 expenses - Php805.00/head:   car gas (sponsored), Php70.00 lunch + Php10.00 terminal fee + Php150.00 boat fare + Tricycle Php50/head (Php300/tricycle) + Php150.00 dinner + Php375/head non-aircon lodging (Php1,500/room, max of 4 pax)