This blog entry has been long overdue. I finally decided to make this entry to reduce the backlogs here; before I go into another adventure with Robai this coming month.
The previous post about Cagbalete is about our journey from Manila to the beautiful island. This one, on the other hand, is about our first day in the island: what we did there and what are the things that we saw so expect a lot of pictures in this entry.
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After arriving in Villa Cleofas, we asked the owners (I think Mr. Ed) if there are any tents available for rental. He led us to one of the tents on the campsite and me and Robai deposited our things there. A couple was also at the camp site. They brought their own tents and it was so amazing kasi I think professional travellers sila. They had everything! (a burner, a small frying pan, gas) We didn't waste anymore time (because we were dead hungry) and went back to the mess hall. I ordered a dish of pork chop while Robai watched me eat (she was done eating her lunch: thank you Century Tuna Paella.)
We took a shower in the common bathroom (of course, not sabay) before we explored the island. The water was receding already, the afternoon sun was shining brightly and it was terribly hot. When we were finished freshening up, we decided to explore the east side of the island.
You would expect that since it was very hot, the sand would also burn our feet. Interestingly enough, it wasn't. One can walk barefoot on the shore and appreciate the beauty of the receding water without scorching your feet. And of course, we took pictures.
We were actually in search of the delta/estuary but since ang tamad namin, we ended up laying in the sand and enjoying the cool breeze.
The island is actually very small. There are several mangroves (I don't really know if they are mangroves or not) growing there and the island floor was rocky. One has to be careful when walking because one wrong step and you can slip and die. Haha.
Camwhore talaga
The previous post about Cagbalete is about our journey from Manila to the beautiful island. This one, on the other hand, is about our first day in the island: what we did there and what are the things that we saw so expect a lot of pictures in this entry.
***
After arriving in Villa Cleofas, we asked the owners (I think Mr. Ed) if there are any tents available for rental. He led us to one of the tents on the campsite and me and Robai deposited our things there. A couple was also at the camp site. They brought their own tents and it was so amazing kasi I think professional travellers sila. They had everything! (a burner, a small frying pan, gas) We didn't waste anymore time (because we were dead hungry) and went back to the mess hall. I ordered a dish of pork chop while Robai watched me eat (she was done eating her lunch: thank you Century Tuna Paella.)
We took a shower in the common bathroom (of course, not sabay) before we explored the island. The water was receding already, the afternoon sun was shining brightly and it was terribly hot. When we were finished freshening up, we decided to explore the east side of the island.
You would expect that since it was very hot, the sand would also burn our feet. Interestingly enough, it wasn't. One can walk barefoot on the shore and appreciate the beauty of the receding water without scorching your feet. And of course, we took pictures.
Sea grass (?)
Believe me, you won't feel the heat kahit mukhang mainit sa lugar na yan.
This tree is underwater during high tide but since the water receded, it looks like a normal tree growing in a desert.
A view of the beach in the eastern part of the island.
It's amazing how the beach looked completely like a desert when the water disappeared. You can walk in the sand dunes and see small fishes on puddles left by the receding water. If you are wondering whether we can go swimming here, I'd say yes. You'd have to walk for about one kilometer from the beach to go to the deep part. This, however, applies only during the low tide (usually on afternoons). The water level is normal on mornings and night times (high tide).
sand dunes
The beach was so beautiful and quoting my best friend, it's mentally paralyzing. It was the first time ever that we were together and not talking at all. It felt like our problems disappeared with the water. We were living in an alternate reality where Manila did not exist. All we wanted was to appreciate the beauty of the island and take in the fresh breeze of the Pacific Ocean. It was the best feeling one could ever have.
We finally gave up on looking for the delta and decided that we still have tomorrow morning to search for it so we just decided to go to Bonsai Island before we take a nap. Sobrang tamad lang namin kasi inaantok na kami. We did not sleep the night before.
Bonsai Island is a nearby island that is usually submerged in water. When the low tide occurs, the island becomes visible from Villa Cleofas and visitors can take an almost 5 minute walk to go there.
On our way to the island
At the Bonsai Island...with the bonsai trees
And of course, cam whores that we are, we couldn't resist taking pictures of ourselves in Bonsai Island.
I think you can actually go swimming here (see the water on the top of this picture)but the seafloor is jagged and rocky.
A water tunnel of some sort in Bonsai Island. You can see fishes here but they're too shy to smile at the camera.
When we were finished exploring the island, we decided to head back to our tents and take a short nap. On our way, we saw several residents searching for crabs nearby. I wanted to dry looking for one to but Robai insisted that we go back and sleep.
A boat on (not-so) dry land
This boat is probably Cagbalete's trademark. If you try to google pictures of the island, you'll always see a photo of this water-forsaken boat. I guess this boat is a property of the owners of Villa Cleofas.
When we reached our tent, we took a shower again, changed clothes and slept. Robai decided to sleep on one of the hammocks near the campsite (there are many) while I went inside our tent. I'm not comfortable with other people seeing me sleep.
A view inside our tent
It was a good thing that I chose to sleep in our tent kasi we woke up two hours after to find out that our fellow campers were robbed. Someone stole their cash (amounting to 4k) while they were strolling outside. Their gadgets were left unharmed though. I'll tell the story on another entry.
When we woke up at around 6:30pm, Robai and I decided to prepare our dinner, comprising of adobong baboy, rice and hotdog. As you can expect, Robai did all the cooking coz I am a moron when it comes to the kitchen. I don't know how to cook anything for the life of me so in order to avoid being poisoned with my cooking, Robai took charge. Buti na lang. :)
Our jumbo jumbo hotdog.
At last, dinner was served (thanks to Robai). It was delish! Or siguro gutom lang talaga kami. HAHA. After dinner, we took a shower again to get ready for bed. Lagi na lang kami nagpapalit ng damit di ba?
Before sleeping, we decided to take a walk. We rested on the hammocks in the Talisay tree and watched the stars.
At around 10pm, sleep got the better of me so I said goodbye to Robai and proceeded to the tent to sleep. She stayed outside for a couple of hours to lay in the hammock and talk to Neil.
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| Our tent |
Here are some of the other shots that I took using Rupert. I'll continue the rest of the adventure tomorrow.
The coconut tree beside our tent. It's SOOOO tall.
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