Burot Beach: Overrated?

Captured the sunrise while in the boat bound for island hopping

While other travel bloggers write solely about the positive experiences they had during their travel and share little to nothing about the negative, you read so much greatness about the place and you expect so much when you go. The thing is, the negative will always hunt you and if you let it win, it will ruin your whole trip. For me, it's a challenge that I always want to accept. It is a piece of learning that wasn't written in any form and can only be acquired through experience. The fun and learning in traveling then, starts.

Planning the unplanned is common to young ones. You just thought of going somewhere today, drag your friends with you, pack your bags and your off to go. This is exactly what happened to us on our trip to Burot Beach. Friday night, Jhen and me wanted to go to a nearby beach to beat the summer heat. So we both googled on where to go and we stumbled to a blog featuring Burot Beach since it's a three to four hours away only from Manila.

Thrilled to pitch a tent to experience a camping style accommodation, bonfire and sleeping to the sound of the beach sounds great. It's going to be our first time to do just that. I thought we won't make it but on Saturday afternoon, we meet at Metropoint in Pasay Rotonda and head to the van terminal bound for Calatagan. It's a van terminal near Kabayan Hotel and Metropoint. I advise anyone taking this route to be early to avoid long queue. The vans also are not frequent and can only seat 16 pax. Fare is 180php. Get off at the van terminal near the Calatagan Public Market and ride a tricycle going to Burot. Fare is 150php one way to Burot, another 150php going back to the market. The travel time to Burot from he market is around 10-15 minutes bumpy road. I contacted a tricycle driver the night before to assist us. Here is his number. Kuya RC: 0905 358 7083

Look closely and you will see the people scattered all over the area.

This Burot trip came in a short notice. I just told Jhen to pack whatever she thinks we will need. We didn't prepare that much bearing in mind that we are headed to a secluded place, without electricity, good accommodation and descent comfort rooms. Why not?

True enough, Burot Beach is a secluded area. It is Henry Sy's property waiting to be developed. I don't know the real deal about having visitors, but it is a place where there's a "private property, no trespassing" sign. Guards man the area that collects the fees upon entering and a certain caretaker that owns a small store inside.

We arrived around 7PM at the beach and we were welcomed by a very big crowd. What to expect? It's a given fact. It's summer and a weekend. We paid 130php each for the entrance fee and we went to the store to rent a tent. Unfortunately, there's no more tent left available for rent. Opppps. We don't have any tent with us too. Think...Think... Think...

Since we have nothing to do about the supply of tents and torches, we looked for a place to settle our things and lay our picnic mattress. We ask Kuya RC not to leave us until we were settled and if he can find us a tent. He said his tent was broken. We just decided to stay the night in the open under the tree with our things and a picnic mattress with us. Besides, we're not here to sleep. Kuya RC left us and told us we can text or call him if we need anything.

2 hours had passed and I received a call from Kuya RC saying that he fixed his tent and he will be lending it for a fee. We agreed so he came back with his tent and his friend to pitch it for us. Yahoo! Tent it is.

We spend the night chatting about random things and from time to time distracted by random people doing crazy stuff. A man urinating in the seafront, (the heck?) a young couple near our place arguing about something,( melodramatic ) a female sitting alone in the sand, ( there's nothing wrong about it. I know! But it freaked me out because she stayed their like an hour, not moving) group of friends drinking beers and talking like the person they are talking to is a kilometer away from them (she was like that the entire evening until 4 in the morning, just imagine) and a drunken man spitting, kicking and splayed beside our tent. Good god his friends noticed and removed him from our sight.

Jhen asking Kuya Bong about the island hopping deal. The sun is not yet rising

We already saw the sun slowly rising in the east by 5:30 am. We can now fully see the full scenery of the place and it was crowded, plastic everywhere and the disappointing feeling of another hidden treasure slowly fading. We saw a bus parking in the parking space and sooner, the place became as crowded as you can imagine. Not as we expected as blogs described it as a nice beach area. It wasn't.

Just imagine the mess every single person in this planet contributed for leaving traces to the places they went. No exception.

Blurry shot but look at the plastics scattered all over the place.

So we decided we need to get outta here. But we didn't allow it to stop us from hoping that there is something positive about this area. So we approached the man in the boat and ask him how can we avail of an island hopping tour. He told us he was one of the boatman offering tours and it's 100php per head but you have to wait for other tourist to join before they leave. There's 8 -15 passengers depending on the size of the boat.

In our case, we chose to rent the boat for an hour which cost us 500 pesos for 1 hour. Kuya bong helped us arranged our bags and tent and then we were off.

And that island hopping tour sums up our weekend getaway. When Kuya Bong started the engine of his boat, I felt that familiar pang of feeling I always feel when I travel. That kind of peace and infinite happiness.

Who would have thought this was the house used for the All My Life movie starring Aga Muhlach and Kristine Hermosa. That movie was ONE of only a FEW local romantic movie I like.

This one was also used to some local television series. Kuya Bong say's its a series from ABS-CBN but I have no idea what series.

I really can't remember what series Kuya Bong was talking about so we just posed for a picture.

Besides, the area was good. 

My friend Jhen was excited to see the starfish, but when she was able to see and had a chance to hold one, she chickened out. So instead of her, I posed with the stars on my hand. LOL!

Never ever bring it with you

After our island hopping, we swam along the shoreline. We settled in a spot were there is lesser people and cleaner area. While walking, I saw a girl holding a starfish that appears like she's taking it home. What the heck? They're not supposed to take those sea creatures away from their home. I pity these kind of people, such ignoramus. Imagine it being done to a poor child taken away from his mother.


If you plan to visit the place, I suggest go really early so you can choose a good spot. Prepare to use the comfort rooms built without logic. One common logic of separating the female CR to male CR is to avoid men from peeking to the ladies or vice versa but in Burot Beach's case, well, wait till you see it. :)

Is it overrated? Well I guess depends in your experience. For me, some travel blogs exaggerate their description of the place. I've read some travel blogs that says pretty much about what to expect from it. But you cannot say it indeed until you experience it.

The island hopping tour made this trip memorable. I enjoyed Kuya Bong's company. I wanted to go back because of him. To explore the hidden wonders of the area more. I wanted to cross to the other side of the island, we're locals really live.

I wanted to join these women while they paddle and look for whatever their looking.

I'll be back Burot. I will...

How To Go To Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

View from the trek

Lake Pandin is one of the seven lakes in San Pablo, Laguna. You have probably read and stumbled to other travel blogs about it. You might be reading this because you also want to go there and would want to gather insights about the place. When I started doing DIY travels since 2012, this place was in my list. A lot of blogs had written well said things about their experiences and last Holy Saturday I was able to experience mine as well.

Side tripping to Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery is a bonus but for me, it's what I came for. Unfortunately, it was close when I get there, the caretakers opted to close it on a Black Saturday. Seems like a reason to go back then.

I came to see what's under this gem but it was close when I visited. :(

Getting there is easy and here's a guide on how to get to Lake Pandin and Nagcarlan underground cemetery:

From anywhere in Manila, go to Buendia Bus terminal in Gil Puyat and ask for buses bound for Lucena. Get off at San Pablo City 7-Eleven and get a tricycle to San Pablo Cathedral. There you can find a jeepney with the sign Liliw Nagcarlan near the fire station. Tell the driver to drop you at the underground cemetery. Fare is 25 pesos each. During your trip, you will see signs of the lakes including Lake Pandin from the left side of the road so try to be reminded of it's location.

This kid says we can climb the fence to get inside. I might have accepted the challenge but there's a lot of tourist in the area. What a shame. LOL!

I should be back soon Nagcarlan, solely for this reason.

You can find the Underground Cemetery at the left side of the road in front of Shell Gasoline Station. It's not easy to miss.

Ride a jeepney going back to San Pablo and get off at Lake Pandin. Fare is 18 pesos. There you have to trek for 10-15 minutes. You can get a guide going there and for us, we have this kid Justin Fortuna. He was entertaining us during the walk. You can give them any amount.

Bamboo Raft

To read my review about my experience in Lake Pandin click here.

Conquering Ilocos

Please check my posts on where I stayed in Pagudpud. Goodnight Sleep in Kapuluan Vista Resort

It took me a while to write something about my Ilocos trip. The reason would be I'm too lazy and my sched is too tight at the moment. But seriously, I don't know how to begin it with. There are so many things to say about Ilocos. I stayed there for 2 days and 1 night but it was one of the my best experiences so far... well, it was the farthest place I've ever traveled ALONE which is why. Good thing I have Kuya Edu, my ever dearest and bloggers favorite tour guide in Pagudpud.

For the lack of better way to put it into writing, I will note down the things which I enjoyed and noticed during my trip in Pagudpud and Laoag.


Let me kick it off with Pagudpud's Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

I was interested to see this firsthand as it entices me with very good pictures online. Seems like a view from another country eh? But what amaze me most about this attraction is it's mysterious existence. I thought, because of the name that it was just a big white rock but seeing it up close made my jaw dropped. I'm in awe of this rock formation or should I say, sand formation. It is a fine white sand formation. I tried to answer my question how did it happened. Looking at the sand in the area, it isn't white. And it is really a big rock sitting in the area.

I'm not really fund of taking pictures of myself but Kuya Edu want's me to pose so here I went.

If my memory serves me right, Kapurpurawan in Ilocano means white so they called it like that.

Slowly decaying sand. Please do something about it.

The sad thing about it, people visiting the area is not cautious about the sand. They vandalize and sometimes throws trashes anywhere. The local government prohibited tourists to enter some areas because they are slowly decomposing. Adding to this is weather disturbances that contributes to ruin the formation.

Kapurpurawan Rock Formation is a must see in Burgos but I will not recommend it anymore if people will just destroy this natures wonder.

Second in my list is the famous Bangui Windmills

During my trip from Laoag to Pagudpud and with a John Denver song Country Road on radio, I got the chance to talked to the two remaining passengers in the bus. I thought they were locals but soon I discovered that it was their first time in Ilocos too. oh! just like me. But they were in Pagudpud for work. They will be the workers for the additional windmills which will be added in Burgos. According to them, there will be additional 50 windmills to be build in the area.

I know what to expect from this site already. Windmills supplies electricity for the people in Pagudpud. But the view is great so I took the opportunity to go there. While my tour guide was driving me there, I already saw it from afar and he told me to examine the windmills. Why are some of them thin and do not rotate, while others are rotating and seems thicker than others. And it picks my mind. So he schooled me that the reason was if it stops, there is already much electricity in it and it rotates its propeller so it will stop receiving. hmm?

Cape Bojeador


From the beautiful pictures aside, I expected more from this attraction. If you read my previous post, you will see my fascination with ruins and old structures. Not because I want creepy ghost stories but I wanted to know the history behind it. I thought visiting it would make my heart beat faster because of other blog posts I've read about it. But as I arrived in the area, you will be welcomed by this view.

It seems surreal since I only see this in Tim Burton movies (I am a fan)

So to speak, no goosebumps, no creepy stories and definitely not a scary place. The caretaker told me that the his co-worker who also works here is not in the area at that moment. He was the one telling scary stories to visitors even it's not true. Good for some, bad for me lol :)

Someday I will be able to film a movie like Tim Burton's :)

The fine white sand in Blue Lagoon

I have nothing much to say about the sand but the view is good for photographers and the water is inviting. I must say I'll still choose the sand in Mangodlong, Camotes Island.


Kabigan Falls

This was another first for me. My first time to see a real falls. So I paid 100php for a tour guide and were good to go. My personal tour guide and Kabigan falls tour guide accompanied me to trek for 30 minutes to reach the falls. While trekking, I was a bit exhausted with the heat from the sun. I can already see a tan line from my wrist watch.

View from up above

This is what you'll see during the trek

This is truly nature

And here it is.

This is what I like when travelling alone. I get to see what really needs to be seen. When we got there, I was like a kid smiling from ear to ear upon seeing the falls. Good thing I was the only visitor when we arrived together with my guides. The atmosphere there was so cold and the water was so clear. It's really inviting but I managed not to dip because they say it's deep and I don't know how to swim (which I will learn someday haha). Meeting locals like my tour guides is one of the best things about my travels.

View of Patapat Viaduct

The Patapat Viaduct is just a bridge but the thing is, it's not just a bridge. Usually bridges have water underneath. As you can see, there's none here aside from the water in the shoreline. Kuya Edu said that the local government constructed the bridge because the bridge there was once higher and a lot of accidents happen like some trucks fall off to the shore especially when the weather is not good. If going there, you can still see the road above it but it was already close so people won't try to take that route. The water on the area was also bluesh green.

Paraiso ni Anton

I didn't spend much time in here and didn't even took pictures of the Anton's, but I was intrigued with this structure. It used to be a townhouse of a former politician which I forgot the name . When he died, they abandoned the place and no one took credit for it. So here it is. Rusty, dilapidated and ruined structure. I want to go up but we don't have so much time so I missed it.

Bantay Abot Cave

The Bantay Abot cave was the one that surprised me. Seeing it in pictures was so ordinary and nothing much to expect from it. But when I was there, the rush of going down and climbing up to that whole was amazing. I got wet because of the strong waves plus the strong wind might carry you away.

Let's go to Laoag by kicking in UNESCO's Paoay Church


Marcos's remains

Inside the museum

The remains of Marcos wasn't on my itinerary. I never planned to visit it. Since I was already there, why not do it. During my short stay in Ilocos, I happen to speak with some locals and their loyalty to the Marcoses is apparent. They told me how the family developed Ilocos.

"For every tear, A Victory"

Anyway, picture taking inside Marcos's mausoleum is prohibited. But seeing it myself sends chills to my being. A dictator who once took the freedom of my country, a person who thought he was greater than life and stole the lives of my countrymen. Seeing his dead body, though lifeless and cold, still reminds me of the dark days of the Philippines.

AND Macy's Diner

To be honest I like it better than 50's diner in Baguio. I enjoyed the food much than I enjoyed the offerings in Baguio's. Among other places in Laoag, what I really wanted to visit was this restaurant. I can actually skip the Paoay Church, Sand Dunes and others alike but no way to miss this one. I am a fan of Americans 50's to mention the cinema and the icons in the limelight during those times. Being in this kind of place makes me experience a little bit of what it was like way back 50's.

I haven't watched Gone with the Wind cause its total running time was like 3 hours and I don't have the nerve to sit like that for three hours as of the moment

James Dean on the low

This is what I ate for about 200php

Ati-Atihan Festival: Once a Tradition, Always a Tradition

This post is already late but I think I need to share my experience.

Filipinos value tradition and culture. Being a probinsyana from Capiz, I am raised learning and practicing it. Though some I find absurd, I appreciate that a few concerned true-blue Filipino makes an effort to preserve our cultural identity.



Filipinos loves to celebrate. All sorts of celebration from birthdays to death anniversaries to whatever, just name it and we have it. Indigenous and Religious Festivals are the most watched for celebration in the country. Some of the well-known festivals that makes tourists stumble in the country are Kadayawan in Davao City, Sinulog in Cebu, Maskara in Bacolod, Panagbenga in Baguio City, Black Nazarene in Quiapo Manila and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan.

For my personal note, I am not a fan of these kind of festivals. You wouldn't want to deal with the aftermath. Yes it's fun, but people often forget what the celebration is all about. Also when travelling, I want a place where I can relax so I try to avoid going to a particular place where I know will be crowded.

During my vacation in the province last January 2013, my mother wants me to go with them for Ati-Atihan. I decided to try it since I have nothing to do and to experience it wouldn't hurt. Hotel prices doubles or maybe triples during the festival so we stayed at our aunts house near the city".

"Patapak sa Sto. Nino" is a belief that being touched by the Sto. Nino figure will heal the person

The festival is a week long celebration with different programs each day at the town plaza. We went there just before the final day of the festival. We roam around the plaza to join the parade and dance a little. It was really crowded. On my good note, I love how this festival celebrates indigenous culture. Our indigenous tribes are in danger of losing it's identity due to urbanization and a lot of aspects. They are not reproducing and their children wanting to be in the city. No one from their end wants to continue and preserve their tradition but the old folks. One example is in Banaue Rice Terraces were problems in preserving the "hagdan-hagdang palayan" is now a dilemma "we seriously" need to address. Celebrating and being proud of our culture, showing other nations how proud we are, and letting the younger ones appreciate it is a good note.

But there is a bad note. I've seen a lot of drunken foreigners with their Filipina partners (eh?). Some of the paraders were also drunk and smelled like sh**. Few guys were laid drunk on the streets just outside the church. Trash was all over the town plaza. Where is our discipline people? I thought we are celebrating being a Filipino here? Is this what we want our children to remember? It isn't celebration anymore my friend, because celebrating comes with responsibilities and limitations.

So to end this trip in a positive note, I forced everybody to do a side trip to Sampaguita Gardens just 30 minutes away from Kalibo proper which I googled already. hehe!

Accommodations

They have two pools. One for the kids and this one for adults.

Sampaguita Gardens Entrance

Ruin Ferris Wheel

This pretty much made my trip to Kalibo worth it. There's a lot of things you can do inside the area. A lot of doll collections. I never thought there's a Christmas village open year round in Kalibo. You can exchange your entrance fee inside for food or products they offer. For us, we exchanged it for food and we ate with the pool as our view. Therefore this trip ended in a good note.