The Pinay Solo Backpacker

A spur of the moment..that’s how I ended up on a bus headed to Brgy.Polo in Pagbilao, Quezon a day after my much-awaited beach bumming this summer was canceled because of my backpack buddy’s medical condition. I’ve never had much trouble planning a trip than this summer’s supposedly beach backpacking, I never expected  it’s just so hard to find a secluded white beach near the metro, like a 1-2hr ride especially when you’re on a tight budget.

Kwebang Lampas is actually one of my top options but after learning that the owners doesn’t allow an overnight stay, if it’s a 5 hour ride so if where gonna return on the same day it”ll be too tiring, I erased it on my list.  After the long search,  I found the right one (which I refuse to reveal until I get to backpack that beach).

The next day, my brother showed me the raw shots of his friend at Kwebang Lampas .  It was 9:15 am, I’d definitely be stuck there at night considering the trip will take about 5 hours, so if  the beach resort closes at 6pm and the last trip is at 5pm then I’m dead!  Think think think! The pictures are really tempting, besides what is summer without beach bumming?! No way!!! I have to find that place,  I’ll just cross the bridge when I get there. There’s always a solution to a problem! So after taking a quick shower, I took my backpack and removed some clothes since it’ll be a day trip only. I still have the chips that I bought for the’ trip.  Sigh… Oh well, I gotta hit the beach to satisfy my itchy feet, and find an answer to the question –> where should I stay?  Since I super miss the laid back life, my ultimate plan is to find a host where I can stay for the night. I kinda miss sleeping in papag, I wanna stay in a humble kubo (nipa hut) of a local.

I took Lucena Bus Line’s non-ac bus in front of Metropolis Alabang. The trip took about 4hours.  The fare cost me Php 117 and stopped at Lucena Grand Terminal. I sat in front of the jeep so I could get a full view of the road, paid Php10 for that ride.  On the jeep, I heard a family asking the driver to drop them to the jeep station bound to Brgy, Polo. That’s exactly where I’m headed so I joined them.

the Power Station beside the shore of Brgy, Polo is the landmark that your near Kwebang Buhangin

The jeepney needs to be full before leaving. Fare is Php 35 per person but the locals I was with paid more because they have extra baggage, like feeds,  groceries, rice, plywood, etc. “So where are you headed?”, the woman asked. ” Uhmm.. I don’t know, I’m looking for this white sand beach called Puting Buhangin and Kwebang Lagpas,” I answered.   She stared blankly at me as if telling me she has no idea, and not even the other passengers. I took out the piece of paper where I wrote the directions. One passenger commented, maybe it’s Luntiang Buhangin, and they all agreed. They’re the locals, so I trusted them.

the beach in Luntiang Buhangin

It was a 45 minute ride and I was getting excited. The jeep stopped at the crossing, I got off  together with one guy and an old couple carrying heavy baggage and plywood. I shared the tricycle with them. I only realized I was headed to the wrong direction when I saw the marker which read “WELCOME to LUNTIANG BUHANGIN” and the trike entered a small sitio.

The driver dropped the old couple at their house which is just on the beach front, the other passenger asked where I’m headed while the driver was busy unloading the baggage of the old couple and he confirmed I am indeed at the wrong place, so he told the driver to take me to that beach instead and he’ll just walk home. Awww.. I bid goodbye to the old couple, they wanted me to take a look at the beach fronting their house  saying I might like it and I could  stay there instead, I took a picture of it and told them I was really looking forward to finding that beach and I wanna go there no matter what. The driver then pointed the landmark —>the Power Plant, which I remembered reading before but stupid me just forgot! haha. I paid him Php150, since it’s a special ride.

I arrived around 4pm at the jump off point. The driver wanted to pick me up again on my way back but I told him I don’t know yet what time I’m leaving. So he instructed the man  standing in front of the nipa hut to take me back to the jeep station and he showed me the way, I am to follow the trail until I reached that hill on the other end. I was ready  to walk to towards the swamp, some muddy trail and rough road towards the cliff when they called me and offered me a quick boat ride, “you can take the boat for Php 30.” “Hmmm…not bad!”, I murmured thinking it was still a long walk. I was shocked to find out that 3 lil boys will maneuver the small bangka (outrigger boat) for me, unfortunately they couldn’t get it started so they had to paddle the boat all the way.  I paid them Php50 since they had trouble taking me there.

the trail towards the cliff

I thought I was there already but the boy showed me another trail.  I met a couple of  groups on their way home at the jump-off point. Alright, so they’re kinda staring at me probably asking why is this girl in a summer dress and a backpack  all alone roaming that hill when the beach resort is about to close!  There’s 2 trails and I followed the wrong one and I ended up at the cliff which I don’t mind because I love to be on top of a cliff, so I had to go back and follow the other one which lead me to a swamp.

at the gate

The gate is closed, and no one seems to answer.  I tried knocking again and after a few minutes, an old man came out. I actually thought the resort has closed already because I read online they close at 4pm so I explained to him I was lost and I can tell he believed me because I am obviously tired and sweating to death.    “Come on in, we’re open until 6pm”, he said.  Yay!

I ‘ve got 2 hours to enjoy the beach, unfortunately, the last trip of the jeep to Pagbilao is  at 5pm, he said, you have no place to stay here. “It’s alright manong, I’ll find a way I’m sure!” , I gladly answered. All I could think of at that point is to take a dip in the beach!!!

Ahhh… the beach is all mine!! I was the only guest since everybody left already.  I started taking pictures of it first but  I reminded myself to limit taking photos and enjoy the beach more this time!  And so I did.  It wasn’t the perfect beach and I wasn’t looking for one either. I just wanted a solace at this strange time in my life.  The sand isn’t as powdery a the one’s I’ve visited before but it’s okay to walk in barefoot, some parts on the side of the cave is kinda rough though because of the corals.  Even the sand at the bottom of the water is not really rough to the feet but not so powdery either but the water is clear  so it’s really good to take a dip and swim!

After 2 hours of  savoring the beach.  I bid goodbye to the caretaker,  this time it’s is wife who was there,  Aling Divina. So I asked for some info,  she told me I could just hire a trike for probably around Php250 to take me to the highway where the buses to Manila passes by.  I left hurriedly but on the way,  I saw the beautiful sunset peeking to me at the woods.  I can’t help but take a picture of  it, so I chased the sunset.  I ran towards the cliff to get a good view of  it,  but it’s a few meters away still and the sun is going down so fast and unfortunately,  a huge cloud blocked it! But it’s rays left a divine image in the sky. I started taking pictures, and didn’t notice that it was getting dark already.  I could hear the insects humming and the cold wind blowing on my face.  It’s about time to walk on.

It was already dark when I reached the dead end of the road, a gate with iron bars is the landmark that you have no other way but to turn right, the guard behind the iron bars of  the Power Station’s gate was shocked to see me. ” Why are you alone walking on the dark? “, he asked. “Eh ganun tlaga eh.” He directed me towards the swampy trail. I went towards the 1st bahay kubo(nipa hut), the home of the 3 lil boys who paddled the boat for me. I initially planned to stay at their house but upon seeing how they are busy making a small boat. I hired them to take me to the highway. I started to bid for Php250, he refused saying it’s too far, he said to Pagbilao it’ll cost Php 600 but he can’t take me there since it’s overtly far.  So I could go to Crossing instead, he quoted me Php400. I took it.

I was starving and the only chips left on my bag is Chippy, which I gave to the driver’s cute lil kids. I bid goodbye to his wife and his children. Inside the trike I was sitting beside his kid and later on with their huge black dog who kept following us. The driver asked me why am I roaming alone in Quezon, it’s quite dangerous considering it’s a place known for NPAs. “They are smart people, they won’t harm you if you’re not an enemy. I am just here to explore. I am not an enemy. “, I answered.

When one is lonely, one loves sunset. -The Little Prince-

It was cold and dark, and I was starving and sleepy, finally after probably around 45 minutes, we reached the crossing. I gave him Php500 bucks. I went looking for the nearest store to buy softdrinks at least, I was tired. But to my surprise, the stores there only sell water! “Ate, wala na kayong may kulay na inumin jan? “, I inquired at the next store. Luckily, they sell those fruit drinks in tetra pack. I crossed the road to wait for the bus, it’s quite hard to catch the bus there and it’s scary because I’m alone on the dark side of the road. Most houses are closed already and the lights is located on the other side of the road. After about 30 minutes, one non-ac bus stopped, I suppose they are one of those buses from Bicol.

My adventure started and ended in Metropolis at 12 midnight. Sometimes even if it’s not meant to be, you gotta make things happen.

SAVE OUR SHORES! (S.O.S)

I see the beauty in the imperfect.

HOW TO GET TO KWEBANG LAGPAS

First go to Pagbilao, Quezon:

HOW TO GET TO PAGBILAO QUEZON

Ride a bus bound to Lucena and get off at Lucena Grand Central Terminal. From the terminal there are jeepneys  to  Pagbilao.

HOW TO GET TO KWEBANG LAGPAS
From Lucena Grand Terminal. Look for the jeep bound to Pagbilao. Fare is Php10. Then at Pagbilao Market Terminal, look for a jeep going to Brgy. Polo. Get off at the jeepney terminal in Brgy. Polo. then you can walk or rent a tricycle to Kwebang Lagpas. The Marker is the Power Station.

Tips:

Bring enough food, booze and water. There’s no store at the beach.
Don’t litter. Save our shores.

Entrance fee: Php 50

Cottage fee: Php 400-Php500

Tenerife has some of the highest quality beaches, several of which have soft golden or volcanic sand with warm tranquil waters ideal for swimming. All inclusive holidays in Tenerife are wonderful.

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