Ladyoutdoor's trip to Polillo ( Part 1 )

Haven't updated this blog for almost a year now makes me feel having some sort of a guilt, of course i didn't forget my beloved hometown but only that i get focused on the other things and at my work as well.

Been visited Polillo 8 months ago but i don't have the chance to take picture of the places because i only got 1 day to stay , I hope next visit would be much longer and stay for days to feel at home again and that's mainly the purpose of this blog to feel where we came from, to feel our roots and to keep the feeling alive coz "nothing feels like home" specially if you are out of the country.

I don't have that much access to my hometown  for working overseas but i did not consider it a problem, Others can share their experiences to us like Carollee aka "ladyoutdoor" who visited Polillo last April 2011 and this would be her story. Ladyoutdoor has her own blog here http://www.ladyoutdoor.blogspot.com/

Here's her story,


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

 Air-Conditioned Rooms. Php2,500 for 4 pax

 Non air-conditioned Room. Php1,500 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.

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) 

Part 2 Click here