Cagbalete Island in Mauban, Quezon is now becoming a popular destination for beach-goers. The first time I heard about Cagbalete is three years ago from my sister. She and her friends had their annual summer beach bumming trip and during that time they own the island to themselves as they were the only tourist in the island. But now, Cagbalete became a popular destination that we found it difficult to have a reservation on the three resorts located in the island.
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| the Cagbalete Island |
Cagbalete can be reached by riding a boat at Mauban port. The travel time is approximately 45 minutes. During low tide a wharf is used to as a means of transportation. Upon reaching the Sabang port at Cagablete, tourist needs to trek the barrio to the rice fields before reaching the resorts. The resorts also have hired bancas that can directly bring the tourists to the beach front of the resorts.
It is important that one knew the hour of low tide and high tide at Cagbalete. A very unique characteristic of the island is its low tide and high tide. During low tide, a large area of the beach will be dried up, and no boat can come near the shore, and people cannot also swim. The high tide is at the afternoon, when the sun is no longer at its peak.
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| the low tide |
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| our boat stuck up in the middle of the sea during the low tide |
It is also during low tide that one of the attractions of the island will come into view – the Bonsai Island. The Bonsai Island has three bonsai plants that is totally covered by the sea during high tide and can only be seen during low tide. The Bonsai Island can be reached during low tide. Other features of the Bonsai Island are a small tunnel, the different beautiful shells with imprints of starfish, and other small sea creatures that are hiding in the crevices of the sea floor.
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| the bonsai |
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| starfish hiding at the rocks |
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| the tunnel under the sea |
Another attraction at the island is the Tabsing or the point where fresh water meets the salt water. The Tabsing is near the M. V. Sto. Niño Resort. The Tabsing is actually a river going to the sea. The place is nice for swimming especially during low tide because it is in a shady area.
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| meeting Mr. Krabbs on the way to the Tabsing |
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| on the way to the Tabsing |
If you are feeling lazy to explore the island, you can take a nap at one of the cot at the resort or just sit at the chairs at the beach front while enjoying a beautiful view of the ocean. The good thing about Cagbalete is that even though it already became a hot spot for beach-going people, the beach still remained clean, and it offers a tranquil feeling that can soothe every tired soul.
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| the view while lying on the cot |
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| another magnificent view while lying on the cot |
