Weekend Getaway: Older (Magalawa Island)

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My third birthday journal in Travelblog. I have about five drafted travel stories waiting to be finished, I had to oblige myself to finish this one.

It's the second consecutive year that I have been spending birthdays in the province of Zambales, camping and trying to find that 'peace and quiet' that I'm always in search of. I spent the day in a beautiful Island called Magalawa, fifteen minutes boat ride from the Oslet Armada Fishdealer Compound in Brgy. Luan, Palauig Zambales.

The first part of the journey was the four hours coach ride through the Iba Zambales route; we arrived at Iba Bus Terminal around three in the morning, an hour early than planned. We then had to wait for another hour for our transport to Brgy. Luan, which was another thirty minutes drive from the town of Iba. There was a boat waiting for us at the fishing compound, so off we went to the island just before dawn. The island was lovelier than I expected with its clear aquamarine sea, powdery white sand, and the loveliest orange sunrise to match - photos can't do justice. If Pundaquit coves provide the best view for beautiful sunsets, Magalawa had the most charming sunrise ... or maybe it was just me and this special day. It started on a darkish dawn with the silhouette of the surrounding mountains, sky with a hint of lavander and pink - a scene straight from a nature screensaver; then the sun rises right infront of me, appearing from behind the mountains, casting its orange glow.

Accommodation in the island would either be bamboo cottages or tents, no load music allowed - the island is the perfect place for relaxation, considering there won't be any rowdy people around. Every meal would always include seafood of some kind, which would depend on the 'catch of the day' - I couldn't complain, love 'em.

Since I'm away from the family, colleagues and friends came along to help me celebrate getting older. Saturday evening while waiting for the actual day, the girls managed to finish three bottles of sweet red wine and the boys, one bottle of tequila and the two remaining bottles of wine, and they still managed to stay awake to sing me the Happy Birthday song by midnight.

We were on our way back to Manila by Sunday afternoon after a tasty lunch of seashells, lobsters, and crabs. I managed to drop by the church, met with another friend, and came home to my cousin's home cooked treats, and blew candles from two birthday cakes.

This day has indeed not been just another ordinary day, thanks to 3 constant travel buddies who are so easy to be with, 1 wonderful colleague who immediately said yes to the camping invite, 2 lovely ladies who were just as fun to be with, 3 little cousins who dropped by the apartment , 1 shiobe who didn't make it to the camping trip but made it up with a cake and a birthday song, and 1 ahia who I haven't seen in 6 years who came and brought the wine and lots of warmth. I couldn't help but remember a birthday blog two years ago Just another day ... yes, I do laugh alot often now and life isn't so bad at all, perhaps quick travel escapes help alot!

I am 27 today, less sad, less unsure, alot more adventurous ... but still a work in progress.


Trip Information

• 4 hours bus ride from Victory Liner (Caloocan) to Iba Zambales at PHP342 / one way
• 30 minutes Jeepney ride from Iba Victory Liner Terminal to Brgy. Luan at PHP100 / each
• Magalawa Island Facebook Fan page our contact person was Ate Grace
··· Island Package 2 days/1 night at PHP1,300 per person which includes (1.) tent that accommodates 3 pax, (2.) Lunch and Dinner on the first dat, (3.) Breakfast and Lunch on the second day, (4.) snorkel trip

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