HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonMindoro and Batangas Roadtrip for 6 days By Marcos Detourist on July 23, 2011Last summer, I spent eight weeks on a series of short trips across Luzon. I called Manila my new home and each week I’d go out to visit particular places near Manila that I’ve always wanted to see but never got the chance before. I guess the reason was because I’ve put them off in favor of more far-flung and exotic destinations. I guess it seemed more appealing to visit Palawan, for example, than to spend some nights in Batangas or Laguna. Since I’ve already crossed out a couple of places in my “Philippine travel wishlist,” the time was ripe to visit a couple of interesting places that most Manilenyos have probably grown tired of by now. On my second week, I visited “Puerto Galera,” known as Manila’s cheaper alternative to Boracay. For me, however, I considered Puerto Galera as my gateway to Mindoro Island.I teamed up with Darwin on an overnight exploration of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. The next day, we joined up with Gael and Marky for the long but worthwhile journey to Apo Island located almost 3-hours off the coast of Occidental Mindoro. It’s such a nice experience to be with other passionate travelers … I’d trade in traveling solo for the chance to travel with friends anytime. While the others went back to Manila after the weekend, I spent a few more days in Batangas. I spent a night in Batangas City and made my way to the historic town of Taal. Before finally getting on the bus back to Manila, I made sure to visit the exquisite old lighthouse in Calatagan, Batangas.Day 1 – Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro Ferry Ride from Batangas Port to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro First Glimpse of White Beach in Puerto Galera Spacious Beachfront of White Beach. The sand is nowhere near as fine or white as Boracay but I loved the backdrop of verdant mountains. Welcome to Tamaraw Falls :) One of the tallest waterfalls in the Philippines Tamaraw Falls conveniently located right beside the highway! Coastline along Puerto Galera town center or poblacion Gorgeous Sunset at White BeachDay 2 – Puerto Galera and Batangas City Still no signs of blue sky on our second day Passing through Aninuan Beach on our way to the Aninuan Falls 45 minute self-guided trek to Aninuan Falls The underwhelming but totally refreshing Aninuan Falls Fresh Coconuts at the (Fallside?) Last glimpse of White Beach … still no blue sky ;( Beautiful untouched islets off the coast of Puerto Galera Another gorgeous sunset at Batangas Port (facing Mindoro Island). We thought there were no direct passenger boats from Puerto Galera to Abra de Ilog (in the occidental/west side of Mindoro) … turns out there was but Me and Darwin found out too late. Late Evening / Early morning RORO Ferry ride from Batangas Port to Abra de Ilog Occidental MindoroDay 3 – Apo Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Suspension Footbridge in Sabalayan town center reminiscent (and I’m using that term very lightly) of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransisco Ready for the long 2-hour pumpboat ride to Apo Island First glimpse of Apo Island … still no blue skies >:( LAMEST snorkeling experience of my life. You basically hang on to the bamboo thinggy, which is attached on the speeding pumpboat. There was no chance of appreciating the gorgeous marine life because the boat ran too fast. Such a disappointment, especially because it took a great deal of effort to visit this tiny far flung island. Bamboo Bridge cutting through the mangrove forest of Apo Island Scenic wooden raft ride crossing the swamp lake at the center of Apo Island The lighthouse, the most recognizable landmark in Apo Island. Marky, Darwin, and Gael at the viewing platform of Apo Island’s tall lighthouse The imposing lighthouse viewed from the beachfront It seems there’s an endless supply of gorgeous sunsets in Mindoro!Day 4 – Apo Island, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro Finally blue skies!!! So nice to wake up to such a beautiful scene! Love the dead / dried up tree branches along the beachfront Crossing the footbridge back in Sablayan. Overpacked much! View of Mindoro mountainranges from Presing Park in Sablayan Town Amazing, amazing, amazing sunset view from Sablayan’s Presing ParkMesmerizing twilight colors of duskDay 4 – Travel back to Batangas Local bus on the “rugged” highway of Occidental Mindoro The bus wading through the river water. Doesn’t get more rural that this, huh? Nice countryside views of Mindoro Island during the bus ride RORO Ferry ride back to Batangas from Abra de Ilog Port, Occidental MindoroDay 5 – Batangas City and Taal, Batangas Batangas City Cathedral Plaza Mabini in Batangas City Beautiful opulence of the Batangas Provincial Capitol Welcome arch to the heritage town of Taal, Batangas Great view of Taal town plaza and the grand Basilica of St. Martin de Tours Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas is the largest church in the Philippines Statue of Marcella Agoncillo, the mother of the Philippine Flag Basilica of St. Martin de Tours Interiors Jusi and Piña Cloth Dresses sold at the Taal Public MarketOld Houses around Taal’s Heritage Core:San Lorenzo Ruiz Steps Shrine of Our Lady of CaysasaySunset view from Taal overlooking the town of Lemery, Batangas My room at Casa Punzalan. “Sleep in an authentic Spanish-colonial heritage house” … done!Day 6 – Overland Travel to Calatagan, Batangas Nice view from my room at Casa Punzalan in Taal, Batangas Lemery Municipal HallCalaca Church A quaint old house in Calaca Balayan Church Decorated sculptures at the Gates of Balayan ChurchCalatagan ChurchTricycle ride to Calatagan Lighthouse Walking up to the Old Lighthouse in Calatagan, Batangas Fulfilled smile at the end of my six day journey across Mindoro and BatangasDon’t leave yet. There’s more!Back to Aliwan Fiesta 2010 plus two surprise trips in AprilOff to Roxas City tomorrow for the Western Visayas Tourism…Ambot-ah Season 2011 Finale: a year of memoriesAdventure trip to the enchanted Isla de Gigantes in Carles…Planning for trips on SeptemberCebu, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz - DIY Travel Tips &…Comments Renevic | Mandaragat. Mamumundok. Lalalag. saysJuly 23, 2011 at 12:36 amYour photos are amazing. I enjoyed viewing it a lot. Especially the Basilica. Marcos saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:55 pmThanks renevic :D renevic saysAugust 14, 2011 at 1:15 amwelcome :) you’re such a good photographer. lakwatsera de primera saysJuly 23, 2011 at 5:52 amlove the self-portrait by the window at Caza Punzalan, (Mukhang malapit na yung Zambales natin :) Marcos saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:58 pmThanks Claire, I loved that corner room at Casa Punzalan … can’t resist the self-portrait opportunity. Yep, next na siya :D The commuter saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:53 amI’ve been following your blog. Love these pictures you took of Mindoro and Batangas. I like the churches and the sunset. I felt I had a good trip just going through your pictures. :) Marcos saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:59 pmThanks Thecommuter. Glad you liked viewing my photos :D Michael Denne, Australia saysJuly 24, 2011 at 3:40 pmGreat week long journey – especially that bus ride through “rural” Occidental Mindoro. Also that room you had at Casa Punzalan in Taal looked really nice. Do you have any contact details for Casa Punzalan, and what was the RORO ferry you used from Batangas? Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:38 amI’ve been to many rural places in the Philippines but never experienced a bus ride through such a rough terrain. It was exciting for me :) I got on the “Montenegro” Ferry from Batangas to Abra de Ilog in Mindoro Occidental. I loved the room too, here’s the phone # of Casa Punzalan: (043) 408-0084 / Mobile #: 0921-7600527 janet saysJuly 24, 2011 at 8:11 pmnice photo by the window at casa punzalan :) i miss my home province – mindoro :) and hindi lang basta “rugged” ang highway :) toxic talaga :) sorry ha, if only i knew you’re visiting there e di sana pina-rush ko ang road improvement :) Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:41 amHehe, don’t sweat it janet. I was actually thrilled to find out such conditions still exist :) It felt like being on an old tagalog movie. COR saysJuly 24, 2011 at 11:53 pmhi, really love your blogs and photos. :) we are planning to visit Taal by th end of the month. just like to ask, do we need to book for a walking tour to get inside and visit the heritage houses? thanks. Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:42 amHey COR I didn’t actually go inside the houses since I didn’t have ample time in Taal. angie saysJuly 25, 2011 at 12:33 pmgreat pictures for that amazing sunsets ;) love your blogs! Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:42 amThanks angie :D vt1 saysJuly 29, 2011 at 9:53 pmtnx for visiting our place here in batangas & i’m from calaca & i’m reaaly glad to see your amazing photos & great adventure, really admired you at your work, hand salute sir…. Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:51 amThanks vt1. Visited your blog and I could get a feel of how proud you are of your hometown … and with reason, Batangas is a nice place to visit. MJ saysMarch 7, 2012 at 11:31 amLove the pics! Nice blogs. Thanks for the info also :) Arra Vanessa saysApril 25, 2012 at 1:25 pmare you sure that there is a direct passenger boat from puerto galera to abra de ilog? until what time? we’re planning to go to sablayan by riding a passenger boat from puerto to abra de ilog after we go to puerto galera. Thank you. we’re going there on friday :) Marcos saysApril 28, 2012 at 12:06 amWe were just tipped by the guy manning the waterfalls. The boat leaves the port near the town proper of Puerto Galera (and not from White Beach). I think the boat leaves PG around lunchtime. Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Renevic | Mandaragat. Mamumundok. Lalalag. saysJuly 23, 2011 at 12:36 amYour photos are amazing. I enjoyed viewing it a lot. Especially the Basilica.
lakwatsera de primera saysJuly 23, 2011 at 5:52 amlove the self-portrait by the window at Caza Punzalan, (Mukhang malapit na yung Zambales natin :)
Marcos saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:58 pmThanks Claire, I loved that corner room at Casa Punzalan … can’t resist the self-portrait opportunity. Yep, next na siya :D
The commuter saysJuly 23, 2011 at 6:53 amI’ve been following your blog. Love these pictures you took of Mindoro and Batangas. I like the churches and the sunset. I felt I had a good trip just going through your pictures. :)
Michael Denne, Australia saysJuly 24, 2011 at 3:40 pmGreat week long journey – especially that bus ride through “rural” Occidental Mindoro. Also that room you had at Casa Punzalan in Taal looked really nice. Do you have any contact details for Casa Punzalan, and what was the RORO ferry you used from Batangas?
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:38 amI’ve been to many rural places in the Philippines but never experienced a bus ride through such a rough terrain. It was exciting for me :) I got on the “Montenegro” Ferry from Batangas to Abra de Ilog in Mindoro Occidental. I loved the room too, here’s the phone # of Casa Punzalan: (043) 408-0084 / Mobile #: 0921-7600527
janet saysJuly 24, 2011 at 8:11 pmnice photo by the window at casa punzalan :) i miss my home province – mindoro :) and hindi lang basta “rugged” ang highway :) toxic talaga :) sorry ha, if only i knew you’re visiting there e di sana pina-rush ko ang road improvement :)
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:41 amHehe, don’t sweat it janet. I was actually thrilled to find out such conditions still exist :) It felt like being on an old tagalog movie.
COR saysJuly 24, 2011 at 11:53 pmhi, really love your blogs and photos. :) we are planning to visit Taal by th end of the month. just like to ask, do we need to book for a walking tour to get inside and visit the heritage houses? thanks.
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:42 amHey COR I didn’t actually go inside the houses since I didn’t have ample time in Taal.
vt1 saysJuly 29, 2011 at 9:53 pmtnx for visiting our place here in batangas & i’m from calaca & i’m reaaly glad to see your amazing photos & great adventure, really admired you at your work, hand salute sir….
Marcos saysAugust 3, 2011 at 8:51 amThanks vt1. Visited your blog and I could get a feel of how proud you are of your hometown … and with reason, Batangas is a nice place to visit.
Arra Vanessa saysApril 25, 2012 at 1:25 pmare you sure that there is a direct passenger boat from puerto galera to abra de ilog? until what time? we’re planning to go to sablayan by riding a passenger boat from puerto to abra de ilog after we go to puerto galera. Thank you. we’re going there on friday :)
Marcos saysApril 28, 2012 at 12:06 amWe were just tipped by the guy manning the waterfalls. The boat leaves the port near the town proper of Puerto Galera (and not from White Beach). I think the boat leaves PG around lunchtime.