Ganda sa Magalawa!

Finally! After years of planning, natuloy din kami sa Magalawa!

Every year ata, I never fail to ask Magalawa their rates coz every year I have been planning to go there but hindi natutuloy lagi. hihi!

I have been to other beaches in Zambales and kaya naman medyo excited ako to visit this place.

I had a hard time contacting Ate Grace of Armada on the number posted on their fb and website, siguro 1 week ako everyday tumatawag, either ring or busy tone lang. Walang sumasagot. Gadh! I thought talaga di na kami matutuloy.

I have inquired on Ruiz resort na rin and they answered my phone call agad,

Ruiz resort offers almost the same package except for the ac rooms and of course mas maganda ATA ang view sa Armada coz the stretch of the shoreline is much longer compare to Ruiz.

Two days prior to my planned leave, sa wakas, sumagot na din si Ate Grace!!!

I was able to book the Kubo accommodation. Fully booked na un weekend nila. Good thing we will be going on a Friday.

This place exceeds my expectation!!! Super! Di ako maka get over.. Ang haba ng shoreline, the sands are not that perfectly fine and white kasi meron siang greyish part (pinatubo sands ata to) pero ang ganda pa rin nia!

At frst, di talaga ako nag expect na maganda, ang habol ko lang talaga is to see a lot of starfish. OO, un lang talaga un pakay ko dun.

Pero I was carried away on how beautiful the island is. Kulang ang overnight!

Anyway, this is the guide to go to Magalawa

By public commute

1. From Manila, take any Iba-Sta. Cruz bound bus or Iba- Olanggapo - Sta Cruz

(We've taken the later as we have found out that buses to Sta Cruz only leaves during the afternoon in Caloocan and Cubao via Victory Liner)

Tell the conductor to drop you off at the tricycle terminal to Luan Port/ Radyo Veritas at Pamolingan or simply MAGALAWA. :)

2 . Take a tricycle from here, it is a 30-40 mins bumpy ride. Mas napagod ako dito compare sa 6hrs na bus ride! haha

3. Then Boat ride to Magalawa Island

It's a 10min boat ride only and this is already included on the package (if you avail the full board meal package of Ate Grace)

Kami lang ang sakay sa boat. Sosyal!

We are here!!!! Ang ganda.. sulit sa pagod sa byahe! Wait, browse pa more below, rami ko photos! hahaha!

Feeling like we're on a private island tour with this boat.. :)

First selfie in the island.. Shy ako kasi mukhang haggard na face sa byahe.. hahaha!

Speechless here...

You cant sit with me! Chos! Sand, Sun, trees and a wooden chair.. What else could I ask for? Ahmmm, buko juice please!! Sobrang init!

Thanks to whoever invented this! hahaha! There's no other restaurant or store on the island except the one from Armada. So If you will not be availing their package, and you will not be bringing your own food, call them in advance if you want to order something in their restaurant. I mean a day or two before your arrival date.

The package that we got is a Kubo Accommodation that includes, of course the Kubo, simple beddings, no attached CR, as in maliit na kubo lang and a fan, roundtrip boat ride to and from Armada, Snorkeling (the boatman will bring you to the coral garden), 4 meals. In short, buhay simpleng bakasyonita package! :)

We supposed to get the AC room with CR pero sabi ni Ate Grace magandang experience din daw un sa kubo coz it near the beach area and true enough, super lapit!

Look oh..

This kubo near the beach area is just right for 2 persons. Sarap ng hangin. My only complain is ang bilis umattack ng mga langgam. I just left my wet wipes opened and pagcheck ko after few mins ang rami na nila..

Same with the sand, medyo karamihan sila. Pati sa bed namin meron umattack ng konti. :(

So un mga basang damit namin na nasa labas ni aattacked din ng mga army.. haha!

So good thing we didn't get the TENT Accommodation din.

Pero not sure if seasonal din un pag attack nila or maybe every summer lang din sila ganun karami. lol! Pero it didn't ruin our vacation naman kaya all is well. wink!

This is where all tents are pitched. There's a small foam or mattress and pillow provided for each tent.

Not sure if this is allowed by Magalawa but anyway, I saw two foreigners who pitched their own tent near the beach. Actually, you may bring your own tent here but you have to pay as well for renting the place or for pitching your tent.

Another kubo that is good for 4-6 I guess.

That how it looks like inside. Simple life!

and the tree house. Wasn't able to take a pic of it inside coz there's already occupants.

The AC rooms are located at the back of the island. Same with the store. Electricity is on for 24/hrs, Medyo hirap lang dito sa tubig. Since we don't have our own CR, kailangan namin kumuha lagi ng tubig sa poso para pangligo and pang number1 and 2.

3G signal for Globe and Smart are okay naman.

They have a floating restaurant intended for those people who avail the package. Napansin ko lang na priority talaga nila un mga nag availed sa kanila ng package. Kasi I overheard some people trying to order meal pero parang limited lang un na order ata. Kaya like what I have said, call in advance to order food from them. Meaning, before you arrive at the island, advise them that you will be ordering food from them.

Heres the food that we had. Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast

Tried snorkeling but konti lang un fish. :(
Anyway, the boat ride going to coral garden is free naman with snorkeling gear and vest. It is just a few mins away from the shore.