A Valentine’s Date to Remember

I brought Abby to a beach camping trip for the first time. I really hadn’t elaborately planned for it, so I joined a group I met online who’s going to Masasa Beach in Tingloy, Batangas.

Uhmmm… I’ve seen and been to much better beaches in Batangas, but Masasa’s calm is welcoming. A handful of beachgoers and campers have already been there, yet the rawness of its surroundings shouts out that Masasa Beach is yet to be explored.

There really isn’t much to do in Masasa Beach, ‘cept to swim, relax and just chew in the scenery.

Abby had one corner of the beach all by herself.

Abby had a wonderful time swimming that I had to literally pull her out of the water…

Our home for the weekend.

By nightfall, our campsite was lit by DIY lanterns strewn around the place.

As our hosts prepped dinner, Abby sat quietly in our tent looking at the vastness of the sky, saying, “Dad, I have never seen this many stars!”

We had a mini bonfire for her so she could make some smores.

“I like sleeping in tents,” were her first words when she woke up!

The trek back to Tingloy port was through a narrow winding dirt road in the middle of rice fields and grazing pastures.

On the boat back to Anilao Port:
“Dad, is this what you do when you leave home on weekends?”
I said, yes.
“I can do this with you.”
It wasn’t a question.
It’s a promise.

————————————–

How to get to Masasa Beach:

Tingloy is the only island municipality in Batangas, nestled on the main island of Maricaban.

From Manila, take a bus to Batangas City Grand Terminal (2-3 hours, P120-P180). Take a jeepney to Anilao Port (P35) and board the passenger boat to Tingloy (P70). To make the most out of your time, make sure you get onboard the first trip at 10:30AM. From the port, take a tricycle to Masasa Beach (P60).

If you’re lucky (like our group), you might be able to catch the boat — M/B Baby Mycel — which sails directly to Masasa Beach. It leaves Anilao Port at 10:30AM.

Alternatively, you may rent a boat for an island-hopping tour at Anilao Port for P5,500 (smaller boats are available from PhP2,500 to PhP3,000). Rate is per boat so it is to be divided by how many you are in the group. Ask your boatman to also make stops at Sombrero Island and Sepoc Point, too!

Advertisements