Hidden Falls in San Salvador, Luisiana, Laguna

The Hidden Falls, as the name suggests is hidden up the bigger cascade of the Talay Falls. To get here, it takes one to be a ninja. I'm a geisha so I just stayed in the Talay Falls. Kidding aside, I gave birth two months ago so I shouldn't be doing much physical activity. But even if you aren't that physically active, you can still climb up there. I've seen a 200 lb lady on her way to the Hidden Falls. So it was just my 'always adventure hungry' husband and his friends who climb up the Hidden Falls. Looking at their pictures and their videos, I can tell that I've missed it big time.

The Hidden Falls

The Hidden Falls as viewed from below

Climbing up the Hidden Falls

They sure had a lot of fun

A very nice view

Camp site

Campers

The view going down to Hulugan Falls

Submarine Garden Beach Resort in Sawang, Lobo, Batangas

 No, there isn't any stranded submarine in their beach. The 'submarine' refers to the marine sanctuary just a few meters away from the resort. This is no wonder since this part of the sea is still part of Verde Island Passage which is dubbed as "the center of the center of the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world". We really enjoyed snorkeling in this part of the sea. We spent a great deal of time watching Nemo and Marlin in their anemone.

When we arrived at the Submarine Garden Beach Resort, I instantly felt at peace. It was because of the many trees in the resort. It was a hot afternoon, it was Holy Wednesday and yet, the wind from the sea wasn't humid. Their rooms were new and very affordable. The place was actually newly renovated. They also have a 'tent city' where you can rent their tents. They were expecting many visitors since it was Holy Week. Bringing of food is strictly not allowed since they have a restaurant. There's a swimming pool for both adults and kids. Their staff were all competent and customer oriented and they will tell you that one of the scenes of Anne Curtis' Dyesebel was shoot at the rock formations in their beach. The sunset was romantic. There were swings in between some trees where we lazily spent the night, watching the constellations above us.

So to get here from the Poblacion, just head to the Lobo Bridge and it's just around a kilometer after the bridge at the right side and you won't miss this if you're going to the Malabrigo Lighthouse. It's a small intersection with the resort's signage. The road going there is quite rough.

Romantic sunset. This is where some scenes of Dyesebel were shoot.

5' feet swimming pool

The restaurant

Swings!

 

Shower areas

Relaxing at the swing

Picnic tables under the trees

Tent City

The Nemo Room

Inside the Nemo Room

Their old cottages

The suites

The shore

Submarine Garden Beach Resort

The Verde Island Passage

Lobo Bridge

Malabrigo Lighthouse in Lobo, Batangas

This lighthouse is one of those many lighthouses erected during the Spanish time all over the Philippines.  It's light is a beacon to the ships in the busy Verde Island Passage and yes, it's still functional until today just like the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Ilocos Norte. Located in Malabrigo, the last barangay of Lobo and just along the road going to San Juan, Batangas. This white, century old architecture stood proud together with it's pavilion and machine room.  This is also a National Historical Landmark. 

You may want to venture at the front left side of its ground and there's a long and winding staircase which leads to the shore below. It's a kilometer long, soft pebbled beach with enticing  waters. Swimming is not allowed without informing the barangay authorities. But having the beach all to yourself in a lazy afternoon is totally paradise. 

Malabrigo Lighthouse' pavilion

History Marker

History marker

The lighthouse as viewed from the machine room

The lighthouse, adjacent pavilion and machine room

This sampaloc tree might be a hundred year old as well

Taken from the far side where there's a staircase going down the beach

The staircase leading to the beach

Swimming is not allowed without informing the barangay officials

The pebbled beach going to Laiya, San Juan

Going to Sawang, Lobo

Nilandingan Cove in Cagbalete Island

During World War I, a submarine made its 'landing' in this beautiful cove in the Pacific Ocean. Since then, the locals call it the Nilandingan Cove. 

We rode a private pump boat from Mauban Port to the resort. It was low tide and we can't dock right at the front of the resort so we have to walk the knee deep sea. But we were in for a surprise. There were resort staff who fetched us from the pump boat with umbrellas for us and they helped us with our bags. And, there were welcome drinks of their refreshing house blend lemonade. 

The Nilandingan Cove Resort is the newest resort in Cagbalete Island. It is owned by a very hands on family supported by staff with exceptional customer service skills.  They have bahay kubos, cabanas and their ground is very spacious and they have tents (with pillows & mattresses) for rent. Since we were on a budget, we just pitched our tents and swings under the big trees in their lawn. The comfort room is well maintained. They have a small sari sari store and sports equipment rental. They have generators from 6pm to 6am. 

Aside from swimming, there are other attractions in the resort and nearby. There's a mangrove forest nearby. We visited the big balete tree in the mini rainforest. We went to a small river with blue, orange & red crabs. There's also a Magic Tree. It's an old mangrove tree which stood apart from the mangrove forest and legend has it that it's always clean under the tree - no falling leaves or any debris. It seems that somebody is cleaning it each morning. It has been there for a long time and not even the harsh weather of the Pacific is able to uproot it. You can also just relax in the creamy, fine sand. 

But the best attraction of the resort are the 'Nature's Jacuzzi'. These are small, clear pools scattered all over the beach. So if it's low tide, you can just lounge in the waist deep pools, have drinks and relax. If it's high tide, you can ride the big waves and enjoy. 

Cagbalete Island is in Mauban, Quezon Province and 45 minutes away from the mainland via public or private boat. It's a small island directly facing the Pacific Ocean. Nearby islands are Alabat Island, Polilio Island and Balesin. There's no electricity, roads are not paved and no motor vehicles. There are safe parking lots for your vehicles near the Mauban Port. 

The shore with Alabat Island at the background

Welcome arc of Mauban, Quezon

Nilandingan Cove

The shore in the morning

We pitched our tents under the trees

Swings!

The Magic Tree

Lounging at the Nature's Jacuzzi

Low tide

Our portable cooker

Boodle fight

The resort's sari sari store and sports equipment rental

A big balete tree in the forest

The mangrove forest

Afternoon cuddling :)

Beach volleyball

We followed the beach rules!

Cabana

Bahay kubo for larger groups