Day 3 -  Overnight stay in Quezon island

My trip to Hundred islands, Alaminos, Philippines

Last night was both mystical and crappy at the same time! For starters, we had no electricity! (Generators are usually switched on in the evening). Well, our islanders did try to make our lights work - and I must give them   due credit for trying tirelessly for two hours. Finally they gave up and provided us with a gas-light.

Our Nipa hut

Oh Yeah - it's official!

Our humble abode - there are about 10 such cottages at different parts of the island

Well, what can I say, when the company is good, everything else seems insignificant. As the lights went off, the night sky lit up - with a million stars dazzling us, it took our breath away! The last time I saw such a night sky was in a village in South Asia. Food was not bad - we had our packed meals brought from Maxines (they have a special islander pack) - but frankly, this is not necessary, since the island has at least 3 sari sari shops, and they cook up a good meal.

We had our breakfast at one of the sari sari stores in Quezon island. The family that runs this shop were having their morning breakfast of eggs, fish and rice. When they saw us, they said "kaintayo" (come - lets eat). I find the sense of hospitality and sharing of Filipinos a pleasant change from the individualistic culture I was born in

Munchies, noodles, kopi, water....

I actually woke up a few times at night - and just sat outside our porch staring into the night sky. So peaceful!

Our Nipa hut!

Comfortable enough for us

The cottages (Nipa huts - and 100% Nipa huts! true to their natural form, they have no "tourist after fittings"! They have a bed (which was soft and good for two), nipa / bamboo walls and ceiling, a window (too less if you ask me) and a door. There was a fan (stationery, and our longing looks did nothing to make it move!), light, and bamboo table. Rustic living in it's full sense. The common washroom is a small hike up - only sea water to use with a bucket :-) - no running water, and hey - no lights! Surprisingly it did not smell, but this was the only qualm I had.

We finally decided to keep our door open and sleep! Come morning and we had the most stunning views - we could see coral reefs from our cottage! I guess this was payback for the stuffy night.

Oh - by the way, bring sufficient cash with you (2000 pesos is more than enough) as some items cost money (a big bucket of fresh water costs 100 pesos)

People had camped overnight in a small island opposite us - next time, we also plan to do this

Stunning coral reefs - view from our nipa hut

A limestone formation of pillars just behind our cottage

We spent a few moments just enjoying the serenity

Finally, the moment we were waiting for - Sunrise in Hundred islands

You can also camp in quezon island right by the beach

The island has 3 sari sari stores

Another cottage on Quezon island

The Clouds that gather round the rising sun

Do take a sober colouring from an eye

That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality

- Wordsworth, William - Immortality ode - with slight changes

The boardwalk bridge that connects Quezon to an adjoining island

We silently watched, as the sun rose, from behind the hundred islands

Quezon island - out cottage was just behind the big shed (where a BIG group of picknickers stayed)

Sunrise over Quezon island

We liked the privacy of this cottage on an adjoining island

Quezon island boardwalk bridge

1-2-3-4-Hundred islands!

clear blue waters - Quezon island

The beach is a good place to be in the morning - before the hoardes of tourists descend

We washed our feet in the sea - no bathing for me!

Trees with fruit - do you know it's name?

Clean white sands - Quezon island beach

Star fish crawling near the island

There is a Giant Clam viewing area

And benches to sit when viewing the Giant clams

Our next door neighbour - never got tired of looking at it.

Sunrise in Hundred islands - I will never forget this beautiful sight

As the divine artist began to throw colours on his painting...

The skies turned a shade of cobalt blue

There were so many crabs crawling along the clam watching area

And many clams too!

Boats getting ready for another day of island hopping

Someone was caught by surprise

and flashed her dazzling smile

The view of corals from our nipa hut on Quezon island - this sight made it all worth it

Markers on Quezon island - a movie shooting (I was not even born then!)

View from the sari sari store where we had our morning coffee and cake (yeah - we then went on to share our cake with a hundred ants!)

Some folks had their bath in the sea

Hey - our bangka finally arrived!

Let me enjoy some more glimpses  of the crystal clear waters before we go snorkeling

Paddle wee - paddle tum....

Look papa - I can stand!

Hundred islands - view from Quezon island

Hundred islands - from Quezon island

We decided to take a short hike up a set of stairs that we discovered

The Three Mermaids

We snorkeled here yesterday.... brilliant fish, beautiful corals - all alive

...

Where my beloved lives,

Walking now with veiled steps

Through the shadowy leaves. 

 - Goethe, The Lovely night

Our reward for having hiked....

Transparent waters glittering in the new board sun beams

And you still think that Heaven is a place outside earth?

Mermaids - I wonder who they are looking for

The wooden bridge that connects Quezon and a nearby island

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,

   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

   But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

   A heart whose love is innocent!

- Lord Byron, "She walks in beauty" 

- this used to be one of my favourite  poems in shcool - when I was a young romantic (now I am a middle aged romantic!)

A view of Hundred islands from Quezon island (yes yes, we know there are 123 islands really!)

Quezon island is pretty small - you can walk all around the island in about 30minutes at a fast pace. At a leisurely pace though, you can take a whole day and still not get bored.

View of Quezon island and this neighbouring islet (does anyone know it's name? Please email me if you do)

The marker at the base of President Quezon's statue - perhaps President Quezon's statue may be among the rare statues to have a geological marker next to it with it's exact geographical co-ordinates  

A pathway - the road less explored? Well , we decided to take it - and it took us right behind the sari sari shop!

Tropical paradise

The beach at Quezon island

My experiments with the fish eye lens

Hope you liked my photos of Hundred islands - Do drop in a comment. And you can mail me on "expatinphilippines at gmail dot com" if you have any questions about the place