Buenavista, Quezon: Now and the probable Then

I was born in a mystical place called Buenavista, a fourth class municipality of Quezon. I heard so much legend about the place where gold is rich and nature flourish; from my departed grand mama. The most unforgettable tale she shared with us was the story of a golden cow. She said that this golden cow roamed Buenavista and excreted gold. She said that she saw it with her own eyes and was able to see the excreted gold herself. I didn't believe her. But 'twas a lovely story coming from my grand mama. This story was told even before miners dug gold in my hometown. Now, I am having a second thought that maybe she was telling the truth after all!! Hahahahhaa.. Ok, i won't ponder much on the unbelievable stories of grand mama but tell you on my great experience visiting the known and unknown places of Buenavista.


Before i tell you the thrills we got from visiting some of the places in Buenavista; let me give you some background on how to go there.


Travel by Bus - There is a daily direct trip in Starmall, Alabang going to Buenavista. Please inquire to P&O Bus Liner for the time of departure. However; you can also ride a bus going to Lucena and from Lucena Grand Terminal ride a bus going to Calauag. Just ask the driver to drop you off in Lopez. Another possible route is riding a bus going to Bicol with Lopez as its drop off point.


From Lopez, Quezon; ride a jeep going to Buenavista. Ensure that you are ready for a bumpy ride due to rough roads that you will pass through. The good news is that; when we went there this April, 2012, the Lopez to Buenavista roads are being re-constructed. I am seeing great hopes that in a few more years; we will be having a smooth travel going to my beloved town.


Travel by car - If you were traveling by car; pass through SLEX to San Pablo; then just look for the direction sign going to Bicol. You will never get lost. Tips, do not attempt to travel by car if it's not a 4-wheel drive vehicle; your car may have difficulty to pass through the rough road when you choose the Lopez-Buenavista route. However, if you only have an ordinary car; I suggest you travel through Bondoc Peninsula route. Upon reaching Atimonan Zig Zag Road; you can see a sign going to BonPen. Just go straight ahead going to San Narciso. This is a longer route but offers a smooth travel. From San Narciso, look for the sign going to Buenavista. A shorter rough road will be experienced.


Travel Time: approximately 6-8 hours from Manila to Buenavista, Quezon


Travel Expense: approximately PHP500 including your travel meals for a one-way travel


Travel Date: April 19-23, 2012


Okay; now, going back to my story; it took us 7 hours to reach my hometown using our car since we traverse Lopez to Buenavista route. It is NOT a four-wheel drive car; sad to say :(


CAWA BEACH ADVENTURE


We reached the province safe and sound. An hour after we settled at home; I asked my uncle to accompany me to the nearest beach. He said; we can either go to Cawa beach or to Mabutag Beach. The decision depended whether the latter is passable with a tricycle or not. We opted to go to Cawa beach since we have to hike going to Mabutag; although my uncle said that Mabutag has better sand and beach than Cawa. We rented a tricycle to drop us off to the beach front of Cawa and wait us to go back our house (located at the town proper). We were charged 400 PHP for the round trip. It was a cheap deal considering that we were 4 passengers.


It took us 20 minutes to reach Cawa beach from the town proper. As we passed-by the greenness of Buenavista; I awed in disbelief; how gifted my hometown is with huge ricefields; tall and plenty coconut trees and birds that fly and animals that crawls.

the rice fields of Buenavista

Buenavista Quezon Rice Field

Coconut Trees in Buenavista Quezon

a mini-rice terraces in Buenavista, quezon

A view in Buenavista, Quezon

Cawa beach was not fully developed. The beach has a mixture of greyish sand and rocks. It was low-tide then.

There were cottages out of nipa that you can rent with a minimal charge of PHP100.

When you dipped into the water; you have to be careful as rocks beneath could hurt your feet. However, we felt fine sand underneath the rocks. The beach has potentials when the rocks are removed and the sands are cleaned with debris.

One thing that Cawa beach boast is the water. It is clean and contoured in such a way that swallow part is wide and it goes deeper as you move towards the ocean.

Cawa beach is also connected to a clean river. Usually, the mid-part where fresh and salty water meets is dirty; but, NOT in Cawa beach. The picture will show you what I meant. Look at the shadow and my foot.

Where the river and the sea meets

At low tide; a small island of sand separates the river and the sea

How clean the river water is...

Water for bathing after soaking in salty one can be bought on nearby houses. PHP 20 per container.


Over-all our trip to Cawa Beach was fun. How much more if this beach is developed by the locals? :)


The Grotto Resort


The following day, was our Family Grand Reunion. I was lucky that it was held in the newly developed and the only resort in Buenavista so far; The Grotto Resort. It is located in Cadlit; one of the nearby Barangays of Buenavista. You can reach it by foot in 15 minutes. You can ride a tricycle too.It is near the town proper.


The Grotto Beach was currently being developed. You can only see a kiddie pool; nipa huts; a Grotto and a mini-church inside it. Some faunas can also be found. The reunion was great! :) I hope to visit The Grotto resort again when it is already fully-developed.

The kiddie pool

Inside the mini Church

The water in the pool is fresh and non-chlorinated. I wish to see how the adult pool will look like as well as the reception hall. Just a side comment; it would be better if the pool floor is not made up of pebbles as it reflect a yellowish water. My suggestion is to make use of either white; blue or green tiles for pool floors.


Our Kanlukot Falls Adventure can be read here...