Byahe Amorsola: The Road Less Travelled: Rizal to Padre Burgos, Quezon Aug. 18, 2013

On August 19, 2013, Monday, it will be Quezon City and Quezon Province Day. So I guess, I must be thinking of where to go during the holiday. Since it will be a long off from work, I grabbed the opportunity of the long weekend to attend my friend’s house blessing in Padre Burgos, Quezon.

Coming from Rizal province, specifically from the town of Baras, it will be a long travel if I will consider commuting from Baras to Crossing-EDSA, then take a bus from the terminals either in Pasay City or Cubao. Since Rizal is a nearby province of Laguna and Quezon, I decided to take the road less travelled. It is the route of Baras-Tanay, Tanay-Siniloan, Siniloan-Sta.Cruz (Pagsanjan), then

Sta. Cruz-Lucena Grand Terminal to Padre Burgos, Quezon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padre_Burgos,_Quezon). More towns to pass by but I know I will learn what these towns have even just at a glance.

We all know that travelling without any map or guide is quite uneasy but exciting especially when you will do rerouting. Usual travel through commute is expected to be precise and travel time can be estimated easily. To help our dear travellers, kindly see list terminals and fares for your reference:

From To Transportation Terminal Fare

Left Baras,Rizal at 9:00am
Baras, Rizal Tanay Jeepney jeepneys-on-the-road Php 8.00
Tanay, Rizal Mabitac/Siniloan Jeepney Tanay Public Market Php 44.00
Siniloan Sta.Cruz-Pagsanjan Jeepney Siniloan Terminal Php 30.00
Sta.Cruz Lucena GT Flat Nose Jumbo Jeep Sta. Cruz Php 60.00
Lucena GT Unisan/P.Burgos Van Lucena GT Php 60.00
Reached Padre Burgos, Quezon at 2:00 in the afternoon

From Baras to Tanay, travel thru jeepneys will only take 10-15 minutes, but upon reaching the terminal in Tanay Public Market, you have to wait for other passengers to load the jeepney and be ready for your trip. For the meantime, I am unable to advise their time of first trip from Tanay to Siniloan, but if you are going to take the same route going back to Rizal, the last trip from Siniloan to Tanay is at 6pm - 7pm, but taking 6pm is highly recommended.

During our travel, I have enjoyed the scenery starting from Pililla, Rizal up to the towns of Laguna. The scenery and fresh air is very appealing and best compared to my previous Manila-Quezon travel route.

You will see fruit stands along the way which sells fresh picked fruits direct from their plantations. For traveller's or either commuters, our friend told us that you may ask the driver to make a short stop-over for you to buy some fruits or pasalubong.

During our travel along Mabitac to Siniloan, I have seen a Volkswagen Beetle, one of my favorite rides, mine is a White Beetle named Nikee.

See the following landmarks/photos that may turn out to be your guide during your travel:

Church in Paete, Laguna

Upon reaching Sta.Cruz/Pagsanjan Terminal, the only means of transportation going to Lucban and Lucena (Lucena Grand Terminal) is the so called Flat Nose Jumbo Jeep.

My Adventure Partner...My Brother (a.k.a. Diko)

You will also pass by the Southern Luzon State University, then you already have a hint that Lucban,Quezon is already near...

From Lucena Grand Terminal, you will take a van route UNISAN to reach Padre Burgos. Usual travel time is around 45mins-1hour depending on the weather.

Below is a part of the Private Resort named The Tamarind Tree. To get there, drop off point is at P.Burgos Arc or at the known White House along the road. It is just a 5-10minute walk to get into The Tamarind Tree. If you want to ride on a tricycle, just advise them to send you to Tagalog area (The Area of the newly blessed house near a Chapel).