Kaybiang Tunnel Motorbike Tour

We were supposed to go to Mt. Pinatubo. But the the trip was cancelled.

So, I had to find an alternative and the option was to go to Kaybiang Tunnel.

Kaybiang Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the Philippines which links Ternate, Cavite and Nasugbu, Batangas. A hole was blasted using technology in Mt. Palay-Palay.

This 300-meter tunnel is part of the new 6-kilometer Tourism Road in Cavite that cuts travel time from Manila to Nasugbu and Calatagan, Batangas from the usual 4 hours via Tagaytay to just a little over 1 hour.

The tunnel was conceptualized in 1994 but it was completed on July 2013. It took 4 years to be completed. 

scenic view of Taal Volcano along the Sungay route

So from Tanauan City, Alvin Mendoza and I, boarded our respective bikes past 6 am and drove towards Talisay and used the route popularly called "Sungay" route.

How to get there

From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok).

It took us only 50 minutes and we reached Tagaytay City.

From Tagaytay City, we zoomed our way towards Nasugbu, Batangas. Our approximate speed was in between 80-90 kilometers per hour.

Entering Nasugbu, Batangas, we drove and passed several well-known resorts like Hamilo Coast. Munting Buhangin and Canyon Cove. After passing the town proper, we were traveling at the speed of 90-100 kilometers per hour of open space long roads.

The road towards Kaybiang Tunnel offered a very scenic view.

Unfortunately, I did not bring any DSLR and I had only my iphone. 

Finally, past nearly 2 hours of travel, we reached the Nasugbu entrance of the Kaybiang Tunnel.

They say it  is the longest subterranean tunnel in the Philippines.

The other side of the 300-meter tunnel. The Ternate entrance leading to Nasugbu, Batangas. As usual, the tunnel was filled with so many bikers.

We stayed only for less than 30 minutes, took our souvenir pictures and fled.

Using his Yamaha S16, Alvin led the way to the tunnel and back to Nasugbu.

Alvin strikes a pose in Burot Beach

We decided to head to Calatagan and use the Balayan-Lemery route going back to Tanauan City. In Calatagan, we stopped at Burot Beach.

We stayed only for 20 minutes and decided to head back to Tanauan City.

From Calatagan, we drove and passed the town of Balayan, Calaca, Lemery, Taal, Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita, Cuenca, Lipa City and finally, we reached our hometown - Tanauan City.

270 Kilometers

7 hours of motorbike ride

2 motorbikes

1 destination

National Heroes Day Motorcycle Tour

My life as a traveler will not be complete 

if I am not going to travel. 

But my other passion in life (teaching) occupies most of my time. Do not get me wrong. I am not complaining. I simply love teaching in college. And in order to maximize for the lost time and opportunity for my craves to travel, I write all the holidays and special non-working days in a school year and plan ahead of time. And this tour was planned ahead of time. 

The original plan was to go to San Juan, Batangas and see the Old Pinagbayanan Church and Naambon Falls. But I had to change the plan and I opted on the other side of Batangas. The plan involves going to Burot Beach in Calatagan, CML Beach Resort & Water Park and Ligpo Island in Lemery. And I made the right choice! =)

It was a good day to have a motorcycle tour. The weather was not so hot that day and there was only a minimal sign that it was going to rain that day. 

From Tanauan City, I boarded my bike and proceeded to Talisay, Batangas (my gateway to Tagaytay). 

Taal Volcano

Along the way, you will pass Club Balai Isabel (a must-see resort in Talisay). And the ascending drive started. Along the way up, you will be mesmerized by the magnificent and spectacular view of Taal Volcano. It was a bit foggy that day but I did not mind at all. 

There are so many routes going to Tagaytay but this Talisay route is the best route for travelers and adventurers. The twist and turns of the uphill drive will surely cause goose-bumps along the drive.

It was a long motorcycle drive. I was traveling only at an average speed of 80 kilometers per hour. Before I was averaging at 100 kilometers per hour but after 3 motorcycle accidents, my urge for speed diminished.

And after 2 hours, I reached my first destination - Calatagan, Batangas.

 

Burot Beach

Reaching the town of Calatagan, I was 2 kilometers away from my destination. And my first stop that day was in Burot Beach.  

I stayed in the beach only for one hour and took some information about the beach and some photos and sped off to my next destination.

CML Beach Resort & Water Park

From Calatagan, I drove off to Lemery. Along the way, I passed by Balayan and Calaca. These towns are a must for motorcycle enthusiast! The long and straight drive towards Lemery was simply amazing!

And after less than an hour, I arrived at my second destination - CML Beach Resort & Water Park.

My brother, Kuya Derick Villegas, was the one who told me to visit the resort and it was a good thing that I listened to him.

Again, I stayed only for an hour and afterwards, I decided to go to my final destination.

Ligpo Island

From the town of Lemery, I went to Taal (a must-side trip for everone!) and headed towards San Luis. Reaching Barangay Ligpo, Lemery, Batangas. I chartered a boat in order to see the beaches and the famous Ligpo Island.

at Burot Beach

Finally, I went home and reaching Lipa City, heavy rain poured and I got all soaked up but the rain did not dampen the enthusiasm and happiness of the tour that day.

It's Really More Fun In Batangas!

Burot Beach, Calatagan, Batangas

The province of Batangas is known for its beaches and there is one white sand beach that is slowly making a name for itself - Burot Beach.

Located at Sitio Burot, Barangay Tanagan, Calatagan, Batangas, the beach is a 2.5 hours drive from Manila using the Tagaytay route in Cavite.

How to get there

1. From Buendia, Pasay

Ride the bus (DLTB) going to Nasugbu, Batangas, The bus ride is 3.5 - 4 hours and the fare is P180.00. Arriving at Lian, alight from the bus and ride the jeep going to Calatagan and pay P40.00. Reaching the municipality of Calatagan, ride or charter the tricycle going to the beach for P150.00 - P200.00. 

2. From Edsa-Taft, Pasay

Ride the bus (San Agustin or ER John) going to Nasugbu, Batangas, The bus ride is 3.5 - 4 hours and the fare is P180.00. Arriving at Lian, alight from the bus and ride the jeep going to Calatagan and pay P40.00. Reaching the municipality of Calatagan, ride or charter the tricycle going to the beach for P150.00 - P200.00.

OR you can ride van (in between Kabayahan Hotel and Metropoint at Edsa-Taft Pasay Rotonda) directly going to Calatagan.

  

But it was different in my case that day since it was a motorcycle tour and I started from Tanauan City. I used the Talisay, Batangas route going to Tagaytay and then I passed Nasugbu and after 2 hours, I reached the beach.

Entrance fee 

Day - P65.00

Overnight stay - P130.00

No electricity

Charging of cell phones - P60.00

There are only four (4) cottages (good for 20 pax) for rent. 

The cost is P800.00. 

Balsa rental is P1,500.00.

Tent rental P400 (good for 2-4 pax)

There is a small canteen.

Contact person - Mang Ramon - 0915-602-8907

Activities
beach camping
beach bumming
trekking
nature tripping

Enjoy your beach camping stay at Burot Beach!

Tips

1. Better book early for the cottages if you do not want to use camping tent.

2. Better reserve for the tent in case you are not bringing your own.

3. There is a market place that you will pass before reaching the beach, you can buy fresh seafood along the way.

4. The beach is less than 10 kilometers away from the the Calatagan lighthouse, it is a good side trip. From the town, it is only 7 kilometers away and the tricycle charter is only P200.00 (one-way).

Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/05/cape-santiago-lighthouse-punta-de.html

5 Beaches in Batangas in One Day

Summer 2013

I was onboard my bike and cruising around Batangas. I have always planned this tour and finally, it came into reality.

My aim that day was to visit the 5 major beaches in Batangas. Weather was good and there was no traffic that day. And everything went according to the plan...

My first stop - Nasugbu, Batangas

Second stop - Matabungkay, Lian, Batangas

Third stop -  Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas

Fourth stop - Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

And the last stop - Laiya, Batangas

I was so tired that day. Spending all the day in my motorbike and stopping just to take pictures and videos of the beach.

Anyway, another milestone for me. Honestly, it was really difficult to cover all the 5 beaches in one day. I started from Tanauan City and I was travelling at an average speed of 90 kms/hour.

Another roadtrip, another experience!! 

It's More Fun in Batangas!

Top 5 Beaches in Batangas

As a pure-blooded Batangueno, I have roamed around in almost all the beaches in different cities and municipalities of Batangas. And these 5 beaches are my top 5 choices! 

I have scored them based on the following criteria, 5 being the highest.

1. Hamilo Coast, Nasugbu, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 5
view - 5
amenities - 5
activities - 5
Suggested resorts - Punta Fuego, Canyon Cove, Munting Buhangin, Pico De Loro

2. Matabungkay Beach, Lian, Batangas

sand - 4
resorts - 4
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3
Suggested resort - La Primavera

3. Bagong Silang, Calatagan, Batangas 

sand - 4
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 3

Suggested resort - Playa Calatagan

4. Balacbacan, Laiya-Aplaya, San Juan, Batangas 

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 3
amenities - 3
activities - 3


5. Anilao, Mabini, Batangas

sand - 3
resorts - 3
view - 4
amenities - 3
activities - 5

N.B. - The sand in the beaches of Batangas is not white sand, but close to being a white sand.

More Than the Name Calatagan!

The province of Batangas is one province in the Philippines endowed with tourist spots. And the Municipality of Calatagan boasts of having a share in the tourist spots in Batangas.

First it has Cape Santiago Lighthouse or Punta de Santiago Ligthouse.

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/05/cape-santiago-lighthouse-punta-de.html

Second, it has its resorts and beaches..

Third, it has Lago De Oro (the first wakeboarding site in the Philippines).

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/05/wake-boarding-in-philippines.html

Wakeboarding in the Philippines

Wakeboarding is a surface watersport which involves riding a wakeboard over the surface of a body of water. It was developed from a combination of water skiing, snowboarding and surfing techniques (Wikepedia).

In the Philippines, as far as I know, there are 3 wakeboarding sites. And I have visited all these three sites.

The first wakeboarding site is in Calatagan, Batangas which was developed around year 2000.

Lago De Oro Beach Club

Lago De Oro is one of the finest beach resorts in Batangas.

It has swimming pools, a lake and a beach in one resort. But most of all, this resort offers wakeboarding as part of its amenities once you are billeted in the resort.

Other amenities include spa, massage and sauna bath facility.

You can also enjoy snorkeling and island hopping in this resort.

Website -
http://lago-de-oro.com/











The second and the most popular is the

CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) 

It was year 2011 when I first visited CWC. Recently this summer 2013, I again went to CWC.

I tried this extreme sport but I almost aggravated
my shoulder injury. 

But I still enjoyed the thrill of knee boarding and wakeboarding!







And the last is the newest - The Republic (in Nuvali)

One of the amenities offered by Nuvali is wakeboarding!

But this time I did not indulge in wakeboarding. I was on a road trip. And I could not afford to get wet nor to get injured.

I was simply a spectator!

The itch was there to try wakeboarding again but I had to go to Tagaytay that day and I told myself maybe next time...

Wakeboarding is really 

more fun in the Philippines!