It was 2014 and I was still healing from a break-up. It was a two-year relationship that ended just like that. Neither of us wanted to fight for the relationship anymore, both of us just had enough. It was April when we broke up. The first few months were difficult. My family would ask about him, my friends would tell me about the infidelity that they witnessed and how it was the right decision that we broke up.
How does a 27-year old heal from a break-up without breaking the bank?
When you have been in a relationship for that long, you lose yourself as well. The pain of the break-up is not just because of the idea of the person that you dreamed of a future with is no longer going to be there but because you are going to be alone. When you break-up with someone, you feel alone because you lost yourself as well. I started going out, I cared for myself, I started running and lost a few pounds. I reconnected with friends and after seven months, my friend invited me to visit a place called Cagbalate.
I visited this place on November 2014 with a couple of friends. We traveled from Alabang and it was a very long travel, I tell you but it was worth the time, the effort, etc. I was able to open up with my break-up during the very long bus trip. We then ride a big version of a jeep but small version of a bus. I am not really sure what to call that vehicle because even in the Philippines, that type of public transportation is not common, or at least to where I live, it’s not. It was another long ride and then we were rode a shuttle going to the port where we rode a big boat to the island. So far, I have spent less than P200. When we were off the boat, since it was high tide already, there were men who offered boat ride for a fee. It was pricey since there were just 3 of us shouldering the charge, I think I spent another P200-P300 for that boat ride. We arrived there at around past 5 in the afternoon, imagine, we’ve been travelling sincce 10 in the morning. I was at first upset to see that they did not turn on the electricity. When it was going dark, that was the time that they did turn on the electricity. They just wanted us to have the island experience that’s why their rule is, they do not turn on the electricity during days. I spent another P100 for the dinner which was fried chicken and rice. Not bad. My friends brought the booze and we just had a great time.
Our accommodation is simple with shared bathrooms for other bali hut users but it was not a big deal because the resort was not really full when we were there so I believe we were the only hut who is using the bathroom so only 3 of us were sharing. It was like a stone's throw walk from our hut to the bathroom which is not a big deal again. The bathroom was well-kept and large so it really did not matter to me if I had to share it with others, it's not like I will stay there for a long time during my stay. The resort was not crowded and they just let us do whatever we want. Again, the room that we stayed was not luxurious. It was a small room with 2 double-deck beds. Since there were just 3 of us, there were 4 beds and it was just right. I think we spent P1000 each for the place. We had a shared bathroom. That was just the downside of it because if we did not stay up all night, it would have been difficult to pee in the middle of the night. The shared bathroom was big enough and it was clean.
There were a lot of things to do in the place even though that it was just a simple resort. At night, we stayed at the beach and stared at the night sky and just talk about life. When we had enough, we decided to drink and sang at the videoke. We made friends with a huge group of people at the other table. I remembered them saying that they were on a team building. I cannot remember what time we went to bed but I knew I slept like a baby probably because I was just too tired from the travel and from the drinking.
I usually wake up early so even though we stayed up so late, I still manage to wake up at 6AM. I remembered waking up from the chilly morning of the holiday season and decided to go for a morning walk. I walked at the beach and I even remembered taking a picture of the sunrise, when both of my friends woke up, we decided to have breakfast, I remembered we had all this canned goods, so if my memories served me right, we had tuna for breakfast. We had our breakfast at the cottage right in front of our nipa hut/room. Once we were done, we changed into our bathing suits and we swam in the ocean. When the sun was too hot for us, we went back to our cottage and we watched Friends. I have been a really big fan of Friends. I do not get tired of watching Friends over and over. For those who don’t know it, I have been watching the reruns of Friends in Warner Bros. Since 2017. Just a fun fact to share. Since the tuna were brought by my friends and I just came from a break-up, they did not ask me to pay. So P0.
My friends and I had a great time, not just because we had the company of each other but because of the ambiance of the place and how accommodating the people were. They were just willing to lend us anything that we will need even though it means that we are not going to eat there and eat our own food. They are just willing to be of service. They will offer massages and kayaking services too.
The food is ok, they charged P100/meal and they are ok with you bringing your own food. There were dogs roaming around the resort, they do not look gross or threatening but sometimes when you are eating, they are present. They know how to behave, mind you but still, it can get annoying at times. It was a well-kept resort, there are trash cans that are easily accessible so it's really up to the guests to keep the place nice. My friends and I stayed there for a day, it was very peaceful and if you are a low-maintenance person, you will just appreciate the efforts of the people to keep the place entertaining. At night, they may not have fireworks but they have kwitis or firecrackers (I'm not sure if my translation is correct), they have videoke and campfire. This is really a place that one will enjoy especially if they are not too high maintenance and just looking for a quiet place. At the time, it was just perfect for me to find my self again.
Money spent: less than P2000, I’m sorry I really don’t remember and that includes everything, accomodation, transportation and food.
Level of satisfaction: Super satisfied. I would go back again given the chance that I have a really long vacation leave. I mean, the travel time will really take a lot of one’s energy and might not enjoy the experience if you are too tired for the experience.
Update:
So I’ve never been back to this place again. After 3 years, this is still a nice place to visit, it’s not like people forgot about it. One of my friends has been there recently, I am just not sure if she stayed at the same resort that we stayed years ago. Unfortunately, since I was just invited, I was not the one who took care of the booking of the place and of course, I do not remember the name of the resort.
Has anyone been in Cagbalate? Please share your experience in the comments section! :)
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