Nine hours in four provinces

It was our first road trip going to an island province with Carry (our mini van).  Our destination, MARINDUQUE!

Original route to Marinduque

Instead of taking the original route, we decided to take the alternate route which passes through Rizal, Laguna and Quezon provinces. 

in Pililia Rizal, overlooking Laguna lake

With my husband and three kids, we left our home in Antipolo nearly five in the morning.  Without knowledge of the route, we continued remembering this quote,  "THE ROAD IS IN YOUR MOUTH" which simply means to ask for the right way. In Rizal, we passed by Teresa, Baras, and Pililia.

rice field somewhere in Laguna

From Pililia, we reached the town of Mabitac, Laguna. From Mabitac,  we were kinda confused if we are in the right direction going to Lucena.  My husband doubted so we started to have stopovers to ask for direction.  The people we've asked questions were very kind and helpful. God bless these people!

In Lumban, we stopped again and ask for our way.  From there, we found out the two routes going to Lucena.  The first route is through Pagsanjan and the other through Caliraya lake in Cavinti, Laguna.  We asked which of the two is the shortest way and one answered that it is almost the same.  But this time, Pagsanjan road is not passable because  the bridge was under repair.

stop over @ caliraya

caliraya

We arrived Caliraya at around seven in the morning.  We stopped to eat, rest, take some pictures and look for a pay restroom.  From Caliya (Cavinti, Laguna) we drove through many towns of Laguna. 

nearing Lucban, Quezon

We arrived Lucban, Quezon around 8:00am and from here we traveled an hour to Lucena City.

Dalahikan Port, Lucena City

We were anxious when we arrived Dalahikan Port in Lucena City because we were not sure if we can take the first Ro-ro going to Boac, Marinduque but praise the Lord we're just in time! We paid  P2,100 for our mini van included the passengers. 

ready to load to roro

heading to Starhorse Shipping Co. (roro)

We were excited to load on ro-ro. This was my kids first sea travel.  I've seen the amazement in their eyes.  They were not afraid to tour the ship and view in the balcony the children who were diving to get the coins being thrown by the passengers. 

coin divers

The ship leaves Lucena  at around 11:00 in the morning. We ate our packed lunch there but we forgot to buy some drinks and snacks for the children.  The price of snacks and drinks in ro-ro were doubled  to the original price.

My husband and youngest daughter enjoying the wind :-)

We enjoyed our voyage.  Four three hours travel from Dalahikan Port (Lucena City) to Balanacan Port (Boac, Marinduque) we were in the balcony of the ship enjoying the view and the salty wind blows.

Marinduque island from afar

small islands in marinduque

source of electric power of the whole marinduque

Balanacan Port, Boac Marinduque

We arrived Balanacan Port in Boac, Marinduque  exactly 2:00 in the afternoon.  It was a long travel started in Rizal, through Laguna and Quezon and finally we are now in the province of Marinduque, known for their Moriones Festival and the province considered to be the heart of the Philippines based on the map location.  So excited for what the province will offer to us.  Thank God for the safe and enjoyable 9-hour trip via land and sea through the four provinces.