Previous Trips - Laguna Lake Loop - Joey Carlotta

Quezon Province

Joey Carlotta — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After Paete, there is a turnoff in Famy to the east that leads to Real and Infanta in the province of Quezon. There is another route from Antipolo going through the Marcos Highway which I hear is just as great. I am planning to drive this route the next chance I get. Mind you, this is a trip all on its own.

The drive over the Sierra Madre mountains was fantastic with a lot of twisties. The roads were relatively good with a few eroded patches. The first sight of the Pacific Ocean is awesome. We drove as far as Infanta were the road ended and backtracked to Real for a picnic lunch by the sea.

The are a number of resorts but the beaches are not that great. This does not detract from the ambiance of the place however. There was plenty fresh seafood for sale in Real as this is a major fishing area. On a sad note, this area was devastated during a storm not too long ago and I would like to see how the place has recovered since.

Joey and Mom in picnic hut

Joey and Miren hamming it up.

Dig in, folks!

Timmy and Yaya

Lake Caliraya

Joey Carlotta — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Another option is to pack lunch and have a picnic at nearby picturesque Lake Caliraya. There are a number of resorts along the shores of the lake offering various types of accommodations and facilities for water sports. I have long wanted to kayak and fish this lake. Lake Caliraya is actually man-made and used to generate hydropower.

Miren, Inaki and Timmy on Lake Caliraya pier

Mom, Miren, Inaki and Timmy along Caliraya Lake shore

Joey and kids with Laguna view

Joey, Inaki and Timmy on Caliraya Lake shore

There is also the Exotik Restaurant further down the road, ideal for the gastronomically adventurous. Even if its for a snack or just something to drink, Exotik is worth a stop. Make sure to check out the menu and ask to be introduced to Samantha.

Shooting the Rapids

Joey Carlotta — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From Manila, the halfway point is Pagsanjan where lunch can be had in one of the various Riverside resorts that cater to people shooting the world-famous rapids. This is something that every Filipino should do at least once in their lives. I did it when I was still very young and have never considered doing it again. Neither the kids nor Miren have done it so maybe I should. The waterfalls is actually located in Cavinti upriver from the rapids.

Timmy in Pagsanjan resort pool

Joey in Pagsanjan resort hut

Joey beside Pagsanjan river

Inaki beside Pagsanjan river