Real, Quezon: Seafood, Beach and the Locals

 

Last weekend, bes J took us to Real for a seafood trip.  She has been bragging about how fresh and affordable the seafood here so I have to experience it myself.

 

Real in Quezon province is a first class municipality situated fronting the Philippine Sea.  It's the seafood capital for Laguna and nearby municipalities. 

the beach

From Sta. Maria, where we stayed for the weekend, it's only about 1.5 hrs. drive.  You have to pass by zigzag roads but with very beautiful mountain views.





First on our list is the seafood market so we first check the fresh catch of the day.

other side of the seafood market

I'm in awe of how big the fishes and other seafood being sold here.  It's my first time to see a huge squid and Pampano.  They even sell lobster for only Php350.00/kilo (which are being sold for at least a thousand bucks here in Manila).  Bes J is right in bragging about this seafood market.  There are so many options.

the small but fat lobster



small squid



really big squid

too many options

salmon



blue Marlin meat



huge squid

huge pampano

Since we don't have plans of taking a dip, we just asked the local carinderia to cook some dishes for us for cheap service fee.  We just bought all the necessary ingredients and they took charge of the cooking.  Service fee is Php80.00 per kilo of seafood or meat.

 

they also sell the needed ingredients

While waiting for our lunch to be cooked, we went to the shore to check the beach.  It's a gloomy weather so we can only walk along the beach on a short period of time.

 

The beach is not something to look forward to if you have seen a lot of white beaches already.  There are some resorts though that have clean shores and with cottages.  Since, we have no intentions of taking a dip, we just went on the part with shanties for free entrance.

 

 

 

bes J with her mom

What struck me the most are the kids swimming and playing on the beach.  These local kids are just so delighted in playing with the big waves.  You can see the innocence and how simple things can make them happy.  There are so used to being visited that they gamely pose for every click of my camera.

 

 

 

Then, it's lunch time.  Our tummies were all so delighted with what has been prepared for us. 

 

grilled squid

steamed lobster

steamed shrimps

 

Going back to Sta. Maria, Laguna, we passed  by Infanta then saw some beautiful mountain sceneries and their little Baguio.  We stop by a Japanese owned compound.  The owner is so gracious in accommodating us to check their compound filled with bonsai and pretty flowers.  It even have a nice view of the clouds descending from above.

 

the mini falls

a swimming pool under construction

turkeys

bonsai, forest arrangement

 

 

This has instantly recharged me for a new week ahead.  I'm always indebted to bes J for this simple and yet memorable trip.