quezon via rizal (part2: lucban, tayabas, pagbilao)

the original non-plan was to "head in the general direction of quezon". go to a coastal area, find a beach. After a few hours of internet research (the Lonely Planet guidebook wasn't any help again), a plan shaped up: "head for the triangle of pagbilao, atimonan and padre burgos". we had three days and three towns to hit. sounded reasonable.

taking the rizal route, i know i'm in quezon once the road narrows and heads up. something about the air in lucban changes - i suppose it does in any mountain town - that tells me i'm almost there. sadly, travel companions wanted to head straight for pagbilao. so we weren't able to stop in the old cathedrals of lucban or tayabas. or buy some baskets. or even chorizong lucban. or walk around the tiny town square. it WAS late afternoon already though and we still hadn't found accomodations, so i suppose it was reasonable to just settle somewhere already. sigh. (brat.)

nearing pagbilao, we saw a sign for turn-off for Pueblo Por la Playa. Not having any other leads on where to stay and the name being familiar from the google search, we followed the purple arrow. alas, the place was "exklusib lang po ito". the short (transplanted) white sand beach and clutch of mexican houses were strictly for members.
very much frustrated, we headed back to the main drag. (it takes about 10 minutes on a very narrow, curvy road to reach the development)

now even more clueless, we headed to the main town where i asked directions for the general area of resorts. we were pointed back to that same turn-off. back where we came from, there was apparently another sign for a park and restaurant. with no other choice, we turned-in again.