ABW Sept 2018-1

View of Gasan town
from the St. Joseph
church’s view deck
Paadjao Falls
62
MARINDUQUE
ng Biglang Awa’, a gentle stroll from the town
centre. For visitors staying in the area overnight, the
popular Hilltop Hotel and the Palms by the Beach
resort offer comfortable rooms to complement the
island’s well known reputation for hospitality and
friendly service.
For an energetic day out, trek to the Paadjao
Falls which are best reached on foot. A series of
mesmerizing, gently cascading falls of approximately
100 feet tumble into a 15 foot deep pool of clear
fresh water. By the pool are naturally formed
hollows where tired travellers can relax, bask in the
refreshing water and enjoy the spa like effects of
these open-air baths.
More adventurous travellers can explore the Tarug
Caves, a three chambered cave within a limestone
formation rising steeply to about 1000 feet above
sea level. The pinnacle is about 10 square feet but
the climb is well worth it. Camera enthusiasts will
love the panoramic views over Bondoc Peninsula to
the east and Tablas Strait in the west. Caves can be
confusing and confounding places for the unwary,
so inexperienced spelunkers should seek the services
of an experienced guide before setting out.
Mogpog also offers a pristine diving and snorkelling
site at the Natangco Reefs. A natural shelf of up to
40 feet deep is on the west side of Natangco Islet
and is an excellent area for snorkelling buffs. For
SCUBA divers the reef terminates into a near vertical
drop of underwater cliffs reaching down to the
sandy bottom approximately 130 feet below and is
recommended for drift diving. The industries of this
gentle town are fishing, agriculture, butterfly culture
and of course the making of the famous morion,
which means mask or visor.
Gasan
The peaceful little township of Gasan, situated
south of Boac, like all other towns on Marinduque
has so much to see, plus of course the overwhelming
friendliness of the local inhabitants. Gasan is