CARAMOAN Day 2

We woke up early (530 am) not to waste our time in this serene place. Kuya Tope reminded us the night before that we have to be on our way at 730am so we have more time to explore the unexplored places...WOhhh!!! We had fried rice, fried danggit ( am not sure but it looked like danggit ,it was just bigger) egg and pansit .I totally forgot my diet...hehe!!

danggit!!!!!

After breakfast, we then proceed to our next adventure. The sun is up and we hope for a good day!Our first haven was the Grotto. When I first visited Caramoan I was not able to go here because of lack of time. So, this time I made sure that I will be able to see it. You can see the grotto from afar. We were greeted by Kuya Paul (our tourist guide in this island ). By the way, before we start the trip, let me just remind you that we need to take 553 steps to reach the top. REALLY??Can I do this?Oh sure, I told myself. Kuya Paul explained the necessary precautions to avoid any untoward incidents.Going up is not a joke, this is what I realized halfway the trip. Bring a liter of water, my strict reminder!!!

the ENTRY!!

many of the stop overs!!!to catch our breath!!

stairway to heaven

lost count of the number of steps:(

picture..picture..as we catch our breath!!

view from atop

the grotto

the church on top

                                            

Yes,it rained!!!I had so much fun walking in the rain:))

We bid goodbye to Kuya Paul, (yellow shirt) (btw he is current president of tourist guide in this island)

According to Kuya Paul, the people in the island worked together to build the grotto. A missionary initiated this because he saw it in his dreams. Amongst the island in Caramoan,the Tabgon island has the biggest population with 400 households. As far as I remember they started building the grotto 1998. The trip took us an hour and a half.You say a little prayer to HIM for you to finish this challenge.IT really was a challenge!!But as the saying goes "No guts,no glory"!

On our way to our second destination, we were all quiet probably because we were all saying a short prayer for a good weather. The rain started on our way down the grotto. Though it started raining, I was still thankful because the water was not rough and we had a smooth travel until we reached Manlawi island ( the biggest sandbar in the Phil. during low tide). We arrived there with a couple of bancas already and people were already enjoying the neck - deep water with very fine sands under. When I was here 2 years ago, it was low tide so we were able to see the sandbar but now unluckily it was high tide.Nothing has changed except that the huts were replaced by floating huts which is much much better..

taken april2010

This is how the sand bar looks like if its low tide.There are huts that you can rent for P50 the first time I was there.

taken may12012

Now, huts are already floating that you can rent for P200.00. As i said much better because you can rest here and no worry that your cameras might get wet.

me playing like a kid ( apri2010 ) low tide

beautiful sand bar!!!

star fish within my reach

we got to see local children in the island

high tide taken may12012

our balsa

It was raining but the water is not cold, would you believe it?So its better that you go swimming rather than stay on the balsa. Though, we are little worried because it was getting dark but Kuya Tope assured us that it will be ok and need not worry so we just enjoyed the place. By the way, what we experienced there was "agua de mayo" (first rain of May when translated in English). We had inihaw na tulingan ( grilled yellow fin),ginatang langka (jackfruit cooked in coconut milk) and adobong pusit (marinated squid) for lunch. When the rain stopped we decided to leave the place and headed to our would -be -next stop which is Sabitang Laya. As luck was not on our side, we were not allowed to enter because of the on - going Survivor U.S.A. I hope that they can do something about this. We are very happy that they get to appreciate our country but please do not deprive us to see what is OURS. I hope that they can at least arrange or assign a specific day for their shooting. We just took a picture of the island from where we were.

                                         

 But of course, I would like to share how Sabitang Laya looks like when I was there for the first time.

                                          

                     

  I also would like to share some photos taken last april 2010 in CUTIVAS island. This is one of the island in Caramoan but didn't get to see it during this trip. Kuya Tope mentioned to me that from this island you can see Catanduanes. During that time SURVIVOR France was in Caramoan so as you would see there were a lot of props and we were told not to touch any of those ( of course we didn't listen..hehe)

                                       

We set our sail for our final destination, for this day is a newly discovered island.I kept thinking about this since this island is so near the dropped off point( i dunno the name of the place ) how come it was only a year ago that they discovered this place.Anyway, I love it. Given a chance again to come back here I'll spend my night here. They have 2 rooms for rent here and allowed an overnight stay.Don't worry about electricity because CamSur Electric Co. provides for  them until 10pm then they have a generator ready to use after it. As soon as we arrived in the island we got off the boat and checked on the 2 nipa huts in front of the shore and a swing at the side. This is called KUBO island because of the nipa hut built on top of the big rock.There was a small store behind those nipa huts,and I would say that this was one of the best coffee - moment i had. Taking a sip of coffee matched with the sound of the rain plus the cold weather = PERFECT!!!We didn't swim anymore but played around the island and savor the moment.

the way going to the nipa hut

shot taken from the nipa hut..kubo island shore

jump shot!!

another jump shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

       the NIPA hut!!!

CARAMOAN :DAy 1

   

Caramoan : Day 1

This is my second trip to Caramoan, my first was 2 years ago. I just cant resist of going back there.After my Albay Adventure, my last leg of trip here in Bicol would be here.We were 10 in the group and our meeting place will be in Naga Terminal since 6 of them will be coming from Manila and the 4 of us will be from Legazpi (since we went there ahead of them).We met at Naga Terminal at around 7am and we asked the manong driver if we can just pay for the remaining 2 seats so we can have the van as if we rented it and manong readily agreed. The travel going to Sabang Port took us 2 hrs. I thought of Sabang Port as it used to be.But no!!There were so many tourists already lining up for the boat ride. We had to wait because we were not included for the next trip. We just enjoyed the moment there rather than be upset.

tourists waiting for the boat ride

We boarded M.V Harry 2 at around 9:30 am. The boat accommodates roughly 50 people.If you wanna have a good view for taking pictures along the ride,you must sit on the left side. I had to be in constant communication with Kuya Tope on our way there ( our contact person), by the way he is just the current president of tourist guide in caramoan..hehe..We boarded off at exactly 1130 am..Yes,it was a 2 -hour boat ride!!But no worry because the route of the boats is just on the side of the island. Kuya Tope readily recognized me as we arrived in Guijalo Port ( he was our tour guide the first time I went there). From Guijalo Port, we need to ride habal habal in going to the Centro of Caramoan that took about 20 minutes. We stayed in  Parauma's Guest House ( by the way the word parauma means farmer).

Parauma's Guest House

It was a modest and comely place.The room that we stayed in has 1 queen size bed and an extra mattress

 (good for 4 pax). It has a/c and a small set of T.V. The comfort room is clean and has a good source of water. It also has hot water. We occupied the 2 rooms on the 2nd floor. I am nor sure though  but as far as I can remember there are 4 rooms on the 2nd floor and there is a big living room with sofa and T.V where the guests can freely use. They still have rooms on the 3rd floor and an open space where you can hang your wet clothes. They also provide hangers for their guests.The front area of the place has a small store and the other half serves as the dining area for their guests. We occupied the longest table during meal since we were the biggest group. The other groups were 6 and 4. As we arrived there, we just unloaded our bags and went straight to the dining area because we were all soooo hungry.:(

our room:))

the living room (common)

dining area

We were served a grandiose lunch which consist of cocidong malasugue, laing, chicken curry, watermelon and unlimited orange juice..We all want to lay our bodies on the bed and take a siesta but of course we cant afford to waste our precious time on this happy hunting ground!!We just put on our beachwear and headed off to our first island hopping experience for the day.

LAHUS ISLAND

left side of the island   

right side of the island

approaching the island

don't look at me,look at the view behind..hahaha

I was shocked to see numerous people on the island.However, you cant ignore the picturesque of the place. There are rock formations on both sides and a hilly sand. The sand is sparkly and silky white. The waves here is enough to carry you to the shore,just be careful cause you might be taken to the part with sharp edge of the rock formations. I can't take away my eyes and stare on the different colors of the water and be mesmerized of this paradise.

matukad island

Our second destination was Matukad island. Each island has its own beauty to offer. Though it has the same size of the previous island this is different because it has a longer stretch of white powdery sand. The last time I was here, I can call the island MINE!!not crowded unlike today, but still the water is a combination of blue and green crystal water. And you can hide behind the tall rock formations if the sun is so high and can turn your skin into crisp.However, you can still enjoy the swim because whichever side of the island is ideal for swimming.

This picture was taken april 2010

april 2012

TINAGO island

     Our third stop was the TINAGO island , as the name implies it is somewhat hidden but the way going to that island, for me is the best spot I've seen during my stay.

THIS IS IT!!!!!!

If you want to be alone and just enjoy the calmness and the peacefulness of the place,I suggest that you spend your time here.Just bring a tent and food and ola! perfect!! You will not enjoy your swim here for the reason that it is shallow plus small creatures which you surely wouldn't like to be around.It has a very small cave on the right side that you can actually peek the other islands.

We just stayed for a short time since we haven't got much to do except to take pictures.Then, we headed to  our final destination for the day. I just adore this nook because of its sands. It is very different from the rest because it is so fine and grayish.When you hold or step on it, its as fine as a cement but once it mixes with water it turns blackish.A magical sand as I call it!!!You will also be entertained with the waves coming your way!!But unfortunately we had to cut short of our time because one of my companion took a wrong step when she stood on one of the rocks. She suffered a deep cut on her right foot which prompted us to call it a day!!So, be very careful with those rocks as I said over and over again, it has sharp edges. Actually the rock that she slipped onto is a big rock with corals lodged on it thus making it sharp. Also make sure that when a waves hit you, you will not be drawn near those rocks.

   Busdak Island!!!!

  What a tiring but exciting day it was!!!!As soon as we arrived at the inn at around 530pm we bought bread and coke cause we are all dead hungry and dinner will be served at 7pm. We took shower and get ready for the dinner. We were served with tanigue in butter ( this food is heaven!!) , fried chicken and mixed veggies. We had a short drinking session then off to bed to prepare for the next day!!