Sunday, December 13, 2009

Caramoan Adventure - Nov'09

It was July 24, 2009 morning when my life-long friend, Chill, informed me that Cebu Pacific offers promo seats. Right there and then, we gathered and were able to confirm attendance of our adventure-mates through SMS and phone calls. On that very same day, 7 people were booked for Legaspi City---a very unpremeditated escapade! On that very same day, Chill, Rona, Lem, Vince, Hazel, Noy and Marlow were ready for Legaspi City!

Why did we book for Legaspi City? The only reason was cost. We were trying to book for Tagbilaran, Cebu, Davao, or Cagayan de Oro but everything was still expensive for us. Until we thought of the Butanding in Donsol, we tried checking how much is the fare for the Manila-Legaspi-Manila route. Guess what?! The round trip route costs only PhP 650 per head! And so we rushed to book the flight for the Nov 20-22 trip.

Two months after, it was only in September when Chill and I started planning for our trip. We had 3 plans: Plan A) Legaspi-Donsol-Caramoan-Legaspi; Plan B) Legaspi-Caramoan-Legaspi and Plan C) Legaspi-Donsol-Legaspi.


After doing lots of researches, we ended up with Plan B. Plan A is not feasible for the 3 days-2 nights trip. Legaspi to Caramoan takes around 6 hours of travel time already. What more if we will go from Caramoan to Legaspi to Donsol? Three days will really be not enough to enjoy both spots.


Plan C did not materialize because according to the DOT representative we talked to, November is not the peak season for the butanding, better known as whale sharks. Thus, we settled for a more than 24-hr stay in Caramoan.


I will focus on sharing our experience in Caramoan Islands but I also would like to share the change in bookings we did with Cebu Pacific.This is for your information as well. ;)


With the original group of 7, another friend of us, Toby, wanted to joined us. Unfortunately, he was not able to make it for the promo rates. His airfare round trip rate was PhP 2,571.52 c.f. our promo rate of PhP643.84 to be exact. Our airfare was really a very good deal for us!

Going back to the rebooking, there was a change in flight details by Cebu Pacific. The flightwas delayed by almost an hour and it was announced last October. Meanwhile, one of my friends, Hazel, whom I already book with the group of 7, will not be able to make it for the trip. Luckily, Cebu Pacific allows booking changes without any charge, if they had pre-announced flight detail changes. Hazel was very lucky that she need not pay even a single centavo. No waste at all! :) If there was no change in flight details by Cebu Pacific, the PhP650 was non-refundable. And so the originally group of 7, became a group of 8 and went back to be a group of 7.

Meanwhile, my other friend, Vince, also tried to have his flight rebooked. He needed to be back to Manila earlier on Nov 22. However, he needs to pay a rebooking fee of PhP 675, much more expensive than the cost of the actual airfare, plus additional cost of the new seat fare. Thus, he needs to cash out approximately PhP 1000 for the rebooking. He then decided not to rebook at all.

Enough for the booking experience. I think I have provided enough information about Cebu Pacific. I will now focus on the Caramoan trip itself.

Planning the trip was not easy. Having no idea about going around Bicol region, we needed to do lots of researches. Chill and I met for a couple of times, despite of our busy schedule, just to plan and finalize our itinerary. That is, of course, excluding the exchange of SMS and emails and phone calls to check agreements between us and among the group. Internet information was very useful. Everything we planned just came from the internet, with the help of consulting the mobile numbers posted in the internet, of course. Blogs like this also gave very helpful information for adventure travelers like us. Of course, adventure travels will never be successful without the persevering, diligent and assiduous planners! :)



Our flight last November 20, a Friday, was exactly 6am. As early as 5am, we were already at the NAIA Terminal 3. There were no delays. We were at the Legaspi airport before 7am. It was a gloomy morning. We can't even see the Mayon Volcano as the pilot tries to find his way down the airport. The sky was dark and it was drizzling. Still, we didn't lose hope of being blessed with a good weather the next day.



Our adventure started as we tried to bargain rent for tricycle from Legaspi Airport to the bus/van terminal going to Naga City. The tricycle driver told us that they will charge us PhP50. We tried to bargain but we lost the deal. The tricycle drivers even told us that we take the taxi cab instead, but they really cannot charge lower than PhP50. However, they told us that if we ride the taxi cab, it will cost us more. We really have no idea how far is the terminal from the airport and so we decided to settle with the tricycles. We rented 2 units, thus cost us only around PhP12.50 - PhP 17.00 per head.

Upon reaching the termina, we realized that the tricycle ride costing PhP50.00 is really justifiable. The van terminal is not that near to the airport. We travelled for around 15 minutes to reach the terminal, taking national roads and crossing highways. Finally, we reached the van terminal. From the van terminal, we rode a GT Express van bound for Naga City. At a fare of PhP 120 per head, we traveled north to Naga City for more than 2 hours.

The van driver served as a good tour guide as well. As we travelled through the national road of Legaspi City, he told us stories of everything we see as interesting. He showed us the famous restaurant in Legaspi serving the well known Bicolano dish 'pinangat'. He even told us history of previous Mayon Volcano eruptions and how the city was affected by the Ondoy and Pepeng flood. It was obvious that sand piles are still on the side of the road. According to the driver, sand covered the streets 2 weeks ago. People tried to clear up the streets by shoveling the sand towards the side walk.

The driver also showed us a view of the Mayon Volcano along the way. However, it was drizzling and the Volcano was covered with clouds. According to him, the Volcano does not really show up itself to first-time tourists. Honestly, I was not able to sleep throughout the 2-hour travel but I got lots of interesting stories to hear. That's the advantage of sitting in the front seat, beside the driver, while others enjoy their dream n board. :)

After passing through so many towns, finally, we're in Naga City! But this is not our destination yet! We need to find the van headed for Sabang port. Fortunately, the driver was kind enough to ask the people in the terminal where the Naga-Sabang van is. He dropped us off to right at the back of the other van we will be tranferring into. Sleepy and hungry, we bought quick snacks such as oranges and peanuts---something to chew as we travel to Sabang port. Costing us PhP90 per head for after 1hr and 45 minutes, we were finally at Sabang port.

As the van door opens, heavy-built men came welcoming us! At first I was frightened for they looked like goons and swindlers! But eventually, I realized that they were our heroes! I will share later why :)

At around 12 noon, we got off the van. We tried to look for the boat first but the men told us that the boat has already left. Another boat will be leaving by 2pm.

We decided to take lunch first at the nearest carinderia. At around PhP45 per head, we had a complete meal! Rice, your choice of vegetable and/or meat plus abottle of soft drinks at that cost is very cheap! After eating, Chill and I went to the nearest sari-sari store to purchase our baon and other necessary things we need to bring to the islands... bread, sandwich spreads, tissue rolls, bottled water, chocolate drink, candies, etc. good for our 2-day stay. Total cost was PhP 410.


After finishing our market needs, we headed back to the carinderia where we left our luggages and headed toward the waiting area.

It was drizzling and we continued to pray that we will be blessed with good weather. After signing up for registration, we waited for our turn to board the boat. And so the goon-looking men, the ones who welcomed us at the van came waving at and calling us. This is why I have mentioned that 'they were our heroes".

It was a low tide so the boat cannot dock nearer the shore. As we came to see the boat from afar, passengers, male, female, old and young, came towards men and sit upon their nape! So these men's roles are to carry passengers towards the boat so that the passengers will not get wet by the sea water! And so, our luggage came first... towards the boat.








A bit surprised, afraid and excited, I watched my male friends being carried by the men. Chill and I were the only females so we let our male friends go ahead of us. Finally, it's my turn! The man came waving at me! Trying to encourage myself, I walked towards the man. As I approached him, he told me to sit on his shoulder, keep my left hand holding my bag up and hold on my right hand onto his arms! I was really relieved when I knew that I will be carried that way as I saw the other women being carried on the nape, with their legs/hips in between.

It was a low tide but the waves are considerably huge. No wonder why---we were at the Pacific coast! As the man carried me on his shoulders. The water was up to his waist and he jumps everytime there is a big wave coming across us. With one big blast of huge wave, the man carrying me jumped to keep me from getting wet. Unfortunately, the water still reached me. My hips were wet and I travelled on the boat for 2 hours with wet clothes--- wet from the big wave and wet from the heavy rain we encountered during the boat ride.

At around 3 pm, we were at the Caramoan port. Tired from the travel and wet from the drizzle, we headed towards the waiting shed to protect our luggages from the rain. Finally we met our transporation service--- 2 tricycle units that will bring us to Rex Tourist Inn. We did not pay anything for the transportation as it is already covered by our accommodation cost.

Rex Tourist Inn at Caramoan has 2 branches, one located at the town proper while the other at the beach front. Trying our best to budget our time beccause we need to leave early on Sunday morning, we decided to stay at the beachfront on the first night, enjoy the beach the whole day then go back to the town proper on the second night in preparation for the early morning departure the next day. Our flight back to Manila was at 2pm so we need to be in Legaspi airport before lunch.

We headed for the Rex Tourist Inn at the town proper. They said it was a 15-minute tricycle ride from port to the Inn but it seems to be a 30 to 40-minute journey on a rocky, winding, road. After the shakes, the jolts, and the swings from the airplane, the van and the boat, we finally reached the Inn.

The Rex Tourist Inn personnel were so hospitable. Glenda, our contact person, provided all the help we need. She even looked for a tricycle to bring us to the beach front where we planned to stay for our first night. This time, it cost us PhP300 for the 2 tricycle units. Glenda joined us to the beach front hotel. Having the experience of the 15-minute shaky tricyle ride, we asked Glenda how far the beachfront is. According to her, it will take us 15 minutes.

Excited about the beach-front and having the 'can' wait' feeling to take a good rest from the whole-day travel, we all set ourselves to the tricycles. At first, we travelled on the concrete national road. Everything was smooth. After around 10 minutes, the tricycle turned right. This time, it's a very rocky, muddy road! Here comes the jolts again---worst that before! A little farther from the first turn was an inclined area. The tricycle engine cannot run by itself, given the load it has. Glenda and Lem, as they were on the back-ride, got off the tricycle to unload it. Up we came and after the passing through the peak, we stopped to wait for those who got off as they walked up the hilly road.














Again, the 15-minute ride seemed to be a 30-minute one! When we finally saw a residential area, the tricycle stopped and Glenda led us to the Rex Tourist Inn beachfront resthouse. We were turned-over to Jonalyn, the resthouse care-taker enjoyed the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean before we all set to freshen up the whole-day travel.

It was a nice experience to stay in the coastline community area. Life was so simple there. Kids play with home-made toys but some are forced to work at a young age. Still, kids enjoy what they are doing. Life is so slow-paced and it seems that have the luxury of time to do everything!















After getting around the area, we planned for dinner.



We did not bring any food for dinner. The instant noodles and bread we bought were planned for breakfast. Luckily, there are available 'paluto' in the area. Here, we met Aling Myrna whom we asked to cook dinner for us: steamed rice, ensaladang talong at itlog na maalat (eggplant salad and salted egg) and grilled tuna! This cost us PhP480, so around PhP70 per head. Not bad, isn't it? Just good enough for a fresh, sumptuous dinner! There was an additional canned pork and beans courteousy of Toby, by the way! :)

Meanwhile, below is Aling Myrna's contact details---just in case this will be helpful for you. She also caters boatride services for island-hopping around Carmooan, through her nephew and brother-in-law.

Breeze and Waves
Myrna L. Rodriguez
mobile number: +63 918 913 9623



By the way, at least last November, there is no signal for Globe telecoms in that area. Luckily, we have Marlow, an SMART communications Engineer, with us, having his mobile phone ready for a free call---at least for emergency purposes. :) Hopefully that area has a good signal for other telecommunication providers by now.



Planning for the activity the next day, we ordered packed steamed rice, adobong pusit, and of course, laing (taro leaves with coconut milk), a Bicol's specialty. All these we planned to eat for lunch the following day and cost us only PhP340 for the entire menu. But before going to bed, we had somebonding activities at night, i.e. telling stories and playing cards---1-2-3 pass and ungguy-ungguyan! But no worries because nobody cried when she was always the 'monkey' in the game. :) We had a the "best-ever" rest we derserved after the bonding moments. Who do not derserve to sleep well after 7 hours of travel?! ;)

The following morning, we were blessed with a good weather. We were waken up by the amazing Pacific Ocean sunrise. Before heading for the island hopping, we tried to explore the Rex Tourist Inn Beachfront vicinity first.

Chill did her daily meditation... reading the Bible sitting on the shoreline, facing the ocean. Toby rushed for his early morning breakfast. Others optimized the accommodation and slept till the sun was up while Lem and I tried to explore what they say as "The Survivor France warehouse." Here we saw the props and parapernalia used during the actual Survivor activity. Don't they look familiar? ;)
















Walking farther the shoreline and reaching the end, there was a brook connecting the sea to the river. Probably this is where salt water and fresh water meet. We had a stray dog walking with us, along with some of his/her friends. After a few picture-taking, we walked back to the cottage to prepare ourselves for island-hopping---the main course of our trip.























Before we left, we took memories of the Rex Tourist Inn beach front resthouse. After that, we dropped by Aling Myrna's house to pick up our packed lunch. Besides, Aling Myrna lent us some eating utensils for us, free of charge! Our boatman was her nephew anyway, so she was assured that the utensils will be returned in good condition. Of course, we also brought with us bottled water and some snacks and candies as baon. When all were set, we sailed through the deep waters for island hopping. We were so thankful that the sun was shining bright this time.

























It was quite scary cruising against the huge Pacific Ocean waves. Yet, our fears were conquered by the very wonderful sceneries of the Islands. The clear sea water was deep blue green, the sky was so blue, rock formations appear like small mountains...everything was so pristine! Though the weather was quite unpreditable with its few rainshowers, we managed to cruise along the Pacific Ocean safely. By the way, the boatride cost us PhP2500 for the whole day trip.


















Matucad Island--- Our First Stop

We were so amazed by the clear blue-green waters and the fine white sand of Matucad Island, our first stop. This is just a small island with a small lagoon on the other side. With the boatman as our guide, we climbed over the other side of the island, across the sharp rocks, to witness the mysterious lagoon on the other side. Honestly, this is my first time to do actual rock climbing without any harness or safety gear. Good thing I neither had wounds nor scratches or else, I violate the Unilever safety regulations! hehe!





































According to the boatman, the lagoon inside Matucad Island is quite mysterious. Wild trees and plants surround the lagoon but there was neither a single leaf in the waters. They say that creatures that can only be seen by the third eye maintain the cleanliness of the lagoon. Quite scary, isn't it? But my two eyes witnessed the purity of the water. It was so amazing!






































After climbing back to the ocean front, we decided to swim in the clear water. We enjoyed that place so much that Chill and I asked our male friends to cover our body with the fine white sand. Suddenly, the weather was not quite friendly that the sky turned dark and poured out some rain. When the rain has stopped, we decided to hop on our boat and proceed to the next island.



Lajos Island

Lajos Island was our second stop. Still with fine white sand and clear blue waters, this island looks like 2 mountains being connected by a bridge of white sand. The island has its signature mad waves splashing itself onto the rocks. Unfornutately, we were not able to take a picture of the island from afar, to give you an idea how the bridge look like.






























Cagdalinao Island


The next stop was Cagdalinao Island. Since it was around noon by then, we decided to take lunch in this area. Opposite the Island was a nice scenery of a private resort. I am not sure if it is really 'private' but we are restricted from docking into the resort unless we pay the fees. I forgot the name of the resort. Anyway, staying on the opposite side of the resort and enjoying the shade of the trees while eating our sumptuous lunch was already amazing.



























Baging Island

After lunch and a few photo sessions, we headed back to the resthouse area but further north. This was the longest travel time we had during the entire island-hopping. We enjoyed the watching some sea creatures jumping on the waters, trying to catch up as our boat sailed against the waves. The water was deep blue green and sea weeds were visible from beneath. There was even a time whn the boatman turned the speed of the boat machine lower as he said that these sea weeds can cause breakdown of the propeller. Finally, after 30 minutes of sailing, we reached Baging Island.










Among the Caramoan Islands I have visited, Baging Island is my favorite. With the very fine white sand, the clear blue waters, along with the clear blue, sunny sky, everything was so relaxing! Besides, this island has its own secret paradise! Though the sun was shining brightly, we walked around 1 km north towards the other end of the Island. On that end was an amazing rock formation and another clear blue waters. This island is truly fascinating!
















After enjoying the waters of behind the rock formation, we decided to walk back to our boat and swim nearby. After snorkling through the waters, we decided to move on to our next stop, as it was already 2:30 pm.


Tabgon Grotto / Our Lady of Peace Shrine

Our last stop was Barangay Tabgon. The water was not too good here. It was dark, muddy and mossy and slippery! Indeed, it was not a place for swimming but it was one of the famous tourist spots in Caramoan Islands because in this place was the Our Lady of Peace Shrine, a 527-step climb up the mountain.

Young tour guides welcomed us from the docking area. They were not professional tour guides but they are just local kids who enjoy joining the tourists, whether local or foreign ones, as they climb up Mount Caglaco where the grotto is.





























































It was so tiring going up the the shrine. Exhausted from the whole day of island-hopping and the 527-step climb, we felt relaxed by the cool breeze and the overall scenery of the Caramoan Islands. Besides, the kids who joined us told us lots of stories and trivia about the grotto.

Finally, the island hopping activity was over. We descended from the Shrine, still with the kids accompanying us. Before we rode back to our boat, we took some snacks from the sari-sari store, shared some food to the kids (courteousy of Toby again), gave them some tip, then registered at the Barangay Hall. That experience was so tiring but also memorable indeed!


Sailing back to the Caramoan town proper, we docked to another port, not the same area as the Rex Tourist Inn beachfront area (Sorry I forgot the name). We were so grateful to our boatmen, gave them some tips, made sure that all of Aling Myrna's utensils were in, gathered our garbage and personal things then hopped off the boat. A tricycle, which Glenda of Rex Tourist Inn reserved for us, was waiting in the docking port. At a cost of PhP140 and around 20-30 minutes of travel on a not so rough road, we were brought back to the main Rex Tourist Inn at the town proper. By the way, we left our luggages in the beachfront resthouse. Jonalyn, the care-taker, was kind enough to transfer our things to the main Inn, where we decided to spend our second night.

Upon reaching the main Inn, we all rushed to clean ourselves up. Since we were a group of 7, Glenda reserved 2 rooms for us, costing us PhP2000 for the 2 rooms. However, after knowing that they have a bigger room vacant, we decided to stay in 1 room and this cost us P1500 only for the overnight stay. However, we have no private toilet in the room. We only can to use the common CR in the first and 2nd floor of the building. Still, we opted for the single room and we managed everything at all.


When we have settled our things and have washed ourselves up, we decided to take a short rest before we take our dinner. While resting, Chill and I did wome computations of the expenses and divided the total expenses among ourselves. When all were hungry, we walked down the streets to find a good place to eat. Rex Tourist Inn can cook foor for us but we decided to eat out and explore the town more.



While walking downtown, we found this Caramoan Bed and Dine. We actually chose this restaurant because we found the ambiance attractive---its native bamboo effect and the relaxing yellow dim light. This is apart from the reason that other restaurants/canteens were already closed. My friends even bothered to buy Caramoan Souvenir shirts At Caramoan Bed and Dine. However, serving the food took time and so we decided to visit the eye-catching Caramoan parish church first. Toby volunteered to be left in the restaurant to wait for the food.




Walking along the Caramoan town proper streets seems to be in another world. It has more establishments than the beachfront community but it was as peaceful as the latter. Very few vehicles pass such that you can walk in the middle of the street. Most establishments are closed as early as 6:30 pm.
Meanwhile, while walking along the street, electric power was out! There was total darkness not only because of the off post lights but also the dark clouds in the sky. As we reached the church, it started to drizzle. We were able to take some pictures but the lighting was not too good due to total darkness. The drizzle turned into rainshower then light rain. We sheltered ourselves under the small roof of the church entrance door. We stayed there for quite sometime, looking into the images of the Saints. Finally, the rain turned into drizzle again and we had ourselves running back to the restaurant. Toby was also calling us up then through Noy's/Mar's mobile phone (I forgot exactly whose phone it was!)... food was ready!

After the sumptuous dinner, we took an early sleep for our very early morning boatride from Guijalo port to Sabang port.

Glenda arranged everything for us. Everything prepared by 4 am, our tricycle service to bring us to Guijalo port was already waiting for us in the Rex Touris Inn entrance. A 7-seater tricycle unit brought us to Guijalo port with a motorcycle. We just paid him PhP200 instead of renting 2 trike units at PhP140 each. We had a Rex Tourist Inn staff accompanying us with his motorcycle to lead us to the boat. As early as 4:30am, we were already sailing toward the Sabang port. This private boat cost is Php2800.


We have observed the sky turned midnight blue to sky blue. We have witnessed the sunrise on the boat. After almost 2.5 hours of sailing, we finally reached Sabang port. Waiting for us at Sabang port, was the van driver who transferred us from Naga City to Sabang port. We had made arrangements with him that he will bring us back from Sabang port to Legaspi City. We paid him PhP3500 for the very long drive, plus we also have asked some favors from him to bring us to Camarines Watersports Complex (CWC) and Cagsawa Ruins for the well-known Mayon Volcano.

In less than 2 hours of drive, we reached Naga City. The van driver brought us to CWC for a bladder break and a few photoshoot sessions. Well-known for watersports activities, CWC has its structures and amenities specific for watersports. They have wake-boarding areas and a water obstacle course setup. We did not stay long here and headed at once to Legaspi City.

























After 2 more hours of landtrip, we were finally in Albay. Before we proceeded to the airport, we dropped by the well-known Cagsawa Ruins, overlooking the perfect-cone Mayon Volcano. We took quite sometime here are we were confident that it was still too early to check-in for our departure. We had lots of photo sessions and enjoyed chatting with the young tourist guides. They keep on teaching us their local dialects and finally ended up these kids taking camera-trick photos of us. They really are good salespersons! At first we were not encouraged by their words of camera tricks but later on, the kids were taking pictures of us! They really are good camera-trick photographers! :)

But of course, we will never miss our own glimpse of the scenery!
















































Spending more than 30 minutes at the Cagsawa Ruins, the driver was almost angry with us! ;) Who would want to leave at once the very fantastic scene of a perfect-cone volcano? Unfortunately, the perfect cone didn't show up. The reason why it took us some time to come back is because we are waiting for the clouds to clear up and show the perfect cone shape of the volcano. Anyway, there will always be a 'next time' :)
Still early for our 2pm flight for it was just past 10am then, we decided to drop by the Legaspi Satellite Market to buy some souvenirs. Initially, we asked the driver to bring us there. However, he told us that colorum vans are prohibited from passing by that area. Hmmmm... not quite sure if it's true, for we may be taking up much of his time. Besides we made him wait long at the Cagsawa Ruins and so we just asked him to bring us to the airport.
The Cebu pacific check-in counter was still closed when we reached the airport. Fortunately, the Cebu Pacific staff allowed us leave our luggages in that area, secured them and promised to take care of our things. He even took our ticket so that once the counter opens, he can do the check in for us! So kind, isn't it? :) However, since Toby brough his laptop with him, he was not confident leaving it at the airport. Good thing I had my extra bag with me. However, it was all glowing red and white design. Toby didn't bother and used it! It was such a nice view seeing Toby with the red shoulder bag! hehe! Since everything was settled and we rode tricycles going to the Satellite market.
After a series of shopping and window-shopping from one tiangge to the other, we felt hungry for it was almostlunch time then. With loaded shopping bags with us, we strolled towards the nearest supermarket with small food chains inside to take lunch. After lunch, we headed back to the airport, just in time for our check-in.

Upon reaching the airport, our luggages were still intact. We hurriedly re-packed our things, checked-in, then proceeded to the waiting area. Of course, the 'before' photos will not be complete without its 'after' counterparts. Here they go...now loaded with the pasalubongs but with the perfect cone view still not showing itself!


The Caramoan adventure was a very memorable bonding moment with my friends. This trip was not quite expensive---a total of less than PhP4000 per head, all in (airfare, food and transportation)---but there can never be anything more valuable than the time and enjoyment we spent with each other!
...Till our next trip! :)