3 days and 2 night’s trip. I’ve
heard and see good things about Caramoan Island in Camarines Sur province. This
was the location where the international reality show Survivor Caramoan was
filmed. Majestic islands, pristine beaches and hospitable locals, the
ingredients of a great beach bumming adventure.
I
decided to visit the place along with my partner, Alvin. I was searching the
net for great deals, planning to visit the island on May 2013, when I saw an
event invite in Facebook. I’ve seen several deals prior to that where the tour
cost starts at Php4500 per person. This does not include bus or airfare to Naga
yet so I had second thoughts. When I saw the event and the itinerary on
Facebook, I was thrilled because it only cost Php3500, and it’s an all-in-trip!
I didn’t think twice to hit the “going” option on the invitation.
The itinerary
includes transportation from Manila all the way to Caramoan and back, 6 buffet
meals, boat rides, island hopping fee, guide fee, entrance fees and
registration fees. Caving, island hoping, visiting the 500 steps of Shrine of
our Lady of the Holy Rosary and beach bumming are the listed activities for the
entire trip. Our meeting place was McDonalds near MRT Taft station. Call time
was 5PM, April 26, 2013.
I
filed for two vacation leaves and taken advantage of the lieu leave credits
that I have. Since our work follows Pacific Standard Time, I have to file
a leave for April 26 (Friday) and April 29 (Monday) to have enough time for
rest once we get home. Our bags are packed and we started our journey by 3PM.
We left the house early to buy things we missed like sunblock, additional flash
light and emergency food. We were at the meeting place 10mins before 5PM. Alvin
and I decided to order something to eat while waiting. It was our first time to
join an event like this and we are not so sure what to expect. Eyeing the
people inside McDonalds, we saw some folks who may be part of the same event.
Camping bags were seen here and there, people were dressed for the beach and
all. After few hours of
waiting, we departed Taft around 8:30PM. There were two vans and 35 people for
this event. The van can only accommodate 15pax each so the other 5 mountaineers
decided to take a public transport all the way to Naga and agreed to meet at
Sabang Port.
The time spent all the way to Sabang Port was an ass-numbing
12hours. I was thinking a short boat ride would bring us to our camp site where
I can finally rest my aching butt, but I was wrong. It was two hours bangka
(small boat) ride to Guijalo Port where 3 guides were waiting for us to bring
us where another boat ride was waiting! We left Sabang Port around 9:30 and
arrived at Guijalo Port by 11:30AM. The boat ride was bumpy as rain lingers in
the horizon. Thank God we manage through the waves. Upon reaching Guijalo, we
were greeted by small boats who offered to take care of baggage for a small
amount. Since we travel in group and everything has been paid all the way
through, we didn’t have to worry about paying the boat men. We waited for all
the baggage to be unloaded from the boat and off our way to Gata Fish
Sanctuary. Another 30 to 45mins jeepney ride. Good thing we got the front seat
and made ourselves comfortable.
We
passed by Juliana Hotel to get the first buffet lunch included in our meal
plan. Upon arriving at Gata Fish Sanctuary, it was low tide. As in super low,
it would take 5-10mins to get to the banka that would take us to Matukad Island
where we are camping. The place was full of mangroves and mud. The locals said
that the water would reach the bottom part of the houses when the tide is high.
Sounds impossible when you see how high the place is situated above the muddy
mangrove area. As our organizer talk to the guides, we decided to eat our
lunch. It was about 3PM when some of us hop aboard the small boats that are
pushed through the mud by some of the boatmen. We were part of the last batch
to be sent to Paniman when the guides realized it would take forever to push 35
people through the mud. We took a 20-30mins tricycle ride to Paniman where the
other boats would pick us up. Along the way, there was this part of the road
that’s very steep that we have to get off of the tricycle and walk a short yard
for it to safely maneuver. The boats were nowhere to be seen when we arrived in
Paniman. We waited, again, for another hour. With too much free time, I decided
to buy souvenirs from the small stores along the beach. I got key chains that
are shaped as red chili, a famous icon of Bicolandia, and coin purses, also, a
ref magnet, an added piece for my collection.
Finally, the boats
arrived. We started another boat trip to Matukad Island. It took us about
15-20mins to reach the island. The entire waiting and ass-numbing trip was
worth it when we laid eyes on the pristine white sand beach of the island. The
view was breath-taking. The mixed of blue and green color of the clear water
was outstanding, so magical, so capturing that all the tiresome feelings I have
from the long travel went away. We headed to the camp ground and started
pitching our dome tent. We did it fast because we are off to Lahos Island to
start our beach bumming.
The Lahos was 5mins boat ride from Matukad. As we arrived, many people have
scattered and were enjoying the beach. This island is no ordinary because you
can walk right through the other side where you can enjoy a different
temperature of the sea water, its much cooler. The rocks are amazing. It stands
majestically in every corner of the island. We soaked in for almost 30mins then
headed back to the campsite.
We change our clothes to freshen
up. Due to lack of sleep and exhaustion, we decided to take a nap while waiting
for our dinner. However, our bodies took over and choose to sleep all the way
through 5AM. We did not eat dinner, good thing we have emergency food in our
bags. We grab them and went out for the morning breeze. We started taking
pictures of the sunrise, taking advantage of the people-empty shore. As the sun
came up, people started to come out of their tents and did the same thing we’ve
done. Most of them were waiting for breakfast to be served, especially us. I
was starving. Then, we were told that breakfast will be served in Paniman but
before going there we will drop by two islands where we can swim and explore.
The two islands we
went to were small. Nevertheless they were as magnificent as the others. We headed
to Paniman where we grab something to eat and because we both didn’t have
dinner we opt to order heavy breakfast from one of the restaurants/eateries in
the area. Next destination was Our Lady of Peace in Tabgon. It has 524 steps to
climb before reaching the statue of Virgin Mary. Seems easy to finish but with
the raging heat of the sun, I literally crawled my way up, stopping to take a
rest every after 3 gigantic steps. Reaching the top was a big achievement for
me. I thought I was going to pass out in the middle of the climb but I was able
to make it to the top. It was a rewarding feeling to be up there and see the
statue up close, all worth the sweat and blood.
Tabgon is the same
place where Culapnit Cave is located. We walked for about 30mins to reach the
house of our guides. They have this big kerosene lamp they use as light to
guide them inside the cave. The cave was wonderful. It was the biggest I’ve
entered so far. Lots of stone and lime formations. There’s this very small
passage where you have to squeeze your body to pass through. With my voluptuous
body, I thought I was never coming out in one piece.
After visiting
Tabgon, we headed for another island hopping. Two more islands then we decided
to break camp so we can head to Paniman where we will camp out supposedly.
Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. It was already dark when we arrived in Paniman
and looked for a place to pitch our tent. Most of the participants were already
tired and decided to get a room from any of the resorts in the area. We decided
to do the same so we can have a decent rest before traveling back to Manila the
next day. Since most of the rooms are booked, we decided to go to the town
proper and head back to Julianna Hotel where most of the participants will camp
out. It was another 15mins boat ride back to Gata Sanctuary. This time, it was
no ordinary boat ride. It was pitch dark and the only light source we have were
two small flash lights. The boatmen were unbelievably amazing. They were able
to navigate the ocean with little resources. If I were the one who have to go
home by boat without any source of light, I would have cried myself in distress.
Then, upon arriving in Gata Sanctuary, we waited for another 15mins for a
tricycle to get us to the town proper.
Julianna Hotel was fully booked
by the time we arrived so we headed to another hotel nearby called Istaran
Hotel. The room we got was nice. It has hot and cold shower and fully air-conditioned.
A heaven after the whole day survivor challenge we had in the island. I
requested for Alvin grab our dinner from Julianna so we can eat it in our room.
My plan was to sleep after taking a bath but then we decided to check the guys
out who were already socializing by the time we went down. After a short
getting-to-know-you moment, we went back up to sleep.
The next morning, we woke up around 7. Took another bath and
then grab some breakfast. We were taking off at 8:00AM. So after eating, we
went back up to prepare all our things. By the time we finished they were all gone!
We were left behind. Luckily, they were not that far yet. They decided to stop
at the famous old church called Parish Church of St. Michael
the Archangel. The jeep went back to the hotel for us. Then of course, we will not let
go of the chance to take pictures of the old church. A couple of photos and
then we’re off to the port.
Another two hours boat ride back to Sabang Port so we decided to spend time drinking. It was again, ass numbing but fun ride. The waves were not big. We sailed smoothly.
The rest of the guys
wanted to drop by Camsur Watersports Complex or CWC. Along the way we went to a restaurant called Biggs. They serve American cuisine. The roasted spareribs I ordered was mouth watering. It was a sumptuous meal we had.
After eating, its off to CWC. We went there and took more
photos and got to see one of the hot celebrities in the country, Enchong Dee.
Well, hot celebrity as they would say. I’m not really in to show business so I
didn't know him but yes, when I saw him, he was hot.
More more pictures and then it was time to go home, another long
ride back to Manila. We arrived around 2AM in Taft MRT Station. Took a bus to Cubao, got a taxi after buying midnight snack at Jollibee and headed home to finally rest our tired muscles.
It was tiring but the fun and adventure that came with this journey was
priceless. I’d do it over again. =)
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