Calaguas Island
April 12-14, 2013
I've been hearing about this place in Camarines Norte for some time now. It is known for its long stretch of white sand, pristine beach, and clear blue waters. Fortunately, one of our friends organized an event for this and I eagerly jumped on the bandwagon of joiners of this event :)
We rode a chartered bus from Cubao and then went all the way to Camarines Norte. After 9 hours of land travel, we finally reached Paracale which is the jump off point to Calaguas. We first bought our food at the nearby wet market then rode the boat to reach the island. The ride was a bit shaky and big waves were splashing its way to our boat.
After that shaky boat ride, we finally reached this paradise! The place was breathtaking and really, really beautiful. The first thing we did was to pitch our tent, change our clothes, and have our lunch.
We really did nothing much but just bum around. There were no hotels or any kind of accommodation in the island. But this makes you appreciate the place more. It's not like Boracay or any other commercialized beaches where you have a lot of beach activities. In here, you have nothing but the sun, the sand and the waters waiting to be explored and appreciated. I really hope that the local government will be able to preserve such beauty.
After eating, we excitedly dived and see the beauty underwater.
You can rinse off the salt water through an artisian well or "poso" where you have to bathe publicly. I kinda felt harassed because one man was evidently staring at me, watching me while I was rinsing off so be careful.
Went it was around 4pm, we thought of climbing the hill nearby.
The sun was already setting so we went back on shore and did some photo-op. :D
When it was already night time, we had our dinner and the much awaited socials. The next day, we did nothing but again swam in the sea and some photo-ops :D
After bumming out, we had to go back to reality. We disembarked in this "virgin island" and went back to Manila.
Here is our itinerary:
Day 0 (April 12)
08:00 PM ETD Cubao Meet Place (Shell Station, Main Ave cor Edsa)
Day 1 (April 13)
05:00 AM ETA Paracale; Breakfast@Katrina's
07:30 AM Maculabo Island
10:00 AM ETA Calaguas island
Day 02 (April 14)
10:30 AM Brunch
11:30 AM Break Camp
12:00 NN ETD Calaguas Island
12:30 Side trip; Another island at the back
1:00 PM ETD to Paracale
3:00 PM Paracale; Late lunch along the way
Unfortunately since my friend was the one who organized this, I did not bother to ask the breakdown of expenses. All I know is that it is much cheaper if you do a DIY.
Total expenses: 2001php
Credits to JB/Elmer for some of the photos.
Some practical tips:
1. As I've written there are no accommodation here so it is better if you bring your tent, cookset and all the things you will need. Think: SURVIVOR style.
2. Things are always much cheaper in the main land so buy all the things you need there.
3. One of our friends lost her cellphone that was left in the tent so I suggest if you're out exploring, never leave your valuables. Another option would be decking of duty to look over things.
I've been hearing about this place in Camarines Norte for some time now. It is known for its long stretch of white sand, pristine beach, and clear blue waters. Fortunately, one of our friends organized an event for this and I eagerly jumped on the bandwagon of joiners of this event :)
We rode a chartered bus from Cubao and then went all the way to Camarines Norte. After 9 hours of land travel, we finally reached Paracale which is the jump off point to Calaguas. We first bought our food at the nearby wet market then rode the boat to reach the island. The ride was a bit shaky and big waves were splashing its way to our boat.
 |
| Some of the scenic view before reaching the island |
 |
| A picture of crazy adventurers in a boodle feast! |
We really did nothing much but just bum around. There were no hotels or any kind of accommodation in the island. But this makes you appreciate the place more. It's not like Boracay or any other commercialized beaches where you have a lot of beach activities. In here, you have nothing but the sun, the sand and the waters waiting to be explored and appreciated. I really hope that the local government will be able to preserve such beauty.
After eating, we excitedly dived and see the beauty underwater.
 |
| The rich marine life of Calaguas |
You can rinse off the salt water through an artisian well or "poso" where you have to bathe publicly. I kinda felt harassed because one man was evidently staring at me, watching me while I was rinsing off so be careful.
Went it was around 4pm, we thought of climbing the hill nearby.
 |
| This was the view from the hill. You can readily see the long stretch of fine white sand of the island. |
 |
| The grass in the hill are tall so be prepared! |
 |
| SURVIVORS! |
 |
| This is our pre-nup pic. LOL |
 |
| Captured motion |
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| Morning sun ray in Calaguas |
 |
| Lying at the fine white sand |
 |
| Parang nasa teenie bopper movie lang. Hahaha |
 |
| My favorite shot in Calaguas |
After bumming out, we had to go back to reality. We disembarked in this "virgin island" and went back to Manila.
 |
| Us in the bus |
Here is our itinerary:
Day 0 (April 12)
08:00 PM ETD Cubao Meet Place (Shell Station, Main Ave cor Edsa)
Day 1 (April 13)
05:00 AM ETA Paracale; Breakfast@Katrina's
07:30 AM Maculabo Island
10:00 AM ETA Calaguas island
Day 02 (April 14)
10:30 AM Brunch
11:30 AM Break Camp
12:00 NN ETD Calaguas Island
12:30 Side trip; Another island at the back
1:00 PM ETD to Paracale
3:00 PM Paracale; Late lunch along the way
Unfortunately since my friend was the one who organized this, I did not bother to ask the breakdown of expenses. All I know is that it is much cheaper if you do a DIY.
Total expenses: 2001php
Credits to JB/Elmer for some of the photos.
Some practical tips:
1. As I've written there are no accommodation here so it is better if you bring your tent, cookset and all the things you will need. Think: SURVIVOR style.
2. Things are always much cheaper in the main land so buy all the things you need there.
3. One of our friends lost her cellphone that was left in the tent so I suggest if you're out exploring, never leave your valuables. Another option would be decking of duty to look over things.
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