Caramoan Islands

Summer is always the best time to do a road trip even though the weather is hot, doing a lot of things under the sun is definitely agreeable unlike during the rainy season, fun is so limited. Summer is also the time of the year when the sea is calm and the sky is clear...the perfect season for island hopping! And this time the point of interest...the Caramoan Islands!

The Caramoan Islands is located in Camarines Sur of Bicol Region, the group of islands are isolated from the mainland of Camarines Sur that is why it's been tagged as the Secret Paradise of the Philippines. The original name of Caramoan was Gota de Leche as named by Dutch merchants who were trading with the natives in the early times and the name was given due to the milk-like droplets stalagmites present in the port. Later Spaniards named the place "Caramoan" derived from "carahan", type of sea turtles which  were frequently seen on the shores at that time.

The travel from Naga City to Sabang Port is only an hour and a half, and since we brought our vehicle we had to find a safe place to park before going to Giujalo Port which is the gateway to Caramoan Islands. The boat ride was not really comfortable, it was overloaded and getting in and out of the boat was a struggle. We arrived at the port after an hour, and went to the house where we'll stay, there are many resorts in Guijalo which accommodates tourists and aside from them,  homestays are getting popular in the island due to the large number of tourists which comes the whole year round. And another thing to consider is that home cooked meals are served and the hospitality of the homeowners will make you feel at home.

After a powerful breakfast, we went to Caramoan Port and began our voyage onto the waters of the Philippine Sea.  It was a clear day! The blue horizon reflects on the clear ocean and the green island with white sand beaches are like adornments to the beautiful gift of nature. I saw different islets as our boat passed by, islets of different shapes, sizes and names. And I wondered how the people of Caramoan can memorize all their names when they almost all looked alike, but one thing is for sure they are visually charming and suitable for a painting.

There are so many things to do in Caramoan for those who seek for adventures, you can go scuba diving, rock climbing, kayaking, snorkeling, sea-paddling, spelunking or if you are not into these "ing" kind of activities you can just sit and whistle while watching the clouds pass by, take pictures and feel the cool breeze and fresh air. How is cool is that?

We stopped at Minalahos Island for lunch. It is a very rare to see islands overlapping each other   and it was like I am being watched over by these huge karst in different forms. The soft sands tickled my barefoot  while walking on the shoreline while the moving air blows my hair onto my face... fresh air, you can never get enough of it in the metropolis. The environment was very quiet and all I can hear were the waves which moves freely back and forth along the shore. I can stay the whole day in this island but we have more places to go that we need to finish  before the sun sets. And so I must leave Minalahos Island and wander to other nearby islands.

Before we end our island hopping,  we stopped by at Barangay Tabgon, this charming little place is one of the barangays in Caramoan and is relatively far from the group of islands, the streets are paved and clean, in which every zones are adorned with bamboo fences painted with different colors and beautiful gardens in their yards.  And because Tabgon is often visited by tourists the locals maintains its cleanliness through the cash donations of tourists and the help local government. What is interesting about this place is the grotto of the 26-foot statue of Our Lady of Peace on top of Mt. Caglago. A stairway to heaven I must say for the 524-steps leading to the shrine, it's not really exhausting I swear when you know that someone is up there to inspire you and will give you more strength to reach the peak and admire the glory of the natural world.

After that, challenging ascent I took a long deep breath and slowly turned around and there I saw the indescribable bird's-eye view of heaven and earth! Isn't this breathtaking expanse praiseworthy enough to soothe my aching muscles? It is!

Before I end, I'd like to commend the kind locals of Barangay Tabgon who were very accommodating and amiable.  Fishing, farming and weaving hats and baskets are their main livelihood industries. Yes, they live a simple life, they don't have much of the material comforts like most of us are enjoying compared to their treasured basic possessions but one thing I envy about them is that they are so furnished with Mother Nature that are good enough to sustain their beings. Fresh air to breath, spring water to drink, bodies of water to fish, lush forests and vegetation, and away from the chaotic material world,  what else will they ask for? I guess that is all we need to live.


HOW TO GET THERE?
By land.
1. If you're travelling by land from Manila, there are buses bound for Naga City, Camarines Sur in Araneta, Cubao bus terminal. Travel time from Cubao to Naga City is approximately 6-7 hours.
2. From Naga City bus terminal, take a van going to Sabang Port bound for Caramoan Giujalo port.

By air.
1. Take a flight going to Naga City and take a taxi going to the van terminal beside SM Naga.
2. Take a van going to Sabang port.

NOTE: The last ferry trip going to Caramoan Giujalo port is 11 AM so be sure you'll get to Sabang Port before the said time.
Travel time from Naga City to Sabang Port is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Travel time from Sabang port to Giujalo port is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

By the way, if you're planning to go to Caramoan, I recommend Residencia de Salvacion homestay, they have clean air conditioned rooms, good food and spacious garden.
Contact nos. +63-939-310-1135 and +63-917-371-2143. 

Thank you for reading.

The Palaui Island Trek

We were optimistic about having a pleasant weather on our third day in Cagayan, but it was not. The bluster of the wind and rain kept holding us back in the car and we can't do anything but to wait for the weather to pacify. Our guide accompanied us to the tourist registration office in Port San Vicente and ate breakfast while waiting for the rain to stop, until someone called me and showed me something very promising!

Somewhere behind the rainbow.

Our prayers were heard and the sky gave us a sign of hope and I grabbed my camera and ran as fast as I could just to get a good shot of the rainbow for I know this phenomenon wouldn't last long. Suddenly, I thought the island already gave us permission to come and visit it. And so we didn't hesitate and get on the boat and sailed!

Sail on. 

It would only take 30 minutes before we arrive in Palaui Island, the sea was rough,  the waves were big but we put our trust to the boat operator and in just a while we landed in the island safely! Palaui Island by the way is located in the northern part of Luzon, it was declared as a National Marine Reserve in 1994 and a home to a variety of flora and a sanctuary for migratory birds. Small vessels going to the lighthouse can anchor directly to Engaño Cove but due to bad weather the tourism officer didn't allow us to dock on the cove but instructed us instead to Punta Verde and hike if we are really sure of going to the lighthouse.

Read carefully for safety.

Since we saved our third day for our trip to Palaui Island we decided to take the trail from Punta Verde to the lighthouse and it is approximately a 4-hour hike. It was an effortless hike in the beginning but as we went into the rainforest we noticed that the trail was getting muddy and that our footwears were getting stuck deep in the mud and sometimes we couldn't get our feet off! That was when we decided to take our slippers off and just walk on foot! I've never experienced trekking without anything on my feet, I've always been scared of hiking without it, but that moment the feeling was different, and I imagined myself as one of those primitives who inhabited the island many years ago, (you know just to divert my anxiousness).

Our dog guide seems like an old soul. 

We passed by the beach, walked across the weeds, crossed streams and two bridges, went over a barbed fence, walked along the rice paddies and pasture lands, met some cows, water buffalos, then went back to the forest again. All of these scenarios gave more color to our adventure, it's a different kind of experience, a kind that wouldn't happen always in my lifetime! So I made the most of it!

Yipeee!

Hours had passed and we didn't noticed that we had reached the end of the trail, at last! I saw the lighthouse peeking through that verdant hill and I know it will only take a couple of minutes before getting to the summit. We had to rush to seek shelter in the lighthouse because the rain starts to pour again. The 229-step concrete stairs and a short trail lead us to the lighthouse and the breathtaking view of the Engaño Cove was exposed to my view!

Hold on!

Just a few more minutes and we will be at the most awaited part of the journey, the lighthouse. The Cape Engaño lighthouse was designed by Engineer Magin Pers y Pers, the construction was started on September 21, 1888 was finished on December 31, 1892. It guides ships coming from the Pacific and marks the eastern entrance to the Babuyan Channel which provides the shortest route around the northern tip of Luzon.

Creepy.

It is amazing to see magnificent structures that stood the test of time, knowing that the island has always been the favorite path of strong typhoons, I can't imagine that it's still standing proudly and could attract a lot of people even though some parts of it has fallen off and its location is not easily accessible.

I believe this was the kitchen where the lighthouse keeper cooked during the time when the lighthouse was at its splendidness or it could be where they burn coal to generate electricity. The old bricks blends well with the smell and color of the mosses which had grown and almost covered the walls of the lighthouse that added texture to it and made it more charming and picturesque. 

Fanstastic!

The breathtaking view of the island from the lighthouse.

Magnificent work of nature!

The majestic view of Dos Hermanas islands as seen from the foot of the hill was so captivating and I can't take my eyes off it, if only these places could only be reached for a short time you would probably see me on the edge of the hill enjoying the view of the Pacific Ocean while eating ice cream. 

We sought shelter in the corridors of the lighthouse, and took a last glance on each of its corners. The brick flooring looks worn-out but has a lot of stories to tell, the walls which has been vandalized stood as the beholder to the episodes of its existence, the brick kitchen which I thought where the lighthouse keepers gather and spend most of their time was now in its stage of desolation. There is an inscription in front of the main entrance but because it was neglected I had a hard time reading what's on it and even thought it was on braille. I think the lighthouse needs total rehabilitation. It is a national historical treasure and should be given full respect and dignity, a monument dedicated to  the Filipino people who worked hard during its establishment for their commitment to the country. It's late in the afternoon and we need to walk back to the beach where our boat is waiting. And at that moment, we left the lighthouse alone and lonely again awaiting for another traveler who would come and give comfort to its deteriorating body. And if you would ask me if I would go back there again...yes I would.

If you are planning to go to Palaui Island I recommend Edwin Tabucol, a Palaui resident as your tour guide, mobile #+639269064657.

Thank you for reading.