Caramoan Short Adventure...literally

I've been wanting to go out of town to take a breather from work. So when a friend mentioned to try going to Caramoan, which they say is the Boracay of the South, I immediately searched accommodations and places to go to.

Fast forward to the trip…went to bus station in Araneta, Cubao because we cannot get any early flight to Naga. We chose Peñafrancia as we wanted to ride the lazy boy seats to have a good rest during the 8 hour travel (yep. loooong travel). Need to make sure we can recline our seats and have foot rests.

(Photo courtesy of http://pentoursbenzdeluxe.blogspot.com/) 

 

Arrived in Naga around 5AM. Waited for our friend to pick us up.

The weather is good so we were expecting the same when we go to Caramoan the next day.

Woke up 4AM the next day so we could catch the 1^st trip to Sabang Port (travel time approx 1hr 15mins). From Sabang, took a boat ride to Guijalo port (2hrs). A friend mentioned that porters might run towards us to assist us in getting to the boat. I was actually looking forward to this, brawny men volunteering themselves to carry you over their shoulders but no, did not experience this. Guess it was high tide then.

Here are some of the pics we took going to Guijalo.

Mr. Ted Cruz, this is so not cool!!

 

Wasn’t able to take lots of pictures as it started to rain. So much for the good weather the other day.

Arrived at Guijalo Port still hoping to be carried by those porters just for the experience but yet again, didn’t happen.

 

We stayed at West Peninsula Villas, one of the finest accommodations in Caramoan. 
A reality TV series, Survivor, is filming in Caramoan and its local production crews usually stays here.

Rooms have A/C, cable TV and hot and cold shower. They have nice yard where you can find mini bar, dining area and a pool table. We were lucky enough to see some of the Survivor artifacts.

Then off to go island hopping… First stop - Paniman , the jump-off point for island hopping in Caramoan. Single motorcycle ride is the best way to go to Paniman as the road was bad. We experienced a discomforting bumpy ride but didn’t mind it as the scenery was amazing.  We passed through some rice fields, hills, small towns – beautiful.

When we arrived at Paniman, we were welcomed by the howling winds, rain clouds and kinda rough waves. We were hesitant already to proceed but we were assured that it’s safe – for us to experience Caramoan waves… Ok then, off we go.

It started to drizzle and waves are getting bigger. If not for the outrigger floats, the boat would have tip-over.

It was roughly 15-20 mins. ride to the 1^st island. Once we got there, Mr. Sunshine came out for awhile, I guess for us to take SOME pictures. View was perfect, except for the rain clouds. Sand was soft as powder.

Then it started raining again. Good thing there’s a small tent in the island so we just make ourselves comfortable there together with the other tourists and bangkeros.We felt the rain wouldn’t stop anytime soon so we just enjoyed the beach even if it’s raining. 

When the rain subsided, we decided to immediately leave the island as we don't want to get stranded there. Off to the boat but here comes another setback, it wouldn't start. Kuya bangkero was trying to operate the boat while we float away from the island. That's around 10-15mins of hoping it would start already as the rain clouds are showing again.

We were able to pass by other islands but didn't bother to get off the boat. Water is getting high and we wanted to go back to WestPen already to relax. We need to leave early the next day for our flight back to manila. Another 3.5 hours travel to Naga.

 

The weather the following day was fine. Should have been like this the day before, but not complaining here :)

On our way to Sabang, a 2-hour boat ride from Guijalo, I received an SMS from CebuPac. I thought it was just a reminder of our flight which was rescheduled to an earlier time prior to our trip but no!!

Flight has been cancelled due to aircraft situation. Next available flight would be the following day and I have work already. 

We just decided to take the bus again that will leave 9PM that day. Another long ride, this time going home to Manila.

It was quite an adventure but enjoyed it nonetheless. I'll go back to Caramoan for sure ~ Summer time :))

Meantime, I'll dream of you and will definitely see you soon!