Calm Calaguas

Halabang Baybay

Travel time again together with Rey's colleagues. I love the way they plan their travel, so carefree yet so organized (see Anawangin post). We didn't travel via bus this time and instead rented a van to take us there. I just shelled out some amounts of cash to pay for the whole trip and everything was taken cared of. Bring some extras for emergencies ,rule of the thumb, as I don't want to experience what happened to me during my previous Bohol trip. Na-ah!

Paracale Seaport

Calaguas Island (Halabang Baybay)
Vinzons, Camarines Norte

Itinerary c/o Bibing

Macho men of LTP upon arrival at the beach

DAY 0 (10-June-10 Thursday)
1900H - ETD Paracale via CUBAO

Day 1 (11-June-10 Friday)
0500H - ETA Paracale
breakfast, market
0800H - ETD Maculabo (by boat)

Lunch in progress

0900H - ETA Maculabo
beach bumming, explore, photo ops, hill trekking, lunch
1330H - ETD Maculabo to Mahabang Buhangin, Tinaga Island, Calaguas (by boat)
1430H - ETA Calaguas Island
Set camp, explore, beach, beach, beach, dinner
2030H - Socials, Bonfire, Lights off

Day 2 - (12-June-10 Saturday)

0700H - WakeUp Call, Breakfast
beach, beach, beach
1130H - Lunch / wash-up / break camp
1330H - ETD Calaguas to Cumalasag Island (by boat)
explore, photo ops
1500H - ETD Paracale
1600H - ETA Paracale / wash-up
1800H - Dinner / ETD Manila
(OPTION: BAGASBAS beach for surfing activities then lunch or Cam Sur, a 2.5-hours drive from Paracale)

DAY 3 (13-June-10 Sunday)
Manila - HOME SWEET HOME


ESTIMATED EXPENSES

MNL-Paracale-MNL (via Superlines aircon bus in cubao) - 485*2 - 970
boat 4500/15pax - 300 (depending on the confirmed participants)
food - 300
camping fee - 150

1720php + pocket money =)


THINGS TO BRING:

* tent (rain proof)
* footgear: rubber slippers, beach sandals
* wide brim- hat
* sunglasses
* sleeping bags
* Insect repellant and or soap with critonella to ward of mosquitoes
* sunscreen, sunblock, sun tan.
* Flashlights / headlamps
* first aid kit / medicines
* Camera with enough battery and memory cards
* cellphone (warning: signal can still be patchy at times

Play volleyball, sunbathing or just plain cam whoring

* a waterproof pouch and bag to store your valuables in
* moist towelettes
* Tissue Paper
* kikay kit
* Huge garbage bag to protect your gear while on the boat, it's better to
water proof your things...
* waterproof jacket or raincoat
* snorkeling gadgets
* utensils... (be earth freindly, no to disposables, EVER!)
* stove / cookset (optional)
* BOOZE!

Crystal clear sea water

Beach front

My second camping trip was a great experience. It was a long boat ride from Paracale Port. Luckily, my motion sickness were held at bay. It was the longest hour ride I've been. Everyone was getting a little restless already and hoped that we'd arrive there sooner to avoid the scorching heat of the sun as it reaches its highest point at noon.

Gorgeous fine sand

As soon as the beaches were on sight, everyone was ecstatic. Much more when we arrived at Halabang Baybay (Long Beach), the longest stretch of fine beach among its group of islands. I was deeply fascinated with the place. Some would say Boracay might lave looked like this in its earlier times. Well, I've never been to Boracay so I could not compare. But of all the beaches, Calaguas is the most exquisite, unspoiled island I've ever been to. Its sparkling turquoise-like waters are so clear, for a minute you'd think you're in a swimming pool.

Summer nights here are really lovely. You only have the sea of stars to light up the whole place (apart from rays coming from a nearby ship hundred miles from the shore). When you look up, its like the whole universe has descended. The stars are so hypnotic it can mesmerize you up to no end. Those twinkling heavenly bodies will also find its way in the water when you swim at night. When you create a swirl in the water, you'll see lights dancing around your hand, its like magic. Also you can skinny deep for all you want and no one would really care. Its like a paradise you've never dreamed of.

Suvivor Calaguas... oh yeah!

View from campsite

There are no resorts here but there's this one concrete house with one restroom (you're free to use it). No more digging up of pit somewhere to do your thing. Just make sure you maintain the cleanliness in the area. The caretaker of the place also has a mini sari sari store where you can buy junk foods and sodas.  But I suggest you bring your own since prices here can soar way way up.  There's a poso or water pump for all your kitchen and bathing needs. A mystical, untouched place, I would say it's the best place to camp if you want to escape the city and just laze in the sun.