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.

Wonderful Anawangin

Anawangin Cove

Camping time! All gears ready for another outdoor adventure. Again among the many firsts, time to rough it out in the wild this time. First time I'd go on a trip without the luxury and convenience of a hotel. Rey and I chose to spend his birthday at Anawangin Cove in Zambales by camping out together with his colleagues from Lufthansa Technik Phils, who hosted the trip.  I have always been interested in meeting new people and this group was very accommodating. 

Matanglawing Rey

Quite the anxious one, since I had no experience on camping, I had no idea what to bring. I tried asking around about what things to get. My boyfriend, a seasonal hiker, helped me on my essentials. Below is the IT we followed for the trip , breakdown of fees and what-to-bring list (c/o Bibing)

ANAWANGIN COVE
San Antonio, Zambales

DAY 1, MAY 1, 2009

Pundakit shore

7:30AM – Assembly at Victory Liner Terminal, Pasay City
8:00AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:00NN– Arrive in Olongapo, (Lunch at stopovers), Last minute shopping at Gapo Market
1:00PM – Depart for San Antonio
2:00PM – Arrive in San Antonio town proper, Buy drinking water, coal
2:30PM – Boat ride to Anawangin
3:00PM – Arrive at Anawangin, Pitch tents

Tricycle ride going to Pundakit

4:00PM onwards – Leisure time

DAY 2, MAY 2
Do whatever you want

DAY 3, MAY 3
6:00AM – Wake up call
6:30AM – Breakcamp
7:00AM – Depart for Capones Island
8:00AM – Arrive at Capones, Visit the lighthouse
9:30AM – Depart for Pundakit
10:00AM – Arrive at Pundakit, Breakfast, Wash up at Manong Alfring’s house
11:30AM – Depart for Olongapo
12:30PM – ETA Olongapo, Lunch at Chowking
2:00PM – ETD Manila via Victory Liner
6:00PM – ETA Manila

BUDGET
More or less P250 (not so sure) – Bus Fare from Pasay to San Antonio and vice versa
More or less P1000 – one boat rental to and from Pundakit (Round trip); Optional: sidetrip to Capones Island  P1,200 per boat, 3 to 4 pax per boat)
P20 – trike fare from San Antonio to Pundakit

Setting tents at the camp site

More or less P1,500 with Chowking! :)

WHAT TO BRING
1. Food for 3 days and 2 nights – chip-in P200/pax
2. Tent, Burner/Stove at Lamp
3. Snorkeling stuff
4. Swimwear
5. BOOZE!

It was that simple. At P1,500, you get to have fun in the wild. At the cove, we stayed at the campsite on the left (facing Anawangin). Much cooler here than on the left side because of the pine trees. For those who are worried about bathroom facilities, the campsites have restrooms. But the one on our side is better. They have motor pumps and provide large drums that are always filled with water. 

Pine trees: a good shade from the scorching sunlight at midday.

Wet campers

Dry river bed found in the woods

Lighthouse at Capones Island

Unfortunately, I was not able to buy cake for my dearest (for fear that the icing will just melt), an earnest request. Sorry about that sweetie.

Bountiful Bohol

     Yes, first trip outside Luzon with same travel buddies (Jana, Mae and Rey) plus Rey's bro and my former classmate, Don. As soon as we were able to to get a promo ticket from Cebu Pac for Bohol, we immediately got into our planning mode and searched for nice tour packages. Jana got hold of Mang Leonard, our driver-cum-tour guide, and gave us a good bargain. Yey!
     It was also my first time to ride a plane. One being afraid of heights, I was quite the hesitant passenger but my need to overcome the fear is greater so flight was successful. What was not okay though was that time during the flight when I was robbed off my pocket money worth P6,000.00 in my very own checked-in baggage. Being a first-time flight traveler, I placed all my valuables inside that bag. I had so much trust in them and their service but sadly, the cargo department was not as secure as I imagined it should be. I mean, those were their customer's baggage, for God's sake! I can't believe I've been had! Sh*t! 

NAIA-Tagbilaran Airport via cebu Pacific

    Lessons learned: Never put any valuables inside the baggage that you plan to check in and have a separate travel pouch (one you can carry with you) for this. For double protection, use padlock to further secure your things. That being said, it still doesn't change the fact that I have no more money left for the trip (tip: best to have with you your credit card at times like this). Good thing Rey had extras and I was saved. Hay!

     Upon arrival at Tagbilaran Airport, we were welcomed by Mang Leonardo and boarded his tour van. It cost us PhP 2,500 (PhP 500/head) to drive us around Bohol. First stop is the ever famous Chocolate hills wherein you just need to pay the entrance fee (Php 15) and proceed to its viewing deck to see the hills. There at the deck you will also find photographers looking for potential tourists interested to have their jump shot photos taken. But we settled for a jump shot using one of our cameras instead. (budget trip, remember?)

(Left) Man-made Forest. (Right) Jump shot at Chocolate Hills

     Still feeling low, we headed next to the Man-made forest. Its lush green, towering trees lifted my spirit a little bit. I really like the feeling of being one with nature. We stayed for about 30 mins for photo ops then proceeded to the Butterfly farm (entrance fee = PhP 15).

Rey, Don & I making kulit to the sleeping tarsiers

     Next stop is the dreaded Hanging bridge, where I faced my fear of heights. After the heart-stopping walk across the bridge, I bought some items from the novelty shop, did our photo ops then proceeded to where the tarsiers were.
     Donations at the sanctuary are welcome (We paid PhP 50/pax). Nocturnal beings as they are, they don't have much to say when we posed for pics... hehehe.

(Top-Left) Hanging Bridge, (Top-Right) Floating Restaurant, (Bottom) Rondalla and Dance performance 

     Stomachs growling, we knew it was time to eat. We went to Loboc River next to have our lunch at the Floating Restaurant. At PhP 300, you can have the luxury of cruising down the river while having a hearty lunch, buffet style. At the end of the boat ride, we get to watch a rondalla performance from a youth group and were serenaded for approximately 20 mins before we head back to the port.

Monument of the Blood Compact

     Feeling a bit sleepy because of the seratonin-rush after a meal, we went next to Baclayon Church, situated along the bay area. Who would have thought that the whole church was made of corals... simply amazing! Even the old museum beside it was like centuries old already. Some artifacts were from the 16th century, maybe even during the time when the Blood Compact or Sandugo happened. Entrance fee is PhP 35.00.
     Speaking of Blood Compact, that was our next stop. The monument of the Blood Compact was where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna sealed their friendship of enslaving the Filipinos? hehehe. Kidding aside, this was our country's first treaty of friendship to the Spaniards... 400 years of friendship? hay.

The rented treehouse

Sea side dinner at the restaurant

    Last stop of the day is at Panglao Island. We checked in at Dumaluan Resort and rented a treehouse for PhP 1500/ overnight. It was a refreshing change from the usual room rent with a/c. The sea breeze is just so inviting, such a waste if we were to stay in a room.
Nice service and cozy surroundings., what more can you ask for. After unpacking, we had our dinner at the restaurant. Enjoying the night cool breeze, we went on with the night socials and hit the sack after that. Such a long tiring day.

Sunrise at Panglao Island

     Day 2 was all adventure, we got hold of the Balicasag tour package from one of the locals. Early morning, around 6am, we took off for a 2-hour boat ride from Panglao island to Balicasag.
     Along the way, we passed by some group of dolphins flirting with us... yeah well playing is more like it, as if they we're impressing us with their jumps. We went on to chase after them like a game of tag. Much to our surprise, hours went by, we almost forgot that we have to reach Balicasag island by noon time. So our dolphins watching has to be cut short and off we go.

Dazzling dolphins making their appearance

   
     Too bad I was not able to learn how to dive as this island has some of the best diving sites in the Philippines so I had to do with snorkeling only. But lo and behold! what an undersea world! Makes you want to stay and swim for hours and hours.
     Back at the resort we lazed under the sun & played along the shore like there's no tomorrow. The sand is so fine, it just melts around your feet when you walk. Apparently in a low tide, I could walk miles from the shore towards the sea and still has a water level that can only reach as high as my calf. Wow, so much for swimming huh? But this does not change the fact that Bohol is one of the paradise islands you wouldn't want to miss. EVER!

Bohol, I will visit you again soon :)