| TOP VIEW OF MATIKAD ISLAND |
Knowing Caramoan as the "Land of Survivors" because of being the prime location for the hit Reality TV show "Survivors" for many times and many countries such as US, Sweden etc.., The long journey from Manila to reach this place is never gonna be easy but it is one good reason why it's surely gonna be worth it.
REMEMBERING LOLA PERENG
As a little girl who grew up with grandmother, I have known Bicol as my Lola's hometown and land of pili nuts, other than that, it's a blank sheet of paper.
I came here to attend my cousin's funeral and extended my stay to discover more about this place especially Lola's home.
| Unlimited fresh buko juice! |
| here's my newphew and his pet "Ford" |
It's very nice to meet the rest of Perfectos in Bicol and to completely know my grandma's life. Seeing this place makes me realized why Lola loved laeng, why she planted lots of corn trees and why we never ran out of coconut oils. Couldn't deny how she longed for this place in every single day of her life.
THE ALRIGHT SIDE ft. CARAMOAN
Camarines Sur is almost 12 hours away from Manila. You can either commute through bus at Cubao Terminal or PNR train at Blumentrit. We dropped off in the town of Bato Camarines Sur where my cousins lives. The next day after burial, I asked my cousins ate Grace and ate Wena to accompany me to Caramoan.
We left Bato at 5:00am through Bus going to Pili and from Pili another bus going to Sabang port for Php80.
From
Sabang port, we paid Php120 for the 2hour boat ride to Palestina port
and from there we rode in a tricycle going to Barangay Paniman, the
center for island hopping.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
In
Barangay Paniman, you will not see huge hotels, fancy restaurants and
other stuff, rather, you'll notice a quiet vill with typical houses
nearby shore with not too many boats, two small souvenir shops and some
houses that offers homestay for accommodation.
| Peaceful Barangay of Paniman |
Keep your cigarette butt away from Natures.
We
had Sinigang na talakitok and bicol express for lunch at the eatery
next to us. Since we arrived late, we couldn't do island hopping due to
shortage of time, hence, we had the chance to buy souvenir shirts to
wear tomorrow. We met this couple who's also on a short vacay here in
Caramoan. They also stay in the room next to us and will be our
tour-mates. After our dinner of Pancit Bato, which is one of my favorite
very tasteful pancit, and our baon crispy fry liempo, we headed back to
our room to have our restful night. |
| The way Bicolano expresses. |
LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN!
Woke
up at 6AM, had our breakfast and started island hopping at exactly 7AM.
Everyone's excited!! We chose the long trip which means the farthest
islands for the whole day. It's 2500 for 5 persons. Other option is the
short trip which costs Php1500.
| The lovely sunrise we caught when we went out, |
SANDBAR
It's
almost about an hour before we reach the Manawaya Sandbar. This island
has floating cottages! So cool, right!? It flows up because of bamboos
and is perfect for a good meal but it's too early to have our lunch.
| Look at this clear water all over the sandbar. |
Sands
are color brown but the water is so clear and such a scenic view. There
are some vendors who sells fresh catch seafoods. We bought a kilo of
crabs and squids for just Php500 to be cooked on our next island
destination.
HANDFULS OF SAND
Next
island was Cutivas island which is just 10-15mins away from Maniwaya. I
fell deeply in love with its powder-like sands. Cutivas is a perfect
spot for a good meal, too.
| Don't worry, beach happy. |
We
paid Php100 for the cottage and paid Php500 for the cooking fee of our
fresh seafoods plus 1 1/2 kilo of cooked rice, fresh buko juices in a
shell and grilled Barakuda fish, yes! I know! Its name sounds very evil and fish is quite large
with very big eyes!
Our foreigner friend said he loves my shirt and I looked like one of Survivors, lol
While we're waiting for our food, we're up on a short walk on its shoreline. Really love walking barefooted on the sands, very soft pure sands without a blend of shells or stones. We bumped into a foreigner, particularly Swedish, and ate Grace asked me to approach him if we can have a photo with him. Lol. Just like what my Mom loves to do, flirting with foreigners, they are undoubtedly Santoses! Haha. |
We also didn't waste the chance to have a dip. We sank into the deep water, there's no waves, another calm beach, great water, free from the crowd, perfect weather...I. AM. SERIOUSLY. LOVING. IT. 👌🏼
| Tres Marias aka Tatlong balyenas hahaha*with some photobombers |
The
food is calling us!! Alright, they set the hot rice in banana leaves,
top with seafoods, we also have condiments placed in bowls, the next
thing happened was a fight, lol, and I think I won the battle by
catching the biggest crab! *evil laugh.
| Don't look at me like that, crabby. |
| Ate wena holding her crab, mine's bigger than that! |
My favorite meal will always be the one with fresh seafoods. After we finished drinking juice of Coconut, the local opened each shells and made us a man-made spoon teared from the shell for us to get the white flesh of coconut. This is way too rewarding when your food comes natural and fresh.
| Leaving Cutivas and its soft sands huhuhu |
We are off to the next island. Another 10mins to reach Survivor island where Survivor US is currently taping for their episodes. Half of the island is closed for the said TV show. We had so much fun playing with the waves, on picking pearly shells, and enjoying the views of palm trees.
ROCKABYE BABY.
Our
next destination was Matikad Islands. As per Kuya boatman, this is the
most beautiful attraction of Caramoan and the boatman has a strong
point! It is my first time to see those kind of rock formation with my
bare eyes and of all the island we've been to, this is the one with
white sands and crystal blue water.
Can't hide my excitement as I quickly jumped out of the boat. I can see a mini Coron in this paradise. Those unique rock formations that are floating in the water is definitely a picturesque!
We
climbed to the top of one of those rocks to see the 360 degree view of
entire Matikad. The transition of colors dark blue to light blue to
white is very visible; those tiny tourists who enjoys their water
activities; mini boat seems falling in lines; and the fresh air, ugh!!
| Where have you been, Marimar!! |
We also hopped in the islets of Matikad and swam like we never mind having sunburns from the strong heat.
| Finally we've met! Gorgeous Caramoan. |
It's almost 3PM when we got back to Paniman. We need to catch the last trip of Bus so we quickly took a bath and leave Caramoan. Reached Bato town at almost 9PM. End of journey.
| when beautiful rock, white sands and clear water unites. |
It was such an amusing experience. I'm glad I had a chance to bond with my cousins who's miles aways from me. The entire Bicol region or even the entire Camarines Sur is seriously large and there are lots of other tourist spots and adventures this place has but I got only limited time to explore and that made me wanna come back here soon.
I have been told that Caramoan should be one of my travel destinations and it never failed me. This place has different features and interesting views that will make you love its uniqueness more. I wouldn't be confused why other countries chose Caramoan for their show. Slow clap for the people of Caramoan for taking good care of the islands and maintaining the simpleness of the place.
Caramoan isn't only Land of survivors, it is the Land of my grandmother, Land of uniquely beautiful creations and Land of pili nuts, still. Lol.
'Till we meet again, Bicol.
Mabalos po!
| She really is. #BeachBabe |
Every journey won't last forever, but the journey of life remains as long as there is one person who's willing to listen to it, a person who can be one of your grand daughter..a person like journeying Rochel.
