Visiting the infamous Calaguas Island

I only had few chances of going to far-flung places by boat, though it was few, I am quite thankful to be able to visit Calaguas island, Bicol, Camarines Norte. 

I've heard so many things about the island from different blogs and photos. While it has also been a trending topic in my circle of facebook friends, Calaguas is something like a gem in the pocket to them that I soon learned to adapt as my own.

Located in Bicol, the easiest way to get here is probably an 8 hour bus ride. Plus 2 hours boat ride which could be extended depending on the waves of the sea. It felt too much to travel all the way from Manila, but getting there was all worth it. 

IT'S THE BEACH: Far from being Boracay, the island doesn't boast any night entertainment and cheap check-ins from the locals. It is pure serenity with spectacular scene in any angle you point your camera. On one side of the coast, there is a big lump of rock that was formed by the waves splashed from hundreds of years yet trek-able to make 'coverphotos' such as this.

It was given that Calaguas doesn't offer any luxury hotels nor cottages for rent. However, this problem can easily be solved by pitching a tent or putting up a hammock among the trees. Life is relatively at slow-pace here.

Traveling is a hobby of all ages. It transforms us to become 'more open' people to the different traditions surrounding us. 

IT'S ABOUT THE GANG: What makes an awesome travel experience? How's a bunch of chefs from Manila specializing in different cuisines sound? The people who came with me on this trip to the south are the organizers themselves who paid attention in making a short vacation rather special. These are just two examples below.

IT'S ABOUT ADVENTURE: Being with gang doesn't really mean food is all about the adventure. Our great organizers even planned to have a few skills to learn while enjoying a peaceful time in an unexploited island such as basic culinary, fire exhibition, have-a-henna, photography, skim boarding, and wine mixing.

Skimboard

Playing with Lights

At night, we were to put ourselves into a challenge of who can perform the best fire exhibition and enjoy a few 'unlimited' drinks of wine to get to know our fellow travelers together. 

IT'S ABOUT VALUE: When I came in for the trip, I manage to shell out just Php 3,500.00. This includes bus ride to and from Manila-Daet, boat ride, buffet food, electricity via diesel generator, tents; almost everything is provided except for that beach outfit. 

The reason why I re-wrote my Calaguas experience is because I wanted my friends to regain the breath of Calaguas beaches'. It is such a nice escape for a gang who seeks no further than enjoying themselves the simplest way they could. 

Until then Calaguas!

© pagduaw.blogspot.com

Polilio Island Bike Tour

[This post was published 6/05/09]

Pililio Island is very much like any place in the Philippines I haven't heard of. Having been invited by friends for an explore ride gave me the idea of appreciating a paradise. Like it was said on wikipedia I learned that the Polilio boasts' the Chinese word "Pulilu" meaning beautiful island with plenty of food.

AT THE PORT: I arrived there at the dawn of May 22, 2009 at the Real port along with my bike buddies who were greeted by a beautiful sunrise perfect for an adventure. The port, like anything else was busy; ordinary passengers, tradesmen, and fisherman were all busy as they pass by. We decided to take in some energy to store while waiting for a vessel to welcome us aboard.

WAITING FOR THE VESSEL: It took us three hours to be welcomed aboard vessel which will eventually take us to our destination. It seemed like you have to wait until one vessel gets full passenger manifest before it leaves, we waited there for another three hours so I took the chance of taking some photos. 

There were all kinds of boats in the area. Navy ships, fishing banka's, and ferries. I have this fascination if I could command ships someday.

ENROUTE:  The days are always new when I get to travel to places with my bike, especially having to be onboard a small vessel where I'm eager to see land and then go bike at it again. Friends are there to strengthen the bond while adventures sets out a new experience to learn the culture and tradition of our land.  

ARRIVED AT LAST: It was quite a long journey on sea, three hours exactly. We arrived at the port of the municipality of Polilio where we had to eat lunch again. It's quite frustrating having to spend your time mostly waiting and less time going somewhere on a bike but things are going to change...

While waiting for everybody to prepare the bikes, I couldn't think what was this place like under leadership of Padre Domingo, a Spanish friar during the 1500's. Marks of old Spanish architecture was to be found in the area but not much old Spanish churches or the concrete wall called "pueblo" to protect against, ahem, foreign invaders. 

Setting off towards Barangay Burdeos, we spent another three hours on the saddle of our bikes with hiking packs containing the usual three day ration and my photography gear plus tripod. We rode along the agriculture vastness of the island and yes indeed the name holds true, 'a beautiful island with a lot of food', and cheap food there was!

The scenery in the road came in spectacular as every angle speaks of beauty and wealth. Riding along the coast, the shade from tall trees and breathable temperature gave us the feeling of summer. 

Half-way from our destination, the rain poured down and the road turned a messy grime. Thankful that I installed Maxxis Calibos on my bike in time for the changing weather. 

Thankfully the rain didn't came in pouring too long, we entered a shotgun of a hill inside a mountain pass just in time to give us another moment to see the horizon.

About 5:00 p.m. when we arrived at a little town called Burdeos. It somehow made me recollect my life in the province; simple, easy, and free while far distinguishable to compare with the busy Manila. Burdeos just fell into silence as the sun began to fade. 

ISLAND HOPPING: The next morning, my pals are still struggling to lift their heads off the bed feeling hangover-ish from the fiesta we attended yesterday evening. Feeling just about perfect to welcome the sun, I decided to take a sip of coffee and do a little bit of talk around the community. It was just a perfect day to set off our planned itinerary where we set sail again towards the infamous islands floating along the Pacific ocean. 

The fine white sand on this island is particularly amazing. Marked as world class but fearful for the possibility of mass tourism. 

Giving myself a tan. I should go out more often. 

On the far straight towards the horizon is the great and famous Pacific ocean. Polilio island gets hit by an abrupt weather change. Despite having to intentionally plan out a summer to be here, this is as rewarding as it can be. It is a great escape for those wanting naturally seclusive place, even on a budget. 

2-Day ITINERARY: For the information, I spent 1,500 per head on this trip.
Day 1
3-5 a.m. Manila to Real Port via Private Vehicle
9-11a.m. Real Port to Polilio port via ferry
12-5p.m. Bike Ride to Burdeos

Day 2
6-12p.m. Island hopping
12-3p.m. Bike ride to Polilio port
3-6p.m. Polilio port to Real port via ferry
6p.m. Home bound

Polilio is undoubtedly one of my best escapes. Not that I have been to a lot of places but to say this “I biked for 30 kilometers, in an island for three days, swam beside three islands’ beaches; all that then God filled me.” is epic. Short rides are a thing of a past for me, the ability to travel by bike expands your perspective in life, the luxury of being able to see places in the most basic way gives you just the right time to appreciate the beauty of the country. Experiences can only be explained to each his own, some people won't understand until they tried it with themselves. 

Until soon Polilio. Welcome me back with your islands' glamour.

© pagduaw.blogspot.com

SNAPSHOTS | Football at Emperador Stadium

Football is often referred to as the beautiful game. I somehow felt it was, especially while visiting a free game at the Emperador Stadium in McKinley Hills, Taguig City.

On cheer for the Philippine Air Force Football Club, it was crazy beautiful sunset with a guy warming up his footy skills prior to the start of the game.

SNAPSHOTS | Bukidnon Cowboy

I am a proud Bukidnon resident. By that saying, I am also proud of our cowboy tradition who never cease to entertain spectators part of an annual event called Kaamulan Festival which happens every February - March of the year.

I am aching to go back there and have some fun.

SNAPSHOTS | Manila Bay Sunset

How often do you see yourself standing in sunsets? It was yesterday when somehow I was riding along the coast line near Macapagal Avenue when I saw the open sea with skies forming it's glory. The round golden sun we all treasure faded in that moment, hiding itself behind the clouds, my soul expands... Realizing I am that puny little boat floating by the waves, I need to thank thee. Oh how short travel changes me.

Nagduaw ako sa Manila Bay.

Travel with Myki

Getting around Melbourne can be quite expensive but totally worth it with Myki.
Basically, this is a Smart Card similar to those found in Singapore or Hong Kong where you can touch in and touch off every time you board a bus, tram, or train.

It is also worth noting that this is the only way to pay for public transport when commuting around the city. It's light, durable, and can be bought from a myki machine (full fare myki only) at all metropolitan train stations, even at 7-11 convenient stores.

The card costs 6 AUD with no value. Top it up for your travel.

Biking | Boracay de Cavite (Marine Base Beach Resort)

Hooyah!!!

Since 2010, my mind has been boggling about Ternate, Cavite where the famous Pico de Loro establised itself to reward mountaineers who are new to the sport. Within the vicinity of Ternate, most people who come to climb the said mountain don't know much of other pocket wonders they may see within the area. One of which I am about to share is the dubbed Boracay de Cavite. Much known as the Marine Base Resort I have come to know after climbing Pico de Loro after Typhoon Ondoy.

From Manila, the resort is around 75 kilometers away from the busy city. It takes 2-3 hours bus ride from Lawton, Manila but I managed to bike it all the way under 6 hours. This is something that I prefer, bike touring.

I left Manila at around 2pm and arrived there about seven at night. I packed the usual stuff I bring every bike tour; three sets of clothes, one swimming trunks, and a pair of flip flops because I am going beaching and bumming around. This trip also gave me the oppurtunity to ride alone, solo for the whole 150 kilometer round trip.

I set up my prefered stay, under the shelter of a cottage, with a good amount of meal I ordered to be cooked at nearby convenience store. Yes, there is a one stop mini shop inside.

In the morning... Well, at around 3 am in the morning, I was dozing inside my duyan or hammock in three star camping luxury but woke up because the vocal cords of training marines were singing military cadence. 

Hooyah! Hooyah! Mama, Mama, can't you see?

I can't even squeeze myself in a moment to take some photos because the training soldiers were actually in the beach. Something that is very forbidden to do.

But still, I managed to take some few photos that I could be happy to keep.

Shooting Star?

As soon as the sun rose, gradually I was able to see what's around me and I realized that the resort isn't really feeling special like those in Calaguas or El Nido. It does, however, serve as a true pocket wonder to those who wants relax after a day climb from Pico de Loro. Families living nearby Cavite area also love the idea of hitting the beach for summer, and this is too okay for the itinerary.

Entrance costs 100 pesos during the day. Overnight stay will set you back 200 pesos. There's a dry kitchen for cooking sinugba or barbecue and a videoke machine for that long joyful night. What about cottages? Ah, yes! It ranges from 250php to 350php depending on the size. Still try to haggle! =)

If someone wishes to enjoy the night at Ternate, you can easily check into their rooms which costs 750 pesos/night. It's no air-conditioned room though, but spending the night there can be cool and breezy so no fuss and complaints.

The morning was serene. Waves meet the ground calmly but somewhat kissing.

On Left: I noticed that Gibson boots or combat boots are a normal sight here and there. I wonder why these training marines need to dip into the water every now and then during my stay... Probably to vent off a weary body and to cool oneself.

Here's a video of the bike tour.

How to get here?

From Lawton, Manila. Take a bus going to Ternate, Cavite for 80-100php. Drop off at the intersection near Munisipyo de Bahra. Take the tricycle there and tell the driver that you will be going to the Marine Base Resort. This costs 300php per trip.

Tips:

1) There are no fish for sale in the area. You can go marketing in the town proper before hand for a sumptous grilled meal.

2) You can bring tents, just tell the assigned staff where to erect your portable house.

3) Bring anti-mosquito lotions.