Calaguas, Call it Your Paradise
Sapphire blue water… Satiating
fresh air… Scenic panorama… Satisfying serenity… Seamless pleasure… Safe all-season
sanctum… This place have them all. Call it Calaguas.
Calaguas is a group of islands located in Vinsons,
Camarines Norte. It includes the major islands of Tinaga Island and Guintinua
Island, the minor Maculabo Island, as well as several other minor islands.
(source: Wikipedia)
Mahabang Buhangin or
Halabang Baybay in Bicol dialect (long beach) is an attractive beach located on
the northern part of Barangay Mangkawayan, Tinaga Island. It is considerably the
main attraction and the best spot of the Calaguas Group of Islands.
Another water spectacle
of the Bicolandia which remains pure and unblemished by the lashes of
modernization through the selfish motives of the greedy capitalists. It remains
an idyllic paradise at the center of the big body of water which is facing
Pacific Ocean in the east
Calaguas: El Agua del Paraiso
This proud Bicolano
could not get a handle of it when his friend tour organizer announced about and
posted the trip on her FB page. It is always in my bucket list to explore (if
you think ‘conquer’ is too much a pompous word) all the mountains and beaches
of the “Uragon’dom, my home region. The
event was not even too pricey actually. I was shrouded with upsurge
anticipation on what to see there. That was how I felt, optimistically oriented
by the previous beach camps, suspended in curiosity, armed of my happy compass,
unspeakably exhilarated as well. And I ain’t wrong in hitting the ‘going’
button to Calaguas.
ITINERARY
Day 0
9PM - Assembly - Mayflower Parking / Greenfield District Police Station (just behind and 3 mins walk from McDonalds or Teleperformance Shaw)
930PM - Depart to Daet via chartered van.
Day 1
6AM - ETA Daet 630AM - Breakfast (own account), buy supplies and packed lunch
The group of 40 carefree
and happy-go-tough-lucky souls departed
Manila on time. They arrived the town of Paracale in Daet - the jump-off port
going to the purpose island, on time too. In haste, every one took their
breakfast in the most presentable cafeteria in the area. There were also
available souvenir and delicacy shops around. After satisfying the belly, one
by one lackadaisically proceeded to the wharf and boarded on the hired motorized-boat going to Tinaga Island.
The livid sun was hung
forty five degrees from the horizon when the water craft left the port. It was
past seven o’clock in the morning but the infernal sphere up above was already
scorching and dementing. The wave of the sea was tamer at first but it ran wild
and mischievous when we came nearer our destination. The wave of the sea when hit
by the boat’s outriggers kept splashing those onboard with arid water until we were
so wet. After more than an hour, we arrived the beach camp area of the Tinaga
Island.
An airline ad smiled
down at me through the veil of my sweatshirt hood upon arrival. I was marauded
with excitement to the highest degree. Calaguas at last!
The stronger sea
current slapping the sea shore repeatedly has no way to deter us from docking. Half
of our bodies went wet before we reached the white sandy shore of the island. The
sun was totally ferocious at half past nine in the morning. The sand would burn
the feet should you try to walk bare with it.
Afterwards, we pitched
our tents near the shore on the leftmost part of the more than four kilometers
shore of Tinaga. It was the best. We ate our lunch. Others grabbed a power nap
to replenish the lost energy due to the long and bumpy land travel of the
previous night.
A log about Balagbag Island
From my vantage point,
Calaguas is a paradise. Its turquoise beauty is beyond photograph. The azure
water was so inviting. We can’t wait for the team leader’s announcement about
an island hopping at three o’clock.
On a bird’s eye view Balagbag island is
a boomerang-shaped-with-rough-edges islet located at least 5 kilometers away
from the southwestern tip of Tinaga
Island. For an adventurer, it is a thousand happiness per square mile.
Upon arrival at the docking area, one
can witness some black volcanic rocks and boulders with sharp and vesicular
texture. These are obviously produced from previous and unrecorded volcanic
eruptions some hundred years ago. Waves which are formed from the Pacific Ocean are foaming and splashing
upon kissing the rocks.
Everyone is a harbinger of the
startling beauty which are palpable and concrete. I love the sounds of the
stony water and I waddled in its salty molecules. Everyone’s in a hurry to
explore the surroundings and take pictures with it. The whip of the mad ocean
and the push of the crazy wind were strong and ginormous but the rocks of the
island stand still.
Whoa! When I climbed the higher and
grassy part of the island, I saw a long trail connecting to the other end of
the place. I ran the more than three-kilometer path and photographed along
every spectacular view. It was automatic and involuntary. Two friendly dogs
greeted and accompanied me along the way. The touch of the cogon grass on my
legs was itchy and irritating though until I came to the other end. There were
only few people there. I even requested a lady to take a picture of me. Her
companion said that they thought I was a Japanese. That short banter made me
smile.
The view below was healing. In my solitude
I even came to a self-realization… that I am able to appreciate and enjoy my
own company. That I am fervently enjoying my journey. My life, I mean our life-everyone’s
life is either a daring adventure…. or nothing. The turquoise water below
watched me as I returned to the shore where my companions were also in their
own trance for beauty seen by their naked eyes.
The water current remained strong and
even stronger, cause the sun was already setting down. So we decided not to
visit another island anymore but to go back to our camp.
The setting sun made its dramatic
interlude with hues of orange and vivid radiance in the western horizon. It was
another remarkable experience of dusk under the sky of Calaguas.
7PM - onwards - Dinner (hosted)8PM- SOCIALS
Under the papery white
light of the quarter moon hang above like grin of a naughty bum- fresh from its
solar eclipse last three days ago, everyone was busy doing their own thing:
soaking in the water, frolicking on the sand-chatting about everything, cooking dinner, staying inside their
tent - having some sleep, and holding
bottle of liquor. Rich, our team leader and I prepared a simple do-it-yourself
beach lanterns made from small candles, brown paper bags and some sands we
aligned a heart shape.. The reflection was both thespian and meditating. It was
the best prelude to a good dinner.
Day 2
5AM - Wake up call, trek to view deck for sunrise viewing, photo ops
My cellphone alarmed
at 5:00 the next morning. It was a nice beginning of the day. My anticipation
was to watch the sunrise but noticeably, nobody in my company was interested to
see it too. So I asked the team leader that I must go alone.
Before daybreak, I
started to trek the plane ground following a designated worn-out trail. Though
the night was short I was still lethargic, but slowly I enjoyed the feel of the
gentle breeze in my sweat soaked hair and my cold-like-cat-nose face. I was
greeted cheerfully by the woman at the man-made arch entry way. Ohh, there was an entrance fee of twenty
pesos before anyone can proceed. So I paid quickly because I didn’t want to be
late for the sunrise. I ran uphill with faint expulsion of breath advancing the
other trekking visitors but when I came to another enclosed flat area above, a
young boy asked for another twenty pesos entrance fee. I was surprised but I
paid for it too. The view from that small plateau was quite worth more than the
two twenty pesos that I’ve spent. It was priceless! The monochrome greenery of
the rolling hills and the bluish and silvery sea water are eye candies and
intoxicating.
Then I though the sunrise
was a failed epic since there were sporadic clouds on the horizon which will
hide the slowly rising ball of fire from
the east. My excitement died away to a plodding gloom. But thanks God for giving
us His another show-off of the magnificent crack of dawn.
The patchy clouds
turned out to be a tapestry of golden cottons floating in the atmosphere.
Illuminating the crimson rays into a symbol of generous blessings and exquisite
sublime plan. It was indeed perfect sunrise I witnessed there and I was more
than satisfied.
Armed with contentment
and too much liking I started to descend. But my feet drove me to the other end
of the rolling hills. There I saw two groups of people happily taking photographs. From
one side of the hill is a vantage point where Brgy. Mangkawayan was very
visible. It was just a small simple town as placid as its seas.
I returned to the
campsite a little famished but fulfilled. I took my own food and water inside
my tent. Then later on was the real breakfast that the event facilitator has
provided. Afterwards I joined the group who are enjoying in the water to kill
the time before prepping for our return to Manila.
6AM - Back to camp site
630AM - Breakfast (hosted)
1130 - ETA to Paracale, tidy up, take lunch (own account)
1PM - Depart Daet
9PM - ETA Manila
For me Calaguas is an
orb of another world. A place so pure, pristine and paradise-like. I’ll pray
that God will continue to protect this natural haven and marine sanctuary and
all of its good things and people too. So that everyone could feel the same way
I have felt from there.
And also because on
her bosom surely I shall return.
*** OTHER INFO****
Event fee:
Php 2,600 per pax
Inclusions:
Transpo Manila-Daet-Manila
Boat rental
Island landing fee + Mandatory Hut rental
2 Meals - Dinner for day 1, breakfast for day 2
Excluded:
Other meals
Trekking fee
Driver/Boatman Tip
***THINGS TO BRING***
Tent
Flashlight / Headlamp
Change of clothes
Swimwear / Rashguard / Aqua shoes
Slippers
Snacks
Snorkel
Camera
Powerbank
Shades
Sunblock / Sunscreen
Insect repellant
Water for personal consumption
Extra cash
More reminders:
- Do not be late. Please don't be rude
by making others wait.
-Don't forget your tents, headlamps/ flashlights, sun protection
such as sunblock/sunglasses, etc.
-Assembly is at 9pm, meet up point is at Greenfield District
Police Station infront of Mayflower Parking.
How to get there: From EDSA, get off at Mcdo or Teleperformance
Shaw also known as Crossing. From there, walk towards Greenfield District and
turn right on the first block. You will see the Police Station.
Our ETD is 9:30PM.
- Travel time to Daet is roughly 7-8 hours but we'll try to make
necessary stopovers along the way. Bring snacks and water with you. I suggest
to bring your own travel pillow for comfort.
-Estimate arrival to Daet is around 5AM. You may take your
breakfast (own account) and buy your packed lunch while we prepare our
provisions. Take note: only dinner for day 1 and breakfast for day 2 will be
hosted in the island.
- Please waterproof your things, you can use a big garbage bag
if you don't have a dry bag.
- Bring your own alcoholic beverages.
- No need to bring mess kits, eating utensils will be provided,
but it is suggested to bring your own water bottle to lessen the garbage.
- Restrooms are available in the island for a fee. P30 for every
bath. P20 for defecation and urination.
Cast of Characters:
Team Engineering
Lead: Skye
1. Phil
2. Abraham G
3. Francis
4. Max
5. Kelly
6. Joana
7. Win
8. Jess T.
9. Dondon
10. Michael
11. Myk
12. Liam
13. Ivan
Lead: Skye
1. Phil
2. Abraham G
3. Francis
4. Max
5. Kelly
6. Joana
7. Win
8. Jess T.
9. Dondon
10. Michael
11. Myk
12. Liam
13. Ivan
Team Helpdesk
Lead: Rich / Pam
1. Lai Rah
2. Charles
3. Joem
4. Emman
5. Laira
6. Leandro
7. Noel
8. Bernard
9. Anna Belle
10. Joecel
11. Jojo
Lead: Rich / Pam
1. Lai Rah
2. Charles
3. Joem
4. Emman
5. Laira
6. Leandro
7. Noel
8. Bernard
9. Anna Belle
10. Joecel
11. Jojo
All of you who are interested to feel the adrenalin rush.
Contact my friend Rich at her cell number 0998 8512760 (Smart) or FB page https://www.facebook.com/bluedame?fref=ts
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| Farewell but not goodbye. Please come back soon! |
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