After the Holy Week, I moonlighted in Makati City simply to make both ends meet for me. God is indeed merciful for amply rewarding my efforts with a new job. The next 45 days leapfrogged unnoticed, and it just came to my senses that I was already snugly settled in my train cabin bound for Naga. Not only that, I will be meeting up with my tour mates for Calaguas!
In the afternoon of May 31, I purchased island victuals and drinks with Froy and Eugene, and then we headed to Naga CBD Terminal. There we rode an ordinary bus to Daet since we were not in a rush that time. Rain has just stopped when we arrived in town. We walked with our toted luggage for our dinner at one of the ill-managed eateries open that evening in town.
Our hotel was just a stone’s throw away from us so after footing the bill, we proceeded to our hotel room at Dolor Hotel courtesy of the Baylon’s. Our travel companions, Crystal, her mama Rita, nephew Onin and his fiancée Erika and Malou have earlier checked in and it was not until the next early morning that we met face to face at the hotel lobby.
Five (Crystal’s group) plus three (My group) is equals to 8! Then after our exchanges of hi’s and hello’s, we checked out and called a tricycle that ferried us to Pandawan port in Vinzons, Camarines Norte for 20 minutes or so. The weather was ominous, but we dispelled cancellation and defied the gloomy and outcast sky when a small niggling information that a shallow low pressure is brewing in the province. We clung on firmly to our plan as if everything was alright (It really was!) and eventually hopped on to Calaguas island.
Our boatmen assured us of our safety otherwise they, too, would be risking their lives. So the engine started to gurgle and throttle with a little bit of frenzied struggle as we pushed off from the port en route to the open seas with our orange life vests donned. Direct glare from the sun shied away from us as the sky was outcast. To me, the weather was just perfect for a three-hour sea cruise.
What we were brooding over was the torrent from the high seas. It did not scare us a bit, but rather amused us except during the early goings of our travel. It was already normal to hear a gale of shriek and laughter as we kind of galloped as our vessel mightily sliced through the emerging waves.
After getting accustomed to it, the pounding sensation experience, spraying of unwanted salt water, untimely yelling, lull and mum moments followed.The emerging islands, all surrounded by teasingly superb white sands displayed the grandeur and natural beauty of the Calaguas group of islands in Camarines Norte. Three hours or so seemed so fast and that the whole travel was rather exciting than scary.
What we were brooding over was the torrent from the high seas. It did not scare us a bit, but rather amused us except during the early goings of our travel. It was already normal to hear a gale of shriek and laughter as we kind of galloped as our vessel mightily sliced through the emerging waves.
After getting accustomed to it, the pounding sensation experience, spraying of unwanted salt water, untimely yelling, lull and mum moments followed.The emerging islands, all surrounded by teasingly superb white sands displayed the grandeur and natural beauty of the Calaguas group of islands in Camarines Norte. Three hours or so seemed so fast and that the whole travel was rather exciting than scary.
SETTING FOOT ON MAHABANG BUHANGIN COVE
Paradise was unfolding as we drew near the shoreline. The lush vegetation sprawling over the cove added a spectacular flavor to this picture perfect paradise, a stretch of white sands, nature’s bounty to Vinzons and the world. Before landing, our eyes have already sized up what to see and expect for the day of beach bumming activities.The wind-swept cove makes the leaves rustle and the frothy waves roll along the shores with a smashing thud. We then decided to search for the property of Mang Bert as suggested by Lakwatsero.com.
But the prickly drizzle begun to fall and eventually drenched us until we could get ourselves a cottage to shelter us and our luggage. We settled on two cottages. We boiled rice and fried dried fish with home-made foods for our first meal on the island. It was time to sample the wavy beach. Undeniably the experience was extraordinary and it is safe for me to say that this place is better than Boracay.
Since it is off-the-beaten destination, there is no electricity and only four sleeping cottages are available in the property of Mang Bert. Poorly made Makeshift huts dot the beachfront. The rental ranges from 150-350. Other beach operators have tents for rent for Php 400 a day. This is recommended for the summer season only. Find out why. After darkness crept-in, howling gales and waves were experienced and our cottages shook at times.
Since it is off-the-beaten destination, there is no electricity and only four sleeping cottages are available in the property of Mang Bert. Poorly made Makeshift huts dot the beachfront. The rental ranges from 150-350. Other beach operators have tents for rent for Php 400 a day. This is recommended for the summer season only. Find out why. After darkness crept-in, howling gales and waves were experienced and our cottages shook at times.
A shallow low pressure was raging. The good thing was that our cottages remained standing until the morning light. Gee, the pitched tents close by were now invisible. Campers moved to a safer place that night, I suppose.
Thank God we survived the storm. The violent waves the next morning just didn't allow us to leave the island on our scheduled day until the weather has normalized. Long sigh and sigh again.
Stranded for a day, June 2, we explored the island and ventured to reach the other side of Mangkawayan, the island's center of commerce. A trail with one short concrete footbridge led us there. It was festive since the fiesta will be celebrated the following day, our day of departure thru this port where the waves are calmer. There we bought some food stuff and surveyed the coastal barangay.
Stranded for a day, June 2, we explored the island and ventured to reach the other side of Mangkawayan, the island's center of commerce. A trail with one short concrete footbridge led us there. It was festive since the fiesta will be celebrated the following day, our day of departure thru this port where the waves are calmer. There we bought some food stuff and surveyed the coastal barangay.
Finally, we explored the northern part of the cove as the tide ebbed. We discovered a small patch of course sand that offers a different kind of appeal. We took a sample of it. Closer to the waves, a rock pool inhabited by crustaceans, star fish of two colors, corals and a puddle of fries, dead and alive was a treat for us that morning. Some did not stand the night storm.
We’ve got the chance to meet few local and foreign tourists while going further the hidden part of the cove during high tide.We all together made our final walk from tip to tip of the cove with our scraggly hair, and the feel of the prickly drizzle and the sand-biting sensation from the sand-blown beach. A faint sunset was captured by me when it was next to impossible. No moment was wasted at all.
We’ve got the chance to meet few local and foreign tourists while going further the hidden part of the cove during high tide.We all together made our final walk from tip to tip of the cove with our scraggly hair, and the feel of the prickly drizzle and the sand-biting sensation from the sand-blown beach. A faint sunset was captured by me when it was next to impossible. No moment was wasted at all.
It was a weekend blessing for all of us who made it here on Calaguas. The efforts and costs of everything were reciprocated to us by the experience gained.
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