Destitute Backpacker: DREAMY AND BALMY AGUIRANGAN ISLAND..... FEATURING KINAHULUGAN FALLS

AGUIRANGAN ISLAND, MAANGAS, PRESENTACION, CAMARINES SUR

March 30-31, 2015

Aguirangan Island, tantalizing as it appears, has been teasing me since the late 80’s, every time I attend summer youth camps and Christmas conventions in Parubcan during my heydays as an active youth leader.

Now that I am a resident of Caramoan for almost two years, passing by this island became a commonplace and I didn’t even entertain the idea of hopping into this nearby paradise, having been to almost all the major touristic island beaches in the country.

The right time has come when the school year ended that it was high time to discover what Aguirangan has to offer. Through phone chats, the plan was conceived and got the nods of the limited members. We are actually four! Leah and Christopher are both teachers from our district, with my housemate Jaymark made the group in search for an early summer fun!

See the setting of the sun from Aguirangan Island

The island dwellers have just settled down as night befalls

Our tent resembles our shirts in color and will shelter us through the night

THE ISLAND BEACH EXPERIENCE

The caretaker of the island has his own tour package. That included the boat ride to and fro the island, entrance, cottage and overnight fees. A brief cruise for about 10 minutes, quelled our hunger for this adventure and it was just amazing to have landed on this “very-near, but -hard-to reach-island”.

Yes, it is. From Sabang, you need to rent a boat to get to the island for about 45-minute cruise. Alternatively, from Goa terminal, take a Maangas-bound jeepney or catch by chance a Caramoan-bound Raymund bus and alight at Maangas proper. Boats are available especially the caretaker’s boat. Dare to swim across? You may.

The views were all eye-popping as we got close to and when we were already on the island. The beautiful hues of the sky stole show as it was reflected by the setting sun. Seeing the distant towns by the lights they emit and the nearby mainland, still a part of the peninsula made us feel safe and secure.

We pitched our tent, fresh from Lazada, in no time at all, and started to wallow in the white sand while capturing memories from the revelation of the beauty of the island, chirping birds and the rustling of coconut palm trees behind out tent and cottage.

The island didn’t darken. Before the sun has set, the half-moon has replaced the daylight sun so fun continued to count. Blessed with a perfect weather for this event, we relished the moonlight and enjoyed stargazing as well. Cracking jokes and sharing of unscripted stories were the main agenda for the night, not to mention the photo-taking which was an obvious requisite.

When morning broke, we ambled together around the island for fresh morning views, and leaving behind footprints as we value the surroundings. The creamy fine sand where our barefoot step on was just delightful without any room for reproach on my part. I fully loved everything about this still unspoiled wee island, just a striking distance from the shores of Maangas and a refreshing perk to travelers bound to Caramoan.

We found a perfect spot to frolic and wallow on, etching on the sand the island we are on and our date of stay. Then, we all rushed for a swim, enjoying the waves smashing us along the shores.