Location: Municipality of Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines
This is my second time to be in Caramoan. My first time was wayback April 9-12. 2009. It was not a good experience because the boatman we hired then had deceived us and we only visited two destinations, namely: Lahos Island and Hunongan Cove. We only had an hour in Lahos then and we were dropped in Hunongan Cove, a very rocky coastline inhabited with thousands of starfish. We waited there from 12:20 noon and we were picked up at around 6:00 P.M. by the boatman where we missed our lunch because the boatman told us that there was no need to get our things out from the boat since they will be back in a short while. However, we just find out that they were servicing another group of guests and so we ended up in a police station for a blotter and it was Good Friday then. The police officers (except for the chief of police who was drunk had intimidated us) demanded that we should not pay. The whole family of the boat operator confronted us because at the port, I was shouting in anger with what had happened. Thus, when I hear the word Caramoan, I am traumatized. Another consolation was being able to visit the shrine Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, Queen of Peace.
This was what also happened during my second time, the package was good for five islands but we only had three because they told us that the two islands were being used for the filming of a Survivor Show where I forgot the name of the country. I learned that this is always their style. Deceiving the guests of the number of islands of the island hopping package but eventually, they will tell you, the other islands are not available because of Survivor Show filming. But anyway, this second time was more enjoyable than the first.
Our trip package was a land travel of 19 hours from Mandaluyong City via Pan-Philippine Highway or AH26 for 510 kilometers. Driving along the Caramoan peninsula was such a long and endless zigzag-road drive. The first time I went there, we made use of the Sabang Port boarding a big boat going to Guijalo Port but this time, all land travel. I find the former to be a comfortable option than have the long drive along Caramoan Peninsula.
Saint Michael The Archangel was our first stop in the town of Caramoan which is now a mother parish of four parishes: Sacred Heart Parish in Garchitorena, St. Dominic of Guzman Parish in Tabgon, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Guijalo, and St. Anthony of Padua in Bikal.
As a background, Caramoan is a second class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is located at the tip of the Caramoan Peninsula, a rugged place of land extending into the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and east and Lagonoy Gulf on the south. The municipality covers approximately 277.41 square kilometers (107.11 sq mi) consisting of 49 barangays with approximately 71 kilometers (44 mi) of irregular coastline surrounded by the vast ocean, bay, seas and swamps. It is approximately 500 kilometers (310 mi) from Metro Manila; 95 kilometers (59 mi) from the municipality of Pili, where the seat of the provincial government and the Naga Domestic Airport are located; and 110 kilometers (68 mi) east from Naga City, the heart of Bicol.
We had such an excellent accommodation since its location was on the mouth of Sohoton River where it meets the Paniman Bay in Barangay Paniman and guests have the option to have water fun activities either in the river or beach front. It is just a few steps from our comfortable accommodation.
There is so much to see on the neighborhood of the resort. You have so many options but we booked for the best accommodation we thought could give us the assured comfort we need.
After our late sumptuous lunch, we readied ourselves for an exciting island hopping. The scene was quite dragging. We cannot find our boatman. Our tour guide was in search of him. We did not bother being exposed to the summer heat. What we want was to start the island hopping adventure.
This island has prominent tall limestone cliff and unique formation with white sand beach (not as powdery as Boracay's but offers the same beach experience). It has a mystery lagoon that is believed by locals to be enchanted. Its aquamarine blue waters is just irresistible. You can not say no for swimming. I can see some guests having scuba diving and snorkeling.
Rock cliff climbing may not be good for kids or for those with weak foot work as there are some loose rocks on it. But mind you, the view from atop is quite rewarding. You can see the aerial view of the fascinating island.
The beach line of the island can accommodate the most of more than a thousand guests. Staying overnight is not encouraged for it is a part of the municipal ordinance to maintain the cleanliness of the island.
After Matukad Island, we headed to Lahos Island and when we were just a kilometer away, our boat changed direction. The boatman was talking to somebody and when he was done, he told us that we cannot dock in Lahos Island because there is a filming of a Survivor show of one foreign country. It was disappointing. They could have informed us earlier. And so, our boatman brought us to a beach which I forgot the name. We also enjoyed the place. We played with the smashing waves. Quite a different experience for beginners.
We were thrilled for the second day island hopping but we did not know where our destination was because there was a change in destination island. The boat travel was 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The said island was in contrast different from the islands we visited with tall limestone rock formations. Guinahoan is an inhabited island with small community. It features rolling green hills resembling to that of the Marlboro country of Batanes though here cogon are tall in comparison with Batanes which are purely flat carabao grass.
From the island's port, guests are greeted by the friendly locals mostly kids. There is a makeshift store which also sells halo-halo and buco. From that point, an trek ascent of approximately 15-20 minutes to reach the lighthouse.
It was very hot but everybody was amazed of the place and they rather made themselves busy for some pictorials. There was a 360-degree view of the neighboring blue seas, skies and islands at a distance.
As I can see the lighthouse was not functional and in fact, you can see it in the above photo. Unlike other lighthouses that I visited in some parts of the country, this one is simply erected with no other annexed structures like that of Cape Bojeador of Ilocos Norte, Cape Bolinao of Pangasinan and Capones Lighthouse of Zambales.
We regrouped again at the port and we headed towards the other end of the island which is the Liwa white beach. It was very hot but the clear sea waters with very transparent sea bed was very inviting for a swim.
The boat travel was around 20 minutes and presto! we ended up docking at a pristine beach typical of a tropical beach grown with "lambayong" in a Waray dialect.
We were actually self-contained with food for lunch. Our boatmen helped us to cook our food including the grilled fish of fresh catch we bought from the port. Some had their swimming while waiting for the food to be served.
After lunch, we had swimming in reckless abandon from the hot sun's exposure. We enjoyed every minute of our stay in the beach. After all, this might be just the first and last that we will be here.
It was still early in the afternoon when we left the place and next destination was in a snorkel park of Sabitang Laya. It was a 40-minute boat travel from Liwa Beach.
We stayed in this place for an hour. It was shallow but corals are sharp and so it was not safe to walk over the corals but rather swim and enjoy snorkel. The boatmen advised us not to step on the corals as they will die.
The night that followed was memorable as we were served with a sumptuous dinner of seafoods and barbecue. Most importantly, we had a soundly and comfortable sleep in our airconditioned rooms.
The following day was our departure from a worthwhile experience and headed back from a picturesque countryside. From time to time, we disembark from our service vans to have a picture taking.
The long trip back to Manila was again a long one but it was not boring at all because we had a quick tour in Camsur Watersports Complex in Pili and Naga City, both cities of Camarines Sur.
How I wish that I can visit other beautiful islands of Caramoan including: Cotivas, Minalahos, Cagbanilad and Malarad and to experience the Manlawi Sandbar.
HOW TO GET THERE
If you opt not to avail of a travel package, the following are your options considering that you are coming from Manila:
1. Several bus companies are plying from Manila to Naga City which will take 12-14 hours. Then, have another transport from Naga City to Sabang Port. From Sabang Port to Guijalo Port will be by boat. Then, another 30-minute tricycle ride from Guijalo Port to Caramoan town.
2. Fly to Naga thru Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. From Naga City is land transport to Sabang Port and then take a 2-hour boat to Guijalo Port and another 30-minute tricycle ride transport to Caramoan town.
3. Fly to Virac booking online at Trip.Com and take a 1-hour boat.
4. 2.5 to 3-hour drive from Legazpi City to Naga or Pili and take the same route like that of Options 1 and 2.
OTHER CONCERNS
For those DIY travelers, beware of dishonest local contacts and boat operators. In our second trip, the local contact decided to cancel our original accommodation reservation and they housed us into a small nipa/wooden house with only electric fans and infested with cockroaches because it was our local contact's house. Barely no plates, forks and spoons and we stand while eating. Just to learn that the local contact did not inform our Manila tour operator that we were booked to another house because he said that all accommodations are fully booked when the reservation was made earlier. Our boatman also did not give us the services for the agreed five-island hopping but only three. Once maybe a mistake but twice is already intentional.
