An unexpected Calaguas Island redux, and reluctantly too!

Tutubi was able to visit again his favorite backpacker beach during his trip to Paracale, Camarines Norte. Due to his friends insistence to have lunch on Maculabo Island by hiring a boat at Paracale port


These are what Tutubi saw on Tinaga Island the second time around:

the big boat that ferried Tutubi to calaguas island for the 2nd time (PhP3,500.00 rate)



Tutubi's companion didn't really intend to swim but quickly dove into the water when he saw the awesome beach that Tutubi avers was really very good



sand so fine and not hot to the feet

the owner of the large part of Mahabang Buhangin is experimentin in growing bermuda grass on the island plus the use of solar power to charge car battery


Changes to Calaguas Island:

there's a confirmed mobile phone signal from Smart at a certain location on the beach marked by bamboo "totem" poles. You can bring solar power chargers to charge your cellphones due to the presence of cellphone signal on Calaguas Island

You can find battery charger using solar energy owned by the Patents holder of much of Mahabang Buhangin Beach Resort

Beach property is for sale, a few hectares of this paradise is for sale by a whopping PhP3.5M, no title yet but a Patent owned by Lolo whom Tutubi personally met.

Drinking water is still fetched from a fresh water well (from where Sadako climbed up)

How to get to Calaguas Island:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP60.00 fare) or rent a boat to Calaguas Island (PhP3,500.00 boat rental rate).

You may get in touch directly with the owner of Mahabang Buhangin Beach resort for the latest "accommodations/room rates," camping/pitching of tents, water, electricity or simply boat rentals and contact numbers.

Related Posts:
Maculabo Island
Calaguas Island
Apuao Grande Island

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

An attempt to visit Paracale's Pulang Daga Beach, named after the red colored sand beach (daga means soil in Bicolano), did not materialized due to Tutubi's friend's insistence to have lunch in an island that's so near the "gold rush" town of Paracale.

It turned out it's on the list of Tutubi's islands he wanted to visit: Maculabo Island, just to verify claims of some people (and bloggers) that it's like this famous island teeming with tourists down south.

The trip to Maculabo Island is just a mere thirty minutes from the Paracale Port via motorized banca, an hour more, you'll find yourself in the mesmerizing Mahabang Buhangin of Tinaga Island, Calaguas Islands. Both Tinaga Island and Maculabo islands are part of the Calaguas Group of Islands though Tinaga Island is politically part of Vinzons, Camarines Norte.
.
Pictures of Maculabo Island, the white sand beach of Centro (or Sentro) as the locals call the place.





The white sand beach boasts white sand alright but it's not as white nor as fine as the sand of Mahabang Buhangin, (erroneously called Calaguas Island).

Centro of Maculabo is inhabited with a small barangay (village) where Tutubi's friend bought freshly-caught fish (talakitok and tanigue).

Maculabo Island
GPS Coordinates/Waypoints: N14 24 04.5 E122 49 04.0

Related Posts:

Calaguas Island
Apuao grande Island Resort

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

In the "gold rush" town of Paracale that sits on gold (whose gold was alleged to be by an ex-president), stands the old stone Church of Our Lady of Candelaria (Our Lady of Candles), which is celebrating its 400th anniversary.

the Drive-by photo of Paracale Church's facade:

the facade of Paracale Church, made of adobe blocks and facing towards the sea, as always, i.e. east guarding the town from marauders and slave traders of yore (picture taken around 5pm)

Tutubi merely took a drive-by picture of the old church and was not able to enter to see, document how the altar and read about the history of the catholic edifice and probably old retablo (tableau) but had to leave in a haste so as not get caought at night passing by the zigzag road between Atimonan and Pagbilao, Quezon on the way to Manila

Paracale is a gateway port to Maculabo Island and the Calaguas Group of Islands, home to Mahabang Buhangin, about 1.5 hours away from Paracale port.

---
Paracale Church
GPS Coordinate: N14 16 46.1 E122 47 14.6

How to get to Paracale, Camarines Norte

Commute to Paracale, there's a Superlines terminal near Paracale Church that has trips to the capital town of Daet, Camarines Norte. You can get to Paracale from Manila by boarding a bus of Superlines, Amihan Lines or Daet Express that pass by the northern towns of Sta. Elena, Capalonga, Labo and Jose Panganiban (fare: PhP500.00 approximately) but request the conductor to drop you off at a junction called Bato Balani in Jose Panganiban town. At Bato Balani, ride a tricycle to Paracale (fare: PhP20.00)

There's an ATM owned by Rural Bank of Paracale that dispenses gold, not cold cash (as it's April 1 :)

If you want some sort of Visita Iglesia Camarines Norte you can also try Saint Peter's Parish Church (Vinzons Church), Parish of St. John, the Evangelist (Labo Church), (Capalonga Church, not really old but it's home to the venerated Black Nazarene).

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Churches, Visita Iglesia

A trip to the "gold rush" town of Paracale, camarines Norte is incomplete without a visit to a gold mine with rails and mine tunnel full of gold ore

Tutubi asked a friend how to get to an abandoned mine on the hills of Paracale but, due to the usual lack of time, with a trip on a habal-habal up the mountains, and the danger of encounter with the "pogi," he deferred the gold mine tour. (this is different from the Mining in Surigao del Norte)

He, however, was able to witness actual gold mining activities on the hill at the mouth of the river of Paracale with houses on stilts precariously perched on the hillside with sand bags and noticeable gold panning activity.





the good and bad of mining, not so evident here but this small town has lots of moneyed small time miners needing "recreation" and also still using dangerous mining practice utilizing mercury (asoge/asogue in Filipino/Tagalog). You can find mercury being sold in a tiangge here. You can also find pure gold being sold here, around PhP2000.00/gram...that's 24 karat gold at very low price straight from the miners themselves.

what did Tutubi actually explore in Paracale, Camarines Norte?

later...

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte

A project of the Department of Tourism and the national Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP, formerly the National Historical Institute (NHI)) in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the country's national hero, Rizal @ 150 Heritage Trail Project (Lakbay Jose Rizal) requires "amazing race" participants to secure Lakbay Rizal passport, visit all 27 places Jose Rizal visited and have "visas" stamped on the Rizal@150 passport. The first 100 people to complete the list of 27 sites shall receive a token from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Herewith is the list of places Jose Rizal visited required you too visit to complete the Lakbay Rizal heritage trail. Note that Tutubi has been to all Rizal Shrines except 4 on the list. If only there's crediting of previous visits to the various Jose Rizal Shrines, Tutubi would have almost completed the list by now :(

Please read the individual blog posts provided to see information about the Rizal site's historical significance, how to get there, and other information e.g. entrance fees and museum hours. (Note all of these sites are present on OpenStreetMap, where you can browse the map to get an idea on how to get there (or download it to your PC then install to your Garmin GPS Navigators)

Destinations and Stamp Sites

National Capital Region

1. Prison Cell and Rizal Shrine, Fort Santiago, Manila

on the floor of Rizal Shrine narrates the last day of the hero, Tutubi's freedom loving French friends "fell in love" with Rizal when he took them there after a brief tour of Luneta and the National Museum

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 40.3 E120 58 11.0
How to Get to Fort Santiago

2. Chapel Cell of Rizal, Fort Santiago, Manila

just outside Rizal Shrine but without a roof

How to Get to Fort Santiago

3. Site of the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, Anda cor. Sta. Lucia St., Intramuros, Manila

Intramuros which included the previous location of Ateneo Municipal de Manila (now the Clamshell building) where Rizal started formal schooling

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 22.0 E120 58 23.7

WARNING: If you have an SLR/DSLR, be prepared to be harassed by the "Guardia Civil" of the Intramuros Administration (IA) who still have the medieval thinking that SLR cameras are for professional photographers only thus require you apply for a "permit to shoot" for a fee. A tourist spot promoted by the DOT and yet you can't take a souvenir picture with an SLR to share with friends for the world to "like." The rule is applied inconsitently where Tutubi was harrased by security guards for taking pictures of Manila Catheral and yet left a foreign tourist alone taking photos of the same Intramuros landmark. Such is the shame here, Jose Rizal would have cried out loud for such archaic and discriminatory practice against the indios of today.

The NHCP, however, through the forward mindset of Prof. Ambeth Ocampo, now allow photography at their shrines, thus the various pictures of Rizal Shrines on this post.

4. Site of the University of Santo Tomas, Banco Filipino Building., A. Soriano cor. Solana Sts., Intramuros, Manila

Everybody knows Rizal didn't get straight "sobresaliente" grades here in Medical school, one subject even had a passing grade

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 36.4 E120 58 27.1

5. Site of Trial of Rizal, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), Gen. Luna cor. Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila

The current site of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila was where Jose Rizal was first tried in a court martial.

GPS Coordinates: N14 35 11.7 E120 58 39.1

6. Rizal Park, Roxas Blvd, Burgos, Kalaw and Taft Avenues, Manila

7. Rizal Monument, Roxas Blvd, Manila

Do you still need a picture of this one? :P

Coordinates: N14 34 54.6 E120 58 37.5

8. Rizal Execution Site (Light and Sound Museum), Roxas Blvd, Manila

the actual site of Rizal's execution is inside the present Light and Sound Museum at the Luneta Park

GPS Coordinates: N14 34 58.2 E120 58 35.4

9. Rizal Fountain, Roxas Blvd, Manila

this is the Wilhemsfeld Fountain transferred from Germany to Luneta, where Rizal drank water while he stayed there

GPS Coordinates: N14 34 50.7 E120 58 39.5

10. Paco Park, San Marcelino and Gen. Luna Sts., Paco, Manila

the cemetery where Rizal was buried in an unmarked grave. click the link above to get directions on how to get there

Coordinates: N14 34 54.0 E120 59 19.5

Region III – Central Luzon

11. San Fernando Train Station, Brgy. Sto. Niño, San Fernando, Pampanga

In a few weeks, expect a picture of this historic train station that played a vital part during the Bataan Death March of WW II

Coordinates: N15 01 36.6 E120 41 12.4

12. Kamestisuhan District (Women of Malolos Marker/ Bautista House), Sto. Niño St., Malolos, Bulacan

Tutubi may have to re-visit a lot he acquired in Malolos (Woodlands of Grand Royale) and probably Barasoain Church to justify visiting this one. Read more about Kamestisuhan by Traveler on Foot


Region IV – Calabarzon

13. Rizal Shrine, J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

Tutubi's been here twice but he has no picture good enough for posting here. This How to Get to Rizal Shrine Calamba can be of help though.

Coordinates: N14 12 49.1 E121 09 59.9

14. Calamba Church (San Juan Bautista Church), J.P. Rizal St., Calamba City, Laguna

The church in Calamba (St. John the Baptist Parish) where the young Jose Rizal was baptized a Catholic

Coordinates: N14 12 49.7 E121 10 01.7

15. National Shrine of our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church), Oliveros St., Antipolo City

Just in time, Tutubi is scheduled to buy a new car, and may have to have it blessed here like his dear Sakura :P

Waypoints/GPS Coordinates: N14 35 15.6 E121 10 35.2

Region V – Bicol Region

16. Rizal Monument, Magallanes and Justo Lukban Streets, Daet, Camarines Norte

Visited twice already by Tutubi, this is the first Jose Rizal monument, erected in 1898. A third visit coming in a month or two

Region VI – Western Visayas

17. Molo Church (St. Anne’s Parish) and Escolta, Jocson and San Marcos Sts., Molo District, Iloilo City

Tutubi's been to Iloilo where he stayed at Sarabia Manor Hotel during the early fight of Pacquio at the Fort. Was only able to visit Jaro Cathedral, went to Roxas City (Capiz) then flew to Cebu the following day.

Coordinates: N10 41 51.0 E122 32 40.9


Region VII – Central Visayas

18. Dumaguete City

Been here in 2003 (or 2004) in very limited time but only explored nearby Siquijor Island. Wonder where to have the Rizal passport stamped in this city

19. Fort San Pedro, Pier Area, Cebu City

visited by Tutubi in 2003 but no "bloggable" pictures still even if he's been to Cebu countless times already.


Coordinates: N10 17 33.0 E123 54 20.2

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

20. Rizal Shrine and Waterworks of Rizal, Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City

photo of Rizal's house in Dapitan (yeah, NHI chairman Ambeth Ocampo should be informed that those NHI markers obstruct the view). The woman in white, not a nun but a member of a Rizalist sect worshiping Rizal as a God doing, does volunteer work in maintaining the shrine.

A pool of water that comprise Jose Rizal's aqueduct that supplied potable water to Dapitan, a feat of water works engineering well ahead of his time according to modern day enngineers

21. Dapitan Plaza, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

a drive-by picture of Dapitan Plaza, thus slightly blurred. note the Rizal Monument on the background

22. Site of the Casa Real, Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

The historical marker reads: "This is the site of the Casa Real, official residence and administration building of the politico-military governor of the district. Here, Jose Rizal lived as an exile from July 17, 1892 to March 1893 when he was transferred to Talisay, now the Rizal Dapitan Shrine."

23. Dapitan Church, City Hall Drive, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Dapitan Church with a partial view of Jose Rizal's map of Mindanao
Dapitan Church

24. Relief Map of Mindanao, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte

Relief Map of Mindanao was built by Rizal just in front of Dapitan Church. (Tutubi tried to take an aerial picture of this map but the stairs to the Dapitan Church belfry were closed)

25. Santa Cruz Beach, Punto del Disembarko de Rizal en Dapitan, Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City

the fiery sunset on Sta. cruz Beach on Sunset Boulevard, Dapitan City. A dilapidated marker (at the time of Tutubi's visit) is just along the road

26. Dipolog Cathedral, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Dipolog Cathedral visited by Rizal during his exile in Dapitan. Church altar said to be designed by Jose Rizal. The building facade recently had a facelift that Jose Rizal himself would not recognize as it's very much different from the original

Coordinates: N8 35 9 E123 20 44

27. Rizal Farm, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte

Of all the 27 sites, this may be the hardest one to reach. Katipunan town is south of Dapitan and Dipolog, the twin cities of Zamboanga del Norte. No information yet on the interwebs on how to get there or how it actually looks like

Lastly, did you know that Tutubi was able to visit two sites related to Jose Rizal in Hong Kong, the first one's the site of clinic (on D'Aguilar Street) and the second one's his home where he stayed on Rednaxela Terrace (the long escalator).

Probably next year, he'll also explore the places Jose Rizal visited in Singapore.

Labels: Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Cebu, Cebu City, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Jose Rizal, Laguna, Manila, Negros Oriental, Pampanga, Zamboanga del Norte

Last week Tutubi saw a teaser on TV about an adventure attraction in Cebu that he intends do in his upcoming trip to Cebu (for the nth time). But due to his channel surfing ways, he forgot about it almost missed the entire episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho's Summer Special.

The first segment featured some destinations tagged as alternative summer destinations to Bora, or groomed to be the next big thing as Bora-- very fine white sand beach, resorts and accommodations for every budget and an island of party animals.


If you weren't able to watch the KMJS April 4 episode, here's the summary of suggested destinations plus Tutubi's reviews and comments of the places mentioned-- because he's been to all of them-- and why he disagrees with the suggestion that the places won't be and can't be the next Bora
1. Anawangin Cove

A boat ride ride away from Barangay Pundaquit in San Antonio, Zambales (Also the gateway to Capones Lighthouse) is really picture-perfect place with a cove of fine white sand beach complimented with a backdrop of pine trees (actually agoho trees (Casuarina equisetifolia)), common to Zambales beaches) making the place a fusion of Bora and Baguio combined. It's a backpacker place, much like Bora decades ago, a favorite of trekkers who trek to the place and camp out.

Perfect, but, beware of a lurking danger in Anawangin with the presence of untertows/undercurrents making the beach not suitable for children and family vacations besides the place lacking facilities for such. Tutubi suggest staying at a Pundaquit beach resort (the best one seems to be
Punta de Uian though pricey), just hire a boat to get there and don't forget your life vests!

2. Pueblo Por La Playa

An exclusive members-only resort development in Pagbilao, Quezon was also visited by Tutubi recently when he saw the resort with people frolicking and riding the jet ski from Silangang Nayon Park & Restaurant. After he left Silangang Nayon, he proceeded to visit the place before going back to Lucena City.

Pueblo Por La Playa sign on the main entrance gate

Tutubi's Note: Pueblo Por La Playa has nice multi-colored houses and family-friendly facilities but the beach, again the beach, doesn't compare with Bora's if you're going to tag it as the next one. Tutubi wanted to explore the nearby Pagbilao Grande Island's beaches said to be very good but it will take time. To be able to enter the place, there's a membership fee of PhP300,000.00, plus the annual dues of course, making the place out of reach of ordinary mortals in the Philippines. Tutubi also loves to visit other places rather than to spend vacations regularly in just one place.

3. Munting Buhangin Beach Camp

A beach resort on a long stretch of fine white sand beach in Nasugbu, Batangas. It shares the beach with the exclusive Terrazas de Punta Fuego, beach resort partnered with Club Punta Fuego (they're different but within a few minutes driving distance from each other). The beach front can only accommodate a few more resorts and so the infestation of beach resorts there won't happen unlike in Bora's four kilometer long stretch.

Munting Muhangin beach with "munting" visitors

4. Calaguas Group of Islands

An island group part of Vinzons town of Camarines Norte in Bicol Region. It's about 3 hours by boat from Vinzon's port, Mercedes or even Bagasbas Beach in Daet and about an hour away from Apuao Grande Island. (Note the header, as of posting time, of this blog was taken on Calaguas Island in May 2008)

The super fine sand of Calaguas Island's Mahabang Buhangin beach doesn't feel hot on your feet

Feedback: The pristine long stretch of super fine white sand beach also perfect for swimming on Calaguas Island's Mahabang Buhangin has what it takes to make Boracay a run for its money. The sand is so fine, as fine as those in Bora, if not finer. It doesn't also feel hot on your feet probably due to its unique chemical composition similar to Boracay's white sand. It doesn't have the notorious green moss that litter Boracay's shoreline on summer mornings.

Calaguas Island as the next Boracay? Tutubi doesn't think so. It's too far from civilization making it fit for adventurous backpackers, the same mold of backpackers who leaked photos of Boracay to the world decades ago that started its ascension to its current place in Philippine tourism, when backpackers were displaced by the usual tourists and turned the paradise into a party-place if not of sex, drugs and booze. Calaguas Island is also not a place for all seasons, Tutubi doesn't recommend going there during the typhoon season lest you get stranded by big waves. He wants to return to the island again someday to find it like it was before: a communion with nature, sand, sun, stars at night, without the trappings of modern civilization for there's no electricity on the island.

Conclusion:

Boracay is Boracay, it has a different persona than the places mentioned, and there's absolutely no other place that can rival it at this time for being the place to be seen (even during Holy Week), but that doesn't mean there are no better alternatives to it. It only depends on your own taste and preferences.

Jessica Soho's episode researchers fell short of Bora's salacious charms if KMJS is really serious about the places, including two resorts, in tagging them as "The Next Bora."

Notes:

Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho
Schedule: Saturday, 9pm at GMA

About Melvic Brinas, the guy from Daet Tourism officer as contact person for Calaguas Group of Islands, all he can say about him for you readers are these two words: Caveat Emptor!

Please visit the links on this page for the contact numbers, reviews, driving directions and other details

Labels: Bicol Region, Boracay, Calabarzon, Camarines Norte, Central Luzon, Quezon, Southern Tagalog, Zambales

For those looking for extra adrenaline rush and muscle-flexing beyond the usual beach bumming, there are many known and unknown places in the Philippines where waves can be found that surfers, both local and foreign, will find challenging. Herewith is a list of surfing spots, both for newbies and surfers looking for "killer waves," gathered from various sources including various travel shows on TV.

Best Surfing Beaches in the Philippines:

Aurora: Baler's Sabang and Cemento Beach
If the ending scene of Francis Ford Copola's movie "Apocalypse Now" was shot in Pagsanjan Falls, Baler's beach was the location shoot of the surfing scene. To get there, board a Manila to Baler bus of Genesis Transport bus (terminal on EDSA, Pasay City) or a flight to Baler via SeAir.

Camarines Norte: Bagasbas Beach in Daet,
A surfing beach in the Bicol Region ideal for surfing lessons with fine black sand. It can be reached by buses going to Daet (Amihan, Philtranco and Superlines) followed by a short tricycle ride to the beach facing the vast Pacific Ocean.

Surfer on a surfboard on Bagasbas Beach

Catanduanes: Puraran Beach, Baras
Known in the international surfing circuit as "Majestic," with its awesome long-barrel waves made spectacular by visiting typhoons

Eastern Samar: Calicoan Island, Guiuan,
The home of The Surf Camp with ABCD Beach has both left-hand and right-hand waves. Surfing season runs from April to November

Eastern Samar: Macate Island and San Vicente, Sulat town
An "off the beaten track" surfing destination without the surfing tourist crowd in the town of Sulat, Eastern Samar is Macate Island (and San Vicente) where about eight feet high waves welcoming surfers can on a deserted beach. To get to Sulat, book a flight to Tacloban City, from Tacloban Airport, get on the San Jose jeep to Duptours terminal or Tacloban Bus Terminal, followed by a van ride to Borongan (via Duptours with regular trips to Borongan via plus another jeepney to Sulat) or bus to Borongan to take you to straight to Sulat, Eastern Samar.

Ilocos Norte: Maira-Ira Beach, Pagudpud
In an secret area in Pagudpud known as Blue Lagoon. It can be reached by boat from Pagudpud's Saud Beach

Ilocos Sur: Kido's Point, Cabugao
Kido's Point, after Cabugao's surfing hero Kido Cabasug, is another popular surfing site in Ilocos Sur.

La Union: San Juan
Perfect place for longboarders. It can be reached by any bus to Ilocos (Vigan, Laoag, Pagudpud) and drop off near the San Fernando-San Juan boundary.

Sorsogon: Gubat Bay, Gubat
Located in the Bicol Peninsula in Gubat, Sorsogon south of Legazpi City, it faces the San Juanico Strait. It has three kilometers of gray-sand beach very good for surfing school.

Surigao del Norte: Siargao Island
Known as "The Surfing Capital of the Philippines" with the world-famous Cloud 9 waves of General Luna town facing the Pacific Ocean. Cloud Nine was named after a chocolate bar that surfers kept in their shorts. The surfing beach offers a powerful hollow right hander hailed as one of the ten best waves in the world comparable to the renowned surf of Hawaii and Indonesia. Besides Clud Nine, there's Jacking Horse, Tuason Left, Rock Island, Stimpies and Pacifico. Best time for surfing in Siargao is from August up to the start of November due to the presence of typhoon swells and winds. Waves are smaller from May to July while December to April the winds are strong with pretty big swell preferred by some surfers.

Surigao del Sur: Lanuza Bay,
With waves as high as 15 feet, it's known "Doot Poktoy." Alternatives to Siargao includes Lanuza Rivermouth, Sabang, Moshimoshi left and right, Badjang-BigStar

Zambales: San Narciso and Pundaquit, San Antonio
Good for newbie surfers, the beaches of Brgy Pundaquit in San Antonio and of San Narciso beckons Metro Manilans due to its proximity.

Skimboarding in the Phlippines:

Skimboarding (or skimming), another water sport gaining popularity is some areas is a boardsport in which a skimboard (a sort of little surfboard) is used to ride on an incoming wave.

Note that the places listed above are also ideal for skimboarding where the towns of Tanauan and Dulag in Leyte is gaining popularity.

Want to learn how to surf without heading for the beach?

For furfing lessons nearest Metro Manila, OceanWaves at Club Manila Eastin Taytay Rizal offers surfing lessons by appointment-only basis. Call 6312805 or 3575452 for details, cost and other inquiries. Facilities include a 14-ft-deep diving pool with four diving platforms and a 20-ft-high waterfall; and a 30-m wide, 76-m long family wave pool that’s only 4 ft deep. OceanWaves is open every day with two-hour surfing lessons scheduled at 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-12 noon and 2-4 p.m.

Labels: Aurora, Beaches, Boardsports, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Sorsogon, Surfing, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Zambales

After a hearty lunch of laing, a Bicol specialty of taro leaves in coconut milk and chili, and grilled yellow fin tuna in Apuao Grande Island, Tutubi and his group "sailed" on for more than two hours to reach their desired destination that fueled the whole tour of Camarines Norte: the virgin beach of Calaguas Island.



The journey was long even made worse by the not so placid water of the Philippine Sea with sightings of small islands with rolling hills and small patches of white sand beaches visible from afar, but the distance and time was immaterial to the ultimate quest was at hand.



There are many islands belonging to Calaguas group of islands but the main island has the longest white sand beach of them all that locals call Mahabang Buhangin (literally long sand, translate loosely as Long Beach).



Upon setting foot on Mahabang Buhangin, the fine white sand of the beach is truly something to behold. The sand is as fine, if not finer than the powdery white sand of Boracay, and also not hot to the feet despite the heat of the summer sun, must be due to the rare chemical composition of the sand also present on Boracay Island.



first sight of Mahabang Buhangin on the "undiscovered" island



Trudging slowly over wet sand towards the "resort," birds of various species flew away on sensing the presence the group while butterflies fluttered in every direction indicating a still intact ecosystem unharmed by the few inhabitants of Calaguas, mostly living on the other side of the island in Vinzon's barangay Banocboc. At dusk, the sound of male kuliglig (cicada), calling the female species for mating, add very rural setting to the place to be enhanced further at night when alitaptap (fireflies) light up nearby trees for a spectacular display of nature's beauty.



There are no resorts on Calaguas, accommodations are either native huts or tents pitched on the beach and some camp sites. There's toilet and bathroom (with tiled floors and walls) inside the bahay kubo but you need to fetch water or hire a local to fetch for you for a minimal fee. There's fresh water supplied by a deep well while drinking water used by the locals from the saluno (aqueduct) (it's is advised though to bring your own drinking water if you can't stand natural mineral water). About a kilometer trek through the thick forest leads to a village where you can buy basic supplies in case you need something.



the bahay kubo (native hut) is the only "high-end resort" on the island



walking on the pristine beach, lonely planet style (does this picture look familiar?)



footprints on the sand...sand that does not feel hot to the feet



After a sumptuous dinner around a bonfire, Tutubi and his friends chose not to sleep inside the bahay kubo, and instead slept on the beach, using blankets, with the sound of lapping waves, croaking frogs, chirping birds, gentle ocean wind and under the canopy of stars with the mythical hunter Orion and the Pleiades keeping watch.


cheap place to stay on the beach!



Nature, adventure, birds, butterflies, seclusion, serenity, cerulean skies, amazing landscapes, rolling hills, turquoise waters, cool fine white sand without the maddening crowd and hint of civilization all rolled into one: Calaguas Island!



---



Other activities in Calaguas Group of Islands:



Island-hopping, SCUBA-diving and snorkeling at Banocboc coral reef, trekking/mountain climbing, Butterfly watching, bird watching. The recommended Calaguas itinerary is just an overnight stay on the island unless you really prefer to live like that on a remote island.



Other places to see in Vinzons, Camarines Norte: Wenceslao Vinzons Shrine and Vinzons Church


Trivia: Vinzons town was first called Tacboan, later renamed Indan. It was changed to Vinzons after Wenceslao Q. Vinzons, a former governor of Camarines and guerilla leader executed by the Japanese in World War II. Vinzons Hall in the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman is named after him.

Note: there's no electricity. Smart mobile phone signal can be received at a marked point on the beach :(

How to get to Calaguas Island, Vinzons, Camarines Norte:

Board a bus to Daet, Camarines Norte via Sta. Elena (Piltranco, Amihan Express, Daet Express, fare: PhP500.00), get off at a junction called Batobalani in Jose Panganiban town, ride a tricycle to the port of Paracale (fare: PhP20.00) then look for boats going to Tinaga Island (PhP100.00 fare) or rent a boat to the island (PhP3,000.00 boat rental rate).

the nearest jump-off point to Calaguas Island is via the gold mine town of Paracale, where you can even drop by the rural white beach of Maculabo Island

Daily Boat schedule to Calaguas:

Paracale Port to Brgy. Mangcawayan: 1pm (be there early, Fare: PhP100.00)
Brgy. Mangcawayan to Paracale: 7am (fare: PhP100.00
One trip only, travel time is between 2 to 3 hours

Fees, Fares, Rates:

Beach Entrance Fee: Php 100/head (per day)
Cottage Rental: PhP300.00
Baranggay fee: PhP20.00

Calaguas Island can also be reach by a boat ride, about two hours, from Daet's Bagasbas Beach

Calaguas Island package tours are offered by tour operators and local travel agencies. there's no such thing as calaguas itinerary since all you do in the island is swim and do island hopping
There are hotels on Calaguas Island, resorts are not yet there too.

NOTE (updated May 2013):

Tutubi went back to Calaguas Island Mahabang Buhangin in 2012 and saw development being made there, a part of the white beach was bought, reportedly by Shangri-la resort (but unconfirmed). Foreign plants like a green grass was being planted right on the beach that will someday wreck havoc on Calaguas Island eco-system, being an exotic plant species to the island.

many recent blog posts on calaguas Island reports garbage left by backpackers and usual tourists alike, development of the area (which will someday make the beach exclusive to the future Calaguas Island Resort) and off-limits to the public.

Should Tutubi publish a requiem to Calaguas Island now?

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

Cooking the Bicolano food is not complete without the ubiquitous coconut and chili. During the Camarines tour, Tutubi and his friends were again introduced to authentic cuisine of the Bicol region using fresh catch from the sea bought from local fishermen.

Simple Bicol dishes are made from traditional recipes with the two earlier mentioned key ingredients: coconut milk and chili

Tutubi, took too long doing something that he wasn't able to take a photo of the coconut being pried open and grated the old-fashined way using a kudkuran (coconut grater). He was only able to capture the on "film" grated coconut being milked

traditional way of milking coconut done on a remote island. notice also kalabasa (squash) being cut into pieces

coconut milk put into a skillet then brought to a boil

the victim...err..main ingredient of lunch: a still alive crab with pincers tied together

coconut milk mixed with crabs, sliced squash, large green chili and other ingredients Tutubi wasn't able to keep tabs on due to his already growling stomach

not unique to Bicol but this adobong pusit (squid) is also tempting

Bicol's most famous dish, Bicol express, whose main flavoring ingredient is bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp), wasn't served that day but laing (taro leaves in coconut milk) was sampled as well as sinantol (grated wild mangosteen in coconut milk with smoked fish, different from Tutubi's favorite sinantol recipe from his hometown using bagoong alamang).

Thanks to Tutubi's friend from Daet who toured the group, and cooked food for them stranded souls on a remote island in a scene similar to the upcoming Survivor Philippines!

---

Other noteworthy Bicolano dishes include tinumok (taro leaves in coconut cream with chopped river shrimps and strips of young coconut), pinangat (taro leaves in coconut milk with chopped pork or smoked fish), and sinanglay (using roasted grated coconut, with dressing made from coco milk mixed in with vinegar for the blanched sliced puso ng saging (banana heart))

Labels: Bicol, Bicol Cuisine, Camarines Norte, Filipino Food

On the second day of Tutubi's Camarines Norte Tour the took him and his friends to Daet, Mampurog River and Bagasbas Beach, the group then hied off to the town of Mercedes' fish port, called pandawan by the locals to board a rented boat and go island hopping.



There were several islands with visible white sand beaches and interesting rock formations along the way but the group's mainly headed to an abandoned resort on Apuao Grande Island with sandbar, mangrove forests, nine-hole golf course and the adjacent Apuao Pequeña Island.

one of the tropical huts on the resort island you can rent for P2500/night good for 15 persons.

the virgin beach of Apuao Pequeña Island

Similar to Anawangin's beach lined with agoho (an evergreen species of trees that look like pine trees), Apuao Grande Island, one of several islands belonging to the so called Mercedes group of islands, has beaches without the dangerous undercurrent of Anawangin.



the Bantay Dagat boat, with markings BFAR-BDP-2806, that ferried other tourists to the island.

mangrove forest in between the two Apuao islands
Tutubi's companions frolicking on the sandbar

Apuao Grande Island Resort used to be operated by Swagman Hotel chain. It's funny that when Tutubi was inquiring for booking accommodations on the island regarding the resort, the booking officer reserved a room for Tutubi at Swagman Hotel in Malate! The misunderstanding was cleared when Tutubi again inquired about Calaguas Island

For your appreciation, herewith is a satellite image of Mercedes group of islands from wikimapia.org:



Other islands belonging to Mercedes Group of Islands: Canton Island, Quinapagihan Island, Caringo Island, Canimog Island, and Malasugui Island.


Other Places to see in Mercedes:

Colasi Falls - about 70 meters in height and can be reached by hiking/trekking. located in barangay Colasi.
Canta Cave, Caringo Island Resort on Caringo Island

How to get there:

Commute: from Daet, board a jeepney bound for Mercedes. Ask around for the fish port (pantalan or pandawan) then hire a boat to take you there for about 45 minutes.

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Islands

After a the brief "cooling down" in Mampurog River, Tutubi and his friends trouped to the beach of Bagasbas for some "beachy" fun.



It's Tutubi's second time on the beach being touted as one of the best surfing beach for beginners. The local surfing school offers surfing classes for those who want to learn the rudiments of the exciting water sport.



Bagasbas beach's long stretch of fine gray sand with waves good for newbie surfers. Men undergoing lifeguard training ala Baywatch



one of the rare times Tutubi saw a surfer on a surfboard for a brief photo opportunity

soon-to-be lifeguards playing Ultimate Frisbee on the beach


After the mandatory picture taking and mingling with the friendly locals who even lent the group their surfboards for photo opportunity, a hearty "dinner" ensued at K Sarap restaurant and went grocery shopping in preparation for the major event of the trip to a secluded beach i.e. touted as better than Bora...


How to get to Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte:

From Manila, take Superlines, Daet Express, Philtranco, or Raymond Transportation bus to Daet.

Take a tricycle to Bagasbas Beach, it's just a tricycle ride away from Daet town proper.


Related Post:
Surfing Beaches in the Philippines

Labels: Beaches, Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Surfing, Water Sports

After resting for a while and preparing for lunch in Daet, Tutubi and his friends rode a tricycle to the terminal of San Lorenzo Ruiz-bound jeepneys. The road to Club Noah, the name of the resort on the banks of Mampurog River, was filled with potholes and very rural looking.

the sign of Club Noah prominently displayed on the Daet-Mampurog road with rates and telephone numbers

After a few minutes of soaking in the cold water of the rocky stream and few photo opportunities, decided to eat lunch, again took pictures then hurried off to ride the jeepney back to Daet's famous Bagasbas Beach.


the cold water of the river, actually just a sapa (stream), is a favorite of locals for picnics and escape from the searing summer sun

a common site in the Philippines: men drinking while soaking in rivers and lakes

on the exit trail of Club Noah


Next pitstop: Bagasbas Beach


A similar resort, named Sinagtala resort, can also be found in the town of Labo, also a jeepney ride away from Daet.

Labels: Bicol Region, Camarines Norte, Rivers