Calaguas: Mahabang Buhangin in Pictures

Mahabang Buhangin - the gem of Tinago Island, Calaguas Group of Islands.

Part 2: Sailing and Trekking to Calaguas

At the breakwater by the mouth of the river, we found a boat going to Mangcawayan in Tinaga Island, one of the two main islands of Calaguas Group. As soon as they started loading the boat I approached the boatman and inquired if they could take us to Mangcawayan. His response that was we can ride with them if there’s space left after the locals and all the supplies were loaded.

The boat was laden with bags of cement, boards of plywood and whatnots. Looks like our chance of riding this boat to Tinaga Island seemed bleak. Despite that we lingered by the breakwater.

Part 1: Going to Calaguas

We checked out of the EcoVillage at 5 a.m. Good thing a service shuttle dropped us off at the highway just in time to catch a passing bus bound for Naga. A Daet-bound van left just as we were approaching the terminal.

Naga bound!

Project Bicol: Catanduanes, Caramoan, Camsur Watersport Complex and Calaguas

This is the map of my seven day journey in Bicolandia. By far, this is the ultimate backpacking trip I ever did. I hope this is not the last of it. In that seven days I crisscrossed the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes.

The Figures

10 hours on the bus, 4 hours jeepney ride, 2.5 hours on board the ferry, 8.5 hours aboard 4 different pumpboats, 1 hour of tricyle and motorcycle ride, 9.5 hours spent mostly sleeping on board the Bicol Express train from Naga City to Metro Manila and a total of 3 hours of trekking the hills from Caboon to Mahabang Buhangin in Tinaga Island in Calaguas Group of Islands, Vinzons, Camarines Norte.