Leaving Caramoan

The sunrise was still elusive even in Caramoan,. I took a peek outside the tent at five in the morning and the horizon was blanketed with clouds. Knowing that I won’t be seeing the sunrise I went back to sleep.

An overcast morning in Caramoan

Around 7:00 a.m. we woke up, had breakfast and then started to pack our stuffs away. By 9:00 a.m. we were ready to go. A motorbike was our ride to Guijalo Port passing through Centro, the town proper of Caramoan.

Island Hopping in Caramoan

One and a half hours later after leaving Codon Port in San Andres, Catanduanes, Mang Rey, our boatman, docked in Matukad Island. I marveled at the karst  rock formation and explored the beachfront. We didn't go to the top of the rocks to see the lagoon and have a glimpse of a panoramic view of the island since we are short of time.

Approaching Matukad Island

Crossing Maqueda Channel to Caramoan

Most visitors to Caramoan in Camarines Sur normally take the pumpboat from Sabang Port in San Jose to Guijalo Port in Caramoan then to Barangay Paniman via motor bike or tricycle. Paniman is the jump off point to the majestic karst islands and cliffs of Caramoan.

Codon Port (San Andres)

Alternately, one can take the route to Paniman via Codon Port in San Andres, Catanduanes. I love adventure and I am always up for the unexpected and my cousin shares the same outlook on traveling. And so we took chances in taking this route to Caramoan instead of going through the circuitous way via Tabaco City to Sabang Port in San Jose or Nato Port in Sagñay, Camarines Sur.

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.