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!

A Night in CamSur Watersports Complex

From Sabang, we took the van to Naga City. It was a bit late to proceed to Daet, Camarines Norte when we arrived in Naga.

In Naga we went to SM City, which is conveniently located across the bus, jeepney and van terminals. We went around the mall to kill some time and bought some foodstuffs at the supermarket for our trip to Calaguas the next day.

We weren’t so keen of spending the night in Naga so we hopped on a jeep to CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) in Pili.

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

Baler Adventures Coming Soon!

Follow the adventures of oboi laboy in Baler, Aurora. Soon!

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.

Caramoan Bound

From Baras we took a bus to Virac. The road back to Virac is scenic and it snakes along the coast, around the mountains and crosses Bato River. Travel time was roughly one hour to Virac.