SIT Amazing Race in Bicol (part 3 of 3)

Sixth Stop: CARAMOAN ISLANDS
From Donsol, we went to Caramoan Islands.  One of the longest trip I ever had (I'll tell you why in a moment).  We called up the van we hired from Legazpi to Donsol to bring us back to Daraga with the same price.  He brought another van with a different seat orientation which made me a bit sick especially that Donsol to Daraga is "bitukang-manok" or zig zag.

We were able to deal PhP 1,200.00 for 12 persons going back to Daraga vs PhP 20.00 tricycle per head plus 100.00 van per head.  


At Daraga van terminal bound to Naga, we transferred to another comfy van at a lower price of  PhP 1,950.00 (compared to a regular price). You also get to see Mayon in different angles while travelling. We had a short stop at an authentic Bicol pinangat and Bicol express restaurant for our lunch. 

For those who do not know what it is, this is an authentic Filipino dish made
from either fish or vegetables wrapped in taro leaves, then cooked in coconut milk and chili peppersssssssssss (usually a lot of peppers).

After 1.5 hours, we were in Naga and the terminal is just a few blocks away from SM Naga. We asked for a van going to Sabang port and we were able to deal P1,500.00 exclusive for the group vs 100.00 per head-complete 15 passengers which will require us to wait for 3 more strangers . With this set up, we have privacy :) plus the driver agreed to bring us to SM first so we can buy food and supplies. This means more savings and comfort since SM has complete supply and we don't have to buy food in remote areas where food are often over-priced.

Going to Sabang port is a long 2-hour trip, however getting the feel of a provincial life and a good view of nature as we approach Sabang was a good distraction.  While we were travelling, we asked the driver if he knows someone who can transport us from Sabang to Guijalo port-the port to Caramoan Islands. Luckily, he knows one.   Sabang's last trip is 2PM and since it was past 5PM when we reached Sabang, we needed a chartered boat going to Guijalo.  With my bargaining prowess we initially closed a trip worth PhP 3,200.00. A regular trip will only cost PhP 120.00 but a chartered boat past 2PM usually costs  PhP 3,000.00 for 6 persons per boat. In our case, they agreed to use a bigger boat good for 15 persons for the said price.  Upon boarding, the boatman asked for additional PhP 300.00 since it was already dark and they might be rebuked by the coast guards. We did not have much choice, so we agreed. Until there was a TIME WARP! - it was like travelling in SLOW MO! my gosh! 

Sabang Port

The supposedly 2 hours took us more than 3 hours because the boatmen were trying to stay close ashore and avoided the coast guards. According to kuya Ramil, our trip was illegal.  No tourist trip at night and no more than 10 persons per chartered boat is allowed! WTH! We were very eager to reach Guijalo because we were very tired that time.  We're so frustrated that every time we approach a lighted shore, we rejoiced only to find out its not yet Guijalo! You only hear the sound of the boat's motor and the splash of the water and it was completely dark. The signal light of the boat was also malfunctioning! Our adventure - turned out to a scary challenge.  They only provided us with 9 life jackets.  WHAT A CHARTERED BOAT! Not bad though for a PhP 3,200.00 deal, hahaha! NEVER SETTLE FOR LESS! I'm not that concerned about my safety that time but the boredom of my aged friends (hehehe). I was wishing they were not blaming me that time...haha! At last we reached Guijalo.  Lads and old men rushed to our boat as if we are food to them (its just my wild imagination playing). They are actually porters and you can pay them PhP 10.00 to 20.00 to assist you.  They took charge of unloading our things. What a relief!

This is the only thing we see when we were in the chartered boat.

Guijalo Port at daylight

The last challenge of this DIY race was a tricycle for 1.5 hours! I was able to rent a house for us which is near the take off point for a Caramoan Island hopping.

We finally reached Kuya Ramil's transient house. It is a typical concrete house like those in the provinces with a deep well as the only source of water. However, kuya Ramil is also selling bottled purified water.  If you like a lodge with aircon and wifi, there were available inns we passed by which is an hour away further from the take off point of island hopping. They usually charge PhP 500.00 per head in those inns, but kuya Ramil's transient house is only PhP 250.00 per head.

ISLAND HOPPING

We woke up at 4AM for breakfast so we can finish the island hopping activity early and catch our flight back to Manila. We cooked the frozen food we bought from SM plus sipped on an instant coffee and we went off. This was the most awaited part of our tour and I would say it was really rewarding.

THE PORT

Early morning before we boarded

First island: MATUKAD

I also got the chance to climb a rocky limestone in Matukad Island. One of my best experience - climbing the rock cliff with no harness, no gloves! Good thing I wore slippers as the rocks are too sharp, but my wet shorts kept sticking to my skin that it hindered my motion. It was a high peak but rewarding. You'll have a good view from the top of the different islands and the lagoon where the MYSTICAL/MYSTERIOUS milkfish dwells.

Going up!!!

The lagoon with the Mystical Milkfish...the lonely fish is really big!

From the top

Kuya Ramil descending...

A view from the top

 

Second Island: LAHOS - Between two islands is a land mass which gets submerged during high tide.

Third Island - "I forgot the name :)" What's fun here is that you can take pictures inside a short cave. It ends in a human size opening where the wave splashes so hard so I decided not to explore it further.

Fourth Island - "a pocket beach in front of Gota Beach". Gota Beach is off limits, pricey cottages where Survivor crew stayed during their off shoots. 

Gota Beach

I fell in love with the place, water is crystal clear and I love the coldness. Here are some more shots before we go home... no time for other islands...

When we reached kuya Ramil's house, we all rushed to take a bath. The deep well allowed us so. We were like children once again in our wet clothes taking a bath all together! We left the house and rode a tricycle back to the port.  Funny how the driver asked us to walk the steep hill since the tricycle can't carry the load.

Finally a lunch stop along the way with bulalo in the house! (beef and kneecap stew).

• about 6 hours from Donsol, Sorsogon
• PhP 1,200.00 van from Donsol to Daraga
• PhP 1,950.00 van from Daraga to Naga
• PhP 1,500.00 van from Naga to Sabang Port
• PhP 3,500.00 boat from Sabang Port to Guijalo Port
• PhP 300.00 x 2 tricyle from Guijalo Port to transient house
• PhP 250 per head accommodation x 12
• PhP 1,500.00 x 2 boat for island hopping
• PhP 300 x 2 tricycle back to Guijalo port
• PhP 5.00 per head terminal fee
• PhP 120.00 per head boarding fee back to Sabang port
• PhP 1,500.00 van going to Pili Airport of Naga

If you need someone to arrange your trip...I'm here to help! Till next time!