Las Islas (Caramoan)

March 8 of 2013, I was on a island hopping at Pagbilao Quezon with my LLantuagon friends. 1 year later, Im on another thrilling Island hopping adventure, this time in Caramoan!

Last saturday (March 8, 2014) My travel buddies Jerald and Brenn organized an Island hopping to Caramoan via Codon in Catanduanes. Our original plan is to hit the beaches and coves of Baler in Aurora, but due to conflict of schedules, we decided to just throw the plans out and embark on this spontaneous thoughtless journey. But everything is ohh so worth’it. Who cares about those nervewrecking and ohhh-my-God-please-save-us boat ride, when this isla showcasing great panoramic view.

going to Caramoan doesn't really need a lot of money. It's not that we have a lot of money to bring anyway, coz we certainly don't, but it's a pretty affordable place to vacation on. And trust me, in this land of abundant greens and blues, you wouldn't be interested in holing up at some cold dry concrete hotels, because honey, you'll be missing half the authentic Caramoan experience. 

 along with juvy, peach and joselle we braved the WAVES! and when I said waves, i mean BIG WAVES! 

It takes a 30minutes jeepney ride from Virac proper to Calolbon proper

about 10mins tricyle ride from Calolbon proper to Codon port

almost 2hour super duper bumpy banka ride from Codon port to Caramoan Islands.

then it's.. PARADISE!

OHHH YOU ARE SOOOO WORTH THE 2 HOUR bumpy boat ride! 

Just look at you gorgeous Caramoan

I wish to be selfish and keep Caramoan beauty a secret. 

Unfortunately, the Islands are just tooo beautiful to be kept a secret, so I shall tell....

LET THE EXPLORATION BEGIN!!!

Trust me when I say that this is mother nature at its glorious best.

There are probably about 8 nearby islands in the area, by nearby I mean really near. I forgot the names of the islets, but if I remember it right the first island that we visited is named LAHUS.

A beautiful scenery deserves only the best bods. We may not succeed on the bodies, but at least we succeeded sa mga Anggulo. haha!

So many islets of different sizes and forms.

Each of them as charming and enchanting as the other.

No wonder why the show "SURVIVOR" got inspired to shoot their show at our very own  Caramoan.

So proud of Pinas!

Of all the island, I would say that Matukad Island captured my heart in a heartbeat. white fine sand, breathtaking rock formation, clear blue-white-green water and well aside from the fact that there's this extra activity we can do aside from swimming.. the rock climbing :)

Isn't this just breathtaking?!

 This overview of Matukad is just absolutely rewarding.  

Take your time to let all this beauty sink in.

Most of all take time to take lotsa pics! hehe.

 For me the highlight of our island hopping adventure?

Rock climbing in Matukad Island!

Being the adventurous, and a person who is so addicted to adrenaline rush, deciding on conquering Mt. Matukad was no brainer for me.  I convinced my  friends to climb Matukad cliffs and check out the famous Bangus in the lagoon.

No harness, no helmets, just us and our camera. sweating and running out of breath and hanging on to our dear lives while climbing barefoot and yelping to the sharpness of the stones.The going down however is another story. A literally difficult story to share, for I don't think there'll be sufficient words to describe the harrowing and scary journey down. What sucks though, is that when we got to the top all haggard and sweaty, the local who got there before us were in so fresh looking, no sweat! what the?!

The steepness and sharpness is just everything around us. One wrong move could mean the death of you. Maybe not, but expect gruesome cuts and bruises, just like what happened sa aking paa. but trust me that when your there on top, everything is just so worth'it! come'on, ive been there --> there goes the yabang in me..

We decided to spend the rest of the day at KATANAWAN Island. I dunno, but i think the name was derived from Bicolano term TAN-AW. meaning, seen clearly. clearly in-sight. i dunno, just a wild guess.haha :)

KATANAWAN Island

Caramoan Island gives us the chance to claim any islands we want.haha it's like bahala kayo, choose your own island :) 

considering that we were the only ones roaming around the islets and trying to be survivors like those French stuck in this island, I guess it's safe to say the we easily swept the best beach body category. hahaha.

Looking back, I can't help but envy the locals of Caramoan 'coz they have the best playground in the world. Imagine waking up to this wonderful works of God! Of course this might not be new to them, but I just hope they realize how blessed they are to experience an everyday life with the natural beauty of mother nature. I hope that they become the generation who'd be less fazed by the destructive development of technology and devote their lives to saving their natural playground for the kids to come.

Oppps! It is just to say thank you to our boatman, Kuya Joel, jolly as ever! His face was consistency beaming with hope, calmness and assurance that no matter how rough the sea, we will be coming home safe and sound. a photo-opt with him is a must! :)

to whoever wishes to be here via Codon, contact Kuya Joel @ 0912-640-7871

Some reminders:

Bring foods. Sandwiches or Chips will do. It's nice to have sumting to much on while traveling.

If you will be bringing viand/ulam and rice, it's advisable to stored it on a ziplock, foils or tupperwares for an easy handy food pack.

Wake up the earliest possible. So you can start the tour early and you won't b bumping with those big waves.haha

Practice CLAYGO. Clean as you go. Please do not litter. No trash please!

Bring camera! And take a lot of pictures!

Go in big groups! It's safer, cheaper, and yes it's funnier!

lasty, enjoy your bumpy ride home! Keep safe!

 

"Still no camera could ever capture the beauty that one's eyes could see."

This girl in a Pink statement shirt sayin' "date a girl who travels" is ready for another adventure :)