BICOL: CWC and Caramoan Peninsula adventure

It was Bicol I chose this time. A very well thought itinerary. All good until I... missed my 10:00AM flight.

The eagerness to pursue this trip ended up riding the bus from Ali Mall to Naga City. Most of the better buses leave at night but since it killed me to wait even just for 1 minute I decided to leave Manila ASAP.  So I settled for the dreaded Raymond Bus Liner. Not the best option in terms of passenger accommodation and security (have heard a couple of road accidents from this company) but I was left with no choice. Supposedly just an 8-hour trip to Naga City but as expected it was way more than that.

Reached Naga Central Terminal around 11:00PM and walked to the nearest hotel. Pretty safe to walk around the city. Wasting time was my last option so at 12 midnight, I hit the sack.

Early city tour was my jump-start. It has been a trait that I scout the area for the nearest hospital, tourist center, police station or barangay office. Better to get familiarized with these as you would not know when you need one. While walking, a familiar face captured my attention, posted on almost every pharmacy and mini-marts. I heard the lady from the pharmacy store saying to her colleague "Siya 'yung model sa poster." I secretly smiled and didn't mind the comment. At that time, I was not really into fan autographs. Lol. "He looks better in person." This statement is of course just a figment of my imagination.

Gwapo nga.

Anyway, the city looked fairly progressive but one should not expect to see something like what we have here in Manila, not even Cebu. Strolled around, shopped stuff I found useful for my adventure.

Best way to start my wakeboarding stint was to have a hearty breakfast. I opted Bicolanos famous dish, the Bicol Express. Back home it was like overflowing pork and a few chili. But there, it was a chunk of pork with hundreds of slender chili peppers. A glass of water was not enough for every spoonful of it. It was almost unbearable.

Bicol "flaming" express.

Wakeboarding at Camsur

CWC was of course a blast. Wakeboarding isn't really new to me. My first was at Calatagan Resort in Batangas during college. Amenity-wise, you can't go wrong with CWC. Anyone can wakeboard with or without experience. For updated rates and other information, you can visit http://www.cwcwake.com. There was no queue when I went there but I was told it gets crazy during peak season. Someone even told me you may wait for a few hours to have your turn. It maybe an exagerration but that's the hint, NEVER go during summer season.

Join me.

Caramoan Peninsula

Now, Caramoan Peninsula was waiting for me to be explored. First jeepney trip (2 hours) going to Sabang port was at 4:00AM. From there, I needed to ride a boat going to Guijalo port, entry point of Caramoan paradise. It was low tide then and the boat could not dock near the shoreline. Big problem was I would be wet from above waist down, and was really worried about my stuff. But the locals have an unusual way in solving such travelers' dilemma. I was literally carried by the ship's porter on his shoulder. He was 5'4 medium built and I was like 4 inches taller, and way bigger than him. We were like the Russian acrobats balancing against the waves. A P50-tip was not enough to pay that priceless experience which I find hilarious.

A 2-hour sea ride to the port with roofless boat, I freely embraced the morning sunshine. You could also see Mt. Mayon from afar. I made my way in to the town through a tricycle, a rough ride indeed. 

Rex Tourist Inn was highly recommended by Lonely Planet. They have basic rooms: bed, pillow, blanket and fan/AC. I think that's the only commercialized accommodation they have there. Caramoan town is literally a small, not uber developed town blessed with nature's greatest treasure.

Resting was a luxury so I didn't waste time and started touring the small town and talking to locals. I learned that they have cave explorations that are oftentimes skipped by tourists due to proximity issue. Often, they get stuck just doing island hopping. I thought it maybe worth checking since I am into spelunking. So I hired a habal-habal, Kuya Noel, and off we went to the cave which unfortunately I forgot what its called. It was a 30-minute ride dust, mud and me. Met some local kids who turned out to be our cave guides, namely; Jenman, Romnick, Dinggoy and Apollo. They talked a lot which could be very entertaining especially when you're tired climbing uphill. I gave them P300 not for their services but to the kindness they bestowed. I felt like I was treated royalty as their balik-bayan family member. They were super thankful with what I have given them.

A 45-minute trek under the scorching heat of the sun, then rain, could not send away the thrill I was feeling. The cave has variations. It has small openings to cathedral ones. The best part was when I had literally squeezed myself to enter those small holes. 

 

The place was very remote and children were like everywhere. I took some photos, showed it to them and they were amazed that they can instantly view their pictures on my camera. They were innocent in technology but abundant with joys of simplicity which I find to be very appealing. We have such scarcity back home.

The next day was the much-anticipated island hopping. The beach was comparable to Coron, Palawan and the powdery sand was like of Panglao, Bohol. The islands didn't have amenities so I had to get comfort from the cliff's shade, the natural way.

Matukad island was our last stop and also where I spent overnight using my tent. It was in this island were Survivor France was shot. At that time, Survivor Siberia was shooting and Bulgaria was next on the list. You could just imagine how beautiful Caramoan is as Westerners kept on flocking the area for a taste of secluded paradise.

A Caramoan classic, tragic love story

On the said island lies an isolated lake. You need to climb that steep, sharp rock cliff to see it. It is  believed to be inhabited by a mystical being that takes the form of a giant milkfish (bangus). Locals believed it is the guardian deity of Caramoan Peninsula, protecting and preserving the beauty of the area. Should one try to catch or kill it, an equal misfortune is at stake. There used to be two, a couple actually. As manong caretaker relayed to me, one night a man shot and killed one just to prove that such myth never existed. But when he came home to his family, (alas!) his wife and children were found dead with wounds appeared to have been gun-inflicted. The myth maybe true but what really saddens me is the fact that the guardian is now left all alone swimming in that deserted lake. Manong told me he sometimes see the other milkfish swimming but this happens very rarely. I thought how it missed its better-half so much. Sad.

The story made me really want to see the lake.

The secluded lake in Matukad island.

Once you see it, you'd feel the eerie, sad atmosphere. Or probably, I was just affected by the story. The view from above was amazing. 

It was my first time to camp in an island, not really alone but with two island caretakers doing the rounds. I felt safe. That morning, I saw a huge iguana near my tent.

As much as I wanted to stay longer, I didn't want to miss my flight again so I went back to Naga City. But since the airport is close to CWC, I obliged myself to wakeboard again, and again, and again until I was all done and ready to fly back to Manila.