Caramoan peninsula is not for the weak hearted. One has to travel the distance to reach the destination. From the time we boarded the Isarog bus in Araneta, Cubao at 9 p.m. from the time we finally got to put our bags down at La Playa beach camp. It was 1 p.m. the following day. That's roughly 16 hours. You can cut down about 8 hours by flying to Naga.
Manila - Naga and Vice versa buses leaves about 9 p.m: 8 hours P800 - P1000
Naga - Sabang bus: 2 hours P58 (the bus doesn't take you all the way to Sabang port. We had to ride a trike for 8 km. P40/head or P20/head for the single)
Naga - Sabang van: 1 hour P100 (Still not sure where's the terminal)
Sabang port to Guijalo: 2 hours P120/head
Guijalo port to town: 20 minutes or so P100 for special trip
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| They use to carry each passenger on their shoulder to the boat. Now they use a make shift floating bridge. It costs 10 pesos each with a maximum of ten people at a time. |
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| Here's Sabang Port. Can't get any basic than that. We didn't have to wait long. The boats schedules are hourly from 5:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. From Naga, you take another bus or jeep that takes another 2 hours. On our way back we took the van that only took a little less than hour. We didn't know you can ride a van or where it was at the bus terminal. I'm sure you can asked any of the more helpful people at the bus terminal to point you at the right direction. |
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| By definition a Peninsula means a piece of land that projects into a body of water and is connected with the mainland by an isthmus. An isthmus means a narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land. |
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| If you are lucky enough. You will ran into this pirate. Legend has it that he use to kick it with Jack Sparrow. Get it "kick it"....Never mind. |
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| You won't missed this church on the way to the town coming in from the port. It's a 300 years old church that was burnt down by the Japanese & rebuilt. Our trike said the bell is the oldest in the Philippines. |
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| Most famous eatery in town if not the only one. We were so hungry from the travel. We needed to replenish. |
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| Be ready for some rough ride. It was in the middle of summer and there are still wet pot holes on their road. |
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| Some are pavements but 60% are not. |
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| The sights and air are very refreshing. Very simple life. |
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| Whats not to love here. So peaceful and quiet. |
Here's some pictures of La Playa Beach Camp huts/rooms...
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| If you're expecting LCD flat screen or king size bed. Then you planned the wrong trip my friend. You didn't really traveled all that way to watch TV or did you? |
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| For 1K pesos or around $23 per night and a view like this. Forget bout it. |
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| Another plus for La Playa is the proximity where you get on the boat. They have their boat just outside. That cuts down on your trike and boat ride.Thats around 30 minutes or so. It only took us 15 minutes for the closest islands. Standard rate for boat are P1500 and P2500 for the farthest islands. |
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| There are only three beach front lodging in Caramoan for now. The best and most expensive is Gota Village. The other remaining beach front is on the same side of La Playa but on the other end right by the barrios. Where there's loud karaoke, chickens and among other things. |
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| Perfect spot to take a nap. Sea breeze, calming waves and fresh air. |
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| Gate to the unknown. There were so many islands and beaches that needed to explore. |
Matukad island...
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| Our boatman says you can climb up and there's a mini lake where the water gets trap. |
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| It's roughly 10-15 minutes away from our beach camp. The island is restricted because of survivor. Really nice powdery sand and aqua blue water. |
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| From the aerial shot. Lahus island looks like a slipper. Two rocks are being joined by the sand. |
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| Celebrated my brothers 43rd birthday here on Lahus island. Sands fine and powdery as well. It's roughly 5 minutes boat ride from Matukad island. |
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| Survivor Norway's crew filming on Lahus island. |
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| One of the best lagoons I've been too. Our boatman Andy says that it is rare to get in the lagoon because of the rough seas. There is three beaches inside the lagoon where you can chill. |
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| Found a new species on Tinago lagoon or Hidden lagoon. I call it the "Nut starfish" |
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| The water is so shallow. You can literally walk to the other beach or that rock. Click here to watch a short video of Tinaga Lagoon. |
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| On the right is Gota village. Tagbalinag island on the middle. |
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| Jumping off a rock and Gota village right behind me. |
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| Caramoans most luxurious beach resort. |
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| Panoramic shot from Tagbalinag island facing Gota village. |
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| Click to enlarge. That's the problem with man. We think we are better than the Holiness and we try to outdo him. |
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| Here's the start of 523 steps. |
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| I was nearly dying from the heat and the steps. My brother is more fit than any of us. |
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| Santuary of the Most Holy Rosary Mother of Peace. |
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| Top of Mt. Carmel Caglago |
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| Chapel of Ina is being built a few yards down from the Mother of Peace. One can't stop wondering how they bring up the materials. They get volunteers and pay them P10 each for a concrete. |
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| They need to put a zipline here. |
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| Glass like water |
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| P200 to use their cottages |
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| It's a bout an hour boat ride. I was the only customer they have. P20 for a fresh buko. |
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| In tagalog "malawak" or in english "wide area" |
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| We had these for dinner. Balat or sea cucumber |
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| Cotivas island is an hour away from La Playa Beach Camp. You can walk from Manlawe sand bar. |
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| Next to Matukad island. Cotivas has one of the best sand. |
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| Cotivas island and the island right there connects when its low tide. |
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| Shallow water so you can literally sand bar hopping |
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| We had our lunch here at Cotivas. P50 for the cottage. Fresh air from Pacific ocean. |
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| Sunset from the boat coming from Sabitang laya island |
Final note: Caramoan will stay as is for a while unless they build an airport right on the Peninsula. Not a lot of people are willing to travel the distance. People want convenience, easy access and familiarity. I say that is A OK witth me. People tend to thrash, disturb the serenity of these beautiful places. Me for one will go this far if not farther to find that one great spot where a few number or people have seen.
I'm yet to visit South America, so it's interesting to hear you say this. Do you think you'd say the same in another fifteen years?
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