Route Less Favored

I’d like to jog my memory our travel experiences so blogging is a perfect way to remind me of them. I had other travels that I neglected to take note and my ability to recall them is just harder.

Because of my experience traveling to other islands and/or provinces in the Philippines, I have gained enough courage and confidence to venture into routes less favored as long as I arrive at my final destination successfully and safely. The foremost reason for this daring attitude could be because of the ability of speaking the same language with the locals so there is lesser chances of miscommunication.  

My travel to Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas Island is a perfect get away from my usual routine because it induces my body and brain for more challenging activity. 

Relying on other people's blogs, hubby and I took a plane to Naga, Camarines Norte then, a taxi to SM Mall. We waited here for about an hour for a Daet van, only to drop us at the central terminal station where passengers bound for different destinations such as Daet, Legaspi, etc. wait their rides.

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Tips going to Daet from Naga Airport:

1       When you arrive Naga Camarines Sur, Pili airport, there are already taxis waiting for arriving passengers. Try to catch a taxi that has just dropped off a departing flight passenger offering the driver P200.00 - fare to SM Naga Mall or Central Terminal Station than taking a taxi parked at the airport and haggle to lower their prices that range from P350.00. Do not pay attention to the barkers as they tell you that those taxis are not taking in any passenger originating from the airport because there is a line for taxis. Or walk a bit out from the airport and take a metered taxi if you are traveling light.

    

          Tell the taxi driver to drop you straight at the Central Terminal Station instead of SM Mall when bound for Daet. It is about 3 kilometers away more from the mall. Vans bound for Daet at SM take some time to arrive. This place is just a drop off point for incoming Naga passengers. Vans here take in passengers then drop them off at the Central Station to ride on the van in queue. It takes about 2 hours trip from Naga to Daet with a fare of P180.00/pax or so. (Taxi drivers are sometimes not helpful enough. We experienced being dropped at SM and told us to just wait for Daet vans. Hhmm! He could have just brought us to the Central Terminal than waited for an hour. Had I known, we could have gone straight there.)

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When we arrived Daet central terminal, we decided not go straight to Calaguas Island since it was already late afternoon. As recommended by our fellow van passenger, we could stay here in Daet first for the night. So, we ate at Lukban’s KSarap Restaurant just across SM mall, tried their pansit and yummy empanadas! We stayed at a very affordable - WilTan Hotel. It's just a few steps from the restaurant. Just before sunset, we had a special tricycle ride at P50.00 to Bagasbas beach and watched kite surfers and board surfers ensue the fracas through the rough waves of the sea. It is no doubt, surfers love to engage in surfing here because of the big, strong and continuous waves being tossed to the shore. Tricycle ride back to the inn was only P20.00.

We watched the kite surfers, paramotoring/paragliding in Bagasbas, Daet, Camarines Norte. They say it's P500. per ride.

We also watched the board surfers ensue the fracas through the rough waves of the sea. 

No doubt surfers love to engage in surfing here because of the big, strong and continuous waves being tossed to the shore.

In Daet, there are two options to go to Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island when I searched the google map - Via Vinzons or Paracale town. We opted to take Vinzons town to catch our boat because it’s nearer from where we were in Daet. It's only 20 minutes to reach there with P20.00/pax fare. From the jeepney stop, we took a short tricycle ride to the fish port with a fare of P8.00/pax. I knew where I was going but did not know the best route to get to Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island. Upon arriving at the fish port at 7:30 a.m., we waited for the boat to be filled with goods (ice blocks, wood, lumber, groceries, etc.) to be transported to Balacbac and Sugod islands plus just a few passengers like us. Apparently, this is the boat we should take. We relied greatly on the information we gathered from the boatmen. There was a boatman who offered us to go direct to Mahabang Buhangin renting his boat at P10,000. return. The price was too much so we waited for that public boat.

We may have taken the route less favored! The boat dropped by Balacbac Island first .... 

…... then Sugod Island.

The boat we took stopped in Balacbac Island where some goods were unloaded and then finally disembarked in Sugod Island - the end point of the boat. When we were in Sugod, we haggled for prices of boats which ranges from P3,000.00 + to bring us to Mahabang Buhangin. Finally, there was one who offered us P1,500.00 return. We took that very small boat with skepticism and reminded me of my experience of the small boat that broke in the middle of the rough open seas going to Safari Island, Palawan! “No, never again!” I thought, but we ended up taking that boat. The boatman was very careful though, passing maybe the route less taken. Struggling from getting through the rough waves of the sea was compensated when we were able to get a glimpse of the awesome sight afar. I already had the impression that this island is a paradise! Thank God! We arrived safely ashore against the rough seas and huge waves of the open Pacific sea!

True enough! “Wow!” was the first word I uttered just when I stepped on the stunning powdery white sand and dazzling pristine blue waters! The long stretch of beach is like paradise! We stayed at the new Waling Waling Beach Resort – the most beautiful contemporary resort on this island. It is a bit pricey compared with the neighboring resorts but it is worth the price for our accommodation.

Waling Waling Beach Resort's elevated cabanas.

The architectural set-up of the whole resort, the designs of the cabanas are spectacular!

The common bathrooms are huge and furnished with modern fixtures. 

The architectural set-up of the whole resort, the designs of the cabanas are spectacular! It’s the only resort that has electric power even at night. We heard that we were the first few customers who profited the place. We spent 2 nights in a very cozy tent – furnished with 6” mattress, pillows and sheets. I was able to talk with Mrs. Sacay, the owner of the place, listened to her stories like why she sold her Boracay resort and replaced it to develop this beautiful island.

Meet Pearl. Our newfound friend who like us, loves traveling.We met her in Vinzons town inquiring on boats to Calaguas Island. She ended up joining us discovering Mahabang Buhangin! I don't know if she takes it a favorable circumstance, but for me, it was as if I have already known her long time ago!

Visitors here are still few so that makes this place very quiet and private.

We discovered the environs of the island by going to the other side where most of the locals reside. We climbed the hills to view the whole island and its surroundings.

We hate to leave this paradise! We returned to Paracale by Waling-Waling Resort’s big boat and canceling the small boat we hired earlier although we paid it full. We also withdrew our Naga return flight as it is going to be another 4 hours land travel to Naga Airport. We took DLTB bus line instead that left at 6:30 p.m. for Cubao.

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Tips on Food
Once you have discovered where to ride and what time the boat leaves for Mahabang Buhangin at Paracale, buy your food in the market. Tell the tryke to bring you to the market with P8.00 fare/pax. This is if you want to save money but still want to EAT and EAT like me. Buy a styrophor worth P270.00 at a store near the market to keep your meat and fish fresh. Have the tindera help you to store it with ice. At Waling Waling Resort, they don't allow you to cook coz they prefer customers on a package deal - inclusive of boat transfers, food and accommodation. You can ask the caretaker, at Mang Bert's Resort (next to Waling-Waling), Alabok, to cook your meals with a very minimal fee. Although, you can also buy newly caught fish in the barrio which is on the other side of the island about 15-20 min on foot if you want to venture. Just inquire where fish is sold. Fish stores are just houses where fishermen drop their catch to a middleman. Sea foods at Paracale Market are cheap too and readily available.
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Tips going to Calaguas, Mahabang Buhangin:

By Air:

I have mentioned earlier how to go to Daet Central Terminal Station coming from Naga airport. There are two options to go to Calaguas, Mahabang buhangin – Vinzons Port and Paracale Port. I think it is better to take Paracale Port. Once you’re in Daet (a 2hour-ride from Naga), ride a tricycle (10.00/pax) and advise the driver to take you to Paracale terminal station. Going to Paracale is a longer route – 45min-1 hour distance from Daet compared to Vinzons (20 min-ride from Daet) because in Paracale, there are more chances for you to be able to take a public boat to Calaguas unless you are a group of 10 persons and are willing to rent a private boat at Vinzons that ranges from P10,000.00 return. When you are in Paracale terminal station, take a tryke to take you to the fish port where the boats are docked if you opt to take the inexpensive public boat (boat that loads/transports goods, groceries for Calaguas Island and few passengers). The departure time of boats to Calaguas Island is  inconstant but between the hours of 8-11 in the morning or until all the goods are loaded in the boat. Just be there early enough and advise the boatman where your destination is. As a passenger you only pay P50.00 up to Calaguas barrio BUT you can ask a favor to the boatman if he can take you to Mahabang Buhangin which is just on the other side of the barrio paying an additional P100. Deal with the boatman on your return so that you’re sure of the time of your return paying him P100.00. In case, of unpredictable eventualities, walk to the barrio (the other side of the island) and ask which boats are going to Paracale.

To return to Naga Airport from Calaguas Island, disembark at Paracale, ride a tryke (P8.00/pax) to take you to van central terminal station that goes to Daet (less than P200.00. fare) From Daet station, ride a taxi to Naga Airport.

By Land:

To go to Calaguas, Mahabang buhangin, ride DLTB (new bus route) or Superlines that go direct to Paracale in Cubao/Pasay with a promo fare at P390.00/pax. Ride a tryke and advise the driver to take you to Paracale fish port. Continue to follow the same instruction mentioned above.

To return to Manila from Calaguas Island, ride a pre-arranged boat and disembark at Paracale, ride a tryke (P8.00/pax) to take you to DLTB terminal station that goes to Cubao/Pasay with a promo fare at P390.00/pax.
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Tips on bring home goodies: (specially when traveling by bus)
1. There is a local person who offers dried fish to guests at the resort at a very cheap price - P120./kilo. You can buy from him your pasalubong.

2. Before going to the bus station, drop by at the fish market and load some fresh fish into a styrophor. Ask the tindera to help you pack with ice. The tuna fish we bought was still very fresh for sashimi when we arrived in Manila. Yellow fin is only P130.00/K.
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While at Paracale and waiting for our ride back to Manila which was at 6:00 p.m., we asked a favor if we could rest at Tugos Barangay Hall where we met 2 generous Kagawad members who let us in into their building. Thank you for your hospitality! We were also brought to a gold factory where we witnessed how gold is extracted from rocks by grinding them and catching the mine with mercury. It was interesting for me to see the intricacies of gold extraction.

We might have taken the route less favored but it was an experience! I've learned to accept that every  occasion is a learning experience whether it requires great effort or not!

What an experience to discover Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas Island! If you're into white powdery sand, indescribable beach, peaceful and quiet atmosphere, camping with friends - discover this paradise!