BICOLANDIA GETAWAY: Finally Caramoan!

Hi everyone.
We finally step foot on the fine sands of Caramoan.

And after settling in our lovely hotel, we were ready to do the "Island Hopping" with the Paniman beach as the starting point.

We hired vans from the hotel itself as it is still about 15 minutes from the town.

The oldest and the youngest member of our 40 pax delegate.

Finally, we arrive.

Paniman Beach

There were 4 boats waiting for us upon our arrival and I divided the group into 4.
They chose a leader in each of the groups and I named their team after their leader.
We always do this to ensure accountability at all times.

Team RACQUEL

Team JIELON

Team BENG

Team EFREN

We set sail on calm waters and a spectacular view.
I could not believe we actually made it there.

According to the Boatmen, we would first go to MATUKAD Island where we would cook our lunch.

Approaching MATUKAD Island

It was quite a challenge to prepare or food because we have to start it from scratch.
There was practically nothing in the Island but natural rocks that you could use in cooking.

O sya, let's settle down muna.

Pagkapahinga na kaunti, each of the teams went to work and was assigned different responsibilities.
We had to work quickly as it was already almost 12 noon.

This group started fire.

These two ladies took the hard task of slicing the onions. Huhuhu.

Someone had to slice the tomatoes and "prep" the eggplants for grilling of course!

Here's the group who volunteered to wash the seafoods.

While these group had to scout for "natural" utensils in the wildreness.

Finally, lunch is served!
KAINAN NA!

Burp.
That was indeed one of the most delicious lunch we have ever eaten.
Iba talaga pag team effort. :)
Ramdam na ramdam ang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit ng isa't isa.

Then we had a little time for Siesta and to explore the island a bit.

Zzzzzzzz.

Then it was time to get onboard again to hop on the next island.
We were told that we are to go to LAHUS this time.

Now, from my readings, this Island has the best spot for swimming.
It was supposedly very private and really really serene.

Trulili nga mga Vaklush!

We swam, played games, took lots of pictures hanggang may lakas pa kami!
Hahaha.

The boatmen requested us to board already after sometime.
He said that there were other islands to go to.

MINALAHOS Island

We went to at leaast two more Islands after this but the sun is about to set and we were already tired so we asked the boatman to just pass by it and go immediately.

We also asked to be brought to where the actual SURVIVOR filming is taking place, GOTA ISLAND.

It was awesome because we even passed a small islets near Gota where there were some remnants from one of the Survivors' activity.  It was truly awesome.

We decided to call it a day by sunset.
Everyone got on board and started sailing back to Paniman beach where our Van was waiting or us.

Ang guapo ng bangkero namin ano?
Haha, that is actually one of my trusted Teachers - TEACHER EFREN who
used to be a real life fisherman in Mindoro.

The next day, we were already enroute to Manila.

The "last group out" of Bicol arriving in NAIA Terminal 3.

And, with the touchdown of flight 5J 528 in Manila, my mission of bringing to Bicol and back to Manila a delegation of 40 gallant men and women of MALP has been accomplished.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness.

Saan tayo next year?

I - out of the country na yan!!!

BICOLANDIA GETAWAY: To Caramoan or bust!

Our first two days in Bicol have so far been wonderful!
We were all having the time of our lives.

DAY ONE:  http://magnetsonmyfridge.blogspot.com/2013/06/bicolandia-getaway-tale-of-two-cities.html
DAY TWO: http://magnetsonmyfridge.blogspot.com/2013/06/bicolandia-getaway-tale-of-two-cities.html

Until the night of our Second day.
It was as if all the forces of nature are conniving to stop us from getting to CARAMOAN.

Not an actual picture.  Just grabbed this from the net as we were all so
distraught to even remember to take a picture that early evening.
Pero ganitong ganito ang scenario more or less.

No one slept soundly that night.
We were all monitoring the weather and the waves outside as our rooms are literally a few steps away from the beach.

As for J an I, we have decided that if ever the group still pushes through in the morning, we will leave R with Ate Lyn in Sabang.
Mommy may decide for herself pero it would be better if she stays behind na din.

Before we forced ourselves to sleep, I whispered to J: " Punk, maiiwan na lang din ako sa Sabang para intindihin si Mommy and Rocco dahil with the rate things are going, mukang malabong umaraw nyan bukas ng umaga".  Sabi niya bahala na daw mamaya.  We prayed fervently with hands clasped...

Basta, ang usapan with the group, tutuloy o hindi, we will all see each other in the lobby ng 4:30 AM and decide from there.

Fast forward to 4AM.
Tumayo ako at sumilip sa labas - Aba, mukhang tahimik ang dagat at walang ulan.  I also noticed na tuyo na ang buhangin.
Hmmmm.

At 4:30, the Coastguard confirmed that MV HARRY will sail to Caramoan as scheduled.
It was up for us kung tutuloy o hindi.

I asked the whole group.
Wala ni isang nag ba-backout pero halatang mga kabado.
I went to Mommy's room and she was already awake and to my shock, nagbibihis na sila ng alalay niya.
She is usually "nerbyosa" pero wala akong mabakas na "agam-agam" sa mukha niya. Talagang sasama siya!

Nabuhayan ao ng loob and asked J kung bibihisan ko na si R.
He said wag na iwan na.
Pero at the last minute pumayag na din na bihisan kasi mukhang wala na talagang ulan at kalmado ang dagat.

We had a quick breakfast.
And off we went to the area where the boat was.

At ito ang bumulaga sa amin

Akalain mong may pila na pala sa takilya at kamuntik pa kaming maubusan ng upuan!

The sun was shining, the waters are very calm and there sky was very clear.
JESUS CALMED THE STORM!
Our prayers were answered.  It is go go go CARAMOAN na talaga!

Noong una, medyo tinitimpla pa namin ang situwasyon kaya alert na alert kami!

Aba nung maglaon, we gave in to temptation at bumorlogs kaming lahat!
Yes, kahit na magkapalit palit kami ng mukha nila Ate at Kuya na di naman
namin knowing!
Kebs na talaga!

     Halfway to the journey, bigla kaming nagulantang sa aming pagtulog.
     Kala namin may emergency dahil humahangos si Kuya.
     Kamuntik ko nang haltakin ang lifevest sa ibabaw namin kung hindi ko lang
     narinig si Kuya na nagdialogue ng ganitetch: Pamasahe nyo po Madame!
     Lekat na yan!

Maya maya pang kaunti, natatanaw na namin ang isang napakagandang isla - and Kuya bangkero confirmed that it was already the Caramoan of our dreams. Yipee!

At long  last!
You are indeed faithful oh Lord!

Pansin ko lang, parang di naman excited sila Manong na makitang dumating na kami.
Patuloy pa din sa pagtambay eh.
Seriously, they are THAT laidback.  Kakainggit!

We were fetched by our hotel.
And, after about twenty minutes, we arrived in West Peninsula Villa - our home in Caramoan.
It was so lovely (and cheap!).
All of us agreed that among the hotels we have been staying at for the past three days, this is, so far,
THE BEST!

Entrance

Reception

The Receiving Area

The Rooms

And to top it all, may Swimming Pool pa!
Likey likey much!

Pak na Pak!

After we settled in our respective rooms, we had to prepare for our Island Hopping experience.
We could not stay in our Villa all day as much as we wanted to.  We cme to Caramoan to see the much raved about islands of SURVIVOR fame.

We did the marketing first.  We need to bring fresh sea foods to the Islands para mala-Survivor talaga ang drama namin.

Mga certified "Palengkera" ng MALP. Haha!

And before proceeding to the waters once again, we paid a visit to the lone Cathedral in Caramoan

Sorry to put you in suspense but  I guess I have to save the Island Hopping kuwento for tomorrow.
Promised the hubby that i will blog only until 10PM.
It's way past the hour na.

Goodbye for now, family time muna. :)

Thanks for reading.

BICOLANDIA GETAWAY: The Tale of Two Cities and Uncertainty at the Port

I'm back folks.
And where did I left off?

Ah, on to Day Two.

If you are reading this series just now. better if you hop on over to Day One first on this link so that you would be able to follow my story.
Here's the link:
 http://magnetsonmyfridge.blogspot.com/2013/06/bicolandia-getaway-touchdown-in-legazpi.html

We had an early call time despite the fatigue we all experienced from the previous day.
We had to start agad because there was so much non our itinerary and we would not want to miss any of the "must sees".

Four (4) Big Grandia Vans were waiting for us outside our hostel.

Our first stop? Saan pa kungdi sa kung saan ay nagkakasundong gawin at puntahan, PASALUBONG SHOPPING!

Ang saya lang dito.  Hindi pang-turista ang presyo!

As usual, my Mom went crazy buying for pasalubong for the whole barangay. Haha.

Teacher Cecille with the new employees of MALP.
Honggaganda divah?

After spending a considerable amount of time here, we were off to see the LIGNON HILL.

The view from the top of the hill was simply spectacular!
You have  360 degrees view of the Legazpi Airport runway.
If you are lucky enough, you could clearly see how an airplane approaches
the runway or how it takes off.  Breathtaking!

Here's what I gathered from the website itself.

The 156-meter high Ligñon (also spelled Lingñon, pronounced as /li-NYON/) Hill has always been one of Legazpi’s most famous landmarks. For years, Ligñon Hill is known only for the PHIVOLCS observatory located in its flanks and an old lighthouse on its summit. Today, it has become one of the city’s prime destinations for sightseers, adventurers and even fitness buffs.

The new Ligñon Hill Natural Park promises to be the city’s best destination offering sights and activities for all types of visitors. For sightseers, a panoramic 360 degree view of Legazpi City, Daraga, Albay Gulf and the Mayon Volcano awaits at the viewdeck. A landscaped promenade as well as restaurants and shops also cater to guests.

It was just too bad that it was drizzling when we were there.
But we had fun nonetheless.

We bought nga our own sunshine, remember?

We did not spend too much time there and off we went to our next destination, CAGSAWA RUINS.

From the web:
In February 1, 1814, Mt. Mayon began its most violent and deadly eruption to date. During the eruption, some 1,200 people took refuge in the stone church of Cagsawa. Unfortunately, all perished when lahar and pyroclastic flows engulfed the church. Only the belfry of the Cagsawa church remains as a grim and silent reminder of that fateful day. For almost two hundred years, it has withstood the test of time and the elements to become one of the most recognizable landmarks of Albay Province.

This particular site really aroused my interest to the highest levels.

I'm a history buff haven't I told you yet?

This was how it looked like before the eruption.

A peaceful looking church at the foot of a mountain.

And then, boom!

This is what's left of the church now.

Taken on a different angle of course kaya parang umusog ang belfry, hehehe

From my readings, many people were buried alive here.
Just imagine, it happened a long long time ago di ba?
I'm sure people rely on more simple ways or tools to signal danger.
No wonder nilubog ang buong barrion with its inhabitants.
SAD.

Anyhoo, the Teachers were all so happy and thrilled to see the place.

And who wouldn't be?
For so many years, they have been teaching their students this exact piece of history and yet most of them had seen this just now.

Syempre pa, di pwedeng mawala ang mga fantasy shots!

We then proceeded to the nearby Daraga Church

And off we readied ourselves for a bit of  a long drive to Naga City.

We made a pit stop in Cmalig Albay to taste their famous ulam -Pinangat!

Yummy!

We arrived Naga by mid afternoon.

Witwuw, ganda girl ni Teacher Rose!

We proceeded immediately to their famous cathedral.

Before sunset, we made sure to get to CWC for the Wakeboarding experience (or at least a picture of it, haha!)

At talagang hindi nga nagbiro, nag picturan lang talaga ang tatlong
maririkit na Teacher na ito!
Feelingera lang ang peg nila Ma'am.

Magpapahuli ba si Principal Beng? Na-uh!

Just chillin in Camsur. Yeah, yeah. :)

From CWC, dito na nagsimula ang aming kalbaryo.
It rained very very hard.
And we learned that storm EMONG is threatening the Bicol Region.

Papunta pa naman kami sa Caramoan the next day.
In fact, we were on our way to Sabang Port to spend the night para maaga kami sasakay pa-Caramoan.

Tahimik ang lahat on the way.
Too afraid to "risk" their life in the 2 hour boat ride to Paradise yet too brave to give up their dream of seeing the famous island where many a  "Survivor" series were filmed.

By 7PM, we got to Sabang Port and checked in at our hotel for the night.
The Teachers who grew up near oceans checked on the waves that night and all of them weren't hopeful that it would mellow down in the morning.

The boatmen were not encouraging enough.
Sabi nila usually ikakansel yan what with the big waves and non stop raining.

As the group's leader, I met them after dinner and told them about our options.


If the Coastguard okays our trip by 5AM, noone will be forced to go should they feel that it is too risky.
I had set up plan B to just spend another night at the port where there is also a good enough beach.

We prayed really hard for guidance and for discernement.
We have read many stories kasi that the two hour boat ride to Caramoan is usually "maalon".
What more may bagyo pa.

We slept that night with much uncertainty.
We were so near and yet so far from our dream destination - CARAMOAN!

Makakasakay kaya kami?
Titigil kaya ang ulan?
Will our prayers be heard?

Itutuloy.