So what about the title?
First of, several series of Survivor of many countries were shot in this idyllic place.
Second, it's almost unreachable and so far away you have to survive the travel hours. But then again, those hard-to-find, best-kept-secrets were sure to blow the mind away.
Agree? If not, then maybe this post-card-from-us will drive the point.
I wouldn't mention that by bus or by private car, the province of Naga, Camarines Sur was 10-12 hours away. In Naga, in the all-known SM, vans can be found bound to Sabang Port, town of San Jose at Php 100/person. From there it takes about 1.5-2 hours to the port.
In Sabang Port, 2 more hours of nature-tripping to reach Guijalo Port, Caramoan. The boat ride from Sabang is operational at 6am, with an hour interval until 11am. Since we went there during the Holy Week, we were able to depart before that. Individual fare is at Php 120.
Unlike in Batangas, the sea was calm here. I was able to enjoy the feast of nature. It was reassuring too that we were somehow just rounding the island.
For an overnight stay in Caramoan, it's a must to rise early
In Guijalo, we were asked Php 30 for the environmental fee.
Caramoan's truly a blessed island. It was a good feeling seeing stretch of rolling hills, sprawling rice fields and pristine rivers. The town is far from developed yet. So it's really wise to go for package tours. In the long-run, it will save you more. (Think, per person in a trike was Php 50)
It's not only the beaches and islands to enjoy, this <3
The adventure starts 30-minutes from the port- in Paniman Beach. Rates for boat rental range from Php 2,500-3,000, but we didn't feel it much because we were on package.
Get ready for adventure at Paniman!
So all aboard!
We first went to the famous Matukad Island. If you've seen postcards of Caramoan, you've probably seen it. The water here's so clear. Wading with water, it makes it a milky combination. The sand was so fine it reminds me of polvoron.
Zoom-out of Matukad Island
Next we found ourselves in Lahos Island. Lahos was like a stumpy sand bar. When the sun strikes the sand, it sparkles! That it's like a sand bar, you get to experience two sides of it. Both were equally stunning!
Hello Lahos! Here we come!
And so we're coming clooooose!
We hopped on next to Manlahos Island. It's quite a small island. We found refuge under the limestone rocks. Again, the waters' just so clear!
Manlahos from afar
We were supposed to go to Sabitang Laya, but we weren't able to so we headed to an island across Manlahos. (Will insert name here once I remember the name :P). It wasn't white but it was fine and perfect as mudpack. Birds keep on chirping it wasn't that quiet.
I will remember your name :)
Would I want to survive Caramoan again in the future? I'd say yes! There are still so many islands to explore that we cannot squeeze in an overnight stay like the stretches of Sabitang Laya or the saaaaandbaaaar!
I shall return!
