Caramoan became popular in the
world when few of the Survivor franchise had their challenges on some of its
islands. This beauty is situated in the far side of Camarines Sur, almost
twelve hours form Manila via land. But the stress you’ll feel because its half
day travel will be replaced with enjoyment – thanks to the beauty of Caramoan.
Here’s our story:
We met at Crossing and traveled
almost twelve hours just to witness the world renounced Caramoan group of
islands in Bicol region. Arrived in Brgy. Paniman at around 10:40 AM. Bought
and packed our supplies at the market nearby. Had a break. And at around 12:30
PM we left Brgy. Paniman’s mainland and proceeded to the first islet in
Caramoan named Minalahos Island.
We arrived at Minalahos Island, our first destination, at around 12:46
PM. This islet is
small and has limited space for visitors but the rock formation are gorgeous.
The plants and hanging on the rocks also added a beautiful landscape. Had our
photo shoot on the rock formation for thirty minutes and proceeded to our next destination. More photos, click here: Minalahos Island.
Some of the islands in Caramoan are privately own, developing them to gorgeous resorts. These private resorts are
surrounded by luscious greens and with the stretch of fine white sand beach –
considered as a relaxing paradise.
We arrived at Matukad Island (second destination) around 1:40 PM. This island is special among other islands in Caramoan because
of its long stretch of fine white sand, crystalline water, surrounded by
greeneries and the wind is cool and fresh. Instead of renting an air-conditioned
room at Brgy. Paniman, we camped by the beach of Matukad. Of course, that’s me
posing with the stretch of beautiful fine white sand beach and rock formation
on the background. More photos, click here:
Matukad Island.
We were all tired because of
exhausting travel from Manila to Caramoan but we didn’t forget our socials that
night, with the triple Birthday celebration. No candle on top of the yema cake?
No worries, our artistic minds can do something. Ooopps! While they were
chatting about anything under the sun, the moon and the stars, I already left
and rested.
We woke up at around 5 AM, the
dark skies started fading and turned into golden, and then blue. Prepared our
breakfast and setting our minds for our next adventures on the islands of
Caramoan. After breakfast, while we still own the island, we ascent to the steep, sharp boulders to see the
famous “bangus” in the lagoon.
At Matukad's lagoon, there’s a huge
bangus living in the water. According to Ato, our resident historian “kuno,”
this bangus is considered as mystical creature. According to him, there were
two bangus living in the lagoon but someone caught it and that person died. Stories scattered in the area. We
only stayed on top of the rock for thirty minutes then descent and broke camp for our next destination – Lahos Island.
Our next destination (third) was Lahos island (photo above). This island is one of the prominent among the Caramoan islands
because of its amazing rock formation, fine white sand beaches and crystal
clear waters. Dried sea weeds scattered in the area because of the typhoon
Marce. It was already tiring so we went back to the mainland for our lunch.
More photos, click here: Lahos Island.
After Lahos Island, with our
backpack loaded on the boat, we headed back to the mainland for our breakfast/lunch. Went to the
market and bought fresh sea foods. Foods were prepared by our tour
guide/bangkero. He’s such a great cook. After eating, rested for thirty minutes
and proceeded to our next destination – Manlawi
Sandbar. Delicacies in Bicol? Click here Best Bicolano Delicacies.
Manlawi Sandbar (fourth destination) is one of the
“must visit” in Caramoan. This sandbar has an amazing shape, sometimes forming
a heart, that captures the heart of the visitors. However, visiting Manlawi sandbar
is very crucial because it literally disappears during the high tide. Our
bangkero knows the accurate time (12NN), so we experienced its goodness for few
minutes. More photos, click here: Manlawi Sandbar.
Next was Cotivas Island (fifth destination). This island is just beside the island with the light house
owned by the rich and prominent people in country. Cotivas also has fine white sand beaches, crystal clear
waters and is surrounded by other islets. According to friends, this is similar
to Kalanggaman Island.
Our last destination was Sabitang Laya Island (sixth destination). Same as the other islets, Sabitang Laya has a crystal clear
waters, amazing rock formation but has a longer stretch of fine white sand. We
stayed there for thirty minutes and headed back to the mainland. More photos,
click here: Sabitang Laya.
Here we are! Chasing the islands of Caramoan, Camarines Sur.
How to Get to Caramoan? We chartered a Toyota Hiace Van. Met at Crossing. Left Metro Manila at 9:30 PM and
arrived at Brgy. Paniman around 10:40AM the next day. Our travel time was almost twelve
hours, which includes rests and slow moving traffic due to road repairs in some
parts of Quezon and Camarines Sur.