A little bit of Earth: Calaguas Island Hullabaloo
Calaguas Island is an untouched and unspoiled captivating beach that should be on your must go to list if in the Philippines, or visiting.
I went with my travel buddy Patty last year. So before I tell you guys about the pristine crystal bluest of blue waters and finest of fine white powder sand I will begin with how our adventure started.
You know the saying, patience gets you nowhere fast- well dear lovelies, from that day we lived, learned, and now attest the truth to the saying. At the Metro Rail Transit station there we were with our gigantic backpacks and sleeping bags (somehow on days when you are rushing no matter how timed or perfectly planned, Murphy's law will concede- damn you Murphy *fist in air*) The station was sardine packed with people and it took 3 or 4 trains to pass by until we were able to get close enough to the front to jump in a train cabin, ah but not entirely, we were so close but it was a battlefield out there- pushing, shoving, and elbowing. Our tactic? Ride with the crowd, the next train came and we just stood there and let the people behind start shoving and what do you know, we were in! Skin touching skin.
So damned Murphy still got the best of us, we arrived at the bus terminal were we planned to meet the rest of the guys only to realize we were waiting at the wrong bus terminal, the right bus terminal was just a mere 5 - 10 minutes away. Into the bus we settled and 8 to 9 hours later we arrived at Daet for a quick breakfast before heading off to Vinzons Port to ride a bangka that would take us across the Pacific Ocean to Calaguas.
Refueled with our Jollibee meal everyone hopped aboard, wore bright orange life vests and off we sailed bravely against the strong current and wild waves that greeted us passing submerged islands and lush greens of trees and valleys seemingly floating on water. 2 to 3 hours til land ahoy!
The getting and going back to Calaguas Island is an adventure for the tough and shall I say carefree? Yes, I will say it. This is a story not to be missed!
We ran to our choice of tent- closest to the shore, explored the island and took thousands of photos and selvies, we shared stories around a makeshift bonfire (bonfires were not allowed, we used a portable range)and we slept under a blanket of stars while being lulled by the soft crash of waves.
Our host Lakwatserong Kusinero had our area prepped with tents and all we had to do was choose our home for our 2 day stay. If you are thinking of going to Calaguas hook up with Lakwatserong Kusinero, he planned and hosted our stay perfectly with:
Byahe Adventours package from Lakwatserong Kusinero or call 0927-270-6516/ 0927-250852
I went with my travel buddy Patty last year. So before I tell you guys about the pristine crystal bluest of blue waters and finest of fine white powder sand I will begin with how our adventure started.
You know the saying, patience gets you nowhere fast- well dear lovelies, from that day we lived, learned, and now attest the truth to the saying. At the Metro Rail Transit station there we were with our gigantic backpacks and sleeping bags (somehow on days when you are rushing no matter how timed or perfectly planned, Murphy's law will concede- damn you Murphy *fist in air*) The station was sardine packed with people and it took 3 or 4 trains to pass by until we were able to get close enough to the front to jump in a train cabin, ah but not entirely, we were so close but it was a battlefield out there- pushing, shoving, and elbowing. Our tactic? Ride with the crowd, the next train came and we just stood there and let the people behind start shoving and what do you know, we were in! Skin touching skin.
So damned Murphy still got the best of us, we arrived at the bus terminal were we planned to meet the rest of the guys only to realize we were waiting at the wrong bus terminal, the right bus terminal was just a mere 5 - 10 minutes away. Into the bus we settled and 8 to 9 hours later we arrived at Daet for a quick breakfast before heading off to Vinzons Port to ride a bangka that would take us across the Pacific Ocean to Calaguas.
Refueled with our Jollibee meal everyone hopped aboard, wore bright orange life vests and off we sailed bravely against the strong current and wild waves that greeted us passing submerged islands and lush greens of trees and valleys seemingly floating on water. 2 to 3 hours til land ahoy!
The getting and going back to Calaguas Island is an adventure for the tough and shall I say carefree? Yes, I will say it. This is a story not to be missed!
- The going there: The wild waves were not only splashing and spritzing our faces with salty eye stinging water but it was forcefully throwing buckets of cold water into the bangka waking everyone up and of course this heightened everyone's adrenaline and we were more determined than ever to feel the sand on our feet and feet splash fight with the waters on land.
- The going back from there: Patty and I formulated (well, asked the Kapitan of the bangka which side would get less splashes from the waves) where to sit. Everyone was more at ease and prepared for the sail back, there was chitchatting, some singing, some sight seeing- everyone was all laid back even bursting into boisterous laughter when someone would get dumped with a whole bucketful of sea water from the strong waves. A few minutes later, we were in dark gray clouds and mist, water fell from the sky, waves were splashing in the bangka, the sea water was level to the banka, the rudder of the bangka stopped working and the second mate started manually pumping the water out, then the Kapitan took out his trusty compass. In my mind, *oh f?ck*. Everyone went quiet, and I whispered to Patty, "Do you know how to swim?", with which she replied to with a resounding "no". I laughed nervously and told her playfully, "So I'll end up needing to save you, good thing I know how to swim". I started praying to whichever god could hear me. I think everyone just looked out or at their feet and was probably praying like me. A few minutes later, the Kapitan saw his mark and total relief washed over my face. I have never wanted to kiss the dry ground of the earth so much.
We ran to our choice of tent- closest to the shore, explored the island and took thousands of photos and selvies, we shared stories around a makeshift bonfire (bonfires were not allowed, we used a portable range)and we slept under a blanket of stars while being lulled by the soft crash of waves.
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| At Vinzons Port - swampy marshy place. |
- Daily cooking classes
- Full meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner- buffet style)
- Wine mixing class
- Fire dancing
- Skim boarding
Pack light, essentials to bring:
- Toiletries - soap, shampoo, (bring the soap-shampoo all in one), sunscreen, tissue
- Sleeping bag
- Change of clothes, swim suits
- Flashlight - not unless you want to be guided by the stars only
- Snacks - for in between meals (I slept next to my green dried mango, a snack I always bring for travels)
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