July 2008 – My Wanderful Life

Camarines Sur the premier province of Bicol. The Bicolandia is known for its Famous Mt. Mayon (active volcano) in Albay and delicious pinangat and pili tarts. Little did we know that there are hidden treasures awaiting to be discovered.

Lately , Cam Sur is becoming very famous for its wakeboarding facilities . In fact,

The 2008 WWA Wakepark World Championships at CWC (Camsur Watersports Complex) is ON

Many wakeboarding enthusiats has been travelling to the Philippines because of this exciting new watersports complex.

How to get there:

The Province of Camarines Sur is located in the central part of the Bicol Region, south of Metro Manila. Air Philippines flies daily to Naga Airport in Pili and to Legaspi City. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air also have daily flights via Legaspi City. All flights to CWC must first stop in Manila.

CAMAROAN is also in Camarines Sur.

caramoan2

There are many points of interest such as:

B each / Island-Hopping
Gota Beach – Take a 7km motorcycle ride from Centro and celebrate the beauty of life in the these fine white sand beaches beside the majestic limestone rock formations and take an exciting boat trip to exotic island coves nearby.

Lantangan Beach (Pitogo Bay) – Here is something to change your idea of the usual beach. Instead of powdery white sand, piles of smooth-edged stones line the shore, as if purposely laid there by an unseen hand.

Matukad Beach – Postcard perfect scenery, right in front of Gota Beach and can be reached by a motorboat in just 15 minutes. Be delighted with the white puka shells and corals with the unique powdery pink-sand abundant all over the island.

matukad-beach2

Bichara Island – To the natives of Caramoan, this privately owned beach of the Bichara’s of Naga City is better known as Paradise Island. Indeed, it is a paradise of powder-like sand amidst a crystal clear body of water ideal for beach hopping and scuba diving.

Lahuy Island – A thirty minute drive from Caramoan Centro to Bikal wharf then 15 minutes boat ride from Bikal wharf to the island. The island in an immerse pulchritude of almost endless stretch of white beach. A weeklong exploration of the place, also known as “Treasure Island” would not suffice for someone who really loves nature.

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Some of the island destinations waiting to be explored are the long beach in Sohoton, Putting Baybay in Ilawod, Puerto Mina in Cagnipa, Tayac Lagoon in Pandanan, Bulang-bugang Underground Stream in Taisan, Sabitan Laya in Balibagan, Cutivas Island in Gogon, Bag-Ing Island in Haponan, Patag-Belen Waterfalls, Grotto in Mt. Caglao, Ocata Island Lighthouse in Gogon, Borocan Stream in Tawog and Hugsan Waterfalls in Hanopol. Truly, Caramoan is a perfect getaway to spend your most awaited vacation.

Spelunking
Manipis Cave – Located in Brgy Pandanan – alleged to have the hidden treasure of Gen. Yamashita and has rich guano reserve.

Omang Cave – Located in Brgy Ilawod – part of the 347 hectare National Park declared by the late President Quirino trough Proclamation no.20. Explore the grandeur of time-carved natural formation in the profusion of caves.

Tabgon (Culapnitan Cave) – Located in Brgy Libmanan – Experience the thrill of discovering an ancient natural edifice. Find small passageways, get the thrill of climbing rocks and take delight in the majestic stone formations inside.

spelunking

How to get there:

GETTING THERE (via Naga)
By air: 30 minutes
•Air Philippines (www.airphils.com) from Manila to Naga.

•Cebu Pacific (www.cebupacificair.com), and

•Philippines Airlines (www.philippineairlines.com) either to Naga or Legaspi. contact: 774-78-76 for bookings

By land: 8-9 hours
•Isarog Line: departs daily 8:30pm
Manila (Cubao): 913-3551, 438-3916 look for Lino/Bobby
Naga: (054) 473-8804, (054) 473-0428, (054) 811-7764 – Roma/Injean/Edwin
•Penafrancia Tours & Travel Transport, Inc: departs daily 8:30pm-9:00pm
Manila: 913-1528, 736-4101
>>Alabang stop-over: 850-6779
Naga: (054) 473-9063, (054) 811-1197 look for Eden
•Philtranco
Manila: 853-5220, 851-8077-79
– Regular fare ranges from Php 500-650
– Comfort deluxe (reclining seat) ranges from Php 700-750
– Extreme Lazy Boy (a 20-seater bus – the first class of bus lines offered by Isarog Liner) is priced at Php 950

From Naga (airport or bus station): Land transfer to the Port of Sabang in San Jose for 1 hour and 30 minutes. And public boat transfer from Port of Sabang to Port of Guijalo in Caramoan mainland for 2-3 hours (depending on how friendly the waves are), so travel before 12nn to also avoid the torching sun!

There are Resorts that are offering accomodation at Caramoan.

1. La Casa Roa

2. Rex Tourist Inn

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3. Villa Juliana

4. Legacy Inn

5. Vista Del Mar

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For adventure tours at Caramoan contact 774-7876

ADVENTURE TOUR OF CARAMOAN
Camarines Sur, Philippines

Inclusions:

• Round trip land transfer – Point of origin is Naga City aboard airconditioned mini-vans(s) to Port of Sabang in San Jose, and back. Ideal departure time from origin is very early morning. From bus station, 1 hour and 30 minutes to port area (will pass by Pili where the CamSur Watersports Complex is located, old houses and establishments, very scenic views of green farmlands, river flows and the majestic Mt. Isarog).

• Round trip boat transfer – Travel on coastal motorized outrigger at Port of Sabang to Port of Guijalo in Caramoan, and vice versa. This motorized boat which caries more than a dozen passengers, is not your typical comfy boat ride (they have yet to develop their port and make more boats that travel to and from) Travel time to mainland of Caramoan island is 2-3 hours (just to show how tight your schedule is, public boat transfers are until 11 am only because afterwards, waves can be a bit temperamental).

guijalo-port