What can be better than Catanduanes?

How great will it be to have a day or two in catanduanes where white beaches are of many, as well as caves, water falls, and other nature trips. Catanduanes, the Eastern island of Bicol region has 11 municipalities. These are Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Caramoran, Gigmoto, Pandan, Panganiban, San Andres, San Miguel, Viga, and Virac which is also its capital. This kidney-shaped of 1,511.5 square kilometers island is the 12th largest island in the Philippines with 202,464 population.

How to get there? Get a ride to Tabaco City where you will ride a ferry for 1 to 4 hours, depending on the kind of ferry. That will take you to either Virac, its capital,or San Andres, another hour or so to the Virac. I will advice you to take the ferry to Virac where most hotels and lodges are available. Virac is a very quiet town surrounded with beaches. There alone, you can already have a good swim or shell picking which I did the last I time I visit the place. From the town, you can go to any town by simply renting a tri-mobile or catching a jeep to any point of location. It is very accessible.

The food in catanduanes is heavily protein oriented with carabao as its main source of meat. During my visit there, you'll never be able to buy pork and other meat after 11 am because of the demand. Such kinds of meat are mostly imported from the 'main land', which means, Tabaco City. That explains its price and its rareness.

In 2001, there is only 1 disco house and a movie house. Just before I left, Catanduanes Holiday Inn is being completed--one of the firsts. In case I am to spend a vacation there for a day or two, I will only need atleast 2000 and that will be very luxurious!