2 posts tagged “catanduanes”

Daet scenery

I remembered when I was in a training and made to write about my dream vacation..what i wrote was a dream vacation for a night or two at the white sand of puerto galera.. That is not a make-believe because I really want to go there and spend days and nights on any of their great looking resorts. But it is a different story now.. All I want is a day or two in a place that had made a footprint in my life---Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, or Masbate.

I was once in Masbate, the Rodeo County of the Philippines, way back in my high school days. I use to be one of my alma mater's 'press coneer' and

Masbate

 masbate made a very strong impression to me. I came back after my review in 1998 when my god mother, who is also a colleague, died. The same strong winds and waves engulfed, literally and not, the ferry we were riding. But the place was far more modern than the last time. Again, I made a promise that I will be back but in happier times.

Catanduanes

I was once in Catanduanes, the Eco-paradise of Bicol, way back in 2002. I stayed for more than six month, and those were the best of my working days. I had explored its towns and barangays, maybe not tip to tip but almost. I frequent the shores and beaches gathering shells and even sand that are all in my room waiting to be use for better cause. Catanduanes is the next place to capture my heart and soul.

Camarines Sur is the land of world's smallest fish and higher climb. I was there in 2003, the whole time.

Csur

I was able to make hundred of trips to the far north of the region and made it to the worst barangays of the region, but i had (and still hasn't) not the slightest regret regarding this. I had enjoyed the places to the fullest and always wished to be back once again....

The last is Camarines Norte, the labd of goldmine. I was there in 2003-2005. It was fun and fell in love with the culture of the region. They were (and I believe still are) very industrious, although laid back, fun loving people. One place I won't forget is Larap, Panganiban for their great goldsmiths who can design and mold silver and gold almost instantly!

One of these days Im going for a vacation and surely, from any of these places!   

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!