TRIP GUIDE│Getting to Beautiful Peninsula of Caramoan

Caramoan from Manila:



Via Airplane, you can book any of domestic flights to Naga City (377 km South of Manila) and enjoy the 8 hour ride from your favorite plane to your destination.

From Naga City Central Terminal, you can take van or cab to Sabang port (2hr ride). From Sabang Port, take commercial boats (bangka) that ferry passengers to the Guijalo, Caramoan Port.

This is Sabang port, this boat came from Guijalo port, Caramoan. We left the New Crown Hotel at Naga around 6AM and came 9 AM. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the first trip for that day, 6AM and opt to waited for the next one, 10Am. Hotel Roa owner, Dr. Ramon Roa who accompanied us said that locals used to carry passengers on their backs and their luggages to keep them dry until they reached the boat. But because of gender difference among lifters and passengers, especially among females, they made this wooden bridge to help them cross safely.


Schedule varies depends how long a boat takes to fill up passengers and luggages, but usually hourly boat departure starts at 5 AM. 

Finally we're at Guijalo port 12:30PM, boat ride usually take 2-3 hours.

We were almost near the port then, but I was puzzled why this commercialized boat stopped from quite distant away from the port. Then after seconds, small boats came fetching passengers. We're like being attacked by pirates! haha. We'll it was low tide that's why. On the other hand, all our things were located on a certain area so we can't get it at once, they just asked us to ride the boat first and wait for our baggages at the port.Of course I was nervous about our things, but nothing to worry, all of the locals and lifters were honest, just keep an eye other passengers, they might carry away yours.

When we reached the port, we noticed unusual bigger tricycles offering ride and hotel accommodations. So if you haven't took any tour packages, don't worry, Hotels will make it easier for you and will arrange everything for you in a very cheap price!

Remember: Boat ride from Guijalo, Caramoan Port back to Sabang is until 11 AM only.

Land Travel From Naga City to Caramoan:

There are five Naga-Caramoan-Naga jeepney route that carries maximum of 25 passengers whicih is only available during months of March, April and May. Jeepney Caramoan-Naga Terminal is located at San Francisco Church, Naga City. Schedule of departure is at 12 mindnight til 1 AM.

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CARAMOAN│Hunongan Beach Resort

Another mesmerizing private beach in Caramoan group of islands is Hunongan beach resort which is also near famous private resort, Gota beach. From afar, while passing here from Cagbalinad Island, we really saw its white, clean beach front adorn with cute hut accommodations and turquoise waters.

This photo was taken during our snorkeling activity near Cagbalinad Island bounderies with Hunongan Island hills from afar as bachgriund. As you can see Hunongan Beach is quite near our Island.

This great beach sighting happened last 30th of July 2011 upon passing by from Cagbalinad Island to our next Island destination. We weren't able to experience this Beach because it's available just only for it's own guests, but still I'm contented to appreciate it's beautiful beach front from afar.


**Thanks to Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt for this Naga-Caramoan Tour package we won from their contest last December 2011 and BDC Travel Agency for arranging specs for the said tour. Also thanks to our tour guide, Joseph Valencia for a great job showing us this Island. Posted text and pictures are imported from my other blog site, felicitousgalaera.blogspot.com.

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LAGUNA | Bato Springs Resort Side trip

After having Mt. Cristobal climb, we're off to this hidden gem in south at San Pablo city, Laguna. This side tripping really surprised me, guess what? After having a very tiring day, we plunged ourselves in a very icy cold water, yes! icy cold water.It's like picturing yourselves swimming at pool of "ice-tubig". 

Bato Springs Resort is totally amazing place because of its natural view and icy cold waters, perfect compliment to summer's heat and long steep trek from Mt. Cristobal. It's highlight of clear, cold,sparkling waters from Mt.  Banahaw directed into huge artificially made pools. The resort has a nice view of three man-made falls, pools and river enhanced by a bridge and a grotto beautifully built near the falls.

Bato Springs Resort is perfect for nature lovers and to those who love taking pictures, make it under water or for beautiful background of falls and faura.

Yellow bell on the side. . :)

Natural Ilang-ilang landscape design.

The red banana upside down. :)

You will also notice their nice facilities which are stone inspired too.Well I'm impress by their comfort rooms. It looks like an open mouthed hippopotamus surrounded by plants and flowers.

Another interesting facility here are their cottages. This kubo (hut) type cottage is perfect for us who had lot's of belongings from our hike, and also for those who usually leave their things unattended. The room upstairs is lock secured where you can rest for a while or leave things safely. 

Entrance Fee (Adults/Child)

Weekdays - P70

Weekends/Holidays - P80

Overnight - P125

Cottages

1 bed for two - P1200 and up

Family Room - P2500 and up

Bato Springs Resort visit happened after Mt. Cristobal climb to freshen up, September 25, 2011. This resort is unforgettable because of it's so much cold waters and beautiful artificially made waterfalls.

** Photos credits to Yan Yan Tarectecan Limbo and Jojo Rosales Bayanin for some photos exhibited at this post. Thanks :)

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BATANGAS | Mt. Makiling, Traverse Trail

Coming from peak 2, ascended via UPLB trail to the mystical mountain of Mt. Makiling, we continued our descent via traverse trail, right path. It was dense of cogon grass and trail markings (pink, blue and green straws) are quite unnoticeable.

After approximately 3 hours, we finally reached peak 3. Same as the previous peaks, the whole area was mostly covered by cogon grass and lots of limatics creeping around.

Photo taken at peak 3

This view of towns was seen at peak 3, cloudy yet beautiful.

Again continued our journey to Batangas jumpoff where trail was so dense you have to battle your way through, bended forward and a huge leap from a certain rock to another. Upon approaching to Melkas Ridge, we engaged three rope assisted areas, one is which 90 degree assault.

This 90 degrees descent was really buwis-buhay especially if it's rainy. Steps and ropes would be totally slippery.

This ridge is the only part where you can see panoramic view of towns and rock formations.

Upon continuing, we noticed Limatics were gone, maybe because of the humid temperature in this particular area.  Trail was still dense and not well defined you have to engage in long cogon grass battle again. Then we reached a very steep area where you can just hold on to grasses around or just decide to do that power slide all the way down.

Also, in our way down, we noticed this cute plant known as Pitcher plant,are carnivorous plants whose prey-trapping mechanism features a deep cavity filled with liquid. And then pokemon character came in to my mind, "Victreebel".

After 5 hours from peak 2, we reached finally the jump-off. We're really dirty and so thirsty due to absence of water supply along the trail. We thought we could get water immediately as soon aoctobers we got there.. But unfortunately, there were nobody. After 30 mins, the care taker of the only house came and allow us to get water and clean ourselves. After cleaning up and gulp plenty of water from the mountain source, we then off to meet other members of the group and eat a lot! As in a lot, because we haven't took our lunch and miryenda for the day.

ITINERARY

MOUNTAINEERS at the jump-off (from left to right), Jasmin Balingit, Aldai Clifford Benito, Raymond Rotairo (bf), Karl Kevin Hizon, Mikel Arcinue, Ryhan Rinon Carascal, April Joie Ramirez, Michael Halog, Jay Adrian Evidente, Eric Joseph Balingit, John Vincent Balingit, Jacqueline Salmorin, Aime Maranan (me) and Fil Angelo Haveria

CHECKLIST

BUDGET

My 4th mountain climb started at UPLB trail (October 22, 2011) and continued through traverse trail for descent (October 23, 2011) which was totally "trahedya", tragic! We experienced los of cuts, limatic bites, grass irritations and buwis buhay rope assisted assault. However, If you're planning to have Mt. Makiling Climb, I suggest you start with UPLB trail for ascent (easy) and Traverse Trail for descent, because it is so steep it is much more harder if you you'll do it in your ascend. Moreover this trail has some parts that were eroded, so bring rope and knife so you can arrange it for yourselves. But if you are planning to experience side trips in UPLB like mudsprings and flat rocks, you might choose Traverse trail to start or ascend and descend via UPLB trail.

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LAGUNA | Mt. Makiling UPLB Trail

Mt. Makiling the ever mystical mountain in Luzon, home of Maria Makiling, the "diwata" or fairy who believed to be taking care of all the mountain's rich resources from fauna, faura to waters. Like everyone knows about the mountain's legend,  it's slopes forms a female shape lying on the ground. This inactive volcano attracts mountaineers and nature trippers to enjoy and experience the great naturals it posses.

Most of T.E.T.R.A. group, group we are with, came from Manila, so basically they went from Buendia, P99 each and rented jeep to UP Los Banos, P15 each. On the other hand, we, Lovers' Lakwatsa came from Cavite, so we went there through a van from Pala-Pala in front of Robinson's Dasmarinas to Los Banos about 1 hour for P95 each then a jeepney, P8 to the said University.

Saturday morning at UPLB jump-off, we started the trail about 10:45 AM, we registered first and pay P10, gave us the trail map and opt to trekking. The group decided to take UP trail to summit and try traverse trail to Santo Thomas, Batangas in our descent.

TRAIL

UPLB Trail Map to Summit (Station 30)

Tall trees around.

Trail is good, you wont get lost.  Based on the Trail Map, there are 30 stations. On station 9 and 10, food and water refill are available. After 3 hours of walk, we reached the first food station and took our lunch. We brought pack lunch and some just bought there food and drinks they want, soft drinks if you wish. :)

After taking care of our grouching stomachs, we started our trail to campsite again.

Agila base after an hour.

In our trail up, we saw this beautiful creatures along our way. The snake on the upper left was found dead, I don't know how but it was noticed to be killed intentionally based on it's wounds. On the upper right, cute orange millipede resting along our way and group of fungi and unfamiliar flower at the bottom.

Like any other rain forest, Mt. Makiling's  famous small but terrible creature "Limatik" resides and infest in this particular trail, UPLB. It's really scary because this blood sucking creature might get into your skin, eyes or ears without noticing it. When it gets into your skin and the "sucking" process happens, the wound made will continuously bleed. Moreover, it's kinda slippery so others can't get it off and immediately panic!

ANTI-LUMATIK TIPS: 1. Always check your clothes or ask others if you have any hitch hiker leeches already  2.Cover your ears using a bandanna or ear plugs if you have any 3. Avoid too much contact with leaves, plants and trees around, those are just waiting for they're potential victims. 4. In case the leech already sucked your skin and can't get rid it off, get a dry towel or try pinching it tightly in the middle then remove it. Don't worry they'll not break easily, they're really tough I tell you.

It took us awhile to find a better campsite with a wider area because we had 6 tents in total. The trail is quite long and not that steep, it's just that lumatiks are flying around. 


Finally after 4 hours of hike from the food station and being paranoid about the Lumatiks, we found a campsite that would fit  us. It was really tiring and up to that point we were concerned about the leeches and had to fix everything that would help our tents to avoid it. We had to remove dried leaves, avoid submerging our tents near plants/ grass and provide enough light to see those suckers. 


We break the camp 6:00 AM and decent through traverse trail.

AT THE SUMMIT
It took us 3 hours to reach and enjoy peak 2. The scenery around is mostly covered with dense grass and trees.

ITINERARY

MOUNTAINEERS at the jump-off (from left to right), Jasmin Balingit, Aldai Clifford Benito, Raymond Rotairo (bf), Karl Kevin Hizon, Mikel Arcinue, Ryhan Rinon Carascal, April Joie Ramirez, Michael Halog, Jay Adrian Evidente, Eric Joseph Balingit, John Vincent Balingit, Jacqueline Salmorin, Aime Maranan (me) and Fil Angelo Haveria

CHECKLIST

BUDGET

BTW this our 4th Mountain to beat. Photo at Peak 2 summit together :)! Me and My BF (the Lovers' Lakwatsa ) and T.E.T.R.A group used UPLB trail just for trek to summit but battled traverse trail in our descent to Sto. Thomas, Batangas. Limatiks greatly infested the previous trail and luckily haven't sucked by those. :). Meanwhile they were dispersed on the second trail, maybe due to it's surroundings' condition and temp which is kinda dry and humid.

** Acknowledgement to April Joie Ramirez for other photos exhibited in this post. Thanks :)

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