Pinay Biyahera

Naga city plaza.

From Naga city airport, we were fetched by on-time hotel accommodation staffs , unfortunately plane arrival was the other way around, we noticed this plaza right away in the center of the busy streets, surrounded by different establishments, St. Francis de Assisi church and in front our hotel, 'New Crown'.

Tablet below the statues for the fifteen Martyrs of Bicol.

The place was good, no beggars and little children around like in Manila. It was like a piece of nature surrounded by urbanized blocks of cement, hehe.

The middle of plaza is a monument with three female statues above and a dead man carried one of them at the center  and tablet that is seen below which commemorates fifteen martyrs in Bicol.

Viewed  near from St. Francis de Assisi Church.

Like what I said, the greeniest part of the city serves as the balance for the whole area because of  the ample piece of nature that gives tourist and locals a place to rest and relax for awhile.

After we got back fromour city tour, we ask our guide to just drop us off in the nearest area where we could buy some food which wasn't quite far from our hotel, then we landed on this spot, in front of the plaza.

Waited for the sun to set.

We look for a better place to eat, but then we just decided to buy and take it to hotel because of so much tiredness got from CWC boarding. I planned to wait for the sunset but my muscles started to sore and just took my best subject for the Naga city plaza, the blue Volkswagen Beatle MT.

July 31, 2011

Our Lady of Penafrancia when you peep into the whole.

Because of so many miracles of "Ina", Our Lady Of Penafrancia documented, feast done every year were huge and special due to her devotees.

Luckily, we were able to touch her gold plated stand and her miraculous pure gold mantaeu (original). They say that it wasn't the original image, a replica. Stories tell that because of its ivory hand and face and gold mantaeu (worn in the replica), several years ago, some people tried to stole it but luckily found. However the original one is kept in secret place inside the Basilica and only shown to people during the feast of Our Lady of Penafrancia.

Bikal port

Bikal port is one of the ports in Caramoan which is main way to outrigger boats for hire that bring tourists to different islands and cave destinations.

Outrigger boats parking area..:)

Our guide hand held us the towels he was holding, our towels which were free of charge so no need to bring one, left for more couple of minutes, he was gone again then returned asked if we would like to rent 2 pairs of goggles for our snorkeling activity later on. Of course we said yes coz we don't have any, it was for P150, if my memory served me right.

Elevated nipa houses at the port

Temperature at the waiting nipa shed area was totally hot, maybe heightened due to much liquids evaporated from the water; was like sauna bath feeling, hehe., but was ok enjoyed taking pictures of us at the area. Well taking advantage of time kuya was still not present, the humid temperature reminds me of too much skin darkening nightmare I might have, it was my time to apply my sunblock spray, woohoo! I forgot to apply one after we enjoyed our lunch. Actually our sched was late, we arrived at Guijalo 12:30, ate lunch, rest a little and rushed ourselves off to Bikal, in tagalog "di pa natutunawan".

While waiting, I notice a nipa house elevated from the ground with some wooden cuttings to lift it, mangroove-like house for me. I asked kuya Joseph why it's like that? Then my guess was right, there's a time of high tide that houses should be couple of inches higher from the ground. But I was surprised when he said that sometimes level reach up to upper thigh level.

Then after waiting several minutes on a very hot shed, we then off to our island hoping adventure. Finally I felt the wind blows as the boat moves.

Bikal after our Island hopping.

Of course after the island tour, we returned at this particular port. We noticed that it was already high. Waters got into the cemented path, where slopes were not already visible as to compare to first photo above. All in all, island hopping was amazing and this thoroughfare port opened it's gates to every tourists to experience it.

Limatik looking for its perfect spot to sip, too bad for him, he's on the wrong place, hehe.

Limatiks are leeches, small worm-like creatures residing at most rain forest areas.These parasitic creatures suck blood on their preys to live through sensing vibrations around them and hitch to make their plans...blood, blood, blood.

LUMATIK PREVENTION TIPS: 

1. Wear appropriate clothes like leggings, long pants, socks and sleeves/jacket. Just keep those shorts, sandals and sleeveless/sandos for the meantime.

2. Cover your ears using a bandanna or ear plugs if you have any. Goggles,if you are comfortable wearing it.

3. Avoid too much contact with leaves, plants and trees around, those creatures are just sensing vibrating signals from their victims.

4. Always check your clothes or ask others if you have any leech hitch hiker already.

>>How to remove it?
They say that it is inadvisable to remove it because this causes the leech to vomit back the blood it has ingested and might worsen the wound condition. However,  in case it just fled to your skin and think there is a greater chance to remove it at once (Limatik will just start the sucking process), you could do this tips.

5.  In case the leech already resting on your skin, remove it by simply getting a dry towel (because it is too slippery) or try pinching it tightly using your nails in the middle of it then pull. Don't worry they'll not break, they're really tough I tell you!


6. Apply any chemical like alcohol/alcogel, perfume, repellant, alcoholic beverage or flame directly on it. However, if Limatik get's into your eyes, you could put "eyemo" if you have one or just do tip #5.

WOUND CARE AFTER THE BITE.
If Limatik succeed from poking your skin and left a wound, this tips could help.
7. Keep the wound clean. I suggest not to cover it after cleaning to allow oxygen circulation and increase healing. You could apply antiseptics like alcohol/alcogel and/or betadine (when you got home).

8. If you have sensitive skin and tend to have skin allergies/irritations after a skin bite, then you could have anti-histamine meds over the counter but try to do tip #7 first to avoid it's side effects like drowsiness.

Sun was setting from the slopes of the Mt. Talamitam.

River  on the far right of the trail to Mt. Talamitam.

The bridges (left) and the river under it (right) which is the continuation of the river beside the trail.

This is the second bridge to cross, just beside the first one.

After crossing the bridges, we experienced forested area for almost 30-45 minute walk and then exit to grasslands.  From there we totally felt the burst of sun's heat with no chance of hidding from it. I also notice the cows and horses were getting more and more in number each meter lapsed. They were everywhere and they mooooo very hard that made me scared and made me think they were mad!

Resting while enjoying Mt. Batulao's view.

Unshaded shade, just a skeleton. :)

Heading mountain's peak along crops land areas.

Mt. Talamitam landscape.

My solo shot at the summit.

I was surprised because there's no one at the peak, just the two of us, me and my bf which was totally nice experience. We were comfortable resting and taking pictures anywhere, anything we want. It was like we owned the mountain.

Mt. Batulao viewed from the peak.

More Batulao shots, My first ever mountain to climb.

This scene was amazing, it was like Jesus Christ will descend from clouds.

Mt. Batulao on the left.

Batulao on the right.

Rocky summit.

Grasses as tall as a person on the middle trail which we tried in our descent (left). Huge boulders along the trail (right).

Captured sunset.

Because of fear of benight at trails and possibility of getting lost from branched trails, I haven't had a chance to catch sunset at the summit. When we reached the grasslands and turn our backs to the mountain, I finally saw the mesmerizing sun setting from the right side of the mountain.

November 30, 2011:  We did two day hikes in one day, just the two of us (me and my bf). Because it was holiday, "Bonifacio day" it fells on a weekday that made summit unpopulated. We owned the mountain that day! That was our 6th mountain and I'm very happy for that and I just started to fall in love with mountain climbing and hoping to conquer more! :)

Mt. Talamitam.

After searching on web for an easy and Batangas area mountain for our first day hike, I finally found Mt. Gulugod Baboy at Mabini Batangas. Gulugod ng baboy, "Pig's spine" is how they describe this mountain and I kept on imagining how or on what angle this description would really be obvious.

Because it's our first day hike and first time for just the two of us to climb, me and my bf, we decided to bring car for an easier and convenient travel. This is one disadvantage of climbs with few people, more transpo expense. Then after three hours of travel from Dasmarinas, Cavite, spent too much time asking people the right direction,  via private vehicle, we finally found Philpan Dive Resort at Sitio San Teodoro Brgy. Anilao, Mabini Batangas, the jump off.

Philpan Dive Resort.

Because we're blessed to bring our car in this trek, we were able to skip the cemented very steep road, thanks to "Red" our dearest car rolled its wheels all the way up until we reached this uphill path to the mountain. Well, we can't bring red to peak so we parked and left him beside a store.

Way going to Gulugod Baboy peaks, in front of the store. Placard says "This way to Gulugod Baboy", and "Guide Gulugod Baboy P350"

Trail to peaks is quite easy but there are some path going to different houses that made it kinda confusing. You have to pass residences so be courteous. The hardest part here for me were the "gangster dogs", hehe... There were lot's of them, some walked closer to you, barked a lot and looked like they'll bit your leg, but thank God they aren't, they're just expecting you to give them some "tong", food.

Along the trek up, try to turn your back and see the amazing view of Batangas' bluish waters and floating Islands from afar including Sombrero Island.

Because of the mountain's grassland state, there are cows graze and roam along the area. Moreover, because of absence of trees upon approaching the mountain, temperature was totally increased and tend to sat and hide myself on tall grasses, hehe.

Mother and baby cow.

After forty minutes of walk from where we parked our car, we reached "Pinagbanderahan", (peak 3), place where flag was raised in english.

Pinagbanderahan Peak viewed from peak 2.

Gulugod Baboy Peak 2, The "gitna" or middle.

Panoramic view from Peak 2, with Peak 3 on left side and Peak 1 on right.

Actually when we saw the peaks, we were surprised due to proximity of those to each other, that's why I was puzzled about the itineraries written in blogs with about 40mins to 1 hour of walk...hmmm (?). After taking pictures at peak 2 all by ourselves, we decided to enjoy peak 1, about 10-20 meter distance.

Gulugod Baboy Peak 1. Well, It's just me, the grass and the baby tree. Poor plant, it went down by strong winds and dried by too much sun rays.

Enticing panoramic view from peak 1, with Sombrero Island and Maricaban Island floating over there. :)

This first day hike was nice, easy and memorable because it's the first time were able to hike without anyone to follow, just ourselves (with fear of chance of getting lost), instincts and the trail. Sometimes its fun to be with your bf/gf in a certain place without any people knowing that you were there, but of course it's also fun in a group hike, getting laud and laugh a lot and most of all you won't have a hard time taking picture all by yourself. . haha.

After taking lots of pictures and experiencing Mt. Gulugod Baboy's peaks, we started our descent and took the same trail in our ascent. Actually We didn't spent too much time at the peaks 'cause we planned to hike next mountain destination for that day, Mt. Talamitam at Nasugbu Batangas.

November 30, 2011: We did two day hikes in one day, Mt. Gulugod Baboy and Mt. Talamitam, just the two of us (me and my bf). Because it was holiday, "Bonifacio day" it fells on a weekday that made summit unpopulated. We owned the mountain that day! It was our 5th mountain and I'm very happy for that, that made me plan conquer more! :)

Lampikaw Tablet Rock

After that interesting Island hopping experience, we went back to Bikal port and saw this interesting rock form from afar. Lampikaw Tablet Rock might be familiar to those foreign survivor fans not just beacause of nice location but because of memorable challenge happened here.

The solo rock, Lampikaw.

It's like an isolated rock, sprouted far from the rock formation beside it.

The challenge spot.

July 31, 2011 Like what I mentioned on my previous blog post, this was one of the location of foreign Survivor TV show, but unfortunately, that wooden structure is just a remnant due to a typhoon struck Caramoan and casted it away to another island, the Minalahus Island. Because of it's incompleteness, we weren't able to experience the survivor excitement contestants had before.

Matukad Island, Caramoan.

When we had trip to Caramoan, we went there via plane to Naga city then a Ferry boat to the said Peninsula.

Plane tickets to Naga.

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

Naga Airport.

After couple of hours on an airplane ride, you will reach one of Bikol's airport which is in Naga.
From Naga City Central Terminal, you can rent a van or cab to take you to Sabang port (2hr ride). There are two port in Sabang so remind your cab driver to take you to port going to Caramoan. From Sabang Port, take commercial boats (bangka) that ferry passengers to the Guijalo, Caramoan Port.

Ferry boat from Guijalo port Caramoan docked already at Sabang port, 10:00AM.

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 which was 6AM and just waited for the next one, 10Am. Hotel Roa owner IN Caramoan, Dr. Ramon Roa who accompanied us said that locals (wearing black shirt in the above photo) used to carry passengers and luggages on their backs to keep them dry from and to 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 with travel time of 2-3 hours.


1030AM and we're off to Caramoan. A boat with capacity of almost 50-60 person started to sail. I think this boat was powered by a car engine because of its sound, moreover it has an exhaust same with a vehicle.


For a two hour ride, the seat for me was uncomfortable. It is wooden (made my gluteus max ache) and has a narrow seat distance from one seat to another which was basically not comfortable especially for tall people, you tend to side sit because your knees might bumped to back of the front seat. On the other hand, if you want to have a nice view of Islands and beaches during your sea travel to Caramoan, you sit on right side facing the sea. If you were late you have no choice but to sit on the left side where minimal view is unappreciated.

Guijalo port, 1230PM.

Our ferry boat.

Boat reached Guijalo at 12:15PM. We were almost near the port then, but I was puzzled why this commercialized ferry boat stopped quite distant from it. Then after seconds, several small boats came fetching passengers. We're like being attacked by pirates! haha. We'll it was low tide that's why. All the passengers' things that time were located on a certain area so we can't get it at once, they just asked us to ride the boat first and waited 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 on other passengers, they might carry away yours.

Leaving the port.

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 in a very cheap price!