Pinay Biyahera

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!

Hunongan Beach

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.

The beach on our background on our snorkeling activity.

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

Standing on a huge rock from Cagbalinad Island with backdrop of Hunongan Beach.

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 it's private and just available only for it's own guests, but still I'm contented to appreciate it's beautiful beach front afar.

Man made waterfalls from Bato Springs Resort.

Bato Springs Resort is totally amazing place due to 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, rivers and falls enhanced by a bridge and a grotto beautifully built near it.

Grotto above the big man made pool.

When we reached this beautiful resort, we immediately looked for a cottage so we can rest for awhile and cook food. Upon looking for a better place, I appreciated the resort's design and motif.

The well.

Nice Comfort Room.

These facilities were stone inspired adorned with lot's of flowers and plants that made the resort unique. 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 those who usually leave their things unattended, in that time, us who had lot's of belongings from our hike. The room upstairs is lock secured where you can rest for a while or leave things safely.

Cottage with Second floor.

The Pavilion. Here people who can't go out for a vacation without Videoke will really enjoy this place.

Pool for kids.

There are also pools designed for kids, shallow but still nice because of it's man made falls located at it's side. This part is well shaded by trees perfect for those who always prevent themselves from so much sun rays.

The biggest man made falls at the resort beside the kiddie pool.

Well the hike was really tiring, brought too much dirt and high temp. feeling. This resort really aid that. But upon dipping myself into it's waters, I immediately went out, haha that was totally cold! It was like "ice-tubig" or ice melted on the pool. So I just decided to watch them taking underwater pictures and enjoying on that tremendous coldness of pool waters. After several minutes and consistent invites to plunge in from them, my bf just pulled me and had no choice. Uhhhh, so cold, I didn't move so I would not feel it's extreme coolness. It was like reverse with other typical resorts, in here when you dip into its waters, you will feel extremely cold and feel warmer upon getting out even if wind blows. Well I enjoyed swimming there especially picture taking on it's beautiful falls of course. :)

Salaginto near the falls..

While were taking pictures at the falls, I saw this Salaguinto silently watching on our photo shoots, hehe. Actually it was my first time to see this creature, it was like greeny in color with tint of gold in normal light condition. However the full goldish color reveals when light hits it's wings which made this insect to be called Salaguinto or "Gold-like"

Entrance Fee (Adults/Child)
Weekdays - P70
Weekends/Holidays - P80
Overnight - P125

Cottages
1 bed for two - P1200 and up
Family Room - P2500 and up

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

Mt. Makiling viewd from Sto. Thomas Batangas jumpoff.

Trekking 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) which were 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.

View from peak 3.

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 was 90 degree assault.

Preparing for the 90 degree descent assisted with 2 ropes.

Here it is! Actually for me it was really fun and exciting. However, one wrong step and rope maneuver, you'll reach the ground the faster way and no one could save you...So be careful!

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

Melkas ridge, the last clearing we found, then after this, cogon grass battle again!

View from Melkas.

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.

Flower found at peak 3 (left). Carnivorous plant found at near 1/4 end of the trail (right).

Also, in our way down, we noticed this cute plant known as Pitcher plant. This is a carnivorous plant 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 thirsty due to absence of water supply along the trail. We thought we could get water immediately as soon as we got there.. But unfortunately, it didn't happened. There were no locals around, just a ranch with no one inside. After 30 mins, the ranch care taker came and allow us to get plenty of water and clean ourselves. After cleaning up and gulp lots 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 that day.

October 23, 2011: 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.

Mt. Makiling rainforest park trail.

Mt. Makiling the 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.

If you are coming from Manila, take a bus from buendia to Los Banos, Laguna, P99 each and rent a jeep to UP Los Banos, P15 each. On the other hand, me and my bf came from Cavite, so we went there through 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.

Trail map to Summit (station 30)  and safety reminders for trekkers.

Saturday morning at UPLB jump-off, we started the trail about 10:45 AM, we registered and pay P10. They gave us the trail map (left) and off to trekking without a guide. The group decided to take UPLB trail to summit and traverse trail to Santo Thomas, Batangas in our descent. Advantage of this would be much easier ascent and even the traverse is quite harder, steep trail was not so much a problem, and disadvantage would be not able visit side trips in UPLB like mud springs and flat rocks.

Nice arrangement of those tall slender trunks.

 Based on the Trail Map, there are 30 stations. On stations 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 food there and drinks they want, soft drinks if you wish. :)

After 30 mins, we reached Agila base.

The dead snake found was stabbed with knife.

After taking care of our grouching stomachs, we started our trail to campsite again. In our hike up, we saw this beautiful creatures along our way. The snake on the left was found dead, I don't know how but it was obviously killed intentionally based on it's wounds. On the lower right, cute orange millipede resting along our way.

Fungi...Mushroom...

Limatic traversing. :)

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 thing 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 upon removal. Moreover, it's kinda slippery so others can't get it off and immediately panic!

Strange tree.

Along the way, I was amazed with this tree. First, It was my first time see this kind.. Second, I it is so unique for it's white fur-like spikes all over it's branch. If you will able to see it and have wild imagination, you could imagine that this might move and act living creature! hehe. Meanwhile, I just then realized when I saw camping areas along the trail that It took us awhile to find a better campsite with a wider area because we had 6 tents.

Scenic view from trails.

 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 until that point we were concerned about the leeches, so we had to fix everything that would help our tents things 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 started our trek to peaks.

Rope assisted ascent (left). Bamboo ladder leads to Peak 2.

It took us 3 hours to reach and enjoyed peak 2. The area was mostly covered with dense grass/plants and trees.

Peak is so much dense of plants and tall grasses, you wouldn't see the view hidden behind those. Also, this area is highly infested of limatics.

October 22-23, 2011: Mt. Makiling, 4th Mountain to beat. We used UPLB trail 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 absent on the second trail, maybe due to it's surroundings' condition and temp which is kinda dry and humid. If you are planning to hike Mt. Makiling, I suggest you do day hike in contrast to us, which was overnight. Overnight hike might be a nightmare, First, campsites were highly infested by limatics. Second, you might be paranoid if those sneak into your tents and feast on their bountiful host or get into your food while you are eating. hehe. Remember they came from everywhere, any direction.

Matukad Lagoon

Caramoan has so many hidden beautiful beaches and Islands but there's a mystery behind one of it.
The most beautiful and the first Island we visited was Matukad Island. This Island has the finest sand among the Islands. You'll be mesmerized by its beautiful limestone formation as well, but behind these rocks lies a huge mystery.

We did rock climb just to see the Bangus.

Unveiling the mystery isn't that easy, you should climb these rocks and reach the top to see the lagoon that houses it. Ok let's get it on!

We have to pass this challenge to know the mysterious thing that made people amazed and elude at the same time. It's not that hard to climb these beautiful limestone formation. It's not that sharp and there are plenty of branches that you can hold on to. Actually it's an advantage for rock climbers and mountaineers, but if you have the guts, muscle strength and endurance you'll definitely reach the top!

Place where you see the lagoon, shredded-like limestone of my location.

The Lagoon

Finally we're at the site where we can see the mystical creature. The area was full of rock wedges with trees around. Actually, we weren't able to get really closer to the lake because it's really hard to be there, "buwis-buhay" event, so we just waited and enjoy from afar.

Bangus in the middle, out from it's shelter, looking for food.

The Mystical creature.

According to our tour guide, the story behind this 6 kilos mysterious fish happened  about 20 years ago, where 2 Bangus "milk fish" with unknown origin lived in this lagoon. During that time a man with his son went out to search for food for their family, unexpectedly, they found the said lagoon hidden behind the limestone rocks. They saw the 2 milk fishes, caught 1, brought it home and ate it. The day after, the family died. Since then, no one ever tried to catch the Bangus that's left anymore. No one also know what's the gender of the said fish.
 I ask our tour guide, why shouldn't they put a couple of Bangus there so it will have some friends hehe, plus they can breed that bangus to other bangus and it will live happily ever after!lol. Well, They just prefer to leave it like that and to share the story to the tourists.

August 1,2011: I really enjoyed this rock climb adventure and the story of mystical bangus. Even though I had some leg scratches and showered in too much sweat, I still enjoyed it, besides, there's the whole sea for you to dip in! Hope you can see and experience the same challenge as well!