Diaries of a Lazy Cat: albay

The Plan

Gems and Ariel invited me to join this trip. For several times, I told her “I’ll think about it” before I said “Yes”. I heard from Zeny that one of the islands was the location of the French Survivor Season 7. I think they’ll shoot three more Survivor seasons there. Googling Caramoan made me more excited about the trip!

From Manila to Sabang

I had to request for a change of my shift schedule from 2:00pm-11:00pm to 9:00am-6:00pm. We left Manila at around 10:00pm. Instead of taking the bus going to Bicol, the group decided to bring their own cars so we do not have to spend too much money for the bus fare. We were with Ron’s. Thanks to…

… Kaye for the pastillas and sharing your snacks to us,

… Jeng for buying the batteries I need for my camera (saying kasi ayaw pa din mag On ng camera ko)

… Warren for the comedy, action, suspense and a little drama on our whole trip

… Papa Jack of Love Radio for keeping us awake and laughing from 11:00pm – 1:00am

… Ron for the safe trip and smooth driving

… Gems for inviting me to join this trip and making us laugh all most of the time

… and most of all, another thanks to Ron for putting extra effort in not letting Warren took over the wheels.

It was a very long trip: 12-hour drive and five stopovers.

Breakfast at Bigg's Dinner

We had our breakfast at Bigg's Dinner in Naga. Ayos no?

The Adventures Starts Now

After the cars were safely parked at a pay garage in the port of Sabang in Camarines Sur, we went straight to the beach at around 9:00am where the boat is waiting for us. The boat at a distant was almost full when we arrived. Boats there are little bigger than in Puerto Galera. Well, the adventure really started when we had to be carried by the locals to take us to the boat. Hanggang dibdib yung tubig ng dagat kung saan nag aantay yung banka. Before I knew it, nasa balikat na ako nung mama at dinadala na nya ako sa banka. I had to leave my bag at the sand area. Ang pagkakahulog sa tubig ang pinaka ayaw kong mangyari. For fifteen seconds, I was like a statue. Hahaha! And it was really a funny experience.

This boat ride, which took us to Guijalo Port in Caramoan, was almost two hours.

Guijalo Port

This was our final stop. Kinabahan ako kasi akala ko kailangan na naman kaming buhatin pababa ng banka hehehe, buti na lang at hindi na. We took a 15-minute jeepney ride for 20 pesos each which took us to the inn.

Spread the Bad News

As promised, I will warn all travelers wishing to visit Caramoan and looking for a place to stay in because we had a very bad experience with Villa Juliana. Please remember the name so you won’t end up staying in this place. The people there will really make you say: What the #^@_*^#&*$!

Us: (Arrived at the inn -– tired, exhausted, and hungry but excited!)

Us: “Kami po yung nagpareserve.”

According to them, there were only 3 rooms available: 1 aircon and 2 fan rooms. Yet we reserved for aircon rooms. Nakakabiwsit talaga. Then an old lady went in…

Mommy: “Good morning. What’s the problem, what’s the problem? I am the owner of the house. You know this is just for fun. My husband is already 64 years old. Pinaayos ko sa ito para sa kanya. My daughter is in United Stets. You know the divers of Survivor are staying here. So the rooms are occupied. You should confirm you reservation 3 days before, not one week. Kasi mga taga bundok kami, baka hindi kayo dumating.”

Don’t ever make transactions with these people! Nakakaloka. At kasaba pala naming sya sa boat pauwi, sana naitulak naming sa banka. We end up staying at a house nearby. Mas accommodating pa si Lola. We paid 260 each per night, not bad.

The Beaches

As soon as we had our boat for the island hopping, we went first to Matukad Island and the sand is great. Some say PALAWAN + BORACAY = MATUKAD. I even took some sand with me and put it in my empty water bottle. Hehehe. Of course, hindi makakaligtaan ang photoshoot ng mga photographers. Gems and I decided to swim some more while others climbed the hill to see a lagoon. We stayed there for almost an hour before we hopped in Gota (ass) – I mean behind Gota Beach hehehe. Gota is not open for public since Survivor Isreal is currently being held in that island. We enjoyed swimming and taking pictures. Then we went back to our place.

Side Trips

We visited other great places in Bicol as planned. Too bad we only had a day to do this. So if you are planning to go there, a minimum of 5 days would be enough. We went to Albay to witness the perfect cone of Mayon Volcano, to Cagsawa Ruins and an old Hotel on top of the mountain. More picture takings here.

Gems Bloopers

I really have to put all of these on record. Para sa future maaalala ko pa. Hehehe. She broke the improvised pull string toilet flush at one of our stopovers. (Hala ka!). She accidentally put cold water in her cup noodles. (Hindi kasi nakikinig sa instruction ng tindera. Hehehe) Ang pinaka the best para sa akin, dalawang mama ang nagbuhat sa kanya papunta sa banka at habang buhat-buhat sya nito, sinabihan sya na ilipat ang pagkakakapit nya sa dahil sa kikili nito sya nakakapit. Hay, adik ka talaga Gems.

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That’s it! That was our Bicol adventure.

Thanks to Ariel for inviting me and to King for being our tour guide/ photographer/ translator/ organizer of this trip. Sa uulitin!

Thanks to Ate Alma for taking care of organizing our expenses.

Thanks to Daddy Tienzo and Tito Boy’s wits and jokes. Cool guys. Nakikita ko na si Ariel 20-30 years from now. Hehe.

Nice meeting you, Ariel’s cousin and Lanie!

Napuntahan namin dito yung No 2 and 8