#pasiCATANDUANESnayan: 3D2N to the Happy Island
Looking for next destination to fill your #Project81Provinces? You may want to try Catanduanes which is labeled as “Happy Island” and the “Land of the Howling Winds” where you will have a glimpse of Batanes.
I got our itinerary from Pinay Solo Backpacker, but made necessary revisions based on our actual experience while exploring the place. Ideally, you need to leave Manila at 5PM (or earlier) going to Tabaco, Albay to catch the first trip of Fast Craft going to Virac which is 6:30AM. But in case you face adversity like us, you may want to learn and be guided through this post.
I booked the Alabang to Tabaco trip via PinoyTravel (Online Booking Facility for Buses), only to find out that our bus was cancelled on the night of our trip. Instead of Tabaco, the attendants of Bicol Isarog offered us the Alabang to Legazpi trip where we spent 12-hour ride. While on trip, I realized that the next schedule of Fast Craft that will bring passengers from Tabaco Port is at 1PM, so instead of waiting for hours at the terminal, we decided to explore nearby attractions on Legazpi, Albay, particularly Cagsawa Ruins. I immediately asked the direction from the conductor and learned that it’s along the way and advised him to drop us off to there.
We hired a tricycle going straight to Cagsawa, but the driver encouraged us to try the ATV first. I’ve been seeing this activity online and since my cousin also wanted to try, we availed the 30-40 minutes ATV ride with Kuya Jaylar as our tour guide. Indeed, the activity was worth a try and it will be good if the Mayon shows up. Unfortunately, the weather was not favorable that time so we just saw its foot. Eruption has stopped but there were still prohibited areas.
The Cagsawa Ruins is just a walking distance from the ATV area. We just took some pictures and had our breakfast/lunch nearby. Bicol is famous for its spicy foods particularly Bicol Express, but since it’s now overrated, Bicolanos have made and applied some twist to their foods and among these are Sili ice cream and sili shake. We bought the Choco Sili Shake and the taste was ordinary at first until the spicy taste kicked in. Sweet and spicy taste indeed blended well.
Next, we hired a tricycle to take us to the highway and ride a jeep going to Legazpi. The tricycle driver told us that the jeep will move around the whole town of Legazpi before going to the Central Terminal so he advised us to drop off at BIR and from there, ride another tricycle going to the terminal. Central Terminal is where the van going to Tabaco and other places like Sorsogon, Iriga, etc. is located.
Tabaco is one (1) hour ride from Legazpi. The van dropped us off at the Tabaco Port and we entered immediately because Fast Craft was about to depart. That was already 12:30 PM. It took us two (2) hours to reach San Andres Port in Catanduanes. San Andres Port is the alternate port going to Virac. You need to go straight to the jeep terminal upon drop off from the ferry and ride/hop in immediately, otherwise, you’ll ended up renting a tricycle like us which costs us Php 100.00 each, instead of 25.00 (via jeep). From Virac, we rode a van going to Puraran and we were fortunate to catch the last trip. And finally, was able to rest and freshen up at Puraran Beach Resort. The waves on the said resort is amenable for first time surfers. And area is also Instagrammable. Since it’s not yet peak season, we enjoyed the solitude of the place. The resort also offers made-to-order foods. For our dinner, we tried ginataang hipon and some potato fries. There, I noticed that Bicolanos are fond of eating foods with gata.
The next day, we hired a tricycle for a day tour and below were the places that we’ve visited:
1. Binurong Point
This is a 30-minute tricycle ride from Puraran Beach Resort. Tour guide is needed as there is a 25-30 minutes trek. Be sure to wear your OOTD, but at the same time, better to wear trekking sandals (not shoes, because there are water areas that you need to cross). You will see a wide land mass at the top with rock formations as if you’re really in Batanes. We went there early that’s why we witnessed the sun rising up while it shines to the grass and sea around the area.
2. Bote Light House
Similar to Binurong, going to the lighthouse also requires trekking (and a tour guide) where you can view Sakahon Beach and other parts of the island including Mayon Volcano. Trail is very steep but you will not get tanned as it’s shaded with trees.
3. Sakahon Beach
One of the virgin beaches in Catanduanes with its clear water, golden sand, rock formations, and views of nearby islands namely Turtle, Crocodile head, and Palong ng Manok. You may want to hang out here after going down from the lighthouse and hire a boat for snorkeling activity in Poseidon Island (provided that the sea current is good as well).
4. Bato River
Nothing much here. Just a PhotoOp on a bridge with the river as your background.
5. PAGASA Radar Station
Quick stop-over of our day tour that gave us a breathtaking view of the bay and islets seen from the radar station.
6. Maribina Falls
One of the most famous waterfalls in Catanduanes. I may not recommend this waterfall because water is not that clear anymore. Maybe you should try Balacay Point instead situated in Puraran.
7. Old Churches
Among the churches we’ve visited were St. John the Baptist Church, which is also known as the Bato Heritage Church, and Virac Cathedral.
Lastly, we went to Twin Rock Beach Resort for an overnight since it’s quite near to Virac Port than Baras. Amenities are good, but the beach is rocky so we were not able to swim for a long period of time.
Tricycle is very rare on Sunday, so we were fortunate that some staff of Twin Rock will go to the market that time and they brought us to the port.
Ferry going to Tabaco Port from Virac is 7AM and 1PM only. Please be guided accordingly. We were at the Virac Port at 8:30 AM because blog post told us that ferry going to Tabaco is 9:30 AM. We have no choice but to wait for the 1 PM schedule which led us to ride on an ordinary bus (for 400php) from Tabaco to Manila (because ETA to Manila via aircon bus may be 6 or 7 AM). Arrival is 4AM. What a long ride! Wish there’s an expressway going to Bicol.
Tips:
- Best of you reserve your bus tickets in person and not online.
- Buy snacks and water.
- Leave Manila at 5PM (or earlier) so you can catch the 6:30AM ride going to Virac. Otherwise, catch the 12:30 PM schedule of Fast Craft going to San Andres Port which will take two (2) hours.
- If you happen to reach Virac early, better if you go straight to Binurong Point. Just leave your things to the people there or you may also check in to their accommodation. So you can save a tricycle rent too, since fare is relatively high.
- If you happen to take the San Andres Port Ride like us:
- Be on a hurry to reach the jeep going to Virac.
- From Virac ride a jeep going to Gigmoto or Puraran/Binurong Point.
(Suggested) Itinerary and Budget
