CALAGUAS ISLAND

Calaguas Island is located in the northern part of Bicolandia. You can do a DIY trip (Do It Yourself) but for us we joined a group tour that was arranged by a very good friend Maria del Rosario. Calaguas Island was part of my nine days trip in Bicol Region. So joining a group tour would be one less itinerary to worry about.

WHAT TO SEE?

Look at that view!!

Calaguas Island seemed to be a very popular destination to some tavel bloggers that I follow and even tagged it as "the happy beach".  Some of the guys even compared it to the famous Boracay with clear and white powdery sand beach but I just needed to witness it. And YES it was indeed a HAPPY BEACH!! 

I’ve seen too many photos of Mahabang buhangin / Halabang Baybay in Tinaga Island but seeing it in person ......AMAZING!!

WHERE TO STAY?

If you're not comfortable to sleep in a tent you can stay in Waling Waling Eco Resort. I wont be able to provide more details about the said resort but it looks neat and pretty outside. 

WHO TO CONTACT?

Sir Ruel was our group leader. His one of the best tour operator.  Aside from being a tour operator his also an artist. He can paint and he can create beautiful sand sculptures. This guy got too many inspiring stories and you will never ever get bored hanging out with him. The food that they prepared was just delicious PLUS EAT ALL YOU CAN PLUS Lechon! Yes LECHON!! Happy tummy, Happy guests in the Happy Beach! But wait there’s more,PLUS OPEN BAR !! They have vodka, tequila, rum, gin etc! KAMPAY!! 

Sir Ruel of CALAGUAS ATBP.THANK YOU! Our trip would not be that memorable if not for your team.

I don’t want to compare it to Boracay since Calaguas Island got its own beauty.  YES! The water is crystal clear, YES! The sand is white, YES! It has few people and YES! The view is amazing!!!  Definitely not my last visit.  I'll see soon Calaguas Island!!!

Package Inclusions: 

ü *Shuttle Service (Daet to Vinzons & vice versa)

ü Boat transfer

ü 4 Meals

ü Entrance / Environmental Fee

ü Free use of kayak w kayak 101

ü Snorkeling 101

ü Underwater photography

ü Tent/Nipa hut accommodation

ü With generator set

Things to Bring:

§ Clothes

§ Snacks

§ Flash Light,

§ Mess kits,

§ Sunblock Cream/ Mosquito repellant

§ Cellphones, Camera with Extra Batteries

§ Beach Slippers

§ Flash Drive ( for Raw Copies of Photo Documentation)

Here's the Purple Suitcase Travel and Tours Itinerary:

Day 1

5:30 AM ETA Daet

7:00 AM ETD to Vinzons

7:30 AM ETD for Calaguas Island 9:30 AM ETA Calaguas Island

v Lecture on Kayaking and Snorkeling 101

12:00 PM *** LUNCH ***

1:00 PM Swimming/ Kayaking/ Snorkeling/Underwater Photoshoots

4:00 PM Free Time / Swimming Time

6:00 PM *** DINNER ***

7:00 PM Socials

10:00 PM Sleeping Time 

Day 2:

6:30 AM Wake Up Call Ecological Trek

7:30 AM *** Breakfast ***

8:00 AM Swimming/ Photoshoots/Snorkeling/ Kayaking

12:00 PM *** LUNCH ***

1:00 PM Swimming

3:00 PM ETA Vinzons

4:00 PM Shop @ Daet

6:00 PM Home Sweet Home

Maria Del Rosario of 

Purple Suitcase Travel and Tours.

148 B. J. Ruiz St. Brgy. Salapan, San Juan City Philippines 1500 purplesuitcasetravelandtours@gmail.com

63905-7864686 / 639175203233 / 639252244998

Travel Partner: CALAGUAS ATBP.

Contact Person: Ruel Santelices

Contact No.: 09166172555
FB Page: CALAGUAS ATBP

WHAT IS THE BEST THING TO DO WHEN YOU TRAVEL? MEET NEW FRIENDS: ARIEN AND BIANCA!!!

HAPPY TRAVEL!!!

MATNOG, SORSOGON

Matnog is a third class municaplity in the province of Sorsogon. It lies at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island.

 

When I saw those pictures online I knew that one day, someday I’ll also be experiencing the beauty of this island.

WHAT TO SEE?

 

Beaches, Beaches and Beaches – see those beautiful islets of Tikling, Calintaan, Juag and Subic. Subic Beach is definitely my favorite.  White powdery sand, clear water and a very peaceful place to relax. If you are someone who needs a vitamin SEA this is a perfect place to be.   

Subic Beach

 

Fish feeding in Juag Lagoon

 

 

 

Snorkelling, fish feeding, swimming, and beach bumming are just some of the things you can do in here.

Here in Matnog you will also be able  to see one of the busiest seaports in the Philippines and it is the jump off point to the southern Philippines and vice versa.

HOW TO GO?

1. Take a flight from Manila to Legazpi Airport,  via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines  they got some ticket sales going on from time to time on. Ticket rates starts from 1,000php and up for a round trip flight.  Travel time around 1 hour per way.

From Legazpi Airport go to Legazpi Terminal and from there take a bus heading Sorsogon.  From Sorsogon you can take a jeep going to Matnog. Travel time would be around 1 to 1.5 hours,

2. From Manila you can take a bus heading Matnog from Pasay or Cubao terminals check out this bus companies namely Philtranco, Amihan, DLTB, RSL and Raymond Bus. Travel time around 13-15 hours and fare would be about 800 -1000 php.        

WHEN TO GO?

 

Best time to visit Matnog is from December to May since it can be a lot of hassle to go there during the rainy season. You may not also enjoy the island hopping if the waves are too rough for the boats.  

WHERE TO STAY?

There are cheap accommodations in Matnog. You can stay overnight in Subic Beach or camp out. Or stay in the town proper area. Matunog Pensionne, Richwell Beach Resort and Stardust Resort are some of the places you can stay but for us due to time constraints we stayed in Irosin.

  

WHO TO CONTACT?

Kuya Eddie Evasco - boatman/guide.

You can contact him on the following numbers: 09261404577 and 09282538607

Boat rentals would be around 1,600 php to 2,000 php good for 10  pax.

 

HOW WAS IT?

• Going to Matnog was indeed a pain in the butt.  Imagine sitting in a bus for more than 13 hours, given another chance - I'll definitely will take a flight to Legazpi City.
• Subic beach scenery was indeed captivating.
• The fishes in Juag Lagoon will blow your mind away
• Kuya Eddie and his group/family was really very nice.

 

HAPPY TRAVELS!!!

 

SAGADA ITINERARY

Sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan

Going to Sagada is already an adventure and will be best describe as NO PAIN NO GAIN... Literally. But it's all worth it!!!

WHAT TO SEE

If you want to maximize your stay -- Read READ READ. It took me more than a month to finalize our itinerary and that includes a lot of research. Yes I want to see the best view but I also want to get the BEST DEAL..

Kapay-aw Rice Terraces

Sumaguing Cave

St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church

Echo Valley

Sagada Weaving

Hanging Coffins

Sagada Christian Cemetery

Bomod - ok Falls

Mt. Kiltepan

WHERE TO STAY

There are so many places to stay when your in Sagada but for this trip I choose George Guest House Main Building due to its accessibility, affordability and good reviews.  250php per person per night. Here's there contact information:

Website:  http://georgesagada.blogspot.com/

Contact numbers: (63) 918-548-0406 and(63) 920-948-3133 (Look for Ate Dora)

WHERE TO EAT 

So many restaurants to choose from but i love the Lemon tea of Sagada Lemon Pie House and the Yogurt of Yogurt House -- Indeed one of the Best! 

HOW TO GO

I tried to check if there's a direct bus ride from Manila to Sagada but I can't seem to find anything on the web. You need to take Manila to Baguio then to Sagada.  Manila to Baguio travel time will be around six hours and fare was about 450php.Best time to leave is in the evening if your from Manila. There are so many buses that take this route but we choose Victory Liner in Cubao Terminal. 

From Victory Terminal in Baguio City take a cab going to GL Liner in Baguio Dangwa first trip is at 6am until 1pm travel time will be another 6 hours on a non air conditioned bus but don't you worry most of the roads are smooth. Fare was about 250php. Be there early so you can choose a better seat. Get a window seat to enjoy the view of the Halsema Highway.

Victory Liner contact number: (063) 410 8986  

WHEN TO GO

Best time to go is during dry months December to May. Since it will be very difficult and risky if its raining. 

Special thanks to Mara and Beverly my travel buddies for this trip. Thanks girls for some of the pictures I've used on this post. 

HAPPY TRAVEL!!!