Camarines Norte’s present major draw is the Calaguas islands within the municipality of Vinzons. I used to be first mesmerized by the seaside and islands of Calaguas nearly a decade in the past. The comfortable and high-quality white sand seaside in Tinaga island with clear lime waters (Calaguas means lime) which is right for swimming is a real gem located on the Pacific Ocean facet of the nation. I received’t be going into element on this publish as many of the issues I’ve written on my Mahabang Buhangin publish keep related to at the present time. As an alternative, I’ll be sharing some noticeable modifications for the reason that pandemic.
Going to Calaguas Islands
Much like different locations within the nation, the pandemic has tailored protocols that would appear to remain for some time. Even Calaguas Islands has its personal algorithm.
- Guests needs to be pre-booked. This could discourage DIY vacationers however it will be higher to watch and regulate guests.
- Vinzons is the advisable jump-off because the Calaguas islands are beneath this municipality
- Vinzons by Bus: Take a Daet, Camarines Norte certain bus like DLTB Bus then a 20-minute jeepney trip to Vinzons port.
- Vinzons by Air: The closest airport is Naga. Take a 2-hour bus to Daet then a 20-minute jeepney trip to Vinzons port.
Mahabang Buhangin Resorts
The open cottages resort, Bert’s Resort, the place we stayed is not there. As an alternative, there are 4 resorts at Mahabang Buhangin providing quite a lot of lodging from airconditioned rooms, fan rooms, open cottages, and even tenting grounds. They often have packaged charges which embrace the keep, meals, and the boat trip backward and forward Vinzons:
We stayed on the I Love Calaguas Island Resort which is located on the southern finish of Mahabang Buhangin Seaside. It has a set of luxurious open cottages with cushions close to the seaside. A set of air-conditioned huts then on the again are the airconditioned rooms with ensuite restrooms. There’s a large open floor inside the resort for tenting.
We stayed in air-conditioned rooms with loos and a veranda. It was clear, first rate, and primary. However since Calaguas islands are remoted from the mainland, electrical energy is powered by gas mills. They activate the ability from 6 PM to six AM. So the cooling models can solely be used at these occasions. There have been no retailers contained in the room so charging is on the retailer. The fee per absolutely charged unit is P50.
We had our meals catered by the resort and the meals was glorious from seafood and native Bicolano dishes.
Balagbag Island Hop
We spent a variety of our afternoon having fun with the seaside. We additionally allotted a while to do a fast island hop to the close by Balagbag Island. It’s a small island close to the shore that solely took a ten–15 minute boat trip. Balagbag Island has grainy sand not like Mahabang Buhangin nevertheless it does share the water readability. There’s an unfinished resort on the island and a stairway main up the hills.
A scenic panorama of the islands and the ocean had been ready for us atop the hills. One facet of the island had rugged cliffs battered by waves. I’m guessing the island’s identify got here from how the waves batter the island which in Tagalog is balagbag.
Mesmerizing as Ever
We returned to Mahabang Buhangin simply in time to catch the sundown. And it was nothing wanting spectacular even with the clouds rolling in. Within the night, I used to be additionally capable of catch the milky means. With much less gentle air pollution and nearly clear skies, the celebs had been placing on fairly a present that evening.
Even with the brand new protocols and resort developments, Calaguas Islands stays as mesmerizing as ever. I feel it helps that it’s secluded from the mainland and might take fairly a little bit of effort to get there. Even after nearly a decade, it nonetheless feels pristine.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning journey photographer, author and blogger. His works has discovered print in publications reminiscent of Singapore Airways’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airways’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has additionally lent his experience to varied organizations just like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Basis, Save the Kids and World Imaginative and prescient, contributing high quality photos for his or her advertising and marketing supplies.