I was born and raised in a small town in Sorsogon and studied in Manila during college, so I often pass by Camarines Sur, but I have never been to CWC. 

All the while I thought CWC is in Naga. Shame on me!  It’s actually located in Pili, Camarines Sur and can be easily reached from Naga.  Naga terminal is just in front SM Naga and from there I took an ordinary bus heading to Legazpi and asked the driver to drop me off at the jump off point to CWC.  I paid Php10for that bus ride.

At the road leading to CWC, public transport is not a problem, there are tricycles, padyak, and single motorcycles that will take you to there for Php 10 (until 6pm).  I’m used to back riding so I hopped on one of the motorcycles in the line.

We passed by Villa Del Rey Wood Cabins, the famed orange-brown cabins. There are other types of accommodations inside CWC, most of them requires reservation especially during peak season or if there’s an event held in the complex because it gets fully booked easily.  If that’s the case, then find a cheaper hostel in Naga city.

I registered first and was given a yellow wrist band, since the locker is full, the employees offered to take care of my belongings. Sweet! Lockers can be rented for Php 25 monthly for Php 250. I paid Php 160 for 1 hour of wake boarding, and I can shift to knee boarding whenever I want to.

Foods and drinks can be ordered but the price is kinda hefty for me. I only ordered an ice tea for Php50, at first I thought it’s expensive so I was surprised when the waitress served 3 large glass of ice tea, turned out that the Php50 ice tea is 1 liter!   There’s also a Clubhouse Restaurant serving Korean, Japanese, Filipino and Western dish and a full Bar featuring San Miguel beers and tropical foods inside the complex.  At 12.30 noon and 7am, the cable is closed for lunch and breakfast.

If you’re in a group or with your family and you want your own space to chill out, you can rent a cabana located beside the pool. CWC complex boasts of six-hectare complex, with its 6-point cable ski system.  Because of good weather conditions, cable skiing in the park can be done all year round.

There are 2 cable parks, the bigger one is for the experts, and the Winch Park at the far North is for beginners like me.  Because I don’t want to put myself to shame, I tried wakeboarding at the Winch Park. CWC complex offers wake boarding, knee boarding, water skiing, wake skating and ride on the water and boat rides.  I should’ve tried the knee boarding because it’s much easier but was too shy to try it

For a beginner like me who has never tried wake boarding, I find it complicated.  But you know, nothing is as hard as it first appears.  As I step onto the wakeboard, I pulled my ankles in a close position, with my knees pretty close to my chest in a squatting position, pushing my chest slightly up.  As the cable pulls me out of the water, I had to put about 60 percent of my weight on my front foot, and the other 40 percent on my back foot so the board won’t waggle and go out of control as the pulley pulls me up.  The trainer had to repeatedly remind me to stay relaxed, and not to fight against the pull.  I kept on falling and the filthy water is entering my nose. I was desperate to learn!

It was a fun experience and even made friends with some of the first timers there too.  I know it’s crazy to try wake boarding alone, but when you’ve got no choice but be alone on an adventure, anything is possible.  Just make the most out of that moment, have fun, and suck in the whole experience!  And when its gets lonely, make friends with the locals, or join other tourists.  If all else fails, then move on to your next destination.

Though I enjoyed every moment of it, I have to admit that CWC complex is still enjoyed best in groups.  Imagine who would laugh at you each time you make a fool of yourself, fall and drink those filthy waters!? No one will capture your moment in the cable park if you’re alone.  Good thing, I still managed to ask some tourists to take my souvenir photos because I was too shy to use my tripod and timer out there (because there are a lot of tourists).   So the next time I spend my summer in Bicol, I sure will try wake boarding and knee boarding in CWC complex with my cousins and siblings!

For more information on CWC complex: visit: CWC’s official website:http://www.camsurwatersportscomplex.com

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Caramoan Gota Beach photo

How to get to Caramoan:

You can either take a plane (estimated travel time 45 minutes)  or a bus to Naga (estimated travel time 9-10hrs). Bus terminals are located at : Ali-Mall Cubao, Pasay & Alabang (fronting Metropolis). to  Naga-Sabang-Caramoan

1. From Naga, ride a jeep or minivan at Naga Central Terminal to Sabang or Talisay Port.
2. Take a motorboat from Sabang or Talisay Port to Caramoan Port (Guinlajo Port).
3. Ride a jeep orrent a bike (motorbike)  from the Port to get to Caramoan town (Sentro).
4. At Caramoan sentro, you can find several guesthouse/inn. Then you can wait for a jeep to Bikal port which passes by rarely, rent a tricycle for Php 50 (special trip) or ordinary trip for Php 12 (you have to wait for the tricyle to be full though) or ride a motorcycle (Php 50) or your inn can arrange a special service for you (normally Php 100 each).
5. At Bikal port , you can rent a bangka for island hopping. Php 1500 for small bangka (1-10 persons) or Php 2500 (11-20 persons). *This post is based on my Caramoan visit summer last year. As of my last check, boat rate has increased to Php2,000-Php3,500 depending on boat size.
6. The grotto  is a different route. Bangka cost’s Php 800 or you can hire a motorcycle for Php 300 to take you there. You can also get around the town by motorcycle, tourist inns would usually offer one (gas not included)  for Php 250 half day or Php 500 full day .

Pinay solo backpacker stayed at: Rex Tourist Inn – @ Real St, Brgy. Tawog in Centro Caramoan, rates for fan room is Php 300 while regular room to executive room rates are ranging from Php 700 to Php 2500. other Caramoan accommodations : click here. *As of my last check with friends who visited the island recently, there’s a  lot of newly constructed accommodations.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

Choose the tenerife holidays best suited to your lifestyle. The holiday specialists will help you find and book the right resort. Windsurfing, golf, hiking and surfing are all popular on the island.

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Rex Tourist Inn
Cellphone number: +639198821879
Very affordable for as low as 700PHP you get a room for the night with a/c and TV. Rex Tourist Inn is located at the Centro of Caramoan.

I stayed at Rex Tourist Inn during my solo trip to Caramoan. See related post for my Caramoan trip.

VILLA JULIANNA:
Cellphone number: +639212261395 , +639294884928, +639076557984

http://villajuliana.multiply.com/

LA CASA ROA:
momieperez@gmail.com;
Cellhpone Number: (+63) 54 8115789; +639175801850
Rates at Php 4600-7000 per person for a 3 day, 2 Night Stay.

VISTA DEL MAR GUESTHOUSE
Cellphone number: +639198136766         +639183420823

http://www.eyeoncaramoan.com

LA PLAYA CAMP
Cellphone number: +639198136766           +639183420823

http://www.eyeoncaramoan.com

WEST PENINSULA VILLAS:
Cellhpone Number: (+63)0921 2642538

http://westpen.i.ph/

HUNONGAN COVE
Unit 2401, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati 1227, Philippines.
Telephone Number: +63 2 8180831
Cellhpone Number: +63 9283083969
camsurtourism@gmail.com      gotavillage@gmail.com

http://caramoanislands.com/

BC HOMETEL: (+63) 9218357454; 09218357454
IMELDA HOMESTAY: (+63) 0921264253
NARVATO APARTMENT : (+63) 0920 8499542 (near BC Hometel)
MARTO RESIDENCE: +639285082951

VERSOZA RESIDENCE
Located in Centro, Caramoan – Two big aircon rooms are available for rent, rates starts from Php500.00.

CMC Villa Caramoan

For inquiries and reservations you may contact any of the following:
Globe Subscribers
Coleen Cordial – 0917 826 5336
Marlyn Cordial – 0917 568 8262
Non-Globe Subscribers
Coleen Cordial – 0928 551 9255
Marlyn Cordial – 0920 903 0226
or via email at cmcvillacaramoan@yahoo.com

website: http://cmcvillacaramoan.multiply.com/

Caramoan Kayaks Inn
Lupi,Guijalo
Caramoan
4429
Philippines
Telephone: 1+ 63) 0921 9873157
Telephone: 2+ 63) 0920 4742637
website: http://www.caramoankayaks.com

PLOPINIO RESIDENCE
Located in Centro, Caramoan – A three storey concrete house, fully furnished, with beddings, water, air-conditioned rooms, spacious living room, veranda, food / meals can be ordered / served. With two spacious air-conditioned rooms with separate toilet and bathroom. Rates are starting from Php500.00

GOTA VILLAGE RESORT CARAMOAN
Unit 2401, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, Makati 1227, Philippines.
Telephone Number: +63 2 8180831
Cellphone number: +63 9283083969
camsurtourism@gmail.com      gotavillage@gmail.com

http://www.gotavillage.com

CamSur Provincial Tourism Office
Telephone Number: (+63) 54 4773172 (+63) 54 4775252
Email: camsurtourism@gmail.com

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Caramoan

Armed w/ a backpack, slippers, my cam & a map I left Alabang on May 23rd at 11 P.M, boarded the bus headed to Goa/San Jose/ Sabang. It wasn’t really a convenient ride as I took a crowded ordinary bus because I missed the last trip of the aircon bus that left around 9:30 pm. The trip took almost 10 hours!!!! So just imagine how bored I am! Good thing the Manong who’s sitting beside me was raised in Sabang. He gave me some details about the place w/c really helped a lot.  You’ll meet all kinds of people  who can help you reach your destination when you travel, so just ask nicely but never give out too much information for your own security. 9:45am May 24th, I arrived at Sabang, the bus stopped at Penafrancia Beach Resort so I had to walk a few meters to Sabang beach port. I was really starving so I looked for a carinderia & ordered “kusido’. Manong told me, Sabang beach is the home of blue marlin so most eatery offers them on their menu. From Sabang port, I had to wait for the next trip at 11 A.M to Guinlajo port via M. V Harry.  There I spoke w/some locals headed to Caramoan and also met JV w/ her foreigner girlfriend who asked  me to go with them.

M.V Harry, the only motorized bangka that has regular trips to Caramoan

The fare is Php 120 and porters will be offering to carry you to the bangka because the water at the shore is at hip level and you can pay them at least Php 10 but you would love to pay more as they’re really not like the rest of the porters in other places who are abusive, they would gladly take  even the minimum fee you give them and they would still smile and thank you. The trip to Guinlajo port takes roughly 2 hours so better bring your ipod or mp4 with you!

inside Harry

The view  is simply amazing… if your on the left side of the bangka you’ll get a full view of the evergreen mountains… while on the right side you’ll get to see Aguirangan Island. Upon arrival at Guinlajo port, small bangkas are waiting to transfer passengers to the port w/o getting wet. You can pay a Minimum of Php10..again you’d be more than happy to pay the bangkero more because just like the porters, they wouldn’t ask for more than the minimum. At the port, you can take  a jeep (Php 20), tricycle (P20 each but fully loaded) or  you can hire it for Php 100, or if you only have a few baggage, you can backride on  a motorcycle for Php 40 (without helmet!!) to take you to Sentro (Central Town) .

Guinlajo port

For those who want to check in to the largest Inn in Caramoan, Rex Tourist Inn has a service waiting at the port but take note it’s not for free you’ll pay Php 100 each. Then at the Central Town there’s a couple of Inns that you can choose from. You can save if you are in groups because the room is cheaper. It cost me Php 700 per day for a small room w/ own bath, a/c & tv. 1 BR for 2 people normally cost Php 1000-Php 1500 while for 4 people ranges from Php 2000-Php 2500.

the rough road to Caramoan town

Caramoan is just like any other remote barangays  with limited amenities.

rice fields along the road of Caramoan town is highly evident

I arrived at Sentro around 1:30 PM. I decided to stay at Rex Tourist Inn. The staff  was so helpful, that she even made an arrangement with a group of  young tourists headed by Kel to let me join their island hopping to save me the cost of renting the entire bangka. I intended to stay for 1 day only because I wanted to go back to Naga the next day & drop by at CWC & visit the Deer farm in Ocampo. But the staff suggested I take the tour with the rest because M.V Harry’s last trip is at 11AM so even if I take the tour the next day, my time would still be limited. So I joined the group headed by Kel. We took off to Bikal port by 3pm.

Bikal port

For those who wants to get closer to the beach, you can stay at La Playa. It’s the only inn located near the beach. You have to take another ride by tricycle or motorcycle or jeep (rarely available) to Bikal port w/c is roughly 5 kms. The fare is the same: Php 20 each for fully loaded tricycle, Php 100 if you hire th entire tricycle or Php 40 for motorcycle. Rex Tourist Inn offers motorcycle rental for Php 500 a day or Php 300 half day (excluding gas). From Sentro town one has to go to Bikal port to rent the bangka for Island hopping w/c would cost you Php 1500 and for a larger bangka w/c can accomodate around 20 people it’s Php 2000.

To be fair to the other bangkeros, the community has decided to have “pila” for the bangka. The route to Brgy. Tagbo ( where you can hike the mountain where the huge shrine of the Our lady of the Holy Rosary dwells that takes roughly 502 steps ) is different. It’s said to be Php 800 by bangka (special trip). But you can also hire “single motorcycle” for Php 300 to take you there.  It is accessible by land, but the road is really rough. So here we go.. Approaching Caramoan group of islands! The famous Gotta beach is off-limits though until until end of July 2009 due to Survivor Bulgaria’s filming.

Gota Beach

We we’re taken first to an islet fronting Hunongan Island..Hunongan cottages are still under construction..hasn’t opened yet but most likely when it does the rates are like that of Gotta’s. Caramoan is more like Palawan… A perfect getaway…

Hunongan Island

Then next stop is Lahus Island..

Lahus Island

Then Matukad Island.. the best place to swim because of it’s long stretch of white sand and pristine beach…

Matukad beach

and beautiful rock formations.

rock formations @ Matukad beach

Matukad

We have limited time so we pampered ourselves here instead of going to La Playa.

Kel & company

As the sun sets… we went back to Bikal port .

high tide @ Bikal port

I was so tired that I went straight to sleep after taking a brief shower. Monday at 6am..Kel and his friends left for Manila. Meanwhile, I was left confused … head to Naga to explore other places or stay to explore other islands !? … I stayed!!! Hired a tricycle for Php 100 to Bikal port.  Then rented the same bangka for Php 1500..Manong bangkero was kind enough to include the grotto tour w/c is supposedly a different rate. I asked him to go back to the islet fronting Hunongan then straight to the other islands..

I wanted badly to explore the island below but the armed guard told us, it’s off-limits due to Survivor’s filming..

this island is off-limits due to Survivor Bulgaria

so we headed to a far away island called Lahuy. It’s a private property also called Hacienda Basud.

Lahuy island

It’s  already noon  so we ate lunch at the bangka. We stayed at Lahuy Island for 2 1/2 hours waiting for the high tide.

stuck! low tide

I regret not to have agreed with manong bangkero’s offer to take me again to Matukad and Lahus earlier that morning. I didn’t know that if its low tide where gonna get stuck in Lahus Island. So since , I have no way out, after some conversations with Manong and his assistant I started exploring the rest of the island under the heat of the sun.

Lahuy Island

At around 2:30pm,we left Hacienda Basud and went straight to Brgy. Tagbo. The rain started to pour exactly upon arriving at the port!  So I hiked the huge shrine with 502 steps while raining …

502 steps!!!!

…but when you get to the top you’ll realize it’s all worth it..

a local praying the rosary at the huge shrine of Mama Mary

The place is truly breathtaking… it’s overlooking the islands I explored..

mesmerized

5pm I went back to the inn satisfied! I left around 8am the next day- May 26. Took a motorcycle from Sentro to Guinlajo port…just in time for M. V Harry. Last take off is at 11AM from Guinlajo port to Sabang.

backriding w/o helmet! yahu!!!

In Sabang,  there’s a couple of  jeeps & vans bound to Naga. Arrived at Naga terminal around 11pm. So after eating at Biggs, I  took a bus at Naga terminal and arrived safely at midnight.

Biggs @ SM Naga

Caramoan is Bicol’s hidden treasure.  If  Bicol used to be famous only for  Mt. Mayon and the Donsol’s whaleshark, Caramoan is definitely  another must-see. So if you’re based in Luzon and you’re looking for a cheaper  alternative to the touristy price of Boracay or Palawan , you can head to Caramoan.  Better take advantage of it while it’s still cheap because it  might turn out to be  overcrowded like Boracay…I hope not.

*This article was based on my Caramoan solo trip in may 2009. Now I feel like Caramoan has gained it’s much deserved popularity.  Caramoan owes it’s fame now to Survivor France, sadly because of it’s filming, tourists are deprived of visiting some islands.  Caramoan is said to have been rented by Survivor for 25 yrs since 2008. 

the fine white sand of Matukad beach

How to get to Caramoan:

You can either take a plane (estimated travel time 45 minutes)  or a bus to Naga (estimated travel time 9-10hrs). Bus terminals are located at : Ali-Mall Cubao, Pasay & Alabang (fronting Metropolis). to  Naga-Sabang-Caramoan

1. From Naga, ride a jeep or minivan at Naga Central Terminal to Sabang or Talisay Port.
2. Take a motorboat from Sabang or Talisay Port to Caramoan Port (Guinlajo Port).
3. Ride a jeep orrent a bike (motorbike)  from the Port to get to Caramoan town (Sentro).
4. At Caramoan sentro, you can find several guesthouse/inn. Then you can wait for a jeep to Bikal port which passes by rarely, rent a tricycle for Php 50 (special trip) or ordinary trip for Php 12 (you have to wait for the tricyle to be full though) or ride a motorcycle (Php 50) or your inn can arrange a special service for you (normally Php 100 each).
5. At Bikal port , you can rent a bangka for island hopping. Php 1500 for small bangka (1-10 persons) or Php 2500 (11-20 persons). *This post is based on my Caramoan visit summer last year. As of my last check, boat rate has increased to Php2,000-Php3,500 depending on boat size.
6. The grotto  is a different route. Bangka cost’s Php 800 or you can hire a motorcycle for Php 300 to take you there. You can also get around the town by motorcycle, tourist inns would usually offer one (gas not included)  for Php 250 half day or Php 500 full day .

Pinay solo backpacker stayed at: Rex Tourist Inn – @ Real St, Brgy. Tawog in Centro Caramoan, rates for fan room is Php 300 while regular room to executive room rates are ranging from Php 700 to Php 2500. other Caramoan accommodations : click here. *As of my last check with friends who visited the island recently, there’s a  lot of newly constructed accommodations.

Tip: there’s no bank in Caramoan so pls bring enough cash. Pinay solobackpacker wants to thank : Kel Matacatangay and friends for the company. 

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