The Kick-ass Calaguas [Day 1]

Dear Juliet,

First things first. Let me thank the money bathalas for making this trip possible for me and my sister. Mula sa kaibuturan ng aking puso, maraming salamat sa inyo, mga butihing bathala!

Cartwheeling and heel-clicking me, during sunset. Conquering CALAGUAS! ♥

While Madie was all worried and panicky about this trip's impending cancellation, I was indifferent. "Que sera sera," I told her. During those times, I was hoping the trip wouldn't push through because I'm dead broke. But then luckily, I found a way to make make money. Finally, though three has already backed out, the five of us were set to experience "the" kick-ass Calaguas!

On the night of May 20 [Friday], my sister and I hurriedly headed to Megamall where Madie, her family, and Klaris were already waiting. Awa ng Diyos, napaka-init na ng ulo ni Daddy pagdating namin. Sorry na po. Daddy drove us to Shell McKinley where the tour coordinators and rest of our group were waiting.

The sulit-na-sulit tour package we availed from Paranas Tours was worth P2850. It was inclusive of:

• Land transportation [from Shell McKinley to Vinzons, Camarines Norte and back]. The van is good for 13 people. Since we were just 5, we had company--the group of Shelly's HS friend, Joyce.
• Boat rides [from Vinzons to Calaguas and back].
• Side trip to Bagasbas, where it is perfect to go surfing 
• Three YUM meals
• Drinking water
• Tents

May pag-plug talaga, di ba? That's because I'm really satisfied with their services. Our tour guides really took care of us. They made sure we had everything we needed for this trip. Because of them, our trip was oh so OHsome!

So after what seemed like eternity more or less nine whopping hours of travel by land, we reached Daet, Camarines Norte in the beautiful region of BICOLANDIA. It was May 21 [Saturday], the so-called end of the world.

Clockwise: The town of Daet. My Calaguas buddies in front of our jam-packed van. Madie @Jbee Daet. Mogs, She, and me.

We had breakfast in Jollibee and then, off we went to the port at Vinzons. The two-hour boat ride to Calaguas would've been really boring if not for the breath-taking view. Here are some photos of things you'll see along the seaway.

Clockwise: The port at Vinzons. Galing nila magdrive ng bangka! Some mountain. The trippers. See the white sand? Kuya Ken; behind that island is where we went.

And at last, we reached the island. In my mind, I thought: it must really be the end of the world; we're already in heaven! Ah, white sand! Ah, lush greens! Ah, clear waters! Ah, blue skies! I was overwhelmed by all the amazing things I was seeing and it was only 11 in the morning!

As soon as we found the perfect camp site, our tour guides set up the tents for us. I was amazed that the other guys with us were equipped with their own tents. They're really experienced travelers. How I wish I could be like them. If I only earn a lot like them... *big sigh*

The green ones are the tents of the five of us

While waiting for lunch to be served, we didn't have anything to do. And so, we decided to take a dip in the clear waters. Though it was scorching hot, kebs na sa pangingitim. After all, the tents were ovens and the least we want is be baked in Calaguas. Ladies and gents, without further adieu, may I present myself and my fellow trippers in our swim wear. LoL!

The mag-emote like it's the end of the world shots [pun intended].

The tampisaw-sa-tubig shot.

The shot of the person responsible for the fab shots above. Ang paboritong apo, si Karen. ;p

After swimming, lunch wasn't ready yet, so I offered them my favorite San Marino Tuna Paella. It took the coordinators a while to prepare the food. But when it was served, it was really filling. For lunch, they prepared fish sinigang, adobong pusit, and kinilaw/kilawin. Too bad I wasn't able to try the kinilaw. But I must say, nakakagana talaga kumain sa tabing dagat. Ingat lang. With all the sand around, it's a guarantee, you'll be having Calaguas crunchy rice if you're not careful enough. [Sorry, no pictures during lunch. We were all too famished to take pictures.]

In a remote island like Calaguas, don't expect food to be served in a silver platter. No, there weren't silver platters, only bandehados of rice and kalde-kalderong ulams. You have to be a cowboy, man. Bawal mag-inarte. You will be asked to bring your own paper plates. Since we were sosyal, ours were plastic picnic plates. Haha.

Again, we had nothing left to do after washing the picnic plates we used during lunch. So, we looked for a perfect place to stay and decided to play cards! A trip with these girls won't be complete without a game of PUSOY DOS. Maski saan, maski kailan, basta may baraha, gora! And if you may ask who wins all the time, ehem, di naman sa pagmamayabang, but you're already reading her blog ;p

This was our spot. Just perfect.

Shelly's MINI cards! In fairness to Madie, she plays pusoy dos lika a pro na, LoL. I also got to play the guitar: sandali na lang, maaari bang pagbigayan.

Despite the heat, we managed to take a nap when we got tired of playing cards. We woke up at around five, just in time for sunset. We also got the chance to play beach volleyball! It was so fun! Megs and I had this team mate who plays like a pro. Ang galing! I'm just really thrilled that I got to play the sport I loved so much when I was in high school. I remember my jersey number back then was 3! Haha. I miss volleyball so much!
 

 Don't you just love sunsets? ;)

  

We all agreed to end the game when it started to get dark. We all went back to base, washed off sand from our bodies by swimming for a while, made banlaw in the poso [konyo much, teh?], and prepared for dinner. I found it funny that my sister and I were in our pajamas in the beach, on a camping.

Then, it was dinner time! I have to give it to the tour coordinators and to whoever the cook was. Dinner was really, really delish! We had binagoongang/ginataang sitaw and liempo--the best combination for a beach dinner! For this meal, I didn't use my utensils. I enjoyed my liempo to its last cholesterol. Super sarap! Haha. Promise! [Again, no pictures of the food, sorry.]

Headlamps are genius! It was way easier to do things in the dark with this. I actually felt like Gru's minion wearing this. Sayang, di ako naka-yellow ;p

After dinner, we wandered off the sea shore. Klaris brought her trusty SLR and there, the kodakan moments commenced. This time, we had better and fresh ideas other than the uber laos jump shot.

Picture muna with our midnight snacks.

Wacky naman. Bagong-bagong photo idea. NOT ;p

Playing with lights. Haha. I insisted that we form my name. Haha. ♥

This was supposed to be a horror shot; I don't know what happened.

Emote photos. Thank you, flashlights ;p

Well, well. Look do we have here. LoL! A photogenic crab ;)

Ang padakip, paglilitis, at pagbitay kay Baby Madie ;p best actress lang ang atey namin ;)

Before sleeping, we socialized with Joyce's group and with our tour guides over Tanduay Ice. They were really cool! The tour guides were beckies while Joyce's group were so camping-ready. They had hotdogs to grill. They kept bugging our guides to make a bonfire so they could cook. Hehe. When the campfire was made, it was a nice scene to look at, especially because the moon was full.

Natupad na ang pangarap kong makatulog sa tent. Yehey! That's number 25 on my bucket list! ;)

I ended the day thankful because (1) the world did not end, (2) I'm in a beautiful place with my sister and friends, (3) I got to experience new things and meet new people, (4) I know I'm going to wake up to an amazing sight the next day.Then, it was time to sleep. We crept to our respective tents and dozed off. It was kinda difficult to sleep at such a cramped space, but you know me. I'm a sleepyhead who could sleep in whatever conditions. Hehe.

Hoping, waiting, believing.

★ Happidezz