2013 Summer Getaway: Exploring Calaguas

I never thought that Mahabang Buhangin existed until I saw a picture post from one of my officemates (Pipoy) who visited the place last summer. From that day, I promised myself that I'll visit it whenever I get the chance.

Calaguas view from Pipoy's post

Thanksgiving 2012. The long awaited thanksgiving holiday is nearly coming. My friend Anne and I planned for a thanksgiving trip. I suggested to visit Calaguas and we'll be having a thanksgiving getaway whatever happens.

I surfed the net to check for tour packages since I thought that a DIY trip would really cost a lot for a small group. Luckily, I found a 3d2n package for 3500php. I inquired immediately and I was informed that the tour will be possible for 10 pax. I asked my friends and officemates to join with us. Unfortunately due to the high volume of files that we have during that time, visiting the place with them is not possible. Sigh.. :( We then postponed our Calaguas trip and changed it to Ilocos trip. I informed Anne that we'll still visit that place on our birthday.

Summer 2013. I checked again for Calaguas blogs to have some tips on how to do a DIY trip. Again, I thought that it will cost a lot since we're only two (who are very willing!). I then searched for tour packages and inquired again. Before we avail the package, I asked my friends to come with us hoping that they can join us this time. A friend said yes with her husband. Yay! But we didn't avail the package since we won't make the April 12 due date. My friend told me that she also invited her friends to come with us and so our classmates and they haven't confirmed yet.

1 week before the trip, most of the invitees confirmed and we're now 10. Yay! We are also joined by the other group to share with the boat fees.. and we're a total of 17. We contacted a lot of 'bangkeros' and haggled for a lower price. We finally settled with Mang Boy as per 'Lakwatero's' blog referral. The boat fee costs 7k.

April 26. Since I came from work, I decided to meet up with Anne and her boyfriend in Alabang. Even though we're late, we still ate in Jollibee Junction by 7pm so that we'll just sleep during our travel. After that, we decided to ride a cab but we didn't find a metered taxi. Since we're late, we then decided to ride the 'fixed 600php taxi' with an additional 50php for the express toll fee. My gosh! Thank God we're full and we didn't get mad with the taxi driver for the over priced ride and heavy traffic in express way (yes, manong driver preferred this over the sky way). OMG again..

8:15 pm. We arrived just in time in DLTB Pasay terminal. My friend already called to inform me where they are and we luckily have reserved seats. ^^

April 27. We arrived in Talobatib by 5am (8-9 hours drive) and ride a tricycle (300php) to Paracale port. We divided the group into two (5/tryk). Since we're so excited about our trip, we didn't talked about where to meet up. Our tryk went straight to the port while the others went to 'palengke'. I have met Mang Boy and went to their house to check the things we're gonna to bring. Yes, we borrowed the water container, two coolers, kaldero, kawali, sandok, ihawan & pugon. We went to palengke after and bought some food and bananas! ^^

7:35 am. Off to Calaguas! :) I didn't get the chance to take some pictures while we're on the boat since I have kept my point and shoot cam inside the bag which was placed under the boat storage. But thanks to Shara, her husband managed to take some pictures.

The water is calm and I still managed to text.. ^^

9:00 am. Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas. The place is so beautiful.. the water is crystal clear.

Calaguas view from Shara's cam

We settled ourselves to camp on the left side of the beach and paid 150php (entrance & brgy. fees + unlimited tubig sa poso & use of the CR). I forgot! It also includes the 'mountain climbing' fee. We also rented for a cottage worth 350php. We then set up our tents, prepare our food and explore the beach.

Our camp site

Left part of Mahabang Buhangin

How can I miss to pose in this picturesque view?

Mahabang Buhangin view ^^

Other side of Calaguas

After exploring the beach, we went back to the cottage and talked to Mang Boy 'our bangkero'. He shared a lot of things about Calaguas and so his life.

Mang Boy

We planned to trek to the hilltop after our chat with Mang Boy. However, some of our travel buddies went to the plat form so we're only 6 hopefuls who went on top. Trekking is about 10-15 min. only. Entrance fee is 20php but as I have mentioned earlier, it's free for us. ^^

Hill top view of Calaguas

Travel buddies :)

Thanks to the tripod

We went down after our 'photoshoot' to check-out the sunset. Unfortunately, it's a bit cloudy on the left side of the beach hence I wasn't able to have the best sunset shot. We even went to the rocky side of the beach despite the waves and sharp rocks but I still didn't get the best shot that I really wanted. -_-

My sunset shot

Jet RLY's shot (travel buddies who went to the plat form)

Dinner. Since we decided to have a DIY trip, we are the one to cook food for our dinner. Sorry guys, cooking is not my forte.

Lakwatsero y Lakwatsera (thanks again to the tripod)

Shot time. What is an island getaway without drinking alcoholic drinks? Thanks to the full moon for keeping our 'uwak' moments. Haha!

April 28. Good morning Calaguas!! ^^ We explored the beach again after our breakfast.

Breath taking view

My travel pose ^^

The other group who joined us with the boat fees went back to Paracale early in the morning to surf in Bagasbas. Since we are first timers in Calaguas, we decided to stay and enjoy the water.

Water jump shot :)

We really enjoyed the water and the view since most of the travelers packed up early. We stayed on the beach 'til past 2pm.

Break camp

We packed-up our things and clear the cottage/camp site (pls. follow the leave no trace policy). It's time to bid goodbye..

Happy campers :)

Good bye Calaguas. I'll be back for sure..

Our 1 1/2 hrs. travel time (Paracale Port-Mahabang Buhangin) became 2 hours (Mahabang Buhangin-Paracale Port) due to the big waves. According to Mang Boy, it's just normal. Normal? I really panicked 'coz I dunno how to swim.

We went straight to Mang Boy's house to wash our feet and charge my phone for 10 min. My phone is dead bat I didn't manage to take some pics for my instagram. We rented two tricycles for our group to Superlines terminal but we failed. There are only 4 seats available for the a/c 7pm trip. We then decided to ride the van to Daet.

DLTB Daet Terminal. Thank you for the crew who kept our things inside the booth. We went out for our dinner plus pasalubong time.

9:00 pm. We're ready to go home. We slept straight during our travel. Voila! We're already in Alabang. That ends our summer escapade.

Our Itinerary for 2D1N stay

Day 0 (April 26)
8:15 PM - EDT Daet (DLTB Pasay Terminal)Day 1 (April 27)
5:00 AM - ETA Talobatib Junction
6:00 AM - Paracale Port/Market (breakfast/buy foods)
7:35 AM - EDT for Calaguas Island
9:00 AM - ETA Calaguas Island/set camp explore
12:00 NN - Lunch
1:00 PM - Siesta/swimming/explore/picture happy campers
6:00 PM - Dinner
7:00 PM - Socials
10:00 PM - Lights out

Day 2 (April 28)
6:00 AM - Wake up call
7:00 AM - Breakfast/swimming/explore/picture happy campers

12:00 NN - Lunch
2:00 PM - Break Camp

2:30 PM - ETD Calaguas - Paracale
4:30 PM - EDT Paracale (Mang Boy's)

6:30 PM - EDT Paracale - DLTB Daet
7:30 PM - Dinner

8:00 PM - Pasalubong
9:00 PM - ETD DLTB Daet - Alabang

DIY Budget

P200 - Taxi fare from Alabang-DLTB Pasay (600php fixed charge divided by 3)

P451 - DLTB bus fare (Pasay-Talobatib Junction)

P60 - Tricycle fare (300php charge divided by 5)

P150 - Entrace fee, brgy. fee, unlimited usage of poso/CR, mountain climbing fee

P35 - Cottage fee (350php divided by 10)

P100 - Food (Chip-in 10 pax)

P471 - Boat fee (Boat fee, good for 25 pax. We paid extra 1k since the other group went early while we stayed.. 8000/17)

P10 - Tricycle to Superlines Paracale/Van terminal to Daet

P60 - Van fare to Daet

P65 - Dinner in Daet

P240 - Pasalubong

P479 - DLTB bus fare (Daet-Alabang)

Total: P2321php

Contacts:

DLTB Pasay: 855-8040

Mang Boy: 0908-546-0683

Credits:

http://www.lakwatsero.com/destinations/calaguas-islands/