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Weekend in paradise, Calaguas Island

Calaguas Island
Calaguas Island is a paradise, for real. If you're planning to go there, get your bags, pack your stuff and move. Don't think twice. It's all worth it. Travel with friends or loved ones. It's a perfect place to relax, go kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, photo taking, trekking and island hopping. You can also play frisbee by the shore. I am pretty sure you will fall inlove with its breath-taking view and white sand. People are so accommodating and friendly as well. Make friends, eat more, travel harder and enjoy. -@iamakap @akpagunsan

Vacation from January 8-10, 2016. 

We traveled for about 8 hours by land and another 2 by water. It was a long ride but it was all worth it. Seeing the beautiful island makes you forget all the hassles you've been through all day. I swear! It is what it is in the pictures on social media. No filter, no photoshop, it's just all natural. Its beauty, view, water, sound, sand, air, people and everything. 👌🙌
Calaguas Island
The Anchor
There maybe some changes compared to what I heard before. I guess it is much better now. They already have several cottages, tents, clean shower and comfort rooms (with bidet 👍), some mini stores, chairs and there's an air-conditioned "kubo", yes, for VIP, maybe. :) Some parts are still under construction. I can't wait to see how beautiful it will be.

Ordinary cottages (near the mini store)
We just had LuckyMe pancit canton for snack
The Cottage (beside our tent)
Where we chill and nap
The tent
Behind is the VIP air-conditioned cottage
View from our tent
Others' cottages 
Calaguas Island, Daet, Camarines Norte. 
It was my first time to set a trip with a travel & tour agency in the Philippines. (Oh well, trust issues lol 😂) I would highly recommend #Bakasyonista. 
Check their page out on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/iambakasyonista/?fref=ts


Rate:

2,300 pesos - all in (2D1N)
1,000 pesos - transportation (land and water)
(400 pesos down payment for transpo which will be deducted from the total cost.)


January 8, 2016, Friday

Pick up point: Shopwise's parking lot, Cubao. (near a bus station)
Time: 7:30pm - 8pm
Heavy traffic jam and long queue in MRT (Magallanes and Ayala) ruined our trip and gave us a lot of stresses. In short, we didn't make it on time as well as the other peeps. That EDSA traffic jam was hopeless. My gosh! 😠 I contacted Kuya Jay (Bakasyonista's organizer) to pick us up at Alabang exit instead. They did, at around 10pm.

January 9, 2016, Saturday

We arrived at Paracale, Camarines Norte at around 7am. We had breakfast and bought some food and other stuff to bring in the island. Don't forget to buy a big plastic for your bags before riding the boat. It costs 18 pesos.

Paracale Port
We were in the island before lunch. We were so amazed with the place and took a lot of pictures before fixing the tent. It's a normal initial reaction, I think. Calaguas is really beautiful. So stunning. 🙌
We walked around the island and went swimming while the organizers were preparing our lunch. We had pork binagoongan, laing, Adobong pusit (squid), shrimp and banana. No need for you to buy water, they provide unlimited mineral water and juice (not unli) for travelers. Cool! They gave us some time to relax and chill before we go island hopping, snorkeling and trekking. We finished all the activities before 6pm and went back to the island.
Trekking
Diving
Someone shouted "Goodbye feelings" before jumping. That made my day. LOL
(Was it necessary?, I thought she shouted Goodbye Philippines hihi) #cutethough
Snorkeling
The best friend. Showing off.
Well, he got a starfish and took a photo with it.
We had boodle fight for dinner. 👌 (Technically, "them" because we didn't make it on time. For some INvalid reasons lol). After dinner, we had some free time. We played games with our new found friends. (King's cup, 21, finger game and shit-shit). They turned the lights off at around 10pm. That means, it's momol time. (Just kidding). 😂Prepare the flashlight, candles, cellphones and bonfire.
Boodle fight for dinner
We finished at around 11pm, that's the latest because we're too tired and have to prepare for the sunrise and morning trekking. Disclaimer: We overslept and didn't do the morning activities. Beach bummers for that day. (Oh well, we're aging haha).


January 10, 2016, Sunday

Activities: (5:30am call time for sunrise)
Trekking
Surfing

We woke up at around 7am. Just in time for our breakfast. (We had longganisa, hotdog, tinapa, okoy, rice and pancit habhab.) We packed our stuff right after and didn't shower, yes we didn't. 😂  We planned to take a shower at Bagasbas Beach or just in Paracale, where we park the van.

It was a 2 hour boat ride from Calaguas Island to Paracale and another 45 minute land transfer from Paracale to Bagasbas Beach, where  travelers will go surfing.

Beach bum mode on. So, we didn't surf. We had lunch at Leo's Cuisine and coffee at Surfer's dine inn. You can also try Earl's Burger Hauz (to go- snacks).
Leo's cuisine
Leo's cuisine
I ate too much here. They serve delicious food.
I'd recommend you order buttered chicken, lechon kawali and sizzling pusit.

Surfer's Dine- inn
We had coffee and french fries for snack
(Disclaimer: Actually we stayed here to recharge our cellphones, broadband and power banks.)
#iheartdaet
Bagasbas Beach behind us


Surf boards at Bagasbas Beach
Bagasbas Beach
Surfing: 400/head/hour (with trainer)
They finished at around 6pm and went to a souvenir shop, our last stop. I bought keychains, tank top and some goodies. You can actually buy variety of stuff in several stores in Daet. They are affordable. Crispy Pili Nuts with honey (180-200 pesos/jar) and Pili tarts (35 pesos/pack) are the bomb! Try them! 

They took us off at Alabang exit at around 3 in the morning. 

What to bring?
-sets of clothes
-swimwear
-rashguard 
-slippers
-sling bag (for valuables)
-fully charged power bank
-2 fully charged cellphones (P.S. no signal anywhere in the island)
-camera
-monopod/tripod (Bring a gopro, if you have one)
-sunblock
-towel
-neck pillow (for the trip)
-meds (bonamine, biogesic)
-malong/blankets
-insect repellents (off lotion/ katol)
-flashlight
-snacks/drinks
-big plastic bags
-toiletries
-sunglasses
-tumbler or any water container 
-candles, matchbox, lighter [optional]
-light bag only
-hat or cap [optional]
-snorkeling equipment [optional] (They only have few goggles in the island.)
-(My budget: 4k-5k) It includes the tour, food, pasalubong, etc. #notbad


Pictures that will excite you..









For more photos and videos, follow me @akpagunsan on instagram and twitter #iamakap
Thank you for your time. See you on my next trip!

iamakap.blogspot.com

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