Monday, April 1, 2013

Calaguas | The Rustic Paradise


CALAGUAS | The Rustic Paradise

Of Clear Skies And Pristine Waters

“It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. 
Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy...Beach Therapy.”
- Amy Dykens


 Its mid afternoon with light pouing rain. I couldn't pass up the chance to enjoy the gentle waves.
Calaguas or the Happy Beach as some netizens call it is a back to basics rustic paradise off the coast of Daet Camarines Norte.








Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Islands, off the coast of Daet in the province of Camarines Norte is an emerging beach destination in the Philippines. Through blogs and post of travel blogger (like me) and tours offered by travel companies, this pristine beach, a once desolate and secluded location is fast becoming a haven for beach loving people looking for a new discovery. Guess you have to excuse me for my irritating description, I have been to a lot of beaches in the country, have seen beaches even with varying colors of sand from black to purest white, from the overcrowded to the least visited, though I am easy to please I have heightened aesthetics when it comes to beaches. There are certain qualities that I seek, mostly for the quality of the sand, the scenic background views, the rich marine life it can harbor; though I find the latter to be somewhat lacking in Calaguas, but it boost the high level of awesomeness in other factors. 


 Some of the rock formations on each end of the Mahabang Beach that is surely a delight to photographers. This is on the Northern end.


The rock formations on the beach Southern end, this is near the start off trail to hike the hills of Tinaga Island.


 Mahabang Buhangin, as seen from the trail above the hills of Tinaga Island.


I didn’t mean to like Calaguas, proud of having been to a lot of beautiful beaches in this country and my preference had always been to the off beaten and perhaps less convenience. My visit to Calaguas group of islands was never short of convenience, signing up for a package tour with Lakwatserong Kusinero and his gourmet food servings, I am not use to having things conveniently prepared. But as it turned out, I’ve got a better bargain. Getting into the DLTB Bus terminal on the agreed time with a ready bus seat waiting for us, the 8 hour drive to Daet, Camarines Norte had been smooth except for some snoring passengers, our final stop was at Vinzons, the place for our jump off boat ride to Mahabang Buhangin, in Tinaga Island, along the Calaguas Group of Islands, or simply call it Calaguas as it sounds better and marketable. Our salt water drenching boat ride to the island had been smooth. Though the waves had been too high, our skillful boat driver managed to go slow and ride on the waves. I was asleep even when I’m getting splashed and had to ignore some of the passenger’s occasional delighted scream.

Of clear skies and pristine waters, this is what greeted us on our arrival, never mind that the final hurdle is to jump in the shore lines of Beautiful white sand beach, though I managed to keep my clothing’s dry, it didn’t matter in the end as we had to waddle to waist deep water. I’ve taken many boat rides before, but this is the only one that requested all our bags and belongings placed in storage in the boats hull. I didn’t understand this reasoning before the boat took off, I’m more comfortable having my trek bags within my reach when I travel, but seeing the wet hairs and drenched clothing that everyone has upon arrival is statement enough.


The two local boys who were walking with us on the trail, on our way back to the camp.


Photo of the boat that brought us into the island, as seen before a veil of Golden Hour Sunset.


I first stumbled upon this little paradise beach in the internet through fellow travel bloggers, even prior to all these packaged tours that had sprouted like mushrooms in the shade. Bringing tents, renting the singular cottage, and lots and lots of chips and junk food, I could’ve come here before, but I wasn’t a trained mountaineer and experienced outdoorsman back then, what threw me off is because I don’t eat junk food. So even though I find the package tour to be expensive for buddy travelers, I scrounged it up intending to enjoy every minute of the stay for PHP 3,500 per pax, I tell you it was worth it. There was a lot of first time experience for me here, starting with pitching a tent in the beach, learning skim boarding; finding it more difficult than surfing and enjoying Poi lessons. This was all part of the package along with the delicious gourmet meals, I would’ve have wanted to see the chef doing cooking lessons or plating, but there are just too many visitors for this weekend that the chef didn’t have much time. I also did some DIY nature trek in the hills of Tinaga Island, getting into the vantage point of seeing the Mahabang Buhangin, and the opposite beach where locals live caps it all. The locals are very friendly, met a few of the local children along the way, a couple of men gathering firewood in the bushes had been very helpful in giving us directions, a mother and a few children along the way had greeted us with a warm smile. I couldn’t help but wish that the rustic beauty of this paradise should be kept away from being spoilt by urban civilization. This I surely hope so.



Oh! And this is me enjoying the sun and the view from the trail. It felt good that I was able to use some mountaineering skills, reading trail signs and being careful of following only the establish paths behind thickets of bushes and steep muddy trails.


This had been an adventure trip. I went home with renewed spirit and lovely beach tan.









Like to take part of this trip? 
I was signed up with Byahe AdvenTours
Through the invitation of Lakwatserong Kusinero


Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, Faithful lover, True Explorer...

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34 comments:

  1. I bet this has been a superb experience and destination where you retreated to peace and tranquility. Nice views! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not much to do in the beach..
      just what I was needing..
      You should visit too. ;)

      Delete
  2. LOVE the shot with the sunset. Wonderful place! I'm not much into beaches and resorts but that place is just so relaxing even sa photos palang. (:

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should go out more often..
      I can't really tell you how much you are missing out Trish.

      Delete
  3. yey! Balik na ulet si Pala-Lagaw!Paradise talaga bro, ang ganda!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mg mi meet din tayo in the future Jeff.. along the road.
      Yup, I chose Pala-lagaw instead..
      Its in my character anyway, and my scan following in the blogosphere like you knows me as is.
      Thank you!

      Delete
  4. This place is so majestic! I think I might drop by Calaguas when I get back to Bicol!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A little over a week has passed and I already missed this place! Really love Calaguas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh my, the place is indeed a paradise. So beautiful and enchanting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should see it Ron, while it still remins unspoilt by advance civilization and resorts.

      Delete
  7. This place is undoubtedly a paradise of its own. I pray that this pristine beach will remain unspoiled. Thank you for this post, I must visit this soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have high hopes too..
      The rough boat ride was worth it, with just a glimpse of this paradise.

      Delete
  8. Wow, majestic views indeed. I wish to visit Calaguas one day.

    ReplyDelete
  9. at siyempre ako na lang ata ang di pa nakaka-experience ng calaguas. hopefully this summer :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Picture mo pa lang....paradise na! What more kung personally mo syang makikita dyan!

    Isa ito sa mga gusto kong puntahan. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True! hahaha! you should go soon, while summer is still hammering us

      Delete
  11. cool. :) career nato gf. good job! hehehehe

    - D.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daena.. GF! we should travel together sometime..
      There's just so much out there to see.

      Delete
  12. cool beans, career mode na gf. good job!

    -D.

    ReplyDelete
  13. cool ,who teaches the poi dancing ? i wish to try it one time ...will put this on my list to visit when i decided to put on my shoes again into another vacation escapade and am thinking of the whole Bicol region for 10 days maybe ...

    ReplyDelete
  14. ang ganda naman diyan sa Calaguas! gusto ko pumunta as soon as possible haha

    ReplyDelete
  15. Indeed Calaguas is a beautiful place and I so love your 7th photo from the top!

    ReplyDelete
  16. wow! amazing Paradise nga. Great photos bro, specially that sunset image.

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  17. Our country definitely has a lot of hidden treasures. And I've never been to Calaguas (planning to already), so this is definitely something that'll excite the traveler in me. Your photos of the beach in all views are truly awe-striking!

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  18. Those were beautiful landscape shots and the more reason why I got to schedule very soon a trip to Calaguas :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. wow ang ganda pa rin tlga ng Calaguas. :) Meron palang pedeng akyatan pra top view.. Stunning photos! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Looking at the photos brought back awesome memories of my stay there. I still consider the Mahabang Buhangin Beach as the best beach I have ever set my foot into. Hope to be back there soon.

    ReplyDelete
  21. recent pala yung punta mo, andun na yung mga kubo ng waling-waling, di ko nakapag-explore ng kabilang side, pero yung ang isasama ko sa itinerary ko. hehehe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm imagining na mas marami pa ang structures dun ngayon.
      This was summer of 2013

      Delete
  22. We climbed the other side of the overview but the view from yours looks more spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
  23. FOR BOAT RENTALS ROUNDTRIP PARACALE- CALAGUAS ISLAND JUST CONTACT US 09486793920, 09471109451 or LOOK ATE NELDZ FOR INQUIRIES..TNX MUCH & GODBLESS

    ReplyDelete
  24. FOR BOAT RENTALS ROUNDTRIP PARACALE- CALAGUAS ISLAND JUST CONTACT US 09486793920, 09471109451 or LOOK ATE NELDZ FOR INQUIRIES..TNX MUCH & GODBLESS

    ReplyDelete

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