Surviving Caramoan part 1

baybay island

While we were planning our trip to CWC it was brought up that going straight to the Caramoan Islands was too good a prospect to ignore. We heard a lot about the islands, a lot of people were saying that it was a better version of boracay. An untouched paradise waiting to be discovered. Since the family has never been to boracay (although individually a few of has have been there), and we just can't get enough of the ocean, it was an easy decision. We were going to welcome the new year in paradise.

Gota 1

Caramoan is a two hour boat trip from the port of Sabang in Camarines Sur. From Manila, there are flights and busses that will take you to Naga. If  you like driving a lot you can drive there, the trip can take as long as 9 hours if there's traffic though, but there can be a lot of interesting stop overs (including CWC in Naga). It has been dubbed  the new Boracay but if you ask me, it's a lot better than the congested island mentioned. Some of the islands do compare to the pearly white sands and clear waters but the similarities end there. Caramoan is a whole lot better. Only time will tell though if it stays that way.

Aboard the Harry

We rode The Harry  to Caramoan, a commuter katig boat which caters to the locals going to and from Naga as well as some vacationers on a budget. The boat ride was 120 pesos per person one way. If you ask me, just shell out the extra 260 pesos and take the  Fast Craft package. They will shuttle you from CWC to a different port where you will ride a faster boat to the islands. This costs 500 pesos round trip. It's the better choice since you get to save gas also from the 50 minute trip to Sabang and you're cars will be secure in CWC rather than left in the port. We took the cheaper one of course since there were a lot of us and we thought a katig boat ride would be fun. The  ride was ok, just make sure that if you're the type that gets seasick sit in the back where there's much more room. At the port we were greeted by Cathy from Gota Village  where we were going to stay, a 30 minute car ride from the port. 

Gota Village

As of this writing, only Gota village is the accredited resort in Caramoan. It's a very charming place and it really feels like a village. All the wooden cottages are well done and, surprisingly, fully furnished with AC and an entertainment system. Being inside one will remind you of a sauna minus the heat but with the smell of wood. There's a compact but nice bathroom complete with the essentials. We chose the smallest huts (good for 2-3 but really feels more like a couple's room)available since they are the one's closest to the beach. Just refer to their site for the pricing. If you ask me, it was a bargain considering where we were. The rooms are nice enough that if you want to spend the rest of the day lounging around after a whole morning of activities, you'd be very comfortable. We know that very well since the weather wasn't cooperating last week so we spent most of the afternoons at our cabins watching dvds on the room's LCD monitor. THe resort also rents DVDs for free, pirated though. There's also Dream Satellite TV although the whole time we were there, the service was under repair. Of course, this shouldn't matter since if your in Caramoan, you should be outside experiencing exploring the land rather than holed up in your room, yet the comfy-ness of the room doesn't help that cause.

One of the Small Cottages in Gota Village

Gota has two areas: Gota 1 where the "activities" beach and the restaurant are located. A path on the right of Gota 1 leads to gota 2 where the swimming beach is. I spent the first day here since the incline was perfect for wave riding in my skim board (never mind that it was a bit rocky at the bottom, the waves were to big to resist). My only complain was the amount of seaweed present. The lifeguards said it was because of the power of the waves. Gota 2 is still under construction, I think they're going to put another restaurant or a clubhouse there. A volleyball court was already present, and you can borrow a tent and chairs if you want some relaxation. But if you're like me, just have fun under the sun!

Gota 2

Eating in Gota was a repetitive experience. You can always choose the buffet for 350 pesos with drinks but I don't recommend this unless you're starved from a day's worth of hiking or island hopping. You can have a good  full sized meal for two for less than 300 pesos. But whatever happens, don't forget to order the laing , their laing is the bomb, not too spicy, just the right creamy consistency. Dad says he's had better, not me though.I say eating in Gota was repetitive because when you taste the laing, you'll get it every single time  Laing Festival baby! The only reason I went for the buffet that one time was the laing. good stuff.

Eating in Gota, notice the abundance of laing

Oh, and their lapu-lapu is nice also.