Surviving Caramoan part 3

Trekking in Caramoan

We were told at new year's eve that if the weather cooperated, then we would go island hopping at 8am. But if it didn't, then we would go trekking to the bat cave as long as the water didn't rise too much. I was sleeping next to the window in our cabin in Gota Village so every morning I was wishing that the sun would be waking me up, rather than the patter of rain. Well, on the first day of the year, I finally got my wish, blue skies baby...which lasted for about an hour. But at the time, I was so ecstatic because I thought that we were going to see more of the islands of Caramoan not to mention get to snorkel which my family loves to do. So when Cathy told us that we couldn't go because the waves were to big, i was very disappointed. It's not that I don't like hiking, i just like the water better. Well, we did get a lot of water in that trek, not to mention a lot of fun.

Crossing the Pilapil

Caramoan offers more than just fine beaches and comfy cottages, The scenery in this place is outstanding.  The rock formations look straight out of Jurassic Park and the forests are lush and alive. It's really nature at it's best, I'm proud to say that I did not see any trash wether we were at the beach or going up the mountain trekking. Too bad some people couldn't help writing on the walls of some parts of the caves. Cathy told us that we had two options: 1. go on a kayak trip, a 20 minute ride through the mangroves then a quick climb up to the mouth a cave then the climb down to the bat cave. Or, if we were feeling adventurous, option 2. take the long way up to the cave, crossing through the local farms, a rushing river twice, climbing up another rock then down the cave then up again then down again to the river where we will take the kayaks back to the hotel. So, as Cathy always says (and you'll find this out if she takes care of your group in Caramoan) "why not?!". So off we went.

The guide's amazed with our uncanny ability to pose every single time as if we weren't dead tired

If you've been to the Banawe Rice Terraces and have trekked down the pilapil, you should basically know that balance is very important. It's the same deal in the Pilapils of Caramoan only they're about a third of the width, but also thankfully, if you fall, like two or three of us did,  you'll just get a bit of mud on your foot, unlike in Banawe where you might end up breaking a bone or two. If you decide to go on this trek, make sure you bring sandals or hiking boots. you might not need them with the pilapil but trust me, you will later, i have the scars to prove it. After the irrigation canal and the field of thorny plants and cow poo, you will get to the river. You will cross this river twice and at times it might be easier than how we did it. Because of the season the river was feeling a little raunchy,  to cross the river you will have to use a guide rope so you won't get dragged all the way to the ocean. 

That's me and Bituin crossing the river

We did that twice and it was easily the funnest for me. Not so much going through it but more of watching the other 13 of us do it was pretty cool. The current was faster at around the end part, just when your muscles begin to hurt the most, good thing Coach Hercules (dad) was there to egg us on and shout "whatever you do, don't let go!". Right.

After crossing the river twice we posed for the photo on top (which Gota says, might appear on one of their brochures or something) then proceeded to the steep climb up a rock and down to the cave. 

climbing down the cave

At this point the majority of us were already tired so only me, bituin, brother roy, mother luchie, Father Hercules and friend Michele went down to where the bats actually were. We were rewarded by a massive cave with high ceilings where the bats were sleeping. There was also a cool stalactite (or stalagmite?) formation which looked like people enveloping you. 

cool formation

the sleeping bats

After the obligatory picture takings, we started our ascent up the cave and down the rock once more. At this point I was secretly thanking my high school basketball coach for making us run that much back in the day. Finally we were greeted by the river which would lead us back to Gota via kayak. Since we were a pretty big group though and a kayak can only hold one or two guys at a time, some of us just decided to ride the river's current back to the resort. I was actually the last one to go and I chose to just ride the current. I was asking the guide I was with if there was a chance of an encounter with wild life. He just smiled and said in tagalog "Oh sure". Nice. I asked what kind and he said, fresh water crabs (i didn't know there was such a thing), snakes and the occasional crocodile. Very nice. I learned after that the first batches who went ahead didn't ask the wildlife question, so they were oblivious to the fact that we actually risked our lives an extra time for the trek. 

The Obligatory Picture

Easy Way Back

So that's that. That was our Caramoan adventure. Some might say (like the guides and hotel staff) that it's a lot better there on summer but now, I'm not disappointed at all. Just make sure that if you to Caramoan to bring the following along with the essentials:

• sandals or mojos
• sunscrean (especially in summer)
• camera (preferably waterproof)
• first aid kit
• dvds for when the weather suddenly turns on you

Despite the weather, Caramoan turned out to be just how I expected it. A taste of paradise at its pure form without sacrificing comfort. Gota village is up there on my favorite resorts. The staff, although not yet completely ready for the coming hordes of people are all very friendly and accommodating. Just make sure that when you do go to Caramoan, respect the place, it's one of the promising places in the country but if we're not careful, it can easily turn out to be Boracay version 2. Here's to hoping the next time I go there, it's still the same. Simply Paradise

 

   

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.