Cruising Caramoan Islands

"You have given Him dominion over the works of your hands; You have put all things under His feet - the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and all that swim the paths of the ocean."

Psalm 8:7,9

I'm a survivor. Early 2008, the Survivor franchise of France - Koh Lanta, shot its 8th season in one of the islands in Caramoan Peninsula. 

While checking out my shoots, take into consideration that the entire collection is a product of my ever reliable point and shoot.

Hear me when I say that you wouldn't be needing a high end camera while touring the Caramoan Peninsula. The Man up there has already made the scenery awesome to stand on its own beauty.

Sabitang Laya.
The limestone on the islets and other formations scattered along the peninsula will surely be your numero uno subject all throughout.

Sabitang Laya.
 Our boatman brought us to our first stop, the main island where Koh Lanta filmed. The island has its own secret packets courtesy of the limestone.

Sabitang Laya.
This island was bigger compared to the others and has more limestone formations. We didn't go beyond and explored inside the island. Our boatman said that it was forbidden because some of survivor's things are still there.

Lahos.
Have you ever used the word unique to describe a beach/island? This particular island is composed of two limestone and in between is its sandbar. If you look closely in the pictures, you will see its uniqueness and then tell me what you think.

Caramoan peninsula will continuously surprise you with its consistent beautiful beaches. Every single beach that I laid my feet into was powdery and cool.

Matukad.
This particular island took away most of my time. It just made me fall in love with God's creation. The limestone, blue sky with a touch of white clouds, powdery sand and pristine water just took away my senses. Believe me, this photo is a product of a point and shoot camera.

The islands named as Guta de Leche by Dutch explorers. When the Spaniards came, it was renamed to Carahan. Now it is called Caramoan Islands. It was not on the main list of travelers until 2008. It was Koh Lanta that painted Caramoan in the Philippines' map. Thanks to the French! But whatever they may have contributed, we still owe it to God for blessing us this beauteous peninsula.

As I was sailing along the peninsula of Caramoan, it made me think why it stands out. I could think of four main point: the sand, the limestone, the water and its coconut trees. It's natural to see coconut trees around any island but not like these. They stand tall and proud reaching the skies.

Gota Village resort is the only high end resort you will see in Caramoan. It will steal around PHP 3,000 out of your wallets. The place is great, no doubt about that. The main resort is situated in a cove with a cave on its own. Climbed up on and you will see its whole surrounding. The cottages are circularly aligned which is very visible when you are in the main receiving area. Over all, the resort cannot be at par with other high end resort. Food is average (you won't have any option but to eat in their restaurant since food is not allowed), accommodation is too expensive for the accommodation's simplicity. Then again, a night in Gota Village resort is worth your while.

Honongan. The beach front private villas in this island are still owned by Gota Village resort. Back when I visited in 2008, they villas are still under construction. Now, from what I heard, it is already fully operational. According to the caretaker that I talked to, the villas are made for the guests wanting stay at Gota Village resort when the main resort is full of Survivor staff and casts.

For my annual visit back home for the Penafrancia Festival, I taught of extending my visit to Caramoan. From Naga, I travelled by van to Sabang port. I spent the night at the inn located steps away from the port. By 5:00 AM, the first boat arrived and our 2 hour ride to the other side (Forgive me but it was years ago). When we got off the boat, we rode a tricycle that brought us to another port where we rented a boat bought food for lunch and snack. This is a DIY tour so we rely mostly with our boatman slash tour guide.

The tour started at 9:00 AM and ended at around 4:00 PM. Our last destination was Gota Village resort. We opted to stay for the night.

All white sand beaches have always been dubbed as the next Boracay. For crying out loud! Please stop saying that. Nothing can compare to what Boracay is today. It is unique in its own way. Caramoan will never be the next Boracay because it will always be the Caramoan Islands, the secret destination of weary travelers looking for serenity.

Coron: Sheltering in its Turquoise Waters

"For water in break out in the wilderness and streams gush from the desert. The thirsty ground will become a pool, the arid land springs of water...grass will grow with reeds and rushes."

Isaiah 35:7

Four years ago, I was lucky to score a free plane ticket from a friend. It took me awhile to decide where I'm going. Upon discerning, I was pleased by my choice.

Armed with my mighty point and shoot camera, some God given talent and fund as well, I made my way to Coron, Busuanga, Palawan.

I strategically booked the first flight out of Manila. Not that I am excited, but because I want to maximize my stay. Time has passed and the captain signaled us to look out on our window to see the whole of Coron. I am so blessed.

I made my way to the arrival area and met up with the driver of the resort that I booked in. Back then, the road was rough from the airport to the town of Coron. Coming out of the van, I suddenly fell in love with Busuanga Island Paradise. I'd love to share some more photos of the place however my camera wouldn't permit me to do so - blame it on the memory card.

Jonera Hill, the resort's in-house hill. Yes, that how cool Busuanga Island Paradise is. One can opt to ride a bike or hike to get to the hill top. If you're lucky, you will see some of the native habitants of the hill (monkeys).

Who says you can only see chocolate hills in Bohol? Coron has those as well. However, on a rainy season, the hills are plush with greens.

Mt.Tapyas and the humongous cross on top of it. The cross is about more than 2,000 ft above sea level. I reached the top with the help of more than 700 steps. Good thing my knee was still doing well back then. Going back to the topic, this cross was a gift by Gov. Joel T. Reyes to his hometown.

Maquinit means "mainit" or hot. The water from this one-of-a-kind hot spring in Asia comes from an inactive volcano, Mt. Dalara.

Your Coron trip will not be complete without this having a photo opts on this famous scenic spot. After a slippery hike to reach Kayangan Lake, my guide pointed out that among all the scenic places in Coron, this is well photographed.

Ahhhhh finally, the Kayangan Lake. The cleanest lake in Asia is right in front of my eyes. This lake is taken very good care by the Tagbanuas - a native tribe. The Php 200 for each visit is well worth. This lake is also known as the Blue Lagoon.

By lunch time, we were all hungry. The boatman brought us to Banol Beach. Our guide prepared our packed lunch from the resort while I take a dip. After lunch, we took a quick nap and went about the rest of the tour.

The Twin Lagoon can be reached by swimming under the two rocks which is possible if it is low tide and the other is by climbing over the rocks. Lucky me, it was low tide and I will enter the Lagoon with a blast! Floating in the lagoon, you will understand why it is called Twin Lagoon. While at one part, you will feel the hot water and cold water on the other. One of the beautiful mysteries of God's creations.

Before disturbing the stillness of Barracuda Lake, I took my camera and capture the serenity of the place. On the way to this part of Coron, I suggest that you seat facing the front of the boat. It will be an amazing experience seeing the majestic limestone formations slowly unveiling itself while the stillness of water give you a dreamy calm feeling on this awesome place.

The guide also showed me the Siete Pecados, but we didn't stop by for a swim. However, on our stop in one of the ship wreck sites, the heaven was on my side. We chanced upon a baby whale shark (Butanding, in local term). The boatman and the guide told me that it was also their first time to see one around the waters of Coron. I was their lucky charm.

Even if I fear swimming in the lakes because of the Lochness idea clouding on my head, I still went in and enjoyed the water. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and besides by the beginning of this trip, I know that He was with me. So I shrugged off my fears and worries say the Apostle's Creed then dive.

If there would be a place that I will go back to again and again, it would be Coron.

Gravitating the Breathtaking Bukidnon

"Mountain and hills, praise and exalt him for ever." 

Daniel 3:75

When I first visited Bukidnon back in 2007, all I saw was the endless landmass of different farms. In 2011, I was lucky to revisit the place and this time, I saw the other side of it.

To reach Bukidnon, we first landed in CDO and rented a van that will take us to our destination. One can also opt to ride a bus and then ride a "habal-habal" on the rough roads.

The above photo are just some of what Bukidnon offers. My favorite is not the pineapple but the paper roses.

Our main goal for this Bukidnon tour.

ZipZone: Dahilayan Adventure Park offers 3 different ziplines. 150m, 320m and 840m and for as cheap as Php 600.00 you can enjoy all this.

The viewdeck will give you a glance of what you will have to endure while spending your time at ZipZone.

The first on your list for the ride-all-you-can is the 150m. I call this the Appetizer. The second is the 320m or the Prologue. In between these rides, you may also opt to do the wall climbing or the Ropes Course.

For the Main Event. The 840m zipline which will take you to the other end for 90kph. Launch point would be 4,700 feet above sea level. I admit that I am not very good with heights, but matched with speed - all I can do was scream my lungs out! I felt like I was Sam Milby from the movie Forever And A Day.

A safari truck stirred the child in me. When I learned that it will tranport us to the lauch point I became so excited and decided to save the best for last. On the other hand, there are also other things that you can enjoy outside the park. One of these is riding an ATV for Php 500/hour.

I saw Po of Kung Fu Panda having a date with another panda at Forest Park. I don't wanna bother them so I just took this Papparazi shot.

Some of the fun and educational stuff that you can see around the park. 

We visited the park on a Saturday, there were a lot of families and group of students having a picnic and enjoying the first streak of summer.

The Zorb. For Php 500.00 at Forest Park, I had the best 30 seconds of my life. I simply cannot say anything what happened while inside the Zorb. What happened in the  Zorb stays in the Zorb. High Five!

We had our lunch after our Zorb experience. Since we were already inside Forest Park, we decided to have lunch there as well. We had 4 serving of their Pizza and some mango shake.

Funny as it is. I have been revisited by my past arch enemy on this trip. The Slide! I never felt comfortable with heights. This time though, I made sure that I will defeat the Slide and never be haunted again. I prevailed!

Again, as any other trip that I had, this one has to end as well. But what separates this one to the others are the rare experience of going back to being a kid and a chance to overcome fears.