Calaguas 2013

Yes! I came back. After two years, and its still the captivating place I came to know the first time I set foot on this island. The much awaited "huling hirit sa tag-init" finally came last May 25. And when we finally arrived at the island, all the long land trip-bored-are we there yet moments just went away, literally.

Calaguas is one of the remote islands with the most pristine beach that the Bicol Region has to offer. It's located in Camarines Norte. No phone and mobile signal. So you really feel disconnected to the rest of civilization it you can say that. I have been to several places in the region, being half Bicolana myself and just because I love travelling in the region as I always believe that there's so much to see. But this island, has its own charm that makes you fall in love with it, all over again. :)

                         

The long land and sea travel going to Calaguas is all worth it. That's what we're telling our friends prior to booking this trip with Byahe Adventours. Princess, my officemate who's also a Calaguas addict (she's been going there for 2 consecutive years already, with different set of friends everytime), was the one who arranged our trip with the organizer. Thanks Cess! :) She need not insist on the activities and inclusions that this trip organizer has, I was sold when I saw her past photos. Plus, I really wanted to go back. With us is my long time friend from gradeschool, now turned travel buddy, Jean. My teammates Ghelai and Fin, then Princess' friends, Jhoms and Ace.

So you ask, what to do in Calaguas? Chill. Drink. Swim. Get a tan. Be merry and make new friends. Yes, network and make new friends. At this beach, you do whatever you want and meet whoever you want too. Talk to everyone if you wish. That's Calaguas for you, that is why I think a lot of people love to come back here.

Usual suspects on all my beach trips -- booze, tanning lotion, sunblock lotion, after sun lotion and junk food. Swimming, drinking, sunbathing and taking photos right after lunch until sundown was the main order of the day. So it's not really surprising how tan I am now. :p

New friends! Mountaineer and adventure seekers! Group Marco! hehe Thanks for the red wine guys!

We literally started drinking after lunch. Cess and Fin bought 2 bottles of Captain Morgan, me and Jean bought a bottle of Jack Daniels. After a bottle of Captain Morgan and a lot of swimming, napping and underwater shots, we decided to get henna tattooed.

And there we met other people from other companies, shared some booze and got acquainted. Others went on to try poi dancing. I like talking to people. It just not expands my network, it also gives me different perspectives on a lot of things, be it with work or not, plus giving me a chance to polish my interpersonal skills.

 

Photos above: underwater kulitan/selfie shots

Joining group tours like this, I discovered is a good way to meet new friends. The beach is the perfect way  for conversations, I also realized. It's unassuming and easy. People are very loose and outgoing. Conversations has so much energy. I love that vibe.

After swimming, drinking and tanning the whole day, Byahe Adventours prepared a very good meal for dinner. Plus, Star, and Aaron, the facilitators showcased their fire dancing skills to the group.

After dinner, we swam some more, drank some more under the moonlight. I haven't done night swimming since Boracay last year. I forgot how different the water feels at night. It's refreshing.. Plus, with the full moon above us.. Hmm you get the picture.

 

It was an early lights out for me, Jean and Cess. I guess we were pretty much hammered and tired from all the travelling, booze, wine, food and swimming we did. Ghelai and the others went on exploring the other activites for the night. I really don't like sleeping in tents. It's hot. Haha, but, who am I to complain. That's just one of the things to experience with this trip, plus atleast going back to the basics of the basic bathroom. :)

Early to rise the next day! Before sunrise. So that we can maximize the remaining time we have in the island. Took some photos of sunrise.. Then I decided to go for a run. It was so much fun to run on the beach. That was my first time. Barefoot, fine sand, cool breeze and water, a slight overcast. Perfect! It was a perfect run. So perfect that I ripped the side of my boardshorts. :p

Our stay was extended! Because of the low tide situation, we were forced to stay until 2pm. Which means, more time for swimming and lounging. And finally we will get to open the bottle of Jack, after breakfast, at 9 in the morning. Haha! That was a first! But enjoyable. :) We shared the drink with our new friends as well. Who thought we were crazy drinking very early in the morning. But what to do? Haha!

Well, I can go on and on and on about all the things we did in Calaguas and how much fun we all had and how much we want to go back immediately after leaving, but I think I will stop now. This has been a very long post already.

Let me just say, just like any other things that gives me most comfort in this world, the beach gives me the rest, healing and good perspective that I need at some low points in my life. As one quote I saw somewhere, "Salt water heals anything". That's true, well atleast for me. Calaguas is one of those places that is very familiar yet still excites the hell out of me. Haha! Just thinking about it, makes me so giddy. 

And, I am now more excited to have more memories at this beach. :) I will definitely come back again and again. 

Photo credits to Cess, Jhoms, and Ace. Thanks to Byahe Adventours for this organized trip. Till next time!