Travel by Air, Land, and Water

by Ruru Pilapil

August 29 to September 1, 2009 is the schedule of our much awaited vacation. In fact, as early as the first quarter of this year we already booked our flights to Naga and Cebu. Me and my Thomasian friends are really excited for this trip, we just wanted to escape from all the stress and work that we have here in Manila. And also, taking advantage on holidays and long weekends.

6:20 am is our flight schedule from Manila going to Naga via Cebu Pacific, so by 5:30 am we were already at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, so cautious not to miss the flight.

Aldwin, Lau, Kat, Madelle, Sam, Ruru, Miggy at NAIA

We arrived at Naga Airport at exactly 7:00 am, 20 minutes early from the scheduled arrival time. From Naga Airport, we still have to ride a rented shuttle going to Sabang Port. By the way, we availed a tour package from Discover Asia International, they provided us an itinerary for our 4-day trip at Naga City/CamSur/Caramaon, and this includes fares within our trip (Shuttle,Tricycle,Boat), transfers, island hopping, accomodation at Caramoan and CWC and all. Food and Air fare not included.

Back to Naga Airport, we waited for 15 minutes to find "Big Boy", our official shuttle driver for our trip. He's responsible for transfers from Naga Airport to Sabang Port and on the 3rd day, Sabang Port to CamSur WaterSports Complex (CWC).

Big Boy

Almost an hour drive from Airport to Sabang Port, and from there we have to ride a boat, approximately 2-hour boat ride going to Guijalo Port, where Caramoan is located. We were all tired and sleepy, hungry too, coz we haven't eaten anything but the view from the boat really amazed us, especially seeing the Perfect Cone shaped Mayon Volcano from afar. It's really perfect! :-D

Guijalo Port - Mayon Volcano

From Guijalo Port, we have to ride a Tricycle going to the place where we are going to stay. Let me introduce to you, Kuya Gerry, our official tricycle driver. He's responsible for transfers from Guijalo Port to Caramoan Bed and Dine (Place where we stayed for 2 days), Caramoan Bed and Dine to Bikal Port (Port for island hopping), and on the 3rd day, Caramoan Bed and Dine back to Guijalo Port.

Kuya Gerry

*I wasn't able to take a picture of Kuya Gerry, kaya ito na lang. Hehe.

And lastly, our official bancero for our island hopping adventure, Kuya Makoy. He's our bancero from Bikal Port going to different islands at Caramoan, he also toured us inside the Manipis Cave on our 2nd day. I got the chance to interview Kuya Makoy during one of our trips, asking him senseless questions. Haha.

Ruru: Matagal na kayo nagbabangka? (Tama ba yung nagbabangka?)

Kuya Makoy: Matagal-tagal na din.

Ruru: Eh, san kayo nakatira?

Kuya Makoy: Dyan sa Bikal, malapit lang sa port.

Ruru: Ah, ok. Anak nyo po ba 'yun? (Sabay turo dun sa bata sa unahan ng bangka na lagi naming kasama pag nag iisland hopping)

Kuya Makoy: Oo. Anak ko 'yan.

Ruru: Pang ilan nyong anak 'yan? Ilan po ba anak nyo?

Kuya Makoy: Pangatlo. Lima anak ko. May isa akong College, 'yung panganay ko.

Ruru: Ah, talaga po? Saan nag-aaral?

Kuya Makoy: Sa Bayan *Proud*

Kuya Makoy

This conversation that I had with Kuya Makoy made me feel how proud he is that he was able to send one of his son to College, that this is the best gift that he can give to them.

We have all of their numbers, so in case you're planning to go to Caramoan, I'll be glad to help you. I recommend them, they were all nice to us. ;-)