Travel Thursdays: Caramoan

Hi! I know, I'm so sorry I haven't been writing a lot this year. I've been having a crazy hectic schedule that makes it quite hard for me to spend time writing on my blog. 

But, anyway, I got to spend my birthday in Caramoan (yes! Bicol Region, finally) and it was on a Lenten Season so it wasn't really a "budget-trip". Sigh.

There's just too many tourists in Paniman Beach and as expected, most resorts are either fully booked already or too expensive. Jm & I met a couple and shared a room with them-- to save money on accommodation.

15 minutes boat ride from Paniman Beach

It was almost a 17-hour trip from Manila to Camarines Sur (traffic, road reblocking, Maharlika Highway traffic, etc.). A week before our trip, we tried to reserve a seat at different bus companies but all of them are fully booked already. So, on the day of our trip, we tried our luck and found a "colorum" bus along Taft Avenue that would go to Albay, Bicol. We had to pay more-- 1200 PHP each.  It was not a sleeper bus. It was not spacious and there were people sitting in the aisle of the bus. 

Halfway through Sabang Port (waiting for passengers...)

We were dropped off at SM Naga and from there, we took a tricycle (the driver charged us 60 PHP instead of only 20 PHP) to a street where a jeepney bound to Sabang Port was waiting. The fare was 100 PHP each and travel time from Naga to Sabang Port was around 1 hr and 30 mins. You really need not take a tricycle from SM Naga, you can just walk around SM Naga and look for a jeepney bound to Sabang Port. (We realized that the van fare from SM Naga to Sabang Port is also 100 PHP) We should have taken a van instead!

From Sabang Port, we waited for a boat to Caramoan Guijalo Port for about an hour. We paid 150 PHP each. Travel time is 1hr and 45 mins. From Guijalo Port, we took a tricycle to Paniman Beach-- 300 PHP. Travel time is around 30mins. When we got to Paniman Beach, we had a hard time finding a room to stay because there were only few rooms left which cost more than 1,500 PHP per night. Fortunately, there was a couple who was looking for a room to stay too, so we offered to share a double room (1600 PHP) with them so we can split the cost. *wink* 

Beach front. Fair enough. Good for 4. (1600 PHP)

We wanted to tour around Caramoan so we rented a small boat (1,200 PHP - 4 islands) for island hopping. I seriously forgot the name of the islands but it wasn't that exciting anymore because of the crowd! There's just too many people...

It was a nice beach, yes.

Yes, white sand. Woohoo

Enjoy the beach!!

This island reminds me of El Nido-- clear water, white sand, beautiful big rocks.. Refreshing.

Then, we're off to the next island..

Off to the next!!

A little more serene~~~~

Then off to the next island...

A crowd favorite.

Super-enhanced photo!

Then we're off to the last island...

It's a relatively small island-- just a small cave and that's it. I love the scenery.

Just a small cave.. 

This island could have been stunning, only if there were no writings on the rock. It's never cool to destroy nature. NEVER.

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Unwritten

I can almost conclude that I'm at the turning point in my life. Everything's changing drastically. My life, my goals, my dreams, my everything.

I just couldn't find the reason why. It's probably because, finally, after 6 years, I'm leaving college. I'm leaving a big part of my life behind me. And while I am writing this, I'm listening to Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten." How emotional. 

It's probably because I've met some wonderful people in my life that I feel so committed to move forward and leave the past behind. 

Or, it's probably because I'm moving out too soon, away from my family. It's just a matter of time before I become fully independent.

Sometimes, I question myself, "Is there a need to change?" "Is there a need to leave the past behind?" I have been happy. I went through the happiest part of my life. But it didn't feel climactic. It didn't give me the bliss that I think I deserve. I feel that I am missing something in my life, and I've been missing it unconsciously. I am not satisfied. Oh damn. 

I am craving for a euphoric moment. I don't know how or where to find it. I can almost say that "I'm lost." I'm not bored, hell no. I just honestly think that I'm lost. I think I have to leave some people behind. Relationship, maybe. More than 2 years have passed without me noticing that things have changed differently. I have had this unrealistic idea that everything is pure bliss. That I'm lucky to "have it all". Actually, I am not. I've never been lucky because I missed a big part of my life. I haven't reflected upon myself, my thoughts, my being.  I unknowingly controlled my life for the past 2 years. 

I can't remember the last time I cried, but I remember how it felt. The pain was indescribable that I felt I was restrained for a long time. It's only a matter of time before I can free myself again. It's only a matter of time. And when that time comes, I'll thank him. I'll thank you. I'll thank myself for going through all this confusion. 

I feel guilty for having my own dreams and goals. I feel so guilty having you around and not spend a day to be with you. I feel so guilty being this too-independent-no-one-can-decide-for-me type of girl. I have loved you more than I could ever love someone. I went beyond my limits. I don't know. This time, I am ambivalent. All I know is, I want to travel more, discover myself and be free. I want to see the things I haven't seen yet.

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