Camp Out to Caramoan Island

 Can't take my eyes off you.

Caramoan is a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. It is located at the tip of Caramoan Peninsula, a rugged place of land extending into the waters of the Maqueda Channel on the north and east and Lagonoy Gulf  on the south.

After spending 2 years in Riyadh, KSA we pushed an amazing adventures to treat ourselves from back breaking work as OFWs way back 2014. The target place was a home of our dear friend and a workmate back in KSA. Her family welcomed and sheltered us during our two days stay in the beautiful island.

We packed up our luggage and set ourselves for an adventure of a lifetime. We reached Caramoan via Southern Luzon Expressway  to CBD (Central Business District) in Naga City. T'was approximately 8-hour ride. We catch a van bound for Sabang Port and travelled an hour with 100 peso fare. At Sabang Port we boarded the passenger outrigger boat to Guijalo Port in Caramoan. We rode a tricycle and headed straight to our friend's home where feast of sea food awaits. 

There's no room for wasting some time. Later that afternoon, we automatically proceeded for an Island Hopping. We packed all our survivor's stuff most importantly foods, (haha) and started prospering our life experience. We rented a pump boat sailed by two person who also stand as our tour guide and accompany during our camp night in the island.

After the bumpy ride here comes the perfect island hopping get-away. The magical waves of fine white sand beaches. We are primarily after for a swimming trips and  its charm is irresistible. We were swamped by the majestic view that we almost completely forgot to swim and took hundreds of picture instead.

Oh, Oh! We are not prepared for jump on camera. (lols) We cannot win a perfect jump shot for trying multiple times. That was hilarious though.

The sun started to hide so we made our way to a camping site where we can stay overnight.

And we safely and satisfactorily ended the night. A night opportunity with pure chat (although a lil' bit dramatic) and staying away from the normal routines and do something extraordinary is beyond fulfillment.

We paid a visit to Shrine of Our Lady of the Most holy Rosary, Mother of Peace Grotto before going home. It is located at the Caglago Mountain in Barangay Tagbon. A flight of 524 steps to the grotto leads to the 26-foot image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The trail was exhausting but the pleasure of climbing up is calming to the soul.

Before leaving Caramoan the following day, we roamed around the city to visit their church and buy some souvenirs. Our adventure is treasured beyond lifetime. Till next getaway Caramoan!

Crossing Bacolod!

(Excuse me to my photo .lol) 

Bacolod City is a highly urbanized in the Philippines. Known as "The City of Smile", it is the capital of the province of Negros Occidental where it is geographically situated but governed administratively independent from it. It was once topped Money Sense Magazine survey as the "Best Place to Live in the Philippines". The city has also been declared by the Department of Science and Technology as a "center of excellence" for information technology and business process management operations.

Welcome to Compuestohan Highland and Resort! It is one of the best place for perfect getaway for those naturally born nature lover. With amazing man-made structures, it is still under development and constructions when we last visited the place, March 22, 2016.

For YOLO seekers, this one is perfect for you. They offers various activities that will definitely flames your adrenaline. During our visit the temperature was  extremely hot. Our flight from Manila was almost two-hour delay we're quite beaten up plus the atmosphere was uncooperative. We were contented by picturesque and some photographs for a souvenir. For some clues, the place offered 4-Lane Sky Bicycle; Cable Hamster Wheel; Zipline; Stiltwalker; Rope Course; Sky Bike and more. Mostly a junkie which is against on my favor since I fear heights. 

They also have Fun Zones, Wavepool, Windmill, Carousel, and Pavillion where you can stay overnight. They have delicious foods for connoisseurs but we failed to try them as well. Anyway we already feasted our  eyes to the beautiful surroundings and 'twas enough to feed our soul.

We went straight to  Kundutel after the long trip from Compuestohan. I took reservation to hotel for an overnight stay with my cousin through online booking one month before our trip. We were exhausted from the travel zone that  we badly needed a good nap. 

We were literally hungry after 2-hour sleep. We rushed to SM Bacolod and choose Deli Restaurant and tried the famous Chicken Inasal dish. Apparently we ate our heart out before roaming around to discover more of the city.

We made a quick twists and turns inside the mall before heading outside.

The San Sebastian Cathedral. It is a late 19th-century church in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It is the seat of Roman Catholic Diocese of Bacolod. 

Before the night ended, we were privilege to this magnificent place as we are guests of Kundutel. Featuring 2 inviting landscaped pools with water slides and massage jets, Carribean Water Park and Resotel located in the heart of Bacolod City will definitely wash away the stress of the day.

I never been to many but this one is totally refreshing. We spent an hour and half pleasing ourselves to the cool splash of water. The soothing sensation glued as to bed later that night.

The following day, we woke early and took our breakfast to the nearest restaurant before travelling back home.  

This Way to Antique!

Antique is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Western Visayas. The province is situated in the western section of Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, while facing the Sulu Sea to the west.

Three years ago, I spent 3 days vacation to San Jose, a first class municipality and the capital  of Antique province where my closest friend in college resides. The place is all about the lush mountains, rice fields, cascading waterfalls and that great experience "Jacuzzi Bath" in a big pot or locals called "Kawa" which is pretty unique. Okay, lemme show you some ways of Antique.

First halt is Zipline Inn (Tibiao, Antique). This is one of my first's actually.

 After the Zipline ride, 1km two way Zip-line (the longest zip-line in Panay Island) we proceeded to our next destination.

The rocky way.

Finally, this scenic  view took away all the sweat and some bruise. The refreshing 7-tiered cascades of The Bugtong-bato falls! It involves a cross between a ladder and a very steep flight of steps. We paid a tour guide  to lessen the sweat-inducing trek. We dunk in to the water to soothe and cool down some nerves. The climb and a sort of crawl, the way up and down was often harder but everything pays back well.

After the not so long trek, we were able to maneuvered our way to this famous "Kawa" hot bath! It is actually an old giant pans used in making sugar. These cast iron pans were filled with water, scattered with leaves, and heated. Once the water got hot, the fire is put off and it's time for a hot bath. Just being there is almost a whole body massage. 

Before our way back home, we dropped here for a tickling fish spa experience. Tibiao Fish Spa will give you the relaxing sensation of hundreds of little fish nibbling your feet like masseurs. A locally bred "Therafish". 'Twas a lil' bit late and there was sudden brown out in the city, so we only spend 30 minutes before heading back to my friend's home.

Good Morning!
Going the next way, we set ourselves to sail. We rented a pump boat for an island tour.

I was obviously stunned. Malalison or Mararison Island is one of the hottest spot in Antique today. I'm quite sad i was not able to save all my photos during my visit here (since i gave my old model Iphone to my sister where everything about my travel was there and everything was deleted before I was given a prior notice). Anyway, the island was named a 'Hidden paradise" for it was once a secluded island before. 

 Most people rushing towards the beach to cool down, do stuff for family or friends' activities or a camp out or more daring and extreme stuff. You won't say no to  crystal clear water. It will definitely wash away the heat from your body. It is soothingly delicious as you dip longer. We explore the hidden paradise for a half day.

It's a bye Antique now.  Respectfully trotted to this hidden gem. Thank you to my friend Gracey. It was gloriously fun this way!