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Dear Calaguas, You Are So Worth It

Posted on October 11, 2011 by journeyingjames 45 Comments
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Dear Calaguas, You Are So Worth It…

“Time stops in Calaguas” is my one and only tweet while I was in the island. Not that there is no cellphone signal (the island has 3 signal sites, called “signalan” by the locals) but because I was soooooo “busy.” I was reading an article by Pico Iyer entitled “Why We Travel.”

 

Calaguas from a far… so far!

 

I was “busy” walking half-naked on its long pristine white beach.

I was “busy” having a conversation with Clara, my travel buddy at that time.

We were busy playing with sand and swimming on its clear azure waters.

We were “busy” preparing rice and fish.

We were “busy” having coffee or eating some bananas and daranghita.

We were “busy” just lying on our sarongs waiting for the sun to set.

We were “busy” thinking of random things.

We were actually “busy” doing nothing.

 

Good morning Calaguas! You don’t mind waking up everyday on that sunrise right?

 

For a moment, we forgot the time and day.

 

I’m publishing some of what I wrote in my travel notebook,

“I think describing this place as “magayon” is an understatement. Clara, my travel buddy can’t seem to find a perfect way to describe this piece of paradise. Oh yes, she said that “the most beautiful I ever seen”… Calaguas is so magnificent. Last night we were just lying on the beach and trying to count the stars (this is the most stars I’ve seen so far). We saw some fireflies and enjoyed the night as the waves serenade us before we went to sleep… We woke up around 6:00am, with the quarter moon about to say goodbye and the orange sun begin to peep. I really don’t mind waking up each day of my life with this view.”

 

Peace.

Paradise.

Divine.

 

Just to keep myself busy, I hang my hammocks (but we actually slept on the sand)

 

The almost 8-hour trip from Naga City to Calaguas was so worth it. It was not a mistake to choose you over Caramoan, dear Calaguas.

 

Again, I say to you dear island paradise, you are so worth it! You did not disappoint.

 

Naga-Daet: 2:30 hours (van); Daet-Labo: 30 minutes (van); Market at Labo: 30 minutes; Labo-Paracale: 1 hour (bus); Waiting for the passenger boat at Paracale: 1 hour; Paracale-Bgry. Mangcawayan: 2:15 hours (boat); Brgy. Mangcawayan-Mahabang Buhangin: 15minutes (walking)

 

Check my Calaguas Travel Guide: The Cheapest Way Possible if you are planning to visit the famed island.

 

Except for the first photo (from Joanne’s camera), all shots are from Clara.

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45 thoughts on “Dear Calaguas, You Are So Worth It”

  1. pack up and drift said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 3:58 am

    ow! I miss Calaguas. I could stay there for a month.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 11, 2011 at 4:20 am

      me too! im actually planning to do that. or maybe help manong in serving the visitors just to feel how it means to serve, to be a local

  2. lifeisacelebration said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 4:08 am

    James, you are waxing poetic! So, Calaguas has that effect on you. Nice blog. And I certainly agree 100%. It’s Paradise!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 11, 2011 at 4:20 am

      inspired maybe? *smiling*
      cant agree more, indeed a paradise!

  3. Lawstude said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 4:58 am

    amen to that james. para sakin, isa talaga ang calaguas sa pinakamagandang beaches na napuntahan ko.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 5:07 am

      oh yeah. and your photos are so damn beautiful too!

  4. Cha said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 5:52 am

    I want to go back there! ;D left my heart i guess

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 5:06 am

      really? i didnt see your heart there. hahaha
      kidding, all who visited must come back!

  5. Gladys | ByahengBarok.com said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 6:08 am

    i’ve been wanting to go to Calaguas since last year. work always gets in the way… kainis! hopefully, before the year ends, i can go here…

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 5:06 am

      go na! leave the work behind, di naman nauubos ang work eh.

  6. MYANGligaw said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    yes, calaguas is actually more than a paradise to me.. it was specially most helpful when i went there at the lowest point in my life.. and just being there with the water, the sand, sun, and stars made the difference (at least for a few days)..

    i can still see myself smiling everytime i think of calaguas.. its heaven, all on its own..

    i am happy you loved the place.. 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 5:01 am

      nikki!
      wow, you love calaguas more than me. i really hope i can come back there soon. tara, lets plan to go there! 🙂
      i just want to disconnect 🙂 think about my future plans and travels

  7. Photo Cache said:
    Reply
    October 11, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    what a very nice tribute. it must have been really beautiful place.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:59 am

      cant agree more!
      PARADISE on EARTH!

  8. blissfulguro said:
    Reply
    October 12, 2011 at 1:30 am

    makakadating din ako diyan..:) thanks for the “cheapest way possible” trip guide… very useful

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:58 am

      🙂 oh yeah! thanks bloissfuro

  9. WengZiyi said:
    Reply
    October 12, 2011 at 4:16 am

    Hi, Maalon ba from Paracale to Brgy Mangcawayan?
    btw, your Calaguas Travel Guide is very informative…

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:51 am

      di naman except for a few bumps especially when near the rock formations. pretty safe weng.
      thanks you so much for the feedback

  10. onmyownlens said:
    Reply
    October 12, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    Wow! Wow! Wow! (speechless…*inggit much!)

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:50 am

      same here, i wass awed byt the wonder of the island!

  11. Batang Lakwatsero said:
    Reply
    October 12, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    toinks.. hndi pa ako nakakapag-calaguas.. hopefully next summer.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:45 am

      oh yeah, you will love it there ivan. im sure you will get nice photos

  12. Annem said:
    Reply
    October 13, 2011 at 2:21 am

    We all love Calaguas!
    Nice James, I’m a fan 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:38 am

      fans club for calaguas?

  13. mela said:
    Reply
    October 14, 2011 at 12:03 am

    di ba? calaguas is a paradise…. at naman.. james. ang ganda ng shot ng sunrise mo!!! 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:33 am

      mela, thanks! but the shot is from joan using clara’s camera.
      that sunrise is so priceless!

  14. Pre said:
    Reply
    October 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Is this the CamSur trip? Actually, eto yung namiss kong trip…I think may pasok kasi nun, but I saw the thread in FB. 🙂 Time stops is Calaguas. grabeeh.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:29 am

      nope, this is a different trip, just last september.

  15. tina said:
    Reply
    October 17, 2011 at 1:38 am

    I miss Calaguas too! The travel time is so worth it! 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:13 am

      TINA!! thanks for the brothers burger treat. touch naman ako!
      super ganda nya, reward sa mga patient magbyahe

  16. yols said:
    Reply
    October 17, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Beautiful! Just another one of the 7,000+ islands to love in this country. This goes on my must-visit list. Need to check your trip guide asap! Hehe

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 4:00 am

      indeed! hope you will find calaguas a paradise too! oh, i need to edit that, “im sure” you will find calaguas a paradise!

  17. virgo itinerary said:
    Reply
    October 17, 2011 at 6:36 pm

    wow! wala bang mga thunderstorms pag gabi? how was the boat ride to the island,di ba maalon?i’d love to go there pero may apprehensions ako dahil 2 hrs ang boat ride….tagal,di pa naman ako marunong lumangoy and i’m sure wala silang life jacket sa bangka nila

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 21, 2011 at 3:58 am

      during our last night there are..haha made the trip more exciting!
      di naman maalon, maybe its time to learn how to swim.

      • chris said:
        Reply
        October 21, 2011 at 3:47 pm

        ang mga cottages ba dun enough para di ka mabasa o open lang na cottages?

        • journeyingjames said:
          Reply
          October 22, 2011 at 6:19 am

          open cottages… but they have enclosed ones.
          just adds to the adventure pre

  18. riz said:
    Reply
    January 10, 2012 at 6:38 am

    there’s something about Calaguas na ang sarap balik balikan!

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      January 11, 2012 at 10:11 am

      i definitely agree.. kailan kaya ako makakabalik dun?

  19. Cai said:
    Reply
    February 10, 2012 at 12:15 pm

    I have always wanted to go to Calaguas. Bakit nga hindi pa ko nakakapunta??
    Now, I think I need to make a few arrangements on my travel plans to experience this paradise real soon! HAHA

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      February 11, 2012 at 6:55 pm

      go na cai! you would love it there 🙂

  20. JoanneCamille said:
    Reply
    August 2, 2012 at 9:42 am

    just got from my Calaguas adventure.
    Kuya Ricky (our boatman), I can say, is the NICEST and MOST ACCOMODATING boatman ever.
    we were there when bagyong Gener is on its strongest.
    Kuya Ricky took care of us,he even cooked our breakfast while we are suffering from hangover.
    After the 4hr boat ride (usually it will only took 2hrs) and after surviving the huge waves and strong winds due to bagyong Gener, we went straight to his house and his wife even cooked pancit and prepared some sandwiches for us.
    TAKE NOTE:::: HE DID NOT ASK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FROM THE ORIGINAL THAT WE AGREED ON.

    i am just doing this to payback the kindness and the lesson we learned from Kuya Ricky.

    Kuya Ricky’s Number: 0912 736 5717
    0912 736 5717

    0912 736 5717

    0912 736 5717

    Just tell him that you got his number from JOANNE ABSOLUT.
    hehehehehehe =)

  21. jel said:
    Reply
    September 25, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    when is the best time to go to calaguas ?What month ?

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 2, 2012 at 11:33 am

      summer months, april-may

  22. jel said:
    Reply
    September 25, 2012 at 11:25 pm

    when is the best time to go to calaguas ? what month ? thanks hope to hear from you soon

  23. Lorenzo said:
    Reply
    August 14, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    Any suggestion , ill be going there on wednesday next week.. Does calaguas have any cottage for us to stay?.. If it rains is calaguas still a nice place to visit?..Nice blog james! Thanks in advance

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