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.
ow! I miss Calaguas. I could stay there for a month.
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
James, you are waxing poetic! So, Calaguas has that effect on you. Nice blog. And I certainly agree 100%. It’s Paradise!
inspired maybe? *smiling*
cant agree more, indeed a paradise!
amen to that james. para sakin, isa talaga ang calaguas sa pinakamagandang beaches na napuntahan ko.
oh yeah. and your photos are so damn beautiful too!
I want to go back there! ;D left my heart i guess
really? i didnt see your heart there. hahaha
kidding, all who visited must come back!
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…
go na! leave the work behind, di naman nauubos ang work eh.
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.. 🙂
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
what a very nice tribute. it must have been really beautiful place.
cant agree more!
PARADISE on EARTH!
makakadating din ako diyan..:) thanks for the “cheapest way possible” trip guide… very useful
🙂 oh yeah! thanks bloissfuro
Hi, Maalon ba from Paracale to Brgy Mangcawayan?
btw, your Calaguas Travel Guide is very informative…
di naman except for a few bumps especially when near the rock formations. pretty safe weng.
thanks you so much for the feedback
Wow! Wow! Wow! (speechless…*inggit much!)
same here, i wass awed byt the wonder of the island!
toinks.. hndi pa ako nakakapag-calaguas.. hopefully next summer.
oh yeah, you will love it there ivan. im sure you will get nice photos
We all love Calaguas!
Nice James, I’m a fan 🙂
fans club for calaguas?
di ba? calaguas is a paradise…. at naman.. james. ang ganda ng shot ng sunrise mo!!! 🙂
mela, thanks! but the shot is from joan using clara’s camera.
that sunrise is so priceless!
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.
nope, this is a different trip, just last september.
I miss Calaguas too! The travel time is so worth it! 🙂
TINA!! thanks for the brothers burger treat. touch naman ako!
super ganda nya, reward sa mga patient magbyahe
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
indeed! hope you will find calaguas a paradise too! oh, i need to edit that, “im sure” you will find calaguas a paradise!
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
during our last night there are..haha made the trip more exciting!
di naman maalon, maybe its time to learn how to swim.
ang mga cottages ba dun enough para di ka mabasa o open lang na cottages?
open cottages… but they have enclosed ones.
just adds to the adventure pre
there’s something about Calaguas na ang sarap balik balikan!
i definitely agree.. kailan kaya ako makakabalik dun?
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
go na cai! you would love it there 🙂
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 =)
when is the best time to go to calaguas ?What month ?
summer months, april-may
when is the best time to go to calaguas ? what month ? thanks hope to hear from you soon
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