Virac Airport welcomed me with showers of rain. The topography instantly reminded me of the famed Chocolate Hills of Bohol. My feet instantly became soaky wet the moment I step on this island on the easternmost part of Bicol region. Wet and wild? But this won’t stop me from exploring this battered but blissful town.
Catanduanes Island: Battered But Blissful
The terrain instantly reminded me of the famed Chocolate Hills of Bohol
I came here because of the article I read a year ago “Revealing Catanduanes,” the first photo (of the article) made me stoked (more on that on the 2nd part). Anyway, I immediately look for the terminal going to Puraran for the famous surf breaks.
Virac Port as seen from the breakwater
Since rural towns like this, where people are so laid back, you have to extend patience, especially while waiting for the bus to leave. I just made myself busy during that 1.5hours of waiting. I went to the breakwater of the port (beside Sea Breeze, a popular nightly hangout for beer lovers). The weather was gloomy and the waves strong. I can even see the swells from where I am situated. The smell of the breeze is different from that of Manila and the boulevard is clean.
I experienced a lot of rainshowers while at the breakwater, but there is something in the rain- it was therapeutic, blissful!
Two hours after my arrival, I now know why they call this province “The Land of the Howling Winds:”
- We experienced turbulence as we begin our descent (on board the airplane).
- The rain just stopped (temporarily) when we arrived.
- It rained 5 times on the first 3 hours of my stay. And more rains to come…
Rain Rain Rain
Where is Catanduanes?
Well, I have to face the natural design that this island province is just blessed to have more rain showers compared to my home province, Laguna. This doesn’t bother the traveler in me, I don’t know but there is some bliss in the rain I cannot explain. Want another fact? I only saw a total of 4-hour of sunlight during my entire stay. MISADVENTURE? Let’s see, maybe another ADVENTURE you shouldn’t MIS…
***Catanduanes (Mis)Adventures is a 6-part series of blog posts of my jaunting in the easternmost part of the Bicol region, happened last January 7-10, 2011. Find out how this “series of misadventures” become a memorable one.
CATANDUANES (MIS)ADVENTURES: Battered But Blissful / A Frustrated Surfer Wannabe / A Cancelled Bike Ride / Bato Church Service / Tourism Gone Bad / Accommodations for Backpackers
Good thing walang bagyo James, parang Batanes din kasi yan, daanan talaga ng Bagyo, andami mo na talaga napuntahan ah, di pa ko nakakarating dyan kahit malapit lang sa amin 🙂 antayin ko na lang mga posts mo para mainspire ako this summer 🙂
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It sucks when it rains. But then again, pag nandun ka na, di na rin naman papatalo sa ulan diba? Hehe.
of course! but you can just imagine the following posts… all are misadventures 🙂
makes me want to come back
very very nice. can’t wait to read the rest of your post. pero kung wala masyadong sunlight, nightmare yun ng mga photographers! pero very interested ako ano feeling nga mga locals na lagi na lang umuulan!
‘battered but not beaten’ – a hardcore backpacker like James finds something to write about regardless of weather conditions.
Did you try surfing though?
indeed marky!
let’s see in the ff posts if i was able to surf 🙂 haha
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