Notice the coconut trees dance “majestically” amidst strong winds
I’m so stoked! The waitress at One Two Sawa Restaurant are curious of the purpose of my visit to their beautiful island. Well, they asked where I am going. I told them that I’m going to Puraran. They asked if I’m a surfer and to easily answer their question. I just said “yes.” They are gazing at my footwear and nod their heads.
Halimaw waves and super strong winds at Puraran beach. No surfing =( wrongtiming
I hope I can somehow paddle out, just one ride and I will be satisfied. But….
(Now at the famous Majestics break, Puraran)
James: Hello, how much is the stay for a night?
Airene: P400/night
James: Ok, do you rent surf boards?
Airene: Oh no, have you seen the waves? We don’t rent surfboards at these times. Its too dangerous even locals don’t go out for a ride.
James: Oh, yah, I saw, the waves are crazy.
Airene: Yes, wrong-timing. It’s not surfing season.
James: Ahhhhhhhhhh… It’s okay, can I just order lunch.
It was frustrating to hear those words but then when I looked again, the sea was angry, the waves are waiting to wipe you out. Obviously, for a wannabe like me, I’m too naïve to know the season. But then I should find something to do here- jump on the rocks along the coast and talk with Edmund, Chris, Jacko & his dog Brad.
The Rocks seems unaffected by the crashing waves
A Fisherman at Puraran
Important Note: If you are planning a surf trip to Catanduanes, please be reminded of these dates:
March-June: Surf season for beginners. Locals congregate on the line break.
July-December: Surf season for experts. Foreigners flock here for months.
How to get there:
Take the Puraran bus at the terminal near Sea Breeze. Travel time is about an hour. From the highway, the Majestics is just about 400meters downhill. Fare: P40
Puraran Contact: Airene- 0919-5581-460. Call her first if you want to make sure that there is a break.
Rock Fomations at Majestics
_____ _____ ______
Catanduanes is here
***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
thanks for sharing your misadventure James, now I know when to go and whom to call 🙂
bitin! sayang pero kesa naman lamunin ng dagat. i don’t surf! kung ako yan, okay then inum na lang ng malamig na pale pilsen. solb na ako! ha ha nice trip, james!
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ay sayang naman! di ko alam may surfing pala sa catanduanes…
oo nga..dami nating surf spots sa pinas.
I’m also a frustrated surfer, James. When I went to Siargao 3 years ago, was only able to ride a wave once. I also didn’t prepare for it so my body was aching in all places a day after I practiced surfing.
One of these days, babalik ako. 😀
ahahah! naka-ride naman ako sa siargao, baby waves nga lang. it was my second time though
If I can swim like crazy I’d love to try those mad swell, but I’m not hehe. Rain of shine, Catanduanes still a place to put on anyone’s travel list…
if you are looking for a postcard scene, you cant find it in catanduanes. but if you like to experience genuine bicolanos, sa catanduanes yan! and don’t forget to bring kapote..hahaha go for it marky!
“James: Ahhhhhhhhhh… It’s okay, can I just order lunch.” Hehehe. Sayang naman to. Though mukhang kakainin ka nga ng alon sa panahon na ganyan.
as in, walang direction yung hangin at waves. freaky! na-isip ko after ko magtanong kung pwede mag-rent ng boards, “di ko rin kaya mag-paddle out kung sakali man pahiramin ako ng board”
gusto ko din matutong mag-surf pero feling ka baka mabigatan saken ang surfboard. haha
wrong timing nga ang “halimaw” ng mga waves! hehe
gael, sarap mag-surf as in! i wanna go nga ulit sa samar just to ride the wave. doon, mas gusto nila kapag bagyo, para maka-surf sila. asteeeg!
delikado din mag-surf minsan pero ang daming na-thrill sa sport na yan…
good thing you didn’t go out. puraran is not so forgiving.
oh yeah… so naive of me. hahaha
thanks for dropping by lokalsoul!
hey james. im very inspired by your travelogues.
by the way, im wondering where you bought those red interestingly-looking booty-sandals???
hi dads! thank you so much,hope you can explore the country too.
that is called Vibram five fingers or VFF. its available in rockwell, trinoma and runnr, BHS taguig.
will surely follow your tweets… will be backpacking in Virac on January 20112.. Hopefully will not have the same “misadventures” you had a year ago….. hmmm….
thanks for following my tweets!
enjoy virac