Because I pushed my luck and went to Catubig (meaning I spent additional Php200 on RT van fare), I don’t have a choice but to sleep on my hammock on my last night in Northern Samar.
Kiosks at UEP White Beach (It’s actually brown beach)
Skimmers at UEP. I wish I tried but was too shy.
Story: If I remember it right my wallet contains less than Php500, I think is exactly Php461 on my 4th day in Samar (reminds me of my BORACAY – LAGUNA survival trip last year). I need to survive on this budget until I get home to Manila then to Los Banos. Calculating my chances and my money and the risk involved, I did pursue the trip to Catubig even if it means I need to find a place to set up my hammock. UEP White Beach seems a probable candidate for another hammock-hanging adventure.
Tweet: “Budget is depleted. My accommodation? Hammock by the sea here at UEP white beach. Manila bound tomorrow.”
From Catubig I get off at UEP White Beach. I planned to stay at one of the kiosk for the night but then I learned that they close at 7pm. Oh oh!!! Damn, I have a BIG problem.
Supposedly my crib for the last night
What I did was to walk along the beach (its already 7:30pm and man, its so freakin’ dark) until I found some kind of a resort being built near the UEP White Beach. I looked for the caretaker but found no one. So I decided to set up my hammock there, quite scary as I can be found dead anytime but that is what adventure calls me to do. And the price I pay for going to the Forgotten Town of Catubig.
Inside a half-finished building/resort near UEP (15-minute walk). Whoever owns it, thank you so much!
I finally found my sleep around 9pm, awoke at 11pm (quite afraid) and then again at 1:00am, after that I was able to find a deep sleep until I woke up around 4:30am, fixed my stuff and then went back to UEP White Beach to take a bath. I know this is prohibited but I already asked for sorry when the security guards saw me. What an adventure!
Do I have to say that I was mistaken to be a member of NPA (they are looking for me last night and was surprise when I told them I slept somewhere). I told them, I’m trying to write a book about traveling the Philippines on a Budget and I don’t have money to pay for accommodation. I then showed them my ID and my plane ticket. Was I afraid? NO! I was jumping inside for I was successful with my Northern Samar adventure. Laveeeet!
That’s it! Next post will be a summary of everything (IT IS HELPFUL, promise) and my EXPENSES.
Secrets of Northern Samar is a series of blog posts that encourages intrepid travelers to try the out-of-the-usual-tourist-trail. This happened last February 2011, one of the no-plans-whatsoever trips I made. I have a ticket to Catarman and I just said to myself, go and let’s see what’s in it for me… So I found these:
Spectacular Biri Rock Formations / The Forgotten Capul Island / Abaknon: On the Brink of Extinction / Catubig: A Forgotten Heritage / Hammock-Hanging Adventure at UEP White Beach / Summary & Expenses
hats off to the crazy adventure sleeping dun sa ginagawang resort… 🙂 keep on sharing your adventures james…
Gosh! am impressed! do u know that i could never do this?
i think you can! hahaha
well, maybe not everyone but its exciting talaga!
Whoa! Bilib ako sa guts mo bro!
thanks bosing ding! no choice eh, need to sleep well for the morning flight. masarap ngang ulitin
Did you have at least a pen light while walking in the dark looking for a suitable place to sleep? Don’t push your luck too far; one of these days, you can get rape by a backpacking blonde nimphomaniac while sleeping in your hammock in an unsecured place LOL. Seriously, take care.
well, i have my cellphone light.
haha, that’s backpacking blonde nimphomaniac is so hilarious! thanks though. of course, safety first always!
wohhoho kaloko ng adventure! i want to do it.. thinking about ur tips 😀
bosing nardz! come let’s join us! hahaha kaya yan, ikaw pa…
testing muna sa glan, saranggani. lapit lang yan sayo at di ka pa nakakapunta dyan e
Wow Sir James.. Idol kayo..
Tapang nyo… 🙂
salamat tripper! kaya mo din yan!
hi i am planning a trip there on my 23rd bday this december please help me to do a 2day- itinerary thanks!
great to know you chose samar. suggestions sent on your email.
Dude, from N. Samar here. Haha. I am in shock after reading this post. Its very unsafe for you to stay in that area, and yes I know its really dark there. You should have find a home somewhere, Nortesamarnons can easily give you a nice room to stay with just a simple explanation. But I admire your guts, next time you come here contact me in advance. Lol. Youre brave.