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Travelogger

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

Sitting Atop Someone’s Shoulders: A Caramoan Experience

December 29, 2009 By noemi

It’s my second day in Caramoan, and I have to say that I am feeling a varied mix of emotions. The trip didn’t start off so well, thanks to my not getting any sleep the night before. It didn’t help that the plane we took was smaller than I am used to. The flight was uneventful, though, and I slept through it.

Getting to La Playa Resort is not an easy task, I am telling you now. From the airport, you have to get to the Filcab terminal in Naga City. Airport cabs will charge you 200-300 PHP. If you want them to take you directly to Sabang Port, you’d have to shell out 1000-1500PHP. Naturally, we took the Filcab alternative. That cost us 200PHP for the cab and then 90PHP for the public van to the port.

At the port, everything was chaotic. Porters immediately gathered in droves around us, got our bags, and herded us into the port. Mind you, there is no real port. The tide was such that the boats had to be quite far from the beach so the only way to get on the boat was to either wade through chest high water OR ride atop a guy’s shoulder. I AM SERIOUS.

I had no idea I had to do this – if I did, I probably would have backed out early on. But there I was, I had no choice. The guy squatted on the sand and I sat on his shoulder. It was one of the weirdest, most harrowing experiences of my life.
shoulders

Food In Caramoan: Bicolano Dishes

December 22, 2009 By noemi

Aside from the white sand beaches and wonderful water, there is one other thing that I am looking forward to when I go to Caramoan: the food. The Bicol Region is known for excellent food, and the dishes almost always are HOT and SPICY and mixed with coconut milk. Chili peppers and coconut milk are staples in this part of the country.

Where we are going, there aren’t too many fancy restaurants. What I am really looking forward to are the small “eateries” where you can taste the local food in all its authentic glory. The best part is that everyone says it’s cheap!

Perhaps the most popular dish from this region is Bicol Express. This dish is available almost anywhere in the Philippines, but I am sure that what I will find in Caramoan is nothing like anything else I have ever tried. Bicol Express is a pork dish with lots of chili peppers (of course), shrimp paste, and coconut milk (of course). They say that every Bicolano family has its own version but at the end of the day, you won’t forget the creamy coconut milk flavor and the fiery peppers.

Another dish that I want to try is laing. This dish features dried out taro leaves. Again, coconut milk and chili peppers are thrown into the mix. Some versions include shrimp paste, while others have dried fish. Perfect for vegetarians!

Pinangat seems to be a combination of the first two dishes: taro leaves with minced pork. Now that sounds like heaven to me! I know that I will be going on a food trip next week!

Things To Do And See In Caramoan

December 21, 2009 By noemi

Umang Cave 2This time and day next week, I should be lounging at the beach – soaking in the sun! For now, I have to deal with work for three more days. That does not mean that I cannot keep thinking about what I will be doing for the five days that I’ll be in Caramoan.

The main thing for me, really, is the beach. I will probably spend most of my time just relaxing and swimming. I already have books and some TV shows lined up. Just give me food and drinks and I’ll be fine. Of course, I cannot pass up on the famed island hopping tours. Caramoan supposedly has 7 islands – all of which have to be discovered by the visitor. From other travelers’ experiences, a tour will take at least a day. Boats can be rented for PHP1,500 to PHP1,800 (about $30), and they can accommodate about 5 people. Not bad!

Spelunking or caving is also a popular activity in this part of the world. I am not sure I will try this as I have an aversion to dark enclosed places, but it sounds interesting. They say that you can hire guides for less than PHP500 ($10) to take you to Omang Cave. We’ll see how I feel when I get there.

Fishing – now this is something I would LOVE to do! My dad’s an avid fisherman and I guess he passed that on to me. Imagine having fresh fish for lunch – something you caught yourself. As long as I don’t have to clean it, I’ll be good!

Photo courtesy of caramoan-paradise.blogspot.com

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