This is my first travel for the summer of 2019 because work is life! Actually, I usually don’t travel during the ‘heat months’ obviously because those are the hottest months of the year and most of the best spots are too crowded.
If I decide to travel, just like now, I choose places that I know isn’t too easily accessible by peeps on vacations.
BUT it comes with a hefty price tag, headache on logistics, a risk to worsening my scoliosis and the possibility of the boat overturning due to current or waves, in short, my life.
For this travel, I had to bear a 14-hr bus ride and 5-hr boat ride on a crowded mid sized boat, elbow to elbow, knees to chest, bodies reeking with sun and sweat. Welcome to the reality of how the Filipinos live their day-to-day. If you haven’t experienced it yet then you’re living on your man-made bubble.
Calayan Island is unspoiled, raw and dangerous. Waves are high and life is hard. However, Filipinos have lived here for decades. Survived the Spanish, Americans and the Japs – of course war had made them see young lives lost in it but they thrived. Aside from beautiful view points, waterfalls, caves ans coves, they too have forest that in time may disappear or exploited but for now are still mostly pristine.
Sibang Cove
Sibang Cove is where I spent most of my afternoons, Lusok cave is where I jumped and swam in a series of tunnels leading to the open sea and Nagudungan hill is where I felt an eerie chill but the amazing view was just too beautiful.
Truthfully, I felt robbed at the hefty cost of a habal-habal comparing to more remote places I’ve been to for just an hour or two of ride.
Caniwara Falls
For those who are asking who’s taking my photos, most of them are taken by locals or via tripod. You guys are underestimating the capability of your fellow Filipinos, they may be bad at selecting leaders but they’re up to date with latest phone technology.
How to get there by public transport
🍑 Ride Florida Bus at Sampaloc, Manila
🍑 Get off at Claveria and take tricycle to Taggat port
🍑 Ride Lampitaw
🍑 Take tricycle to your homestay
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Nagudungan Hill
Budget
🍍 deluxe bus – php1,100 x 2 = php2,200 (12-14 hrs)
🍍 tricycle to/fro Taggat Port – php50-150 x 2 = php100-300 (15 minutes)
🍍 lampitaw – php600 x 2 = php 1,200 (4-5 hrs)
🍍 motorbike to Sibang cove, Nagudungan Hill & sunset – php500
🍍 lampitaw/bangka tour – php3,500 + 500, capacity is 6pax (php670/pax). For larger boats, rental fee is of course higher
🍍 home-stay – php250-300/night x 2 nights = php500-600
🍍 meals – php800
total = php9,600 (estimate considering you won’t be sharing the cost of boat rental) or php6,300 (if sharing boat rental, 6pax)
tip: Look for ka-share sa tour to lower your cost or ask your home-stay for a motorbike tour where you can haggle. Usually, it’ll cost php1,500-1,800 but you won’t be able to go to some attractions that can only be accessed by boat like Lusok Cave.
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Sample Itinerary
day 0
2-4pm – ride bus to Claveria
day 1
4-6am – arrive at Claveria, take tricycle to Taggat port
7-8am – loading of Lampitaw
8-9am – off to Calayan
12-1pm – arrived at Calayan, take tricycle to home-stay, rest
4-6pm – go to Sibang cove, Nagudungan Hill & sunset watching point
7-8pm – dinner, rest
day 2
6am – boat/bike tour
2pm – end of tour
day 3
5am – pack up
6am – head to port, ride Lampitaw
12pm – arrived at Claveria
2pm – ride bus to Manila
day 4
4am – arrived at Sampaloc, Manila
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Additional info:
🥝 always ask drivers how much to get you to the place you want to
🥝 electricity is from 12pm-12am
🥝 don’t expect much on the home stay, although fan room and ac rooms are available but you have to mind the schedule
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As always, I am just filled with gratitude for making it safely. I wouldn’t have been able to travel if not for friends, Jenny Rose, Aj and Jenn , who generously took care of Pumori, DS Congressional for boarding Pumori for a few nights, Eileen Ma and Jeddalin for the cheer 😂😂😂.
I have to accept Pumori had grounded me from travel, night outs, even working overtime but she’s healthy, so lovable that it equates. Most of my photos and stories are Instagram.
If you have any questions, feel free to drop it on the comment box.
♥️♥️♥️♥️
Thanks for the help, contacts and tips Shyne Merdegia, Arch. Tony Gutierez & Rod Barit. For the warm welcome at Calayan, thanks to Ms. Tessie & family of TPS homestay
ven going places 