Calaguas - Third Day

Deprived from sleep, I woke up at around 5:30 in the morning. I took the time capturing some still shots of Calaguas.

Despite the unfriendly weather, I really enjoyed our stay here.

We gained new friends, discovered our own limitations and really had a good time together.

The Boat Ride Going Home

I thought our boat ride going home will be relaxing and as smooth as what we had when we went to the island. The weather was fine and we were expecting calm water. Unfortunately I expected the opposite. It was a frightening ride. The water was rough. Everybody fell silent and held on to the boat. There was an eerie silence especially when we were already at the center of the route. Everybody held on to something that can float. I was again angry at the boat owner Nelson for not providing enough life vests.

Upon reaching Paracale, we alighted the boat cautiously. The water in the area was the opposite of Calaguas. There were garbage everywhere and I think the community is not doing anything to clean it. My friends opted to clean their feet first before eating lunch.

The Bad Part (Again)

Nelson Gomez was already there waiting for us – for our payment actually. Again he asked for a raise. I told him I was disappointed on his service and refused to give a tip. I was not able to control my anger and asked a receipt. I know receipt is not in his “business” but I insisted for one to make it uneasy for him. It took him 20 minutes to prepare a lousy receipt written at the back of a Bear Brand box. I paid him the amount and dismissed him. He asked me how much we paid for our stay in Calaguas. I told him a hundred pesos per person.

He told me it was all because of him that’s why the care taker in the camp site gave us a big discount. I don’t know if it’s true. What I know is, our friend Jenny was the one responsible for making our low fee extra ordinarily.

The Fun Part

To make things light and easy, the team decided to play pinoy henyo while inside the vans. We used the radio of the two drivers. The game was hilarious. It took us almost 30 minutes before we were able to figure out the word.

One thing that I like on our drivers, they know exactly where to go in a particular area. They took us to Atimonan for a side trip. They knew we wanted some place like this.

The Calaguas Trip – Second Day

We woke up late on the second day. I felt lazy because it is still raining. We had to send off our drivers to Paracale because I think they were not able to rest well during the night. I was worried because waves are big and the weather is not yet that fine but they insisted.

We spent a few hours walking along the shore of Mahabang Buhangin – that’s what they call that part of the island. It was already 8am when we finally came to our senses and prepared food for brunch.

Jenny, Belle, Jayson and Jimmy went for a walk earlier and arrived with banana leaves in the hope of having a boodle fight. We gladly welcomed the idea and had our first ever boodle fight.

The Unexpected Side Trip

Jenny mentioned that we can climb the mountain near our camp site to view the whole island. Mountain climbing is an activity we enjoy so much and you will not have to convince us twice.

Armed with slippers, short shorts, kikay bag and camera, we climbed the mountain with “ease.” It took us 30 minutes to climb the first mountain and to our surprise the cell phone signal was strong. We took the opportunity to greet our fathers and the fathers we know a happy fathers’ day. We descended the mountain after a quick banana break andheaded towards the town proper. We had a quick soda break to quench our thirst from the first climb. We need some energy and refreshment because we will climb another mountain going to the other side of Mahabang Buhangin. It took us almost an hour to finish the second mountain. We were greeted by the white sand and turquoise water upon reaching the shore.

The Games

After a sumptuous lunch (boodle fight style) we had another game. This is called “Pinakamahirap na Pinoy Henyo.” This is similar to the pinoy henyo game popularized by Eat Bulaga – only harder. Team Barney scored 3 first.

pinakamahirap na pinoy henyo

The next game is the “Longest Line with a Twist.” We had 5 representatives in each team and gave them 5 balloons each. They will blow the balloons within 3 minutes and form a long line out of it. Mai-Team won this game.

longest line with a twist

The last game is called “Time’s Up” This is composed of 4 rounds. Each team is required to have 4 representatives – 2 pairs. They’re given random titles of movies, TV shows, books etc. The first round is similar to the game “Taboo.” They will describe what is written on the paper but are forbidden to mention the exact words on it. On the second round, they are only allowed to mention one word (but not any word written on the paper) and act the remaining. On the third round they can only act the title. On the fourth round they can only pose for the title. Time limit for each participant is 30 seconds. Team Coolest won this game.

The Water

It was already past 5pm when the games were finished. We’re all excited to bathe in the beach.

The water was clear in turquoise view. The waves entertained us and kept us in the water for an hour or so. It was a refreshing experience.

The Evening Party

The guys did their part well. They took the initiat

ive to prepare the bonfire for the evening party. We were all overjoyed when the flame started to light up.

We taught the first timers to cook their mallows over the fire. They liked it and for all I know mallows are gone.

There were a lot of revelations during the evening party and unfortunately I cannot share it to the readers. J

The Calaguas Trip – First Day

The team met in KFC-Cubao (our favorite meeting place) around 11:30 in the evening of June 17, 2011. Our van drivers arrived a little past 12 and we departed Cubao at around 12:30am (July 18, 2011).

Our trip to Camarines Norte lasted for 9 and a half hours because our drivers did not take the famous “bituka ng manok” road. They said it’s dangerous for vehicles to pass through it at 3am because of the zigzags and there are no street lights. It could have saved us 2 hours in the trip but they did it for precautionary measures.

We arrived at Labo town in Camarines Norte at around 8 in the morning. Although I told the group to pack breakfast and pack lunch, some were not able to do so. In the end, the group ate at an eatery in the said town.

After our breakfast we headed straight to Paracale. I was a little confused because the eatery owner told me that Paracale is straight ahead while our drivers told me we need to take the left turn. They told me that they asked two men before concluding the path. They also told the drivers that we need to travel 30 minutes more but it took us almost an hour to reach our destination. Maybe the people in Labo town are just being true to the meaning of their town name. Labo in English means uncertain.

We arrived at Paracale at around 10am. I was a little distracted because the weather was gloomy. I asked the boat owner if it is still feasible for the group to push with the itinerary. He said the water is calm and safe despite the gloomy weather. Upon hearing this, the team took one hour break to get some food, water and other provisions in the market.

The Annoying Part

I was disappointed with the boat owner (Nelson Gomez) because he kept on insisting that we should hire additional boat (a smaller one) because he thought that the big boat will be overloaded. He tried to charge us additional 2000Php for the supposedly additional boat. I was irritated that time because when I asked him during our haggling session over the phone, he told me that the boat can accommodate up to 30 persons. One week before the trip, I confirmed to him 24 participants only because the 12 cannot make it. I added 3 headcounts because our drivers will be with us and I was not able to confirm the additional participant. He kept on repeating his mantra that I only confirmed 24 so the additional 3 should have another boat. Moreover he told us that we have lots of load so there is a big possibility that the boat will be overloaded. One thing more, he kept on mentioning the name Angel expecting I knew another organizer by this name. I told him I am not connected to any organizer and I do not know anybody named Angel who belongs to another group. I was upset when he told me he gave the 12 life vests to the girl named Angel thinking that we were in the same group assuming that the 12 participants brought by Angel were the same 12 participants who were not able to make it in my group. I had to calm myself in that part because my head is beginning to heat up. He told me that we should buy the additional life vests since it will only be few hundred pesos. I told him that he should provide the life vests since it is included in the cost he told me few weeks ago. He insisted that he thought Angel is a part of our group. I told him he should have asked me first before concluding and it is his fault why he had to buy additional life vest.

When we boarded the boat, the boatman (different from the boat owner) said it can accommodate us all. So Nelson was just trying to bluff us on the safety issue so that he can charge additional 2000Php. To add to my dismay, we only had few life vests during the trip. The boatman pushed with the trip even though the life vests were not complete yet. The boatman and the boat owner do not have coordination. I should have called the attention of the barangay officials because they violated what was agreed upon but I decided to shut up and just prayed. Next time I will be strict with the rules so as not to put the team in possible danger.

The fun part

It was an hour and a half boat ride to Calaguas island. The sea was calm despite the rain drops. The team just shrugged off the annoyance on the boat owner and decided to make the most out of the trip. The laughter began. We talked about anything under the sun. And it helped me ease worries on the storm we are about to face.

We arrived at Calaguas at around 12:30 in the afternoon. It was raining and we were disappointed to find out that the supposedly “hut” for our team was given to Angel’s group because of that assuming Nelson Gomez. We camped next to Angel’s area. Funny because I was not able to formally get to know Angel or her team but I keep on mentioning her name.

The people of Calaguas were very warm. They helped us set up our camp and

even provided us the wind breakers we needed. We finished setting the camp at 2 in the afternoon. Everybody was soaking wet and hungry. I called for lunch but not everybody was given food especially our drivers. I was sad to learn this because they were both sleepy and tired and having no food for lunch is a total disaster. Good thing, Jimmy provided them bread and canned goods. Thanks Jimmy!

The weather gave us a window to play some ga

mes. It was already 4 in the afternoon when we formally welcomed the team in Calaguas and officially opened the event. We divided the team in to three groups to make it easier to coordinate everything.

team coolest (with jenny)

mai-team (with paul)

team barney

We had the cheering competition first where each group will prepare for an hour. The competition was entertaining and everybody participated. They were competitive and nobody wants to be left out.

The next two games were played to build team spirit among team injury members. The first game was “Pass the Hot Ball” where the participants formed a circle, were given instructions and a category. They need to give an answer on the category and need to pass the ball within 5 seconds crossing the center of the circle. Everybody should touch the ball once and gives answer only once. A penalty is waiting for those who are not paying attention.

The second game is called “Count me in” where participants need to count of from 1 to 24 (24 participants). No two participants are allowed to count at the same time and no one is allowed to repeat the number. If two or more participants shouted the same number, the count of will reset. The catch in the game: participants were not facing each other so they need concentration and timing. We repeated the count of until we reached 24. They were very happy to reach the last number. They clapped and jumped. Who will not be overjoyed if you have to repeat the count of almost 10 times before perfecting it? Hahaha! J

The night came fast because of the bad weather condition. We had to prepare dinner early, eat early and sleep early. We were not able to play more games because we do not have a big dry area to hold it.

The typhoon made it hard for me to sleep because I was worried about the team’s safety. I woke up several times during the night only to hear the rain drops and the strong winds that kept on smashing our tents. I silently prayed and hoped for a better weather the next morning.

Calaguas – The Plan

I was overwhelmed by our Sagada trip last May that upon learning a holiday this June, I instantly announced a Calaguas for a Cause trip to Team Injury. Call me impulsive.

official ID logo

And so the planning began. We tried to enlist 36 participants but unfortunately only 25 confirmed.

I suggested a survivor style outing to the group just so we can have activities in the secluded island. They agreed and planned with me on the games, ID, prizes and food.

I contacted our van drivers and haggled for the fare. We hired the same drivers from our Sagada trip to take advantage of a bigger discount.

I contacted a boat operator in Paracale, Camarines Norte hoping that his services are good since we got his number from a blog. He charged us 8000Php for the boat ride which I think is good already. I asked if we will all have our own life vest. He said “Yes” and that’s all I wanted to hear.

We are now set and ready for another adventure.

This may be my last adventure for 2011 since Paul will be assigned to Texas for the next six months so I better enjoy and have a lot of fun!

Banaue/Sagada Adventure – Bumod-ok Falls

After our cave spelunking, our itinerary said we have to go to Bumod-ok Falls - a magnificent water falls in Sagada.

We had to take a quick lunch in our lodge and hit the road for another tiring yet exciting adventure.

The trip lasted for about 30 minutes by van and an hour walk through the fields.

The water falls was magnificent. I cannot estimate how high it was but I assure you, it is really outstanding. We were all excited to take a dip except that the water was freezing cold. But what the heck! We were already wet when rain poured during our trek.

Photo from RC

Photo from RC

Banaue/Sagada Adventure – Lumiang-Sumaguing Cave Connection

It’s my first time to do cave spelunking. I heard lots of ideas and comments about the cave connection in Sagada but none of them was positive. One of my friends told me the experience was traumatic. Another friend told me he almost slipped inside the cave.

We woke up early and prepared for our cave connection. It was a 15 minute walk from our lodge.

Paul did not bring his camera inside the cave. I brought mine because I want to have pictures inside the cave - for this blog of course.

Lumiang Entrance

The entrance of Lumiang cave houses coffins some of which more than 200 years old. The adventure starts once you enter the cave. It’s dark inside and you only rely on the light provided by the guides.

Words are not enough to describe our experience inside.

The fun part of our spelunking was in Sumaguing cave. Different formations were shown to us. We needed to dip into the water to cross some parts of it. The water was cold but our excitement kept us warm.

crystals

See the stalagmite? Enormous!

Our cave spelunking lasted for 6 hours. It was tiring yet overwhelming experience. Given the chance to do Lumiang-Sumaguing cave connection again I will do it without hesitation.

Banaue/Sagada Adventure – Hapao Side Trip

The side trip was supposed to be in Batad but due to heavy rains the day before, our guide suggested Hapao instead. Hapao is part of the UNESCO heritage. It is an hour bumpy ride from the town proper. We hired a jeepney because our van cannot make it through the muddy road. It was my first ride on top of the jeepney. The view was awesome but the sun burnt my skin. Even so, I enjoyed the ride.

(this photo from RC)

After 30 minutes of frying my skin under the sun, we arrived at the registration hall. We took the opportunity to use their comfort rooms and retouch. We paid 10.00Php each for environmental fee and then proceeded with our trip.

Another 30 minutes passed and finally we arrived at our destination. The view was amazing. We were able to walk along the “pilapil.” It was a nice experience. The sun was up but the air was cool. The fields were green and the mountains were covered with trees.

The highlight of our trip was the river at the end of the trail. Some of our buddies decided to take a quick dip to ease the heat. The water was fresh and cool but was not potable.

The group took pictures during our brief stay in the river.

The experience got me thinking about simple pleasures. The river was not a view at all but the smile it brought to the team was precious.

Total expenses for the Hapao trip:

Jeepney (bumpy) ride: 100.00Php each

Environmental Fee: 10.00Php each