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Rough Ridin' the waves to Paradise

Way, way, way back when things permitted us to be able to travel a lot, me and my friends decided to take a break and do something "over the weekend". It has been like that for us since we all realized we are that group we can say "Let's go" and we will all be packing up immediately. Our target this time : Calaguas Island. Calaguas Island is located in the province of Camarines Norte in Bicol Region. We took a bus bound for Daet going there. The ride took almost eight hours. Coming from work, that was a good long hours of sleep along the way. We stayed in one of the houses in Paracale for the night since the boatman we were contacting will not be ready until the next day early morning.

That time, the weather was starting to get unfriendly. On our way to Paracale, we heard a news that a low pressure is starting to brew in the area. When we explored the area of the place we were staying in near the port area, the waves were already crashing in a little angry than normal. But of course, we are not backing out. From that place we were staying, we were still bound to set out on a 2-hour boat ride to Calaguas Island. The owner of the place we were staying in also grew concerned. She was telling us to consider no longer going to Calaguas Island. We can stay there with them and we can consider surfing instead should the weather the next day becomes friendlier. Going to places you are not familiar with, it is sometimes wise to listen to the locals. However, when we asked the boatman he says that the travel to the Island will be smooth. We got his number from other groups in social media who was able to go to Calaguas Island previously. "Mang Boy" that is his name. When you get two different local answers, which one would you choose?

We chose to trust the boat man. So we set for the next day schedule. We went to the market to buy our food. There were no resorts then in that Island. It is close to bare with only a small hut to rent. Good thing one of my friends then had her cook set with her.

We went out before the rain started to pour in. We rode a boat with no roof or some sort. We were exposed in the open sea with waves starting to get nasty and nastier by the minute. Mang Boy had our stuff tucked under the compartment of the boat so it will not get too wet. As we go farther and farther out, the waves became bigger and bigger. And Mang Boy was also telling us a story of how there was one group the previous week whose boat capsized because of the big waves.

We were laughing and staring at Mang Boy who was smilingly telling us this while we were already drenched, screaming and laughing from the boat ride. This went on for the whole hour and a half ride. After we were able to cross the part of where the waves were broken by the islets, it was suddenly calm. Like nothing happened.

The moment you set foot on the sand of Calaguas Island you will know that the thrilling ride going there was worth it. Again we almost had the island to ourselves. We rented the small hut and settled there. There was no electricity as well then. The bath area still uses the water pump to get water.

They say, there is a resort there now. Like really established. I know a lot of people go there for the summer and the night party or some sort. I'm glad we were able to visit the place long before it got a little too "improved". That night, the rain poured in as well. But thankfully we were already settled in the hut. The hut that fits the three of us just right - no one can move. Pre-covid there were a lot of travel and tours going to Calaguas. And most say there were still instances that they do experience their boats getting turned over. Hehe. © Pichi28 7/22 All Original Content Unless specified otherwise...

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