Calaguas Island: Our buwis-buhay journey to paradise. (with sample Itinerary and estimated budget)

Typhoon Caloy has just entered the country. Though there was no signal warning on Camarines Norte, 20 meters of waves (not sure if they were just exaggerating) were reported by the Philippines coast guards surfacing. We were constantly calling our contacts to make sure our trip will push through. Our contact Kuya Boy warned us to postpone our trip because the coast guards are not letting any boat or fishing vessel to sail til further notice. Pero matigas ang ulo namin and we still decided to go despite of the warnings.

Comes the day of our trip, the coast guard would not let us sail. We asked the boat man if the boat can go, and they were firm that their boat is strong enough. So we did not let the coast guard gets in our way.  We had an agreement that he’s never gonna be liable if anything happens to our group. Yeah! We just gave our contact numbers in case something bad happens and off we sail. Little did we know that we are about to face the rant of the angry sea.

 

Big monstrous waves greeted us as we sail and in less than 10 minutes, some of us wanted to go back. Everyone was scared, I was scared but I acted as if I was having fun (but my hands were strongly tied up to my friends arm). I was thinking that the boat might break into half every time a wave hits it. There was even an instance where rain poured. The boat was big enough but it felt wobbly. Some started to throw up (not me). Mind you it was supposedly a 2 hour boat ride but because of the big waves it took us almost 3 hours to set foot on the island.

At last the longest 3 hours of my life has ended. The powdery white sand welcomed us and the pristine water washed all the fears we had during the boat ride. It felt like the island was set exclusive for our group. There was no one else but the locals. We maximized our stay, pitched our tents, ate foods prepared by the locals, got drunk,  took great pictures, played Frisbee and Volleyball, and  even shot a music video.

Calaguas Island was worth all the danger. We were victorious; the storm did not put up a good fight. However we also learned that safety should always come first.

Boat rental: Kuya boy +639085460683

Estimated total budget P3,000

BREAKDOWN:

Van-Rent (good for 10-12 pax) : P8,000 (for 2 days)

Gas and Toll (estimate): P5,000 Boat (good for 7-10 pax) P5,000 (good for 7-15 pax) 6,000
11:00pm ETD from Net Cube to Daet (Pwede naman na umalis kung set na lahat)
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am ETD Daet Market to Paracale (Bili sa market na mga possible na lulutuin
9:30am ETA in Paracale
10:00am ETD Paracale to Calaguas Island (1.5-2 hours boat ride)
12:00am ETA Mahabang Buhangin, Calaguas Island (Rest/Photoshoot/Swimming)
1:00pm Lunch (Pwede magpaluto)
2:00pm Lots of chill time (Pakasawa sa pictures/photoshoot/paitiman/swimming/games etc./island hopping?)
07:00pm Dinner
08:00pm Socials (Inom/Night Swimming/Chill)
11:00pm Lights Out
6:00am Climb the Tinago Hills (Sunrise watching)
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Chill ulet (swim/Pictures)
12:00pm Lunch
1:00pm Chill time (Ligo ulet/Picture/Prepare)
4:00pm ETD Calaguas to Paracale
10:00pm ETD Daet to Manila

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Total Expense (pamasahe) / 10 (Confirmed peeps) = P1,800 each

Total budget for food (estimated); P500 each

Budget for the Whole Trip:

For 10 (confirmed peeps) P1,800 + P500 = P2,300 each against 3K budget (may sukli ka pa!)

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FINAL ITINERARY:

March 22 (Saturday)

10:00pm Assembly Time (Dinner/Buy Stuff etc.)

March 23 (Sunday)

7:00am ETA in Daet

March 24 (Monday)

5:00am Wakeup call 

March 25 (Tuesday)

7:00am ETA Manila

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Photo and video credits to Marvin Cabutaje and Jaypee David