Calaguas Island (on My 34th)

Going to Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte is a 10-hour ride via private vehicle plus a 2-hour boat ride. Having this tour package (I was a solo joiner of this trip) – complete with meals, tent accommodation, and roundtrip transfer was a good option. Doing this on DIY just for a weekend trip doesn’t appear fun and convenient on my end.

It’s my birth month and celebrating my 34^th at home by doing nothing and having the traditional basic “birthday food” for dinner didn’t sound fun and interesting at all. Armed with my wi-fi and mobile phone, I first checked my Facebook for inspiration to come up with nice birthday ideas. Solo birthday celebration was not my option for this year. I like to be with other people but still able to have some me-time moment at the same time. Then it just showed on my newsfeed:  Calaguas Island Tour for singles. On my exact birth date. Pickup location was convenient as it’s just a few steps away from my office building. And the fee suited my budget. And so I said, “See you, Calaguas Island soon!”

The boat ride to Calaguas at first is not really that inviting as the water at the port doesn’t appear to be that clear (see photo for your reference). But as your boat starts to go further, the color of the water becomes a cleaner version of sea green and eventually, calming crystal blue sea water will start to greet you.

I welcomed my 34^th in Calaguas Island (though at 12mn, I was still in the van). The place wasn’t crowded. I found some quiet time despite the laughter and excitement of my fellow guests around me. At around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, we went to the nearby island called Balagbag Island. I found it a bit rocky and not an ideal place for swimming, but others managed to swim anyway. To fully enjoy the place, you need to do baby climbs for around 5 minutes and allow the view to leave you amazed.

At night, I was surprised and grateful at the gesture of my chosen tour agency. Four guests, including me were celebrating our birthdays in February and they managed to do ninja moves at the port to buy us our birthday cake (with a candle).




ctto (Zetodeals, Benj S.)

The next morning, we headed to Pinagkastilyuhang Buhangin (Sand Bar). There isn’t much to do in this place, but it’s an ideal one for at least a 30-minute clear-my-mind type of walk.

Calaguas Island Trip costs me around Php 3,000, compulsory travel insurance included.

Our itinerary and my personal expenses:

Tour Package: c/o Zetodeals

Friday

  9:00 pm – call time in Ortigas CBD

11:00 pm – off to Vinzons Port (with a couple of stopovers for bio and coffee/cup noodle / yosi
                   break)

Saturday

 7:00  am – breakfast at Jollibee in Daet

  8:30 am – ETA Vinzons Port (guests are advised to buy huge plastic bags for your backup)

11:00 am – ETA Calaguas Island

  4:00 pm – off to Balagbag Island

 5:00 pm – time to leave Balagbag Island

Sunday

  6:30 am – trek time

  7:00 am – breakfast, break camp

  8:00 am – ETD Calaguas Island; off to Pinagkastilyuhan Sand Bar

10:00 am – ETD Sand Bar

 12:00 nn – ETA Vinzons Port, Shower time, prep time back to Manila

12:00 mn – ETA Ortigas CBD

Expenses:

2,988 – tour package fee

     75 – compulsory travel insurance

     80 – est. Jollibee breakfast

     50 – est. small bottle of water and a pack of bread for baon

     25 – stopover (5 pesos for using the rest room, 20 pesos for a cup of 3-in-1 coffee)

     20 – huge plastic bag for my stuff (treat this as requirement especially if you have more than just a backpack)

        0 – lunch, dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday (included in the package)

      25 – entrance fee Balagbag Island

      90 – entrance fee, environmental fee Sand Bar

    100 – 2 ref magnets (I haggled) for souvenir bought in the island

    150 – est. lunch at Alvino’s in Daet

     120 – dinner at Daph’s Seafood resto

     300 – est. pasalubong bought from Jannah (I am kuripot when it comes to pasalubong)

      50 – every time you pee and take a shower, you have to pay 5 and 10 pesos respectively, except at  the port – shower costs 20 pesos)

Total: Php 4,000 +

Thanks again, Zetodeals (esp. Benj S) for the simple birthday treat. 

You may check their FB page should you be interested in Singles Tour. They have frequent trips to Sagada and Calaguas. Some of your soon-to-be fellow guests may already be Zetodeals suki. They’re the tour agency I find convenient so far if you work or live around Ortigas area. (not a paid advertisement, btw)