CARAMOAN (CamSur) as I recall

[smallbird]

I frequented the town of Goa (town before San Jose-gateway to Caramoan) to do a part time job some years back and I've done that for three of four semesters. We've always planned for picnics/outings at the end of each semester, but no plans materialized until we finally decided to go to Caramoan on that December.

Since it was the pre-French Survivor days of Caramoan, conditions were very different then. Our initial headcount in the group is 10 but gradually reduced to 5 until there were only 2 decided souls left in the list, me and my buddy. I remember taking the bus from Goa to Sabang in San Jose where we have to take a boat going to the town of Caramoan. No seaport existed in Sabang then, locally fabricated outrigger boats bound for Caramoan and other neighboring coastal communities are scattered along the beach and shallow waters of Lagonoy Gulf. You may choose to be carried to the boat if you don't want to get wet before boarding, getting wet while on board is another story.

After a couple (or more)of hours of sailing in a view less banca ride during a rainy and windy day in Lagonoy Gulf that December, we arrived in Caramoan in the newly constructed pier in Guijalo. We were so glad to see a new pier , ,disembarking will be effortless unlike boarding in Sabang so I thought. But my excitement was cut short when we were told that we'll be fetch by the smaller boat since our boat can't dock near the beach nor the pier because it isn't open yet. The inauguration was set on the next couple of days ,so we can't use the pier yet, not just yet.

We finally stepped on the beach and looked for a transportation for transfer to the Poblacion to finally locate our home stay (referred by one of my students) and host. Hotels, inns nor resorts with overnight accommodations is non existent way back then. There was also little choice for transportation , I recall a lone jeepney and a few tricycles waiting for our boat, we were lucky to squeeze in the jeepney bound for Poblacion , it was the last trip for the day and it was just 1pm.

The Caramoan Peninsula has gained tourism popularity in recent years. After the place has been featured in the news and local television programs, local and foreign travelers started to explore the beaches of the peninsula. Caramoan is one of the National Parks of the Philippines. (Wikipedia)

In the post -French Survivor era,transportation to Caramaoan has greatly improved. There are inns and resorts available with several day-trip package offering sea kayaking,diving,snorkeling, spelunking and island hopping.

It can be reached from Naga Airport(Pili, Camarines Norte) or Legaspi Airport (Legaspi City, Albay) and a short road trip to Sabang, San Jose then a boat trip to Guijalo Port in Caramoan and finally another road trip to Poblacion or town center or your hotel/inn. But for ease, you can purchase a tour/travel packages which is inclusive of all transfers.

We went around town and checked the only eatery/restaurant but there were no more available food, then stopped by the church to say our thanks that we made it and finally went to the statue of Virgin Mary on top of the hill, we climbed a steep and endless stairs but the view of Caramoan Peninsula at the top relieved my tired and aching legs, it was really amazing, tiring but amazing. The home stay was very good and our hostess even showed us around the next day, we went for a picnic in the then deserted Gota Beach and planned to enjoy any available waters sports activity but it was not a day for island hopping and not even our camera was cooperating.

After spending our second night,we packed our bag early next morning.We thanked our hostess and ran to catch the rare jeepney to Guijalo Pier. Our timing was good, we were among the first to use the pier during that rainy and windy day in Caramoan, not so long ago.