Catanduanes

From Paniman, Caramoan, I rented a boat to Catanduanes.

Initially, going to Catanduanes was not part of the plan. But the local folks told me that Catanduanes is just 2 hours by boat. Prior to this trip, I had never seen or had been in Catanduanes. Opportunity was knocking on my door and I opened the door.

The boat ride was good for more than 2 hours. I rented a small boat (good for 3-4 pax only) for P1,500. The bigger boat (good for 10-15 pax) costs 2,500 - 3,000. With only my backpack and camera bag, I decided to go to Catanduanes.

My boatman's name is Mang Roy Razon.

It was not the usual island hopping experience.

Caramoan islands

  
It was a little bit extreme considering that I was not given a lifejacket and there were two of us only onboard the boat. So imagine if the boatman gets a heart attack in the middle of the seas, I would be there in the middle of vast expanse of water not knowing what to do! Anyway, that was part of the adventure!

Along the way, we passed several islands which are covered by the island hopping tour provided in Caramoan. But one island that I would never forget is the Catanauan Island because according to my boatman that was the island where the Survivor TV program was shot.

After 2 hours, we reached the Port of Codon, San Andres, Catanduanes. 

The trip did not stop there since I miss the Ro-Ro trip to Tabaco and I've wanted to go to Virac, Catanduanes. And so I hired a tricyle ride to Virac amounting to P500. The trip was 50 minutes. 

The Ro-Ro boat trip in Virac was scheduled to leave 1 pm and we left San Andres past 11 am. Time is of the essence!

Virac Church

 
After almost an hour, we reached Virac. And the first tourist spot that I saw then was the Virac church (which we passed while going to the Virac Port.  

We went straight to the port and bought the ticket to Tabaco. 

Fare in Penafrancia
P240 - ordinary
P310 - aircon

The Ro-Ro trip was good for 3.5 - 4 hours.
First trip in Tabaco to Virac leaves 6:30 am.
And the trip back to Tabaco from Virac leaves 1pm.

On the other hand, the Ro-Ro trip in San Andres from Tabaco leaves 7 am (if seasonal 5 am) and back to Tabaco 12 pm.

While cruising back to Tabaco, Bicol, we passed the Twin Rocks Resort. One of the best, if not the best resort in Catanduanes.

After 4 hours, we reached the Port of Tabaco.

Tip - Never use the bus parked inside the pier. 

Go to the  Tabaco City Central Terminal.

There are plenty of choices to choose from ranging from vans, aircon and non-aircon buses.

You have to ride a tricycle or a trisikad to go to the terminal.

Here you can find buses/vans plying Naga, Daet, Cubao or Alabang.

So how many hours did I stay in Catanduanes?

Two hours only! But the adventure lasted a lifetime!

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