TOP TEN TIPS IN TRAVELLING TO CAMARINES NORTE

by Franz Joseph Billones

As a requirement in our Geography 131 class, we were asked to create a blog about our trip to Camarines Norte last March 7-10, 2014. Classic is to create a travelogue. But I thought, why not create something different. So here are my TOP TEN TIPS IN TRAVELLING TO THE BEAUTIFUL PROVINCE OF CAMARINES NORTE.

1. PACK LIGHT

Especially for those who will be travelling to Calaguas Island and other Islands, it is recommended to pack light. We arrived at Daet, Camarines Norte at around 8am and shortly after we had our breakfast, we immediately rode the boat going to Calaguas Island. Obviously, you cannot bring your whole baggage. Since it is too early and hotels usually accepts check ins sometime around in the noon, we left our baggage in the bus. Also, it will be helpful if you will list down all the activities you would do in CamNorte to determine the right amount of clothing you should bring (ex. swimming on day 1 and 2=2 sets of swimming clothes)

  

2. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY: RESEARCH IN ADVANCE

Camarines Norte offers a wide variety of activities. It would be a time saver if you would plan your itinerary days or even weeks before the trip. Finding yourself wondering where to go and how to go there would be a lot waste of time. You can research online through the lgu's website, www.camarinesnorte.gov.ph. Also, it would be a money saver if you would search for the small things like the fare amount so you will not be fooled by some (some only! locals were very kind) nasty locals. When we were at Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel, we cannot decide where to go the next day. Sadly, we end up just eating lunch at K-Sarap Restaurant in Daet town proper. Furthermore, the tricycle driver that got us there asked for 100 pesos fare (there is 5 of us) only to know that the fare only costs 10php/person.

3. DO NOT BRING YOUR GADGETS

Local and foreign surfers flock at Bagasbas Beach shore

Believe, you will not have time to face your gadgets. From the time you wake up until before you take your refreshing sleep, you can do several activities. Of course you can have the beach and the tour around the town in the day. But comes the nighttime, you can still enjoy the welcoming atmosphere in CamNorte. At Bagasbas Lighthouse Hotel, there is a live acoustic band playing beside the pool where the lead singer seems to sound like Sitti. Also you can swim and have some drinks while having a fun conversation with your friends. Furhtermore, if you would like to own the mic, the hotel also offers KTV rooms for a reasonable price. In the morning, you can jog at the decommissioned Bagasbas Airport's runway that sits just beside the hotel. You can also sweat off through a basketball game or better yet hit the beach with your surfing board and conquer the strong waves pf Bagasbas Beach. The hotel offers Surf board rentals for only 150 pesos per hour and Tutorial for only 200 pesos per hour. 

4. CHECK FOR ROAD CONDITIONS, WEATHER, AND OTHER DETAILS

The ETA for our trip was 5:30 in the morning. But because of the many road constructions we passed all the way from Quezon, we arrived 2 hours late. Thankfully, the weather was fair it didn't hinder us from going to Calaguas Island. But then, since we arrived late, our stay in Calaguas Island was cut off 3 hours. You can do so much with that 3 hours. Adding also to our delay was the fact that our bus was too big, it cannot pass by small roads with low hanging cables. 

5. PREPARE FOR THE ROUGH RIDE (and the beauty of the islands)

2-hour boat ride seems exciting but at some point, it was the other way around. Large waves started to hit our boat once we left the premises of the main island. Although the banceros were very good, we were all caught sitting still on our chairs and holding tightly on the sidebars. It would be better to bring medications for dizziness. But once we reached the packet of islands, we were all amazed by the beauty of them. Nevermind the waves! The islands were just too damn gorgeous! 

6. DON'T FORGET THE SUNBLOCK

Need I say more? 

7. DON'T EAT "MANILA" FOOD

I mean come on! You are there for a reason! Try something new! As much as possible, forget about the crispylicious juicylicious chickenjoy. Instead, try as many local treats as possible! You can find plenty of restaurants in the town proper that offers native bicol cuisine for a very affordable price, as well as in some hotels. Try treats like Bicol Express (i remember my friend telling me, "ang pinagkaiba ng bicol express sa Manila at Bicol ay sa Manila, ang bicol express ay pork na may sili, sa Bicol, sili na may pork"), Binagoongan na may gata, Laing, Purupagulong, and pili. 

A panorama of what we ate at K-Sarap Restaurant

This scrumptious meal inclusive of Kare-kare na may gata, Salt and Pepper squid, Tanigue Steak, and Molo soup in a very big bowl cost only 1, 000 pesos. We even had blueberry cheesecake, and strawberry, mango, and tiramisu sherbet for dessert!

8. EXPLORE: GET LOST (Just know your way back)

Sometimes, getting lost could turn out to be an adventure. The most beautiful places sometimes are hidden. Take time to discover it. Just know your way back to the hotel. 

9. BUY PASALUBONG AT THE LOCAL MARKET

It would save you a lot of money if you would buy pasalubong in the market. It is a lot cheaper than those who have stalls along main roads in the town proper. For example, a small pack of roasted pili nuts in a famous pasalubong store in Daet would normally cost 10 pesos. But when you go to the market, an even slight larger pack would cost around 5-8 pesos.Also, you can find more goods for pasalubong in the market. I remember I was about to buy a beautiful native 3-bulb ceiling lamp made of capiz and native fiber for our kitchen for only 800 pesos but i thought there is no much space in the bus. 

10. CAPTURE EACH MOMENT

Sunset in the sea 

Lastly, don't forget to capture each moment because you'll never know when you can see again the beauty of Camarines Norte. This is the sunset as we were on our way back to Vinzons. Isn't it nice to have nothing but the sea, your friends, your love one, and the sunset? Sometimes, being trigger happy is good.