Caramoan, Philippines

Since we decided to go whale shark hunting a second time, we were not able to make it all the way to Caramoan. We ended up having to stay the night in Naga and left bright and early the next day. One thing we have discovered in the Philippines is that is takes a really long time to get anywhere since the Philippines is complied of over 7,000 islands. Basically, when you take a van somewhere you just go to the van terminal and get in the van and wait until it is full. We have waited anywhere from 10 mins to an hour. They really pack the people in too. On our way from Legazpi to Naga we ended up buying 4 seats because they wanted to put 4 people on one bench and we had our bags, there was no way! From Naga we took a van to Sabang. I seriously felt like I was in a game of paper boy. We were dogging bikers, tricycles, rosters, dogs and everything else you could think of. It was wild!

On the ferry from Sabang to Caramoan. Well, I guess you could call it a ferry, it was a small wood boat and yet again we were smashed on a small bench for a 2 hour ride. Once we got to the port of Caramoan we had to get onto a small little boat and they paddled us to shore.

The CK-Inn. We were not really sure what to expect. We found this place online and it looked okay and the price was right. It is owned by a Swedish man and his wife. However, his wife does not speak any English and he was back in Sweden so we had to hire a English tour guide. They asked us ahead of time if we thought we would need one and we said no, we are pretty good at getting around. But we are really happy they booked one for us anyways because the CK-Inn is secluded and you have to hire a boat to get to the main port to do anything. Our guide name was Rene and he was super helpful in getting us our meals and such.

No one else was staying there so we had the whole place. They served us our meals out on the patio. It was quite nice! Basically, it was a little village and I am assuming a few families live there in these hunts as there were lots of children running around. They have a small rice field, pigs, chickens and rosters. Justin and I were cracking up at the rosters and would try to could to 5 without one "cock-a-doodle-dooing". I think we were only able to count to 3!

This was the view from our room. You could actually see the ocean but not in this picture. It was overcast and rainy the entire time so we ended up only staying 2 nights since we got there a day late and we left a day early. I know this place is a paradise when the sun is shining. Even with the clouds and rain it was still lovely!

When we arrived at the inn we were starving so they cooked up some fried chicken! Wow, best fried chicken I have ever tasted! It was so good and I know it was really fresh. It was a bit strange eating chicken while listening to them too. There were tons of chickens running around. Interesting experience, in fact the bone was still bloody(ish) so I knew it was real fresh! Being in the Philippines really connects you with your food, we probably passed by this chicken on our way in.

CK-Inn, this is the beach our inn was on. It is more of a family village but they have a building they rent a few rooms out in. The rooms were nice and clean and the owners wife was an awesome cook!

Our tour guide Rene took us on a tour of the main town. Justin decided he wanted to experience what it is like to haul a rice bag so he got our their with them. It is good to remember how hard people work for their food or even the food you buy at the store. These men were out their cutting the rice and bagging it up all day!

The guys were sure getting a kick out of it!

Justin ended up hauling two sacks and was sopping wet and covered in rice grains!

Some kids at night out playing on a boat. They asked me to take their picture.

Grilled pork skewers! So tasty! Grilled meat is a staple of their diet, I am digging it!

We rented a boat with another couple we met to go island hopping.

The islands were beautiful even in the rain.

One of our guides caught a snake. I guess if this snake bites you, you have either 8 seconds, 8 minutes, or 8 hours before you die.

We went rock climbing to this lagoon. I guess their is only one enchanted fish living in the lagoon. We asked him to bring us sunny weather but to my disappointed he failed to grant my wish. We were a bit nervous rock climbing because the guide had told us the closest hospital was over 5 hours away and this was no easy climb as the limestone was really slippery. But we survived!

The lagoon!

Before we left we order some lunch to have a picnic on the beach but because the rain would not let up we ended up eating in a cave. We met Jen and Paul at the restaurant when we were getting our lunch and invited them to join us. It worked out really well but I don't think the guides were too happy. They were hoping they would get their own boat.

Justin had squid stuffed with fresh tomatoes and I had the bicol express, which was little whole baby shrimp and pork in coconut milk. Both were tasty, well Justin said his was tasty but I forwent the chance to try it.

The beach behind me is where the French Survivor is being filmed. All those huts are being occupied by the crew so this resort is closed to the public currently. We were able to see where some of the filming has taken place though. In fact, the field that Justin hauled the rice bags, was the same field they filmed some sort of race in.

Yesterday we left Caramoan a day early because of the rain. We stayed in Naga and actually spent most of our time at the SM Mall because it had wi-fi. Justin was able to complete his grad school applications so that was good. Now we are sitting in the airport getting ready to head to Manila to take the night bus up to Batad to see the rice terraces.