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Friday, February 8, 2013

Sorsogon's ParaParaParadise: Subic Beach and Tikling Island






There's more to Sorsogon than just Butanding (whale shark) watching! This province in Bicol offers a plethora of awesome sights and adventures -- from trekking to surfing; island-hopping to firefly-watching; chasing caverns to sight-seeing waterfalls; and diving with manta rays to visiting old and charming churches.  They have them all!

During my visit in Sorsogon late last year, I  tried island-hopping and surfing. And that weekend there left me wanting for more! :)

Angel and I spent 15-hour looooong bus ride from Manila to Matnog. This small town in Sorsogon, which is the southernmost part of Luzon, is the jump-off point to our first destination -- Calintaan Island. We were told that this island has very little amenities so we  made sure we come in prepared. Before sailing off, we bought foods and water in the market near the port.

From Matnog proper, a motorized boat took us to Subic Beach (never to be confused with the one in Zambales). This beach located in Calintaan Island is gaining popularity among tourists for its pink white sand.




The boatride going there wasn't a smooth one. We had to brave a few gigantic waves and some whirlpools. But it was worth it! As the boat drew nearer the island, my heart jumped (literally) as I see  the white beach and the blue-green waters coming in sight. As soon as we hit the beach, I was ready to fall inlove with this new-found beauty! I could say it's my second best beach in Bicol, next to Calaguas Island. The sand is powdery pink and the water is crystal clear blue.

The place is ideal for overnight camping. I could imagine myself gazing at the stars while lying in the sand or enjoying a magical firefly sighting near the beach. There are a few cottages lined-up near the shoreline, but for overnight accommodation  it's better to bring your own tent. There's a restroom  available for rinsing up. I didn't see  a store around there so it's advisable to bring in your own provisions (food, water).

After barely three hours of micro-bumming along the beach, we hopped in to our boat excited for our next destination. Kuya Bryan, our boatman, gamely toured us to the cave near Subic Beach and allowed us to enter Juag Lagoon, a protected fish sanctuary.




Next stop, we headed to the lesser-known but equally-beautiful Tikling Island. There are like only two households living in this privately-owned island. With its sparkling water, white sand shoreline, blissful peace and quiet (devoid of any urban comforts we are used to) we felt very much like staying in an island paradise! Our stay in Tikling was made even sweeter by the kindness of the caretakers who offered us grilled fish and bananas, for free!





Quite a short stop, but definitely these two islands are on my must-visit-again list.


How to get to Matnog, Sorsogon:

Those coming from Manila can take a bus going straight to Matnog -- inquire at Philtranco, Raymond and Amihan (Cubao, Quezon City). Travel period can take about 13-15 hours so it's advisable to travel at night.

Another option is to take a flight going to Legazpi City (Cebu Pacific, AirPhil Express, Zest Air). Then hail a trike going to the Central Terminal where  you can take vans headed to Sorsogon City. From Sorsogon City,  take a jeepney going to Matnog. Once in the town proper, you can take jeep or trike to go around.

To go island hopping (day trip), you could ask some boatmen at Matnog  Port to take you around for P700 (1-2 pax) and P1500 (group). They provide life-jackets for safety and you could make arrangements if you wish you stay overnight in the island.

Contact boatman: "Arangkada" Camcaman, Bhrian Garcia Geneblazo - 0926-545-8648

If you want a hassle-free Matnog trip, you can contact my friend Mayleine Olfindo at Weekend in Bicol. She offers tours to Subic Beach and Tikling Island, and other beautiful spots in Bicol.

41 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Why not? It's really a good place to go back. :)

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    2. it sure is. camping na next time. overnight naman para di bitin. :) nakalimutan ko i-add sa blog na super cool pala ng tubig dun. kahit tanghaling tapat. :)

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    3. Hahaha! Tent accommodation and ihaw ng fresh fish. Sarap! Mga managers, baka pwede niyo na sagutin yung pagbalik ng Subic beach. :)

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    4. Pwede siguro KAPAG makatanggap na kami ng 'sahod' from our talent, for now, wala pa e. :)))

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    5. haha sa 'sahod'. sana makapunta din ako dyan! =D

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    6. Yehey! Pwede siguro ito sa 28th birthday ko. October! :-)

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    7. hahaha! salamat momo! you're the best! ika-calendar ko na yan ha! =D

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    8. Hahaha! Kayo talaga, duo na talaga kayo. :-)

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    9. hahaha sa sahod! kayo talaga. :) Happy birthday, momo! :D

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    10. let's check out Bote Beach in Bato, Catanduanes. Road less taken/hidden paradise ang peg. :)

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    11. Basta after ng 80 before 30, pwede na natin gawin ito. :-)

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    12. LOL sa 'duo na talaga kayo' HAHAHAHA

      Basta ika-calendar na namin ang 28th birthday mo! Yey!!!

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  2. Replies
    1. Sangkyu ja! Add Subic Beach on your must-visit-this-summer list. :)):)

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  3. Bicol has a lot of hidden paradise. :)

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    Replies
    1. true bek! wonders within our own backyard. :)

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    2. i-explore na ang hidden paradise na yan! =D

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    3. Momo and Maja, tara na sa Puraran, Baras, Catanduanes. One of the best surfing spots in the country. :)

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    4. Pwede! :-) Hindi ba pwedeng sa fiesta na? :-)

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    5. Aba naman talaga sa mga plano. Sabit ako ha! I-backpacking Pilipinas na yan! (pa-uso lang) :)

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    6. tara na Cha! =D

      momo, sa fiesta kn manlilibre?! why not! agahan natin ang celebration ng bday mo. thank you in advance! =D

      che, at ikaw pa talaga ang sasabit?! parang mas tamang sabihin na kami ni cha ang sabit.hihi! hihi! =D

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    7. Cha, kailan mo ba plan yan? :-)

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    8. Balak namin ni Maja sa darating na fiesta, May 23-24. Kaya kung within that date ang BookSail, baka makasama kami sa Palumbanes. :)

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    9. fiesta + island exploration + surfing + birthday + booksail! = perfect getaway! *excited much!* =D
      (doing my math again!) =D

      ilang linggo ba tayo sa virac? hahahaha!!! =DDDD

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    10. Ja, sino yung may birthday?

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    11. ha?bday mo momo! akala ko ba bday treat mo samin yung pagpunta ng virac? hehe! habiberdey! =D

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    12. Grabeng advance celebration naman yun. :-)

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    13. eh kung makakalusot lang naman.hehehe! ^_^

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    14. Hehehe! Cha and Che, let's go! Ready na kami ni Ja. :)

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  4. Pumunta ako ng Matnog, Sorsogon last Saturday (Feb 9) but unable to check these spots. Umuulan kasi natakot ako baka malakas ang alon, so I just checked out Padang Hill kung saan overlooking yung mga islands, also a semi- Batanes view.

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    Replies
    1. Sayang Yaj! I think mas better pumunta dun during the summer season para maganda ang panahon. :)Parang interesting ang Padang Hill. Baka pwedeng isama sa iti ko pagbalik dun. Safe travels, Rjdexplorer! :)

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  5. Back and fort na po b ung bangka?

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  7. This quite an interesting blog page i must say.
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    ReplyDelete