It was past 8pm when we arrived at Villa Rey Clubhouse at CamSur Watersports Complex. We were not supposed to be there. We were supposed to be having dinner at Caramoan and getting a good night sleep by 10pm. We never planned renting a small boat to travel for two hours just to leave Caramoan and get back to Sabang that Saturday night. But it was all domino effect starting from the moment we landed at Legazpi City.

It would cost you Php3,000.00 if you rent a boat from Guijalo port going to Sabang. That is actually a reasonable price considering the travel will be two hours and the fishermen would need to go back afterwards. yet it was expensive for someone who budgeted the usual fare of Php120.00 for the same boat ride. The last passenger boat going to Sabang was at 11am. At that time we were still in awe at the rock formations of Sabitang Laya. We are yet to have our lunch and swim at the shallow, still waters the island has to offer.



My friend was hesitant to ride such a small motor boat especially since we will be welcoming the night in the middle of the sea. It was an experience not that different from when I crossed the Laguna lake four years ago. I loved how the sky was full of stars and the sea was full of little lights coming from fishermen boats. All I can hear was the sound of the boat's motor. Upon alighting from the boat, silence fell to my ears. We are now to rent a van to take us to CWC. We booked a cabana for the night. It was another two hours. Imagine three small girls inside one big van. Damage done to our wallets was Php1,500.00.

We would not have experienced everything if we booked Naga instead of Legazpi. If we caught the 11am passenger boat going to Caramoan. If we did not have to wait one hour for the Sabang van at SM Naga to be filled. But not everything can be planned especially when you travel. We just had to make it one for the books.



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Sun was almost setting when we reached Guijalo Port after spending two hours in a boat from Sabang Port. We were tired from all the sitting we've done throughout the day. We left Manila at 6am and it has been more than eight hours since then. We were dead hungry and tired. My only "meal" for the day were two small, plain ensaymada bought from NAIA Terminal 3.


I heard my name being called by one of the porters as we alighted from the boat. Our ride was there. Kuya Joevic had his tricycle ready for us. I knew his name as he had been asking for our location since 9AM. We were behind our schedule. We rode his tricycle and after more or less 20 minutes we were in Sights and Sand Tourist Inn.

The place looked new and very clean. We were the only guests for that night. We placed our bags on the two double beds inside our room.

At four-thirty in the afternoon we were served big prawns, fried tanigue, banana, and chicken adobo as lunch - a very late lunch. For a group of three small girls, it was a heavy meal. The prawns caught my heart instantly. They were big and fresh.

After eating we settled in our room. Kuya Joevic volunteered to bring us to the Centro church. It was late and we had nothing else to do. We came back from our Church visit and pasalubong buying at twenty past six. I jumped in our double bed to take a quick snooze.


At eight in the evening I was awaken by my companions for dinner. Dinner was as delicious as lunch. We were served six pieces of crabs and one sizzling plate of vegetables and beef for each of us. It was too much for three little girls who are still full from their very late lunch.

One sizzling plate plus a bowl of soup for each of us

We slept with extremely full stomachs. Saturday morning was then welcomed with fried egg, tocino and danggit. Truly a Filipino breakfast in such a homey place.


We had our lunch at Sabitang Laya. We sat on sand as we took in spoonful of white rice paired with prawns, paksiw na baboy and Bicol's laing.

I didn't plan our Caramoan-CWC trip that well which is a big mistake because we ended up spending more than our estimated budget. It is always better to plan as detailed as possible (with some decent room for adjustment) so that you won't end up spending a lot more than what you should.

Initially, this was our rough cost estimate:

Transportation:
Van (Legazpi to Naga): Php600 per person (two-way)
Boat ride: Php250php/way
Airfare: 290/person (roundtrip Piso fare)

Accommodation and tour package:
Caramoan tour package: Php2,800/person
CWC Accommodation: Php2,200 (triple-sharing)

Others:
Food: Php500/person
Souvenir: Php500/person
Miscellaneous (contingency): Php800.00

Total Cost per person: Php6,725.00

Minalahos Island