HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonCamarines Norte and Quezon Province for 4 Days By Marcos Detourist on August 7, 2011The top destination on my eight week summer escapade in Luzon was none other than Calaguas Island in Camarines Norte. I was so intrigued by Calaguas after reading so many interesting posts by other bloggers, who’ve claimed that Calaguas’ long white sand stretch (Mahabang Buhangin) could rival Boracay’s “White Beach.” I’ve already been to many beautiful beaches in the Philippines but I’ve yet to see one that compares to the whiteness + fineness + length of the sand in Boracay, especially the part in Station 1 of White Beach. I was so excited when I found out my travel buddy, Fritzie, who I first met during my first solo trip in El Nido, was organizing a trip to Calaguas with her friends. Since it was a large group of around 20+ peope, we agreed to get a Daet-based tour operator called “Northlink” to take care of logistics. After finally seeing the island with my own eyes, Calaguas indeed deserved all the praises! It’s a must visit destination for beach lovers and sun worshipers in this side of the Pacific.Day 1 – Journey to Calaguas Island Early morning bus ride to to Paracle town, the jump-off point to Calaguas Super strong waves during the 4-hour pumpboat ride to Calaguas Island Finally, arrival in Calaguas Island! Full length of “Mahabang Buhangin” in Calaguas Cloudy skies during on our first day in Calaguas Watching over the inviting laguna blue waters Beach huts on the southern end of Mahabang Buhangin Our tent colony on the middle part of the beach My barefoot travail on more rugged inslandscapes north of Mahabang BuhanginStrong waves at the northernmost tip of Calaguas Island Not exactly what I expected to find in Calaguas. I’d love love to come back and explore more of the island Awaiting a breathtaking sunset Beautiful sunset colors setting in Wishing I could just live in this moment forever Me, enjoying the nice sunset view The flame dying out with the cool colors of the night creeping inDay 2 – Calaguas Island and Surfing in DaetCoincidentally, my friends from the summit trek of Mt. Pulag were also in Calaguas the same time of my visit. Had such a nice time in the island thanks to the great company :) Darius, the man behind Northlink and the rest of the crew also took great care to give us a hassle free and enjoyable trip. During the second day, the sun finally came out revealing the beautiful blue sky and full glory of Calaguas Island. Simple breakfast of dried fish, scrambled eggs, fresh tomatoes, and fried rice. Yum! Finally, blue skies! Starting the trek to a viewpoint on the southern end of Mahabang Buhangin Overview of Mahabang Buhangin in Calaguas Island Paracle Church (St. John the Baptist Parish) back in mainland Camarines Norte Bagasbas Beach in Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte Surfs up!Kiteboarding in Bagasbas Surfing in Bagasbas Beach Wasn’t able to take a photo of me surfing :( It was my first time to try and I loved it! I’m dying for the chance to be able to spend at least a week to learn how to surf.Day 3 – Road trip from Camarines Norte to Quezon ProvinceDuring the third and fourth day of my trip, I went on my usual solo journey. I wanted to visit a few sights in Camarines Norte along the way to Lucena City, Quezon Province, where I spent the night. Went to the historic towns of Tayabas and Lucban on my last day. Kinalas in Daet, Camarines NorteElevated town plaza of Daet Camarines Norte Provincial Capitol Daet Cathedral (St. John the Baptist Parish)Vinzons Church (St. Peter the Apostle Parish) San Diego Watchtower in Gumaca, Quezon Province Beautiful Gumaca Church (St. Vincent Parish) Exquisite interiors of Gumaca ChurchAtimonan Church (Our Lady of Angels Parish) One of the strange ceiling paintings at Atimonan ChurchAtimonan Cemetery GateAtimonan Pier. Got curious where the ferries went.Day 4 – Lucena City, Tayabas, and Lucban in Quezon Province Quezon Provincial Capitol Lucena Cathedral (St. Isidore Parish) Tayabas Church (St. Michael the Archangel Parish) Central Altar of Lucban Church Casa Communidad de Tayabas Malagonlong Bridge Lucban Church (St. Louise Bishop Parish) Plaza Rizal Nice implementation of ‘adaptive reuse’ in Lucban Town Proper Pancit Lucban Lucban LongganisaMore detailed travel journals and tips on coming up!Don’t leave yet. There’s more!One Hot and Exciting Week in BoracaySaud Beach Homestay in Pagudpud, Ilocos NorteRevisiting Boracay | April 2008Survived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last FrontierRediscover Palawan - 13 days in Tabon Caves, El Nido &…Bike Tour of BoracayComments XP saysAugust 8, 2011 at 1:05 amChy (more familiar with that name hehe…),The weird painting on the ceiling is about the persecution of Christians, imo. Marcos saysAugust 8, 2011 at 9:52 amI know XP (welcome to my blog pala). It’s just the way it’s presented that ignited the more morbid part of me. I’ll edit the caption na lng. Thanks for the comment :D LINA C. ABOGADIE saysAugust 8, 2011 at 11:15 amThanks for sharing your great pics. I hope to visit Calaguas group of islands this summer.Sana ok ang weather. fritzie saysAugust 8, 2011 at 9:32 pmhi marc! nice blog again, galing galing talaga…nice shots too :-) hope you can join us again in one of our travels…more power to you and to your blog… Marcos saysAugust 13, 2011 at 3:42 pmyes fritzie, next time naman :) ches saysAugust 9, 2011 at 7:40 amNice shots Marcos! Yup, truly a paradise after going through “hell”. haha. Worth coming back. Marcos saysAugust 13, 2011 at 3:55 pmYes, haha. I’d love to come back to Calaguas too rico ybanez saysAugust 9, 2011 at 9:02 amamzing photos marcos boi! i salute you for that! :) be safe always! Marcos saysAugust 13, 2011 at 3:55 pmThanks rico :) Louie saysAugust 11, 2011 at 9:19 pmI wanna try this too. I must say, the shots were good. I’m starting to be a solo traveller too, hope to get tips from you soon! Marcos saysAugust 13, 2011 at 4:08 pmThanks Louie :) Rica saysAugust 25, 2011 at 4:28 pmthe sunset photos from day 1 are insane!!!! loved the colors! =) Marcos saysAugust 25, 2011 at 11:12 pmThanks Rica :) Angel Picazo saysNovember 6, 2011 at 10:56 pmYou influenced me to start my own blog. Hahaha. Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 7:11 pmI’m honored Angel. Your photos are very stunning. I’m positive a lot of people love to see them too. Vic Mayor saysMay 13, 2012 at 7:58 amHi, I enjoyed your Blog Entry a LOT! The pictures are really beautiful. Trully enjoyed looking at all the pictures. BTW, i think the name of the Church in Paracale is Nuestra Señora de Candelaria. 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XP saysAugust 8, 2011 at 1:05 amChy (more familiar with that name hehe…),The weird painting on the ceiling is about the persecution of Christians, imo.
Marcos saysAugust 8, 2011 at 9:52 amI know XP (welcome to my blog pala). It’s just the way it’s presented that ignited the more morbid part of me. I’ll edit the caption na lng. Thanks for the comment :D
LINA C. ABOGADIE saysAugust 8, 2011 at 11:15 amThanks for sharing your great pics. I hope to visit Calaguas group of islands this summer.Sana ok ang weather.
fritzie saysAugust 8, 2011 at 9:32 pmhi marc! nice blog again, galing galing talaga…nice shots too :-) hope you can join us again in one of our travels…more power to you and to your blog…
ches saysAugust 9, 2011 at 7:40 amNice shots Marcos! Yup, truly a paradise after going through “hell”. haha. Worth coming back.
rico ybanez saysAugust 9, 2011 at 9:02 amamzing photos marcos boi! i salute you for that! :) be safe always!
Louie saysAugust 11, 2011 at 9:19 pmI wanna try this too. I must say, the shots were good. I’m starting to be a solo traveller too, hope to get tips from you soon!
Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 7:11 pmI’m honored Angel. Your photos are very stunning. I’m positive a lot of people love to see them too.
Vic Mayor saysMay 13, 2012 at 7:58 amHi, I enjoyed your Blog Entry a LOT! The pictures are really beautiful. Trully enjoyed looking at all the pictures. BTW, i think the name of the Church in Paracale is Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.