CARAMOAN│Matukad Island: My Most Favorite Island Destination

Our Island adventure begin when we left Bikal port about 2 in the afternoon and ride a medium sized boat with our tour guide Kuya Joseph. After passing by so many beautiful Islands, we didn't imagine that we'll land on this mesmerizing Island.

From a far, you'll see this beautiful huge rock inviting you to swim on its bluish waters from your boat up to the shore. This view is just a glimpse and be ready to unveil the beauty you never seen before and I tell you, you don't want to leave this Island after your first step!

After an hour we finally docked at the Matukad's shore. My first Matukad Island step was so unforgettable. I feel like stepping on a "Pulboron", (a filipino delicacy composed of powdered milk, sugar, and flour) and I can help but to enjoy it like a child.

The time we visited this Island, the locals are cleaning the whole Island because Survivor India will held their episode shoot there, luckily we went there first, we might not experienced this beautiful island. Imagine it's beauty that made foreign Survivor team keep coming back Caramoan?

Matukad Island got it's name from local term "Mataas" or Steep based on how limestone rocks appears around the Island. In this picture, this limestone rock formation got my attention, it looks like a throne of the ocean's king situated at the front of the shore.

Behind this spiny rocks lies an intriguing mystery. Our tour guide told us a story about a mysterious "Bangus" or milk fish that made the Island more popular.

See how spiny those rocks? It would seriously scratch your skin if you're not that cautious. Be careful upon holding and stepping on it, always follow what your guide told you to do so, like where you should step and hold on to.

Upon reaching the top, here's the Matukad Lagoon where the 6 kilos milk fish reside for about 20 years. Would it really be true that a fish can live this long? Unusual but true.Then after seeing the lagoon and heard about the story (click to discover it), we climbed a little more to move to a certain spot where you can appreciate the whole Island. 

Wow! the only word I said. This spot is so perfect I never regretted I had stone scratches and bruises on my legs. From here, you'll see how beautiful the whole Island is. See those Islands on our background? How about those sea grasses saying hi from the waters?


This is the other point of the perfect spot, here our background is Matukad's shore together with the beautiful huge rock. And see where we docked our boat, the area we came from down there?  Weew, a little bit tiring but it's really worth it.


Here's the perfect view from the perfect spot! Now you know why I really love this Island! I never imagined I could see this kind of scenery that I only saw on paintings.


After the rock climbing challenge, get tired and bathe in so much heat and sweat (eeew) we immediately plunge into Island's cold bluish waters. So relaxing and so fun! Moreover, we enjoyed snorkeling around  as well.


I wasn't able to catch good underwater pictures that time but able to saw beautiful fishes even though the water is too shallow (about 1 ft. high). I can say that the Island is still rich from natural resources and nature.


I will never forget this great Island for its beautiful scenery, rock formations, powdered pure white sand, stories, snorkeling, rock climbing and swimming. All in one Island! That was my first time to do and see all those things in one particular place. So perfect, so beautiful. I know every people, adventurous or not, will definitely enjoy this place. I swear that you will really love this Island like I do. (this picture was taken under the huge round rock). After leaving the Island, I promised to myself that I will come back and hug this Island once again.

HAPPY GALA!
---felicitousgalaera :)

CARAMOAN│The Journey To The Mysterious Bangus

Caramoan has so many hidden beautiful beaches and Islands but there's a mystery behind one of it.
The most beautiful and the first Island we visited was Matukad Island. This Island has the finest sand among the Islands. You'll be mesmerized by its beautiful limestone formation as well, but behind these rocks lies a huge mystery.

Unveiling the mystery  isn't that easy, you should climb these rocks and reach the top to see the lagoon that houses it. Ok let's get it on!

We have to pass this challenge to know the mysterious thing that made people amazed and elude at the same time. It's not that hard to climb these beautiful limestone formation. It's not that sharp and there are plenty of branches that you can hold on to. Actually it's an advantage for rock climbers and mountaineers, but if you have the guts, muscle strength and endurance you'll definitely reach the top!



At last we're here. After Ascending those rocks, you have to descend in able get near the lagoon. We waited for awhile for the mysterious creature living here.

 Luckily we saw it, looks like it's finding for food and it's going towards our direction.

According to our tour guide, the story behind this 6 kilos mysterious fish happened  about 20 years ago, where 2 Bangus "milk fish" with unknown origin lived in this lagoon. During that time a man with his son went out to search for food for their family, unexpectedly, they found the said lagoon hidden behind the limestone rocks. They saw the 2 milk fishes, caught 1, brought it home and ate it. The day after, the family died. Since then, no one ever tried to catch the Bangus left anymore. No one also know what's the gender of the said fish. I ask our tour guide, why shouldn't they put a couple of Bangus there so that it will have some friends hehe, plus they can breed that bangus to other bangus and it will live happily ever after!hehe. They just prefer to leave it like that share to tourists.
Hope you can see this mystical bangus and experience the challenge as well!

August 1,2011

Happy Gala!

---felicitousgalaera :)

FOOD TRIP│ Bigg's Diner: Largest Food Chain in Bicol

In the heart of Naga, you'll find the oldest and one of the largest food chain in Bicol, the Bigg's Diner. Since 1983, it has been famous for it's cooked to order meals. It's not hard to find their restaurant, it's at Panganiban drive near St. Francis church and Naga Park.

This is their blue lighted counter.

BIGG'S INTERIOR

Diner's costumers can easily say that 50's inspired ambiance is quite interesting from other food chains.

 

Look at those vintage stuffs and how they posted it on their bricked wall.

FOOD

 

We ordered Pork chop with laing, well it took about 30-45mins. We're so hungry and they took a lot of time before they served it. Hmm but it I can say the food is good but when we ordered again and this time it's just an extra rice and halo-halo, it took again for the same minutes. Before we tasted the extras we're hungry again! haha.

W

Over-all I enjoyed Bigg's diner, maybe next time I'll try their pizzas. :)

DATE: JULY 30,2011

HAPPY GALA!

---felicitousgalaera :)

NAGA│Saint Francis Church

San Francisco Church

San Francisco Church is one of the oldest churches in Bicol and the oldest in Naga City. I noticed that it is surrounded by so many establishments like mall, market, hotel, restaurants and park,  "Naga Park".

In front left side of the church, you'll see the Statue of Saint Francis then just beside of it, a tablet of church's history is situated. Now, upon entering we'll see its beautiful interior.

Upon entering, you'll see how beautiful the church is.

See their ceiling? I so much love it! t's like there's a pool of water above the Altar. It adds to the solemnity of the place. So unique.

July 30,2011

HAPPY GALA!

---felicitousgalaera :)

NAGA│Metropolitan Naga Cathedral

Facade of Metropolitan Naga Cathedral

This is our first historical spot to visit in Naga City, 'Metro Naga'. Naga Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Philippines built in 1595 and was established during Nueva Caceres Diocese. The church gone so many nature challenges and able to restore for three times. The present structure was destroyed by fire in 1768 and was restored by 1843. Then it was damaged by a typhoon in 1856 and by an earthquake in 1887.

Every month of September, the Feast of  Peñafrancia, the largest and most famous feast in Bicol Region is celebrated. Our Lady of Peñafrancia Image is transferred inside the Cathedral coming from the Basilica Minore . This process is known for “Traslacion”. Countless devotees are present to the nine-day novena as a celebration of Virgin Mary’s annual festivities. 

This is the pavilion in front of the Cathedral. It serves as shelter for the image of the Our Lady of Penafrancia after the major processions: Traslacion (First Friday of September along the streets of Naga City from the Basilica to the Cathedral) and the Fluvial procession (8th day of the devotion, from the Cathedral to Basilica through the Bicol River).

The Holy Rosary Minor Seminary just beside the Cathedral.

Sad to say, I wasn't able to take plenty of pictures inside because of wedding mass going on, see that cute bridal car on my left? It was like everybody's looking at me  and wanted to ask "who are you?  why you're in shorts?" haha. 
July 30,2011


HAPPY GALA!
---felicitousgalara :)