Binarabudan Cold Spring - Gulang-Gulang, Irosin, Sorsogon

Mount Bulusan

Lush Vegetation 

the path

Some say the best thing in life is free. In Irosin, Sorsogon  and nearby towns there are natural springs that are open for public without entrance fee. One of them is the Binarabudan Cold Spring, which is located in Brgy. Gulang-Gulang, Irosin, Sorsogon. Binarabudan is a local term for spring, it is derived from the word burabod meaning spring. No trail signs to go there, one can ask a local to guide them in going to the spring. It is nestled on the foot of the Bulusan Volcano. Along the Maharlika Highway near Guest World Resort and Inn, in front of Soreco II office there is a path leads to the spring. Just ask the locals along the way they are helpful and gracious to give u  the direction.

Natural Pool

Salog means river

We had more or less 20 minutes trek. Our nephew was gone to the place but he forgot the exact way. It was fun for we don’t know where the right path so what we did was followed the passage of the water. We knew at the end of that water is the spring.  Along the way we were looking and were in awe of the beautiful  scenery, lush vegetation, butterflies flying over us and of course the full view of the Bulusan Volcano.

While walking we could hear the laughter of the people enjoying the water. The deep of the water is more or less 2-4 feet. It is surrounded by trees, ferns, wild plants and boulders. There is a huge stone serves as diving spot.

Diving Spot-Dive on your own risk

At first the water is cold but as time goes on, it’s so refreshing and relaxing. The water is crystal clear and there are fish in it. Why not experience swimming with the fish in a natural spring. We tasted the water right on the spring, it's cold and refreshing one. There is another spring nearby which the water supply of the Barangay Gulang-Gulang is coming from. This is the water reservoir of the community.

Great to explore places that not the usual destination for tourists. Hope the picnic goers and the local officials can maintain the cleanliness. Till next time.

Mount Volcano- Walkway to the old volcano and Stations of the Cross

 

After our stop in Ardent Hibok-hibok Spring Resort, we wanted to go to the white island, a sandbar, but we couldn’t because it was high tide plus the weather was so bad. Our next stop was the walkway to the old volcano, which has the 14 stations of the crosss depicting the passion of Christ. Located in Barangay Bonbon, Catarman, Camiguin. It is the memorial to the dead from the eruption in the 1950s.

This tourist spot is a famous tourist destination in Camiguin Island on Lenten Season; it is a pilgrimage site for Roman Catholic devotees. It’s their way of penitence, trekking on the 8 kilometer path while contemplating and renewing their faith. Every holy week locals and tourists specially the devotees observe the Panaad festival, which means a festival of promise. Usually devotees have that promise to visit and penitence for the wrong doings they done. 

Although one does not need to be Christian to admire the beauty of the pilgrimage site. Mt. Vulcan is also known as the Old Volcano which is a contradictory because it is the youngest volcano on the island; it was discovered during the 1871 eruption.

The environmental fee is very minimal P 5.00. We paid it after our trek. On the other side of the road, there are food stall and souvenir shops.

The walkway is covered with trees serve as the shades; the steps are concrete in the first few meters. Along the way there were vandals on the pavement, which are covered of moss. What we enjoyed most on our trek was the breath taking scenery over looking the Camiguin Island and of course the fresh air. It was relieving being kissed by cold breeze and smell of fresh air. There were just few tourists at that time so we had the time to frolic. The bad thing was we were hungry and we were just munching on chips and crackers after we reached the 7^th station we resigned. Lol so we slowly went back. Lesson of the day eat first before embarking on the vigorous and time bounded tour. It’s great too because we have reason to go back to Camiguin Island because we have unfinished business. See you again Mount Volcano- Walkway to the old volcano and Stations of the Cross!

Katibawasan Falls - Mambajao Camiguin

It was a rainy day when we reached Camiguin, windy and cold but didn’t stop us from exploring the province born of fire. Our first stop was in Katibawasan Falls, which is located 5 kilometers from the capital of Camiguin the town of Mambajao.

 

We were hungry so we looked for something to eat and our eyes were caught by the native delicacy Kiping.  It is a must try when one is in this area, Katibawasan falls.

While we were enjoying the kiping, we heard the sound of the surging water. The people in there said that there was a flood and we couldn’t swim. They told that we can just enjoy the view if we want to. From a far we could see the chocolate colored waterfalls cascading. Even we knew we couldn’t bathe nor swim still we got inside to see and enjoy the spectacular view of majestic waterfalls of the Katibawasan.

We were in awe while watching the surging of water cascading 250 feet. The natural rock pool of chocolate colored water surrounded by trees, wild ferns, boulders and flowering plants gave us the feeling of enchantment.

Katibawasan falls is under the maintenance of the provincial government that’s why the entrance fees are minimal:

Adults – P 20.00

Children – P 5.00

Students – P 15.00

Picnic tables, chairs and comfort rooms are available for use. I wished there was a cafeteria so we could enjoy the place while resting. After taking pictures we had to leave because we just had a day to explore the Province of Camiguin.

Till then Camiguin.

Dampalitan Island in Padre Burgoz, Quezon

After few hours of exploring and frolicking in Borawan, Dampalitan Island was our next and last stop. This island can be seen from the Borawan Island, just 15 minutes of boat ride we reached it. It is the greenest among the three of the islands in the package tour that we took. There are agoho trees that greeted us as we were approaching. We could see sea urchins on the water bed. The sun was high, too hot already. I couldn’t wait to jump off the boat to be shielded by those mighty agoho trees. There was a hammock just right to refresh and rest for awhile. 

White beach but I noticed a lot of broken sea corals. Hope it’s not from dynamite fishing. It was low tide so we couldn’t really swim but we could see some variety of small fish, jelly fish, seaweeds and sea shells. We soaked and watched the fishes swimming right before our eyes. There are many fish pens nearby the beach. We were the only tourists at that time.

After just few minutes we left the island and had a shower in Vista Playa for 10.00 pesos per head. Home sweet home. It was indeed an adventure. Till Then. 

Borawan Island in Padre Burgoz, Quezon

Our boatmen arrived 10:05am in Puting Buhangin Island to transfer us to the second Island Borawan. It is the most famous among the three islands in the package tour we took. Borawan Island has stunning limestone rocks like of that in Palawan and long stretch of shoreline. My first impression right away was wow, this island is stunning. I told the boatmen that they could have just called this island by the old name. Because yes the limestone cliffs are like of that in Palawan but the sand is far from of that in Boracay. But of course it’s for marketing purposes, easy name recall, Borawan, to attract more tourists because it has two in one view of Palawan and Boracay. According to the boatmen the old name of this island was Escalero.

In this island is where the campers usually camp because it has better facilities than two islands, Puting Bahangin and Dampalitan islands. Our tour guide told us that there is a hotel project in the island to be erected soon. More developments coming up to this island.

The entrance fee is 80.00 pesos per head. Since that is already included in the package we didn’t pay, but we had no cottage reserved for us because we were supposed to stay overnight in here. We opted to camp in Puting Buhangin instead. My sister's blanket served us our picnic mat. No plan to stay longer because we still had one island to visit. Just have our lunch and proceed to explore the island.

We were in awe seeing all the wonderful spots. Taking pictures every corner of the island. We had fun in taking wacky pictures literally had frolicking activity.

My sister and I did snorkeling again. Watching the fishes swimming with us. It was fun. Although the water is not crystal clear. On the right side the shoreline is long, white sand. Beautiful view. Even it was so hot we explored this side of the island. We were lucky when we were there just few tourists. Perfect to enjoy the island. I observed some did cliff diving, trekking and kayaking.

I noticed one thing in common in Puting Buhangin and Borawan, the bathroom (comfort room) has fee. It is disgusting why have to pay for the usage of the bathroom when it should be included in the amenities. What if the tourist would just pee or poop anywhere? That’s for hygienic purposes it should be free. Come on there is already an entrance fee. The worst thing every time one would pee one should pay 10.00 pesos although one can pay 50.00 pesos for unlimited pee. For pooping 20.00. Funny it was my first time to do island hopping with a fee in using the bathroom. Only in Quezon Province.

Tourism Board of Padre Burgos should look into it that’s for hygienic purposes. Our ocean is not a huge bathroom.

This island has too much room for improvement and with proper care of the tourists; this will be surely a hit to the adventurers, especially for the people from the provinces nearby. 

Puting Buhangin also known as Kuwebang Lampas-Pagbilao, Quezon Province

Front Beach

Our first destination for our Borawa-Dampalitan-Puting Buhangin Islands Adventure was the Puting Buhangin also known as Kuwebang Lampas. Among the three islands the finest sand is in this Island, Puting Buhangin or White Beach. This island has a cave called Kuwebang Lampas because the mountain made of limestone with a huge hole, which makes it looks like a cave. Kuweba in English means cave and Lampas means through. The passage has been formed by waves. That’s why during high tide visitors should be careful because it is almost covered by the water.

Front Beach

The view coming from the cave is stunning, very panoramic. On the right side there is another short stretch of shoreline, white sand too. We tried to reach that area, as we were walking we saw crabs, fishes, shells, the marine ecosystem is so rich and half way I saw a sea snake (walo-walo) crawling near a crab. I got scared that we decided to come back to the cave.

Kuwebang Lampas

Right Side of Kuwebang Lampas

On the side of the island facing the Pagbilao point of entry, the shoreline is different, it’s rocky. If you would come from this entry the trail is rocky and muddy. You have to trek. The light house can be seen from this side. My friend and I went to this side but we went back to the camp site because it was already getting dark, but she asked our other friend to come with her and they explored this side of the island. Some tourists coming from Pagbilao, this is their point of entry. But in our case we took the tour coming Padre Burgos that's why we dropped off the front beach.

While we were resting on the sand we saw a cat climbing the coconut tree. So we took picture of it. Nice cat knows how to climb with style.

One of our companions said that he knows how to eat sea urchin because when he was in Bohol he was taught how to clean and eat it. Our group decided to get some sea urchins, the good thing in this island the tourists can go fishing and collect some sea shells without fee. We saw some had fishing rods, catching fish. Eating the sea urchins was a challenge for each of us; all of them said that the taste was like of oyster. I cheated didn't try it, maybe someday I could.

The water is crystal clear that we could see the sand clearly. We enjoyed snorkeling because too many fish and they were literally swimming with us.

We spent the night in here; the tents were included in the entrance and overnight fee of 180.00 pesos per head. We were 7 and we got 3 tents, the zipper of the one we got was broken. I called the attention of the caretaker he said he would look for another one and we should not get worry because during the night he would transfer our tents to the open cottages. But sad to say he didn’t do what he said, the lesson you should bring your own tent. I covered the tent with a shawl. It's good the island is safe although in the middle of of the night the rain fell. Stargazing and endless talking were the activities of us during the night. 

In this island it’s a real survivor way of living. The grills for barbecue and stove for cooking are on the ground. The bathrooms are just two, one for boys and one for girls, no lights and not so clean. They have makeshift shower room made of coconut leaves without roof, the flooring is the weeds. Using the bathroom one has to pay 10.00 pesos for urinating and 20.00 for pooping.  No free water for rinsing, one container of water not purified is 50.00 pesos. That’s why before you go to this island better bring your own water, what we did was we used the purified water that we brought. Purified water is 55.00 pesos in Vista Playa, asked your boatmen to buy some for you. At night there were mosquitoes because there is a swamp in the middle of the island where mangroves are. Don’t forget to bring your own lights/rechargeable lamps for there is no electricity, extra batteries for gadgets and camera, mosquito repellent and sunblock cream too. The irony was that the signal of the smart telecommunication company (3G) in this island was strong that we could do live streaming and video calling, different from Manila. 
Have Fun and Enjoy your stay in this island.