Sun, Sand, Stone, Sea-renity
Date of Travel: February 25, 2013
Budget for Transporation: P500 each for a group composed of 9 persons.
From Naga City CBD II Van terminal, take a van (FilCab) ride going to San Jose, Sabang port for Php 100.00 per person. Travel time is approximately 1 hour and half. It's better to leave Naga City earlier like around 6:00 am, it means you have to be at the terminal earlier than 6am to have a good seat. Van does not leave until all seats are taken. This is pretty much the same way going Caramoan if you'll be taking the van and Sabang Port as the exit point.
* Check out the Guide Going to Caramoan CLICK HERE*
Scroll down and see how much it will cost you to have an adventure
at Aguirangan Island and Kinahulogan Falls.
San Jose Municipal Building
We rented a boat from The Gulftide Resort for Php 2,000.00
http://www.thegulftideresort.com/
I think are no regular trips going to Aguirangan island, just special trips. Not unlike the regular trips going to Caramoan where the fare is only Php 120.00 (March 2012 rate). Plus, renting your own boat for your group is very much advisable so that you'll have no worries on how to get home. The more persons in the group the cheaper the transportation expenses.
Since we were nine in the group..
Php 2,000 / 9 persons = Php 222.22
I think are no regular trips going to Aguirangan island, just special trips. Not unlike the regular trips going to Caramoan where the fare is only Php 120.00 (March 2012 rate). Plus, renting your own boat for your group is very much advisable so that you'll have no worries on how to get home. The more persons in the group the cheaper the transportation expenses.
Since we were nine in the group..
Php 2,000 / 9 persons = Php 222.22
From the port, approximate travel time going to Aguirangan Island is 40 minutes or less depending upon the water current.
Since summer was about to start during our travel, waves were a bit strong but still tolerable when we docked on the island. Notice how manong is holding on to the boat?
Cottages are available on the beach front and on the upper level of the island covered with trees. From afar you cannot even see that there are still cottages on this part of the island. A comfort room is available in this area for your personal necessities but you'll be using sea water to flush 'em. Manong caretaker will brief you were to swim and not to swim as well. Entrance fee is Php 35.00 (day rate) per person and cottage rental is Php 250.00 (beach front). Overnight fee is just a few peso higher than the day time rate. Manong caretaker is really keeping the island clean as possible. So for us excursionist, have a trash bag with you and never ever leave your garbage anywhere on the island.
Go 360 degree round the island for a photo shoot or perhaps look for sea creatures like what we did. When it's low tide, rocks on the other side of the island are visible.
I love this part, the sky...the mountain, the sand, the rocks and the rushing water as your background.
Fisheye photo
Iphone lens by Picksure Picksure
Sea urchins were a minimal during our stay, that's why we had to look for them. Haha
Shells embedded on rocks, star fishes hiding under the rocks still amazes whenever I am on beaches.
This is at the back part of the island, opposite side of the beach front.
A macro shot of the sand.
Iphone lens by Picksure Picksure
Around 3:30 pm we left Aguirangan Island and went on a side trip to one of the known falls in Barangay Kinahulogan, Lagonoy Camarines Sur for about a 20 minute boat ride. From the pebbly shore, a 5 to 10 minute walk will bring you to the Kinahulogan Falls.
Entrance Fee of 10.00 per person.
Half way you will see the unpaved road going to Presentacion. From San Jose Lagonoy, Kinahulogan can be reached by motorcycles or perhaps off-road cars. I have not tried taking a road trip going to Presentacion or even Caramoan that's why I have nothing to share about this road yet.
As you reach the end, you'll see the flowing water from the falls.
The water is icy cold and clear, the rocks on the sides are just mesmerizing. There's one little girl who kept on jumping back and forth into the water . See the child under water in red shirt in the photo. The water is a bit deep at the center.
According to the locals, there was an american before who fell into that falls that's why it was called "Kinahulogan Falls" kinahulogan siguro nung Americano hehe. So perhaps it's one urban legend in this place.
From being soaked in sea water the whole day, you'll definitely enjoy the fresh water from the falls.
It was getting dark and we had to go back and I noticed some locals making soft brooms.
The barangay is known as makers of walis tambo.
The kids playing near the breakwater.
The sound of the water rushing through the stone is very relaxing.
Since we arrived at the Sabang Port a little bit late, last trip for both jeepneys and vans already left. Plan B was to rent a jeepney going to Goa and from there vans and buses are still available at the terminal. Jeepney was Php 300.00, again we were 9 so roughly 30 pesos each. Fare from Sabang to Goa is 20 to 30 pesos perhaps.
And so we reached the van and bus terminal going to Naga. Filcab van fare is Php 80.00, just in case you want to take the bus, the fare is definitely lower.
The total transportation expenses were:
Php 100.00 - Naga to Sabang (Van)
Php 222.22 - Boat Rental Php 2,00.00
Php 35.00 - Entrance Fee Aguirangan Island
Php 27.78 - Cottage Rental Php 250.00
Php 10.00 - Kinahulogan Falls Entrance Fee
Php 33.33 - Jeepney Rental Sabang to Goa
Php 80.00 - Goa to Naga (Van)
TOTAL: Php 508.33
Note: If you reached Sabang port with vans still available, it means less the jeepney ride going to Goa making it Php 100.00 again for the van fare going directly to Naga making it Php 495.00 total expenses for the transportation.
For a day we were able to forget about work and stress and just enjoyed the Sun, Sand, Stone, and Sea bringing us serenity.
--0--
We had a pot luck for our lunch and brought our own utensils and drinking water which is very important when you are in Aguirangan. Cost of food may be around 200 to 300 per person depending upon the type of meals that you have and of course the snacks. All in all a Php 700 to 800 worth of adventure for a day in an island and freshwater escapade is really worth the budget.
Just in case you still have time to visit the church at San Jose, drop by and be amazed by its beauty. From the high ceilings and spacious isle. This church has been a favorite to many to those who visit the Partido area. This is just beside the Municipal Building.
Beside the church is a seminary.
ENJOY your SUMMER VACATION!!!
