Catanduanes :Mamangal Beach

Looking past these wonderful rice fields, a little of rough roads and a few coastal villages, 

you'll see the Mamangal Beach. 

The said unspoiled beach is located in Brgy. Balite, Virac, Catanduanes,

Upon arrival, the visitors need to pay the entrance fees. 

The sprawling beauty is blessed with cream, near-powdery sand lined with trees

which provides cool and shady places for relaxation and picnics. 

One may opt to go for a dip in the clear blue water,

go skim boarding, just like what the locals do, 

or just hang around -- enjoy the sea breeze, listen to the chirping birds, 

watch waves coming ashore, 

walk along the beach or chill with friends. 

goofing around with my bestie. :) 

Notes: 

One can reach the Mamangal Beach by hailing a motorcycle. 

It's only around 20 mins away from Virac. 

Catanduanes Day 2 Itinerary

1. Puraran Beach

Dubbed as the "Majestic," the beach offers wonders to the surfer enthusiasts.  It was the name given by the famous photographer in Hawaii way back in 1988.  As per the locals, the waves could reach up to 6 feet on good days and higher during peak seasons. 

2. Pag-Asa Weather Station

A Doppler radar station which was inaugurated by Pres. Aquino last 2012 was funded by the Japanese government.  It promises to provide a real-time and a more accurate weather forecast in the future.   

3. Bato Church 

A Filipino-Spanish inspired architecture, the church was reconstructed in 1800's for 50 years under polo system.  And has withstood natural calamities and other tests of time.   It stands parallel to Bato River. 

4.  Maribina Falls 

A 5-meter waterfall is the most accessible and most famous waterfall in the province.   It's an excellent spot for family and friends bonding.   It's coined from the name of 2 barangays, the Marinawa and Binanwahan. 

5. Luyang Cave

A cave which showcased a huge part of the province's history.  Luyang cave used to be a hiding place of the natives against their Moro attackers during the 18th century.   And later on, the site became their burial place as they suffocated themselves when they burn the dried twigs to drive their invaders away. 

6. Batong Paloway
A place that one shouldn't miss when in Catanduanes is visiting the miraculous stone located in San Andres.  The Our Lady of Sorrow's image is etched on the stone that has gradually increased over time.    At present, the undistorted image can be seen by the naked eyes.

7.  Mamangal Beach 

An unexploited beach with the most relaxing atmosphere in Catanduanes.   The drive is quite rough and bumpy, but it's all worth it.   One can enjoy watching the waves and the sea while seating under a tree and nibbling over something.  This is also one of the best places to watch the sunset. :) 

Catanduanes Day 1: Departure From Tabaco CIty

An escapade we didn't plan ahead of time. 

My best friend and I were just playing around when this trip came about. 

We started out by going to Tabaco City in Albay from Naga City proper. 

We took a van for less than Php300 one way
with a travel time of more than an hour.

When we arrived in Tabaco City, 

we headed to the port where ferries were off to Catanduanes, either Virac or San Andres. 

*Tabaco port still showed the aftermath of a typhoon that struck the province a few months ago. 

Catanduanes : Maribina Falls

From Bato Church, we also visited Maribina Falls, 

which is the famous and most accessible waterfalls in the province. 

It is located in a secluded yet unexplored spot in Catanduanes that

is surrounded by lush green vegetation. 

The 5-meter high waterfalls offer refreshing rapids of crystal clear waters. 

Lucky, when we arrived at the spot, only 2 people were enjoying the place. 

Thus, we managed to take good snapshots of the place and had an awesome dip. 

Yey!

Catanduanes Day 2 : PAG-ASA Weather Station

Following the visit from the Puraran Beach, we headed to the Catanduanes Weather Station. 

Last May 2012, President Benigno Aquino inaugurated the newest radar station 

in Bato, Catanduanes.

It is the first of the three  Doppler radars that were built in the Philippines using the 

SSMRS (Solid-State Meteorological Radar System) which was developed by Japan. 

The construction of the radar station was backed up by the Japanese government which

promises to provide a more accurate weather forecast in the future. 

PAG-ASA now can monitor the weather conditions extensively. 

It could measure the rainfall, gauge the destructive winds and could transmit and analyze real-time information. 

Catanduanes : Luyang Cave

A cave located in San Andres is full of history. 

It was used by the natives as a refuge against their Moro attackers during the 18th century. 

Catanduanes : St. John the Baptist Church

Soon after our short visit to the PAG-ASA weather station, 

we halted in the oldest church in Bato, Catanduanes, the St. John the Baptist Church, or commonly

known as Bato Church. 

The church was established in the 1500's and was initially made of wood.  

It was reconstructed during the 1800's under the polo system of forced labor for more than 50 years using mortal and coral stones. 

Dubbed as the second largest church in Bicol region, the church is a perfect example of mid-colonization Filipino-Spanish architecture. 

The church also has survived wars, typhoon, fires and other ravages of time. 

And the bell tower which was used as a warning sign during the WWII against the Japanese guerillas still

stood at its tower. 

LOOk Away

If you looked in the corners, 

You'd find her right there

Hidden by darkness

And the curls in her hair

Her nose in a book

With her head in the clouds,

Hiding her feelings

Away from the crowds,

If you sat by her side,

While the world passed you by,

She'd tell you her story,

Behind the pain in her eyes,

If you gave her five minutes,

You'd see her smile,

Makes even the bad things

In life seem worthwhile

But you don't look in corners

You  don't even glance

So she sits there still waiting 

To be given a chance. 

- e. h. 

Catanduanes Day 2: Puraran Beach

Dubbed as the Surfing Capital of Catanduanes, 

Puraran beach in Baras offers the majestic waves which the province truly boast. 

The serene place is not only for surfers but also for beach lovers as well.  

We woke up the following day in a breezy cold morning. 

The sun was hiding behind the bright clouds. 

We knew that any moment there would be cloudburst. 

From our nipa huts, we headed to one of the cottages near the shore. 

We admired the view before us, the waves, the sand, the mountains...

We took in everything before the predicted rainfall. 

Pre-Birthday Dinner at Ocean Basket

Last Tuesday, I had my early day at work, and this is the day!!! 

A pre-birthday dinner for ate Monins!! ^_^ 

It's time to try the Ocean Basket!!

So excited!!! 

It's a South African restaurant which opened last year.  

This is part of the international expansion of the famous seafood restaurant chain of South Africa. 

My gals have tried it before but because my roommate had her cravings, so they have to give in. 

And this time I am with them. 

Wooohooo!

While waiting for our orders, 

we were served with bread, butter and a few dips - garlic, green pepper, and tartar. 

For our main course,

we had a Full Deck Platter which consists of 30 pcs of Prince Prawns, Mussels,

Calamari Steak Strips, fries, rice and the Catch of the Day. 

This can be shared by 4 people.

Awesome right?