Ironwulf.net: En Route – The Philippines, Travel, Photography Blog

I hear the heavy clacking sound of the engines as it starts and the loud honk of the train signalling any living beings to move away from its path. There’s a low grumbling noise under my feet as if something just woke up from a long time slumber. Yes, the Philippine National Railways has revived the Bicol Express and just last night, it started its first commercial run in years. Like a dragon that just woke up, the train howled as it cuts through urban Manila as it heads to Naga City in Bicol.

We’re still in Caramoan and if you still haven’t bagged your shades, swim wear, sun tan or sun block lotion, it’s time to do so, because it’s the beach all the way from here and the peninsula has a lot of them!

This will be the first in the series about Caramoan. Since there are some people asking how to get there, this would serve as a simple guide.

Caramoan Peninsula has numerous stretches of beaches that would satisfy even the most discerning beach bum. With a number of islands each with unique features, you could just point to any stretch of beach you see and just enjoy the solitude with your friends. And to start it off, one of my favorite beaches in the peninsula located at the island of Balibagan, called Sabitan Laiya.

It’s been one long journey to and fro, but to be able to see this gem of place was worthy enough for a holy week adventure. Caramoan Peninsula has the qualities of El Nido, my friend who was able to visit the place says, but on a smaller scale. It has numerous stretches of white sand beaches and a couple of them that can rival that of Boracay’s, less the annoying crowd and establishments, and it has caves and an underground river that can compare to Cagayan but on a smaller scale as well. Combined though this is one eco-adventure destination worth a visit.