Baler | Serene Weekend at L’Sirene Boutique Resort

L'Sirene Jacuzzi Pool

It was more than 13 years ago when I first set foot in Aurora. It was an exciting road trip with friends. From Manila, we drove through the Sierra Madre mountains down to Baler. Though I am fully aware of the surfing scene boom and the growing development of the province, I only got the chance to go back this early September when I chanced upon a good getaway deal at Deal Grocer for a three days and two nights stay at L’Sirene Boutique Resort in Baler. The resort looked hip and stylish, and the remote location made it even more appealing to me. It would make an ideal base for exploration and relaxation.

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Travel Guide Catanduanes

Binurong Point Catanduanes

Often battered and in the front-line of incoming storms, Catanduanes has often been out of the radar for most travelers in the Philippines. But this island province, unbeknownst to many, holds a lot of natural wonders and activities that would keep adventure travelers and nature explorers occupied. One would lead to discover pristine beaches, enchanting lagoon, stunning rock formations, sweeping cliffs, alluring waterfalls and age old churches. There’s something here for everyone.

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Baras Catanduanes | From Binurong Point to Puraran Surf

Binurong Point in Baras

Moving from up from Bato, Catanduanes is the municipality of Baras. Made highly popular because of the surfing waves in Puraran which placed Catanduanes on the tourist map. Now with different areas of Catanduanes opening up and placed under the spotlight, we’ll discover that there is more to the island than surfing and the abaca industry. In the recent years, Binurong Point has been abuzz. Situated at the easternmost point of the island province, the area greets any storm head on coming from the Pacific seas. Resulting on a spectacularly rugged landscape sculpted by battering storms and passing time.

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Bato Catanduanes | Carorian Adventure and Bato Church Rocks!

The Poseidon Rock

As if we were not wowed enough by what we found up north Catanduanes in Pandan, we ventured southeast of the Happy Island to find more amazement in the municipality of Bato. From Virac, it’s an 11km ride to the municipality of Bato. A familiar route on my first visit are the numerous waterfalls in the area, including Maribina Falls. But I never knew Carorian Adventure off the coast of Bato was something to rave about. We just got a taste and I’m already thinking when I’ll be back here.

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Pandan Catanduanes | Tuwad-tuwadan Blue Lagoon and Cagnipa Hills

Eagle view of the Tuwad-tuwadan Blue Lagoon

How does it feel to be at the northern tip of an island often first to be battered by storms when they enter the country? It feels strangely fascinating and fantastic at the same time. Pandan is the northernmost municipality of Catanduanes. And judging by the numerous photos of attractions posted on the billboards during our municipal visit, there are a lot to see here. From historical churches, gorgeous beaches, caves and jaw-dropping vistas. Since we had limited time we visited what could be considered as the highlights – Carangyan Beach, Tuwad-Tuwadan Blue Lagoon and Cagnipa Hills.

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Caramoran | Palumbanes Islands and Hitoma Lake

Approaching Tignob Island of Palumbanes Islands

Not to be mistaken by the similarly sounding Caramoan in Camarines Sur, Caramoran is a municipality, northwest of Catanduanes. The name admittedly came from the former when people would point to the former which is just on the opposite side of the strait separating the provinces. Not to be left off as a shade of its homonymic neighbor, Caramoran, one of the largest municipality in Catanduanes, boast the idyllic isles of Palumbanes Islands and languid Hitoma Lake on land. This is the second part of my return visit to the Happy Island of Catanduanes in conjunction with the 2018 Abaca …

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Caramoan Peninsula Revisited: Matukad Island, Tugawe Cove and Honungan Cove

Matukad Island of Caramoan Peninsula

I had fond memories of Caramoan Peninsula early in my years of travel. Low limestone islands, captivating azure waters, a few caves and pristine white beach on several islands of the peninsula. That was more than a decade ago. Before the popular reality show Survivor decided shoot here and placed the islands on the world wide spotlight. It was only recent that I had a chance to go back and see how popularity have changed the place. I may have not visited all the places I had been before but this day tour sojourn was enough to satisfy my curiosity.

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