Catanduanes Part 1: Palawig Beach, San Andres

Disclaimer: We are pretty much partial to virgin beaches. While we do like the convenience modern amenities offer like a jacuzzi, or a nice bathroom or a by the shore bar, there is nothing that could compare to unspoiled beaches. Sure, the sea is teeming with different plants and fishes, but hey that is how it is suppose to be. Just have a beach slipper with you, one which you could buy for about fifty pesos in SM.

How to go to Catanduanes: I personally recommend RSL bus liner (785 pesos one way), it is clean and very comfortable. Ride is about 10 to 12 hours to get from Cubao to the Tabaco pier. From the pier, you take a three hour ferry ride to San Andres, Catanduanes (120 pesos). The ferry is clean, the service efficient and prompt. Advice: Spare yourself the trouble and don't ride inside the aircon part of the ferry, take bonamine an hour before the ride (if you are prone to motion sickness) and ride the ordinary part where you could feel the ocean breeze.

We went on a clear summer day, the weather was great and the ferry ride was awesome!!! The pacific ocean was awesome!!! I never knew that blue could take in so many different shades. The only thing I disliked was this group of stupid people who would throw their plastic wrappers in the ocean. I think there should be a law that throws them instead. Anyways, an hour into the ride, a few meters from us, there were dolphins jumping up and down. Talo ang mga water parks. One word - paradise.

What: Palawig Beach, San Andres Catanduanes After about a 15 hour ride, we took an hour's rest to pay respect to our relatives and also to take a bath. We then proceeded to go to the beach via a 15 minute motorcycle ride. Beach number one is palawig. There's a decent resort there, Amenia beach resort. It is not as nice as the one in puerto del Sol, but it would do. Typical cottages, the occassional stray dog... But whatever the resort lacked, the beauty of the whole island compensated for it.

Why: It was low tide and we had to trek the beach to go to the deeper parts. Tin took her snorkel to go towards the deep end. My snorkel got murdered at Amanpulo so I had to settle with my goggles. I think Speedo brand is quite okay for both snorkel and goggles. You don't have to waste your money on anti fog thingies though as you could crush malunggay leaves on your goggles and their juice is just as effective. Remember to rinse with seawater before putting them on. You could see some fishes, a couple of starfishes... but the real good part about this was that you could pick your own hole and make your own utopia.

How Much: It was a public beach so we decided to ditch the Amenia Resort and save ourselves money. We looked for some high ground, planted our bag there and then frolicked in the sun. I buried my wallet somewhere so that it would be safe. Zero pesos. Exaggeration. But maybe about fifty pesos to gas up your motorcycle.

Food: Local stores: Coke 1.5 L = 35 pesos. Junk food = 50 pesos. Fun = priceless. Remember our lesson on bare necessities? Sugar and MSG are essential.

Rinsing Off: We knocked on some house, and via a pump, just washed the sand off. We then rode the motorcycle and dried ourselves during the ride. If you want to live the good life, stop by one of the local halo halo stands which sells one for about five to ten pesos. They use powdered milk instead of evaporated milk - i like that twist.

Conclusion: I give this two ipods. Two because it's not as "untouched" as I thought it would be, but it deserves its place as a must see beach for me.