Since summer is about to come, beaches will be the number one destination spot for all the people borned adventurous who are fond to witness every place that has something to be proud of. White sand, blue-green saltwater, and majestic view are one of the criterias of everyone in finding which beach they are going to target. Those things will be captured using their cameras and uploaded on different social media sites so they will not be left behind on what is trend during summer. But the questions are: How much are they willing to spend to experience an extraordinary summer getaway? Is their budget enough to shoulder all the expenses from fare, food and even accomodation to resorts? What if there is a hidden paradise island which is comparable to the aesthetic panorama of Boracay island and Calaguas Island that is untold to the people? Where people don’t have to go farther to reach the destination? Where people just need minimal cost to disburse?
An islet located at Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte which possesses the criterias mentioned above that will totally give every tourist an everlasting and unforgetable escapade… Welcome to – CALANANAY ISLAND.
Just like what people say “Hanggang saan aabot ang *insert certain amount of money* mo?”. I never imagined that on the month of November, I would experience a memorable two-day vacation at Jose Panganiban. Together with my family who planned to visit my uncle living in that area, we drove on my step father’s tricycle. From Daguit, which is part of Labo, we traveled for almost 20 minutes until we reached the Talobatib, the boundary between the route going to Manila and route going to Jose Panganiban and Paracale. I was at the back of the tricycle since there was no space for me inside the said vehicle. I enjoyed how the sun set itself to the west. As the time passed by, the night was getting colder and colder but I could still manage to warm myself. It took 25 minutes after we stopped at the boundary between the roadway of Jose Panganiban and Paracale. We bought pasalubongs and foods to eat during our roadtrip while reaching our destination. Subsequent to the location of my uncle’s house and the island, we passed to Jose Panganiban. After 30 minutes, we arrived at the house of my uncle. Talk, Eat and Rest – these are the things that we had done that night.
The next day, as part of the plan, my family said that the purpose of going there was not only to visit my uncle but also to have fun at the island hiding in the progressive livelihood in the town. With all the foods we had brought including clothes and cameras, we sailed on the sea. Since my uncle has a friend who owned a ship which can transport us to that paradise island, we were free from any expenses which might be incured by the fare. Yes, what you have read is correct, all of us did not pay any amount of money. But according to the sailor, if we would rent a ship, it would cost 500 pesos every person. That time, I guess I can say “Mas Masarap talaga kapag Libre”. As we passed by to different island, the excitement engulfed me especially my mom who recorded videos as remembrance since the chances of going there are once in a blue moon. Aside from the happiness, I coudn’t deny the fact that I was, no, we all were afraid that the means of our transporation might be destroyed by the strong waves and wind. We prayed and asked for His guidance so we can go there safely. As we were getting closer and closer, I was mesmerised by the white sand of the sea shore. All of the scenery there were so magical and I didn’t expect that in a blink of my eyes I had witnessed it.
When we landed on the shore, I was overwhelmed. What I did was I set aside our stuffs and put it in the safe place. I got my phone and took as many photos as I could. I had plenty of beautiful shots that revealed the stunning view of Calananay island. Yes, it took us how many hours going there, but seeing how beautiful it was, the exhaustion we had felt were worth it. I will come back there. I must come back there.
Reminiscing my childhood memories, I remembered how my dad buried me in the sand of the beach at Batangas City. I decided to do it again because it’s been 8 years since I had done it. My younger brother and my sister buried me in the pure and white sand since my dad was not around because he is working abroad as an OFW.
I got shells as souvenir. I also saw different sea creatures such as sea urchins, leeches and starfish that were jaw dropping when you have observed it with your naked eye. I explored every part of the island making sure that there was nothing to miss.
Nevertheless, the only problem that any tourist might encounter was the sleeping area because as I said, it was untold to people, if it was, only few knew it, therefore, there was no establishment of cabin. But looking at the brighter side and another angle of the issue, it can be considered as blessings in disguise because it may not be a burden to people because they don’t have to pay for rental fees as accomodation to any luxurious resort, instead, they just need to bring tents and enough sleeping kits such as pillows and blankets. It can also provide them a free-star gazing where stars are more visible during midnight with a breeze atmosphere. Less cost, more experience. People don’t have to pay a large amount of money to experience a trek that will last, what they need is practicality because even though they don’t spend too much money, they can still experience an everlasting trip like our voyage in Calananay island.
Going back to my uncle’s house, I can’t resist not to be sad because it seemed that the time I had spent in the island was not really enough. However, I was fortunate because I am now equipped with the memories I had gained on the isle. Photos are the evidences that I really had a great tour in Calananay island. Now, I can say that sometimes, uploading photos in social media sites does not only mean that you are going with the flow and what are vogue in the internet, most of the time, it is also collecting photos on that platform so you can look at it immediately when you want to know again how it felt being in that situation.
I am a millennial. One of the offsprings of 21st century people. I was born in Quezon City but the fate pushed me here in Bicol. I am inclined in travelling to different places which can actually relieve and wash away all the stressfull activities I had gone through in my everyday life. I can proudly say that I am one of the Bicolanos and Calananay island is located in my home province.
#C A L A N A N A Y I S L A N D
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