Byahe Na!

I did mention about some more activities for the remaining part of the month and... I'm Back!

I had a FABULOUS (hi Ruby!) time in Bicol this weekend. Spent with two very good friends, two new friends and a group of really wonderful people who, despite our limited interaction has made me feel at home in a new place.

Teddy and Ruby, former office mates in Pramerica invited me to (or should I say I got myself invited by them -to be more accurate) go to Bicol for a chance to join a group from the local government and the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to see the Caramoan Peninsula and it's potential for eco-tourism. Although I have been invited by them several times already, I knew this is the perfect time to join. First because I have no office work to worry about, and last because "we'll travel in style baby!"

Aboard the Governor's yacht, we spent two days cruising the Caramoan Peninsula, an untouched peninsula in the coast of Camarines Sur with fine white beaches - our baby in the group Anthony even calls one island the "milk shake beach" because of the sand quality. Superb! They say even better than Boracay : especially because we were way ahead of the crowd and the market place. Some islands in the peninsula are like marvelous rock gardens standing proud and formidable, regaled by their flourishing flora and fauna. One island even has a "bukal" (spring) at its heart. Amazing Caramoan! I took most of my swims in the late afternoon when the sun is not as bright, and it's just me enjoying a good time in the pristine water. There are hardly any rock formations nor corals or weeds near the bay. Just you, the water and the fine sand. Perfect for swimming.

Water quality is simply the best too! Since we were traveling the whole time, we would jump out of the water and back to the yacht again several times taking no shower - yet the water is so clean you feel like you've gotten out of fresh water anyway. The only thing you remove in the shower is the sand. One time as I look down on the clear water on board a speed boat, it revealed a magnificent display of coral garden underneath just like that! I remember the time I got in a glass bottom boat i Bohol to see some corals. This one did not need a special boat. We saw manta rays while cruising as well.

Of course, not to mention the feasts! They sure know what hospitality means! There was a time when the group was in an island swimming, the natives of the island sensing that lunch would be late prepared a feast of their day's catch of varied grilled fishes. The best!

On the third day, we spent half day just cruising back to Naga. Then we had lunch at an Oriental Restaurant in one of the hotels in the Centro. I don't know what the eel dishes were called but they were superb with the resto's freshly baked bread! Grabe this is the most memorable dish of the trip! Then, we feasted on halo-halo with cheese on top the ube ice cream and fresh fruits.

Afterwards, we again travelled to the local government's deer farm for some photos. Then back to the Capitolyo’s guest house for a nice chat with our companions while waiting for dinner. It was only then that I had a chance to chat some of the people in the delegation. Since most of them were busy in our trip doing their thing, it was nice we had some time to chill as the Governor met some people way till about nine in the evening. Afterwhich we went to a place called “Bob Marlin” for a nice combination of grilled fishes and the best Crispy Pata and hito I have ever tasted! We retired with content bellies and exhausted bodies. : )

The next day was the day I have been looking forward to during the whole trip. This is the day we will encounter the Whale Sharks. “Butanding” as the locals call it is the largest specie of fish in the world. Donsol Sorsogon, the Whale Shark capital of the world boasts of a concentration of Butandings in their water and has taken advantage of the tourism promise of the Butandings.

When we arrived, we registered at the tourism office and got ourselves assigned to a Butanding Interaction Officer. Our friend Hart who grew up in Connecticut was amazed that there were only eleven boats out that day. He has gone to diving trips on board for a week in different places before and this is the first time he’ll see a whale shark. He expected more people lining up for this tour.

Anyway, so off we went to see our dear Butanding. I was told the adrenalin rush of being asked to get down the boat as soon as a Butanding is spotted could tire you easily. Well, it did happen to me but not my companions. They dove more than ten times and took several pictures of the Butanding up close. In front, beside, under… name it. It was the photo op of a life time!

As for me, I only dove twice. The first time I missed it because of my snorkel. I prayed to God to let me see it the next time because I don’t want to try several times before I see one and worse… not see a single Butanding. Wish granted. Though the difference between our first sighting to the second was about thirty minutes, I was more than satisfied with my three-minute encounter with the Butanding. The second one simply was bigger, slower and friendlier than the first one. He just swam slowly until I had my fill. When I jumped to water, it was not yet visible. Slowly it began to appear, with mouth open… swimming to my direction. Because this one was really slow, I had the chance to look at it’s every part until I was over its tail already – that was when I refused to move my feet anymore as it was so close I ran the risk of kicking it’s tail. Amazing! Really breathtaking. I felt so small and insignificant. God sure knows what BIG means!

That one encounter was enough for me. In the bus going home to Manila, I found myself twitching at the memory of the encounter. Simply remarkable!

We were graciously treated to two more wonderful meals afterwards. The group has gone from cold to warm… and yes, it was just when the time was ripe to say our goodbyes. But one thing is sure… we all had a great time.

Thanks to the generosity and hospitality of our gracious hosts - Ted’s relatives : Gov. LRay, Nonoy, Ricky, Kulot, Tita Puring. The company of Micah (events coordinator), Lorie (WWF), Wyg (Photographer par excel lance), Jay (photo), Ric (Photo), Doming( Photo), Cecille ( Writer and Wine Expert) , Robert ( Tourism Consultant), Boom (Videographer/Director) and his son brilliant Anthony,Mayor Francis Benemerito of Caramoan and the other nameless people who were there to make the trip possible. Thanks too to my new found friends Hart and his girl Rhea --- for the good laughs! Hope to see you two another time. And of course to Teddy who was generous enough to take me along the trip.

As for me… I had no contribution whatsoever. I just had a GOOD TIME! ;)