I had asked almost everyone in the office whether it was a good idea to go to CamSur last weekend. It is difficult to make a decision when the weather flits from cloudy to rainy to sunny to cloudy. Though the weather forecast said it was just going to be light showers, and there was no typhoon coming, I had only been able to decide 2 hours before I was supposed to leave. A large part of me could not just let the 3-day weekend go to waste.
When we got to Naga the next morning, after an 8-hour bus ride, I was not surprised that it was raining. I was ready to accept that it was going to be a lousy weekend when in a matter of an hour, the rain let up. The whole day was sunnier than I expected it to be, and the same can be said about the whole weekend.
On the way to Sabang port, I got a glimpse of Mt. Isarog, which would be another reason for me to go back to Camsur this coming dry season. I have always wanted to climb that mountain.
We got to Gota Village Resort around 2pm. That was after the two-hour van trip from Naga to Sabang, and another two-hour boat ride to Guijalo port. The trip had been great except that the two ports (Sabang and Guijalo) are not yet developed, and so, once, I had to be astride a man's shoulder to get to the boat in Sabang, and take a smaller boat to the dock in Guijalo. I just really wish Sabang had similar small boats as they have in Guijalo. Well, that's part of the adventure!
***Gota Beach is fascinating. The water is emerald green, and the white sand's fine. It is not wavy either since it is a cove, surrounded by gigantic limestones.
Another interesting thing about the resort is the accommodation. Apart from the coziness, it's got an LCD cable TV! The truth is, I watched more TV than swam.
We left for CWC the next day after waiting for what seemed like 20 hours for this group who got up late. The resort arranged a free shuttle ride to the port, and we could not leave until the other group was on the van. I thought we were really going to miss the last boat trip back to Sabang. Well, call me mean, but one of them got the best of it when he fell butt first at the port out of sheer stupidity. The universe has its ways of punishing people who just cannot be on time.
***CWC is another exciting place. Looking at the beginners who made big splashes on their first few attempts, I vowed to make a complete round without falling. However, when we went to register, we were told to just come back the next day, since the evening slots had already been fully booked. We went swimming at the pool instead.
The next day, we got up early to make sure we would be able to try out wakeboarding this time.
The thing about wakeboarding is that it does not look scary watching those who are able to do it standing, or even the beginners who do it kneeling. For how difficult would it be to be dragged by a cable while gliding on water with a board? I thought I would be stupid if I fell.
Well, let us just say, everybody falls the first time. The speed got into me, and I fell. But I fell just once!
For beginners, one hour is actually enough, since it gets tiring after a while, and it is painful on the arms and hips after some time. I suggest taking a break for 3 hours after an hour of getting dragged by the cable around the lake. We never got to do it again after the one hour lapsed, since we had to pack up and get ready for the free shuttle ride to NAGA, where our bus going to Manila was waiting for us.
***
I have noticed two things about this trip to Camsur, though. One is that it is difficult to ask directions from people there. I am not sure if they understand Filipino, but most of them, at least, among those we asked (in Sabang, at the bus terminal) answered us using their own language. I guess the place is not yet used to tourists. Two, in Gota Village
In spite of everything, this weekend getaway is still superb! I was able to take a good rest, get a tan (which i did not notice until I got home. I looked like I had a bottle of some whisky, as my face, arms and neck were really red) and go wakeboarding like crazy for the first time. Besides, i was able to see the site where survivor France for Kohlanta was shot.
Caution: Never take Raymond buses. I bought a ticket for a bus ride to Alabang, and what they did was ask me to transfer to a non-ac bus when we got to SLEX, since they had decided not pass by Alabang. Earlier at the Naga bus terminal, I was ready to get a refund, since they had informed us that they had changed their route. However, when they realized that we were going to get our money back, they told us that they would pass by alabang. I had a feeling they wouldn't, but I was hoping they still would.
They didn't!
Travel Notes:
To CWC
Bus Terminal: Philtranco (you can, of course, take other buses like Isarog and DLTB or the plane)Bus fare: Php 680 (AC)
Travel Time: 8 hours
- From Naga Terminal (in front of SM Naga), you may take a bus going to Legazpi, and ask the driver to drop you off at the intersection going to CWC.
Fare: Php 10~
- Get on a tricycle to CWC sports complex
Fare: Php 10~
- There are accommodations within the complex, but you might need to reserve slots beforehand, especially during peak season or when there's an event.
Container accommodation:
Green
Php1,200 per night good for 2 persons
BLUE OR RED (Family)
Php2,850 per night good for 4 persons
Villa del Rey Villa: Php6250
Mansion Suites: Php2700 - Php5000, to
Wood Cabins: Php2750 - Php3750,
Dwell Homes: Php3750
Cabanas: Php1700
Tiki Huts: Php1100
EcoVillage: Php350
For more information, contact number: (054) 477 3344 / (054) 477 3349
Fax Number:+63(54) 477-3347
Mobile number: +(63) 917 8954156 or +(63) 999 8893697
To Caramoan
Van Terminal: Naga TerminalFare: Php 100~
Travel Time: 2 hours
Boat Fare: Php 120~ (+ a small boat to take you to the passenger boat Php 10)
- First trip at 5:30 am and last trip at 12nn.
Travel Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: Php 1250 (we stayed at Gota Village resort, but this resort sometimes closes for events, so I suggest you go to the town proper and look for accommodation)
- Rates at Gota Village range from Php 1250 to Php 1875
Tricycle fare: Php 25 (to the town center)
Environmental fee: Php 30
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