A Dreamy Haven

A Dreamy Haven By JO ERLINDA G. NEBRES Printed in Fil-Am Megascene Chicago February 25, 2009

Basking under the cerulean sky, lying lazily at the immaculate white sandy beach beside the calm waves of the azure seawater makes a getaway perfect for intimate moment at Caramoan Peninsula !
There is no paradise like Caramoan Peninsula, the hidden treasure of the Philippines located in the province of Camarines Sur!
Getting there, you will readily fall in love with the beautiful place. Its beauty never stops to entice each visitor who comes to this place. The pristine white sand and the crystal indigo sea found in the cape of Caramoan are very alluring to the eyes of many. You’ll never stop wondering what’s beyond this dazzling azure water when riding in a boat. What promises lies ahead?
Seashore that can match a beach in Miami, Florida and privacy, a quiet, serene Caramoan Peninsula can be a wonderful retreat, a seventh heaven to be part and enjoy the nature. The place has its own beauty and pride of its own uniqueness. An undeniably charming paradise!
Caramoan Peninsula’s beaches are truly magnificent with its immaculate powdery white sand surrounded by sparkling cerulean water, unexploited by commercial tourism. Each beach has its own uniqueness.
Touring around the place gives island hopping a new significance to witness its enthralling beauty in many ways. A great ocean adventures for kayakers, snorkel and scuba dive to experience the diverse marine life, trek and search for the unfathomable lagoon, rock climb the limestone cliffs, explore the caves or star gazing at night!
There are many islands and caves clustered in Caramoan to hop around, each boasting its own beauty and individuality.
Here are some exciting islands to see.
The Lahos Island, the most popular, has its name which means "overflow" where the sea can wash over a part of this narrow island from one side to the other.
Matukad Island exemplifies the portrait of a perfect tropical island.
Honongan Island is the first resort in Caramoan to open. This hundred-room development is set off the cliff facing the beach. Its beachfront has beautiful views of immaculate islands right across the calm sea.
Island hopping won’t be complete without seeing the mysteriously majestic caves. Omang Cave is part of the Caramoan National Park located in Barangay Paniman and Barangay Ilawod. Its entrance is about 30 feet above sea level and the interior is like architecturally designed. The air is very cool inside. It is dark and, if lighted, shows extravagant beauty. It is like entering a new dimension of a limestone world.
The most intriguing Manipis Cave is located at Barangay Pandanan. It is believed that General Yamashita hid his treasure in this cave but you don’t need to look any further for the cave is a treasure in itself!
This cave has rich guano reserve.
Calapnitan Cave in Libmanan contains countless stalactites and pillars ranging from massive to extremely delicate. Thousands of bats make this cave their home. The site of the hundreds of bats also is a very extraordinary spectacle. Their presence provides a very good source of guano supply and phosphate.

The fresh cool water from the underground stream of Taisan is simply irresistible in Bulang-Bugang Cave. Explore the deep underground river of the cave.
Don’t miss the twin waterfalls of Itbog Falls in Sta. Cruz Buhi and the Malacsay Falls in Mt. Isarog in Panicuason. The cascading water measures about 40 feet from the top to a wide pond below.
Malacsay Falls could compare with famous waterfalls in the Philippines like the Pagasanjan Falls in Laguna.
There are many activities to do and places to see in this dreamy haven of Caramoan Peninsula and there 's a lot of natural wonders to discover. Island hopping, swimming, skin diving, limestone cliff expeditions, snorkeling, scuba diving, caving or spelunking, rock climbing , hiking, beach camping, kayaking, inland and island lagoon exploration, sea and marine cave adventures, subterranean river adventures and gold panning!
Whew! Aren’t these adventures enough for you to entice you to come in one paradise called Caramoan Peninsula? Think of getting thrilled in wakeboarding on your way home?
Let’s have fun basking under the sun and explore the many islands of Caramoan Peninsula together! Email me at gagabytes@yahoo.com.

A Very Unique Bohol

Experience the Very Unique Bohol
By Jojie Gabot
January 29, 2008

Did you know that the tarsier has been the inspiration of the famous movie E.T. of Stephen Spielberg? Yes, it’s true. Stephen Spielberg used the tarsier-look for the lead character ET of the movie ET. This tarsier can be found in Bohol, Philippines.
Bohol is the home of unique tarsier, the smallest mammal in the world. This cannot be found in other country except in Borneo and Indonesia.
Bohol is famous for the matchless chocolate hills, world’s smallest primate tarsiers, pristine white sand beaches, dive spots, and old stone churches.
There are many tourist spots to visit there and fine dining restaurants and great accommodations can be found.
Getting to Bohol province is accessible by land transportation. When in province the unique shape of thousand of hills called Chocolate hills are the first destinations of most people who visit there. It is matchless. You cannot find anywhere like it but in Bohol. It is a pride of every Boholanos living there.
Few springs can be found there. Caves exploration can be done for a few caves can be found in different towns of Bohol. Swimming or diving is a must for every diving enthusiast to explore in Panglao Island. Whale and dolphins everywhere!
Panglao Island is well-known destination for divers who love to discover marine life. Hotel and resorts in the Island offers scuba lessons for scuba aspirants. If not interested in scuba, there are lots of activities you can do. Swimming, dolphin watching, jet skiing, kayaking, snorkeling and more water sports and activities available in the hotel and resorts of Panglao Island. You might try boating and fishing there.
Many fine dining restaurants available in the area offers different specialties. Seafoods, native delicacies, Westerners dishes and many choices to choose from when in comes to dining in the province. Try the Pyramid in Aloha Kew to experience the dampa type of restaurant wherein you will need to buy in the wet market for food and render in the restaurant their cooking services. Whether you like it grilled, in soup or you might want in spicy, sour or anything, just give the restaurant your instructions.
When it comes to dining, Loboc River Cruise Lunch is a must visit cruise-restaurant in Bohol. The food and service is superb! A man will serenade you some 80’s songs and some Spanish songs while eating and cruising the Loboc River. Curiosity behind the jungle scenarios might want you to try hiking amid the jungles. What a spectacular dining experience!
Bohol Bee farm has a unique food to offer. They serve natural organic food freshly pick from the farm that actually not seen in the market.
Your travel won’t be complete without trying the local sweet delicacies – Peanut Kisses, Calamay and Broas. Don’t forget to bring ‘Bagol ng Bohol’, a sweet dessert from coconut milk, grind glutinous rice, brown sugar, and peanut.