Since I'll be leaving our beautiful country to live in Australia indefinitely, Cherie and I decided to try and put in as many trips as we possibly can before flying out. With only a bit over two weeks left in the Philippines, it's a big challenge to find time and weasel ourselves out of the bureaucratic to-do list. But somehow, we still managed to travel for 22 hours (one way!) to get to this island somewhere off the coast of Camarines Norte.
This is what I imagine heaven looks like
The travel was well worth it. We were practically the only people in a long stretch of pristine, white sand beach and we had supplies to last us for three days. But we ended up spending just one night on the island because in the morning, about a dozen or so other people arrived, bringing this:
A big-ass generator (Duhn-duhn-duhnnn). Turns out, the owner of the spot we were camping on was coming for a visit and after having won some money at sabong during the fiesta of the neighboring barangay, he decided to continue celebrating on the quiet, desolate beach we were all in (Of all the days we could have chosen to go there, we went during fiesta time). Sure, we completely understand that they had just as much (actually, more) right as us to enjoy the place, but there was no way we were going to subject ourselves to an entire evening of listening to the deafening hum of a generator. So, we rented a boat (the boat of the owner!) to take us to land where we salvaged what was left of our vacation by going to a surf beach teeming with activity.
Our tricycle took us to Bagasbas Beach in Daet, where we found hundreds of people on the beach, tents, a stage, and large, booming speakers playing bass-heavy dance music. Ironically, we found this appealing and decided to stay the night. Later, we found out that there was a big youth summer sportsfest which went on for days, I think, that caused the Woodstock-esque feel of the beach.
Surfing competition? Nope. Modeling. Seriously.
What I found particularly peculiar was that I suddenly couldn't be happier to find myself on a strip of beach with restaurants. After a mere day of camping, I ordered one cold drink after another, drinking ice-cold water and fruit shakes like I was going to be sent to the gallows the following day.
Before heading home the following evening, we put a full day in of walking along the beach chasing crabs, swimming, eating good seafood and just enjoying being away. Goes to show that if Plan A doesn't work out, you can always cook up a quick and fun Plan B.
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