Tinaga Island's Mahabang Buhangin

Where is that? Does Calaguas ring a bell? Yep, Tinaga island is one of the many mini-paradise in Camarines Norte's Calaguas group of islands.

Day 1. Upon arrival at the airport, we rode the budget friendly shuttle (Php 20) to Taft MRT. It took us an estimated time of 25 minutes (depends on the traffic) to get to Taft. Then we took the MRT to Cubao.

Lucky it wasn't rush hour

Someone, overhearing that we were talking in Bisaya, started a conversation with us. This made our 20-minute MRT ride to Cubao fairly fast. One nice thing about travelling is meeting random people with stories to tell. Maybe when he heard us, it made him want to speak in his common tongue, or maybe he was just very friendly, or was I simply irresistible? ;-)

Welcome to Superlines Cubao

Arriving in Cubao, we asked the guard at the MRT station where Superlines is. Just 2 blocks away. There are two Superlines in the area, the one farther away is where you need to go. It is right after the Victory Liner station. We walked the Cubao street (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue), where caps, sunglasses, shirts ,and all sorts of made-in-China stuff are lined up either from a table, chair, or just along the dusty sidewalk. It's a risk walking at night in this are, especially if you show your bling and expensive gadgets, so keep up the pace and be vigilant. But I needed to stop one time to buy a pari of Php 50 sunglasses that would probably cost twice/thrice back in Cebu. A friend bought 2 pairs of leggings that she haggled from Php 120 to Php 80.

MRT Cubao Stn to Superlines. From google maps. Click to enlarge.

Inside the open air terminal

We bought our ticket to Paracale at an earlier time, knowing by experience that "you can never be too sure for a sure bus seat". Also, buses for Paracale are limited, so we made the right choice of going early. Two buses leave that night, a non-aircon bus at 8:30 pm and its airconditioned brother at 9:45 pm. We took the latter.

8:40 pm and we were comfortably inside the bus. Street sellers entered the bus every 10 minutes or so, hawking fruits, delicacies, religious stuff and charity envelopes. It was exactly 9:45 pm when we departed from Cubao. The bus ride was 9 sleepy hours.

Day 2. We arrived almost 7 am and stopped at a gasoline station in Paracale. It was still a cold early morning so we bought cooking ingredients in the market, a 5-minute walk from the gas station.

One of the many Tsunami Evacuation Route signs we
saw on the way to the market

Shopping for supplies

The boat was waiting for us in Brgy. Palanas, a 5-minute tricycle ride from the marketplace. Brgy. Palanas is famous, or should I say, infamous for its Gold mines. The mines have brought wealth and, unfortunately, a number of undocumented accidents and deaths to locals trying to mine Palanas' hills of deep gold.

Those shanties are owned mostly by miners

A sleepy Ate Grace met us at the waiting shed and told us that the boat was still at sea and was going to be back in an hour. She did not expect us to be there, since a tropical depression was building on parts of Bicol region that time. She said another group cancelled after hearing the news. It turned out we were the only group going to Tinaga island that day. Anyway, she invited us to her house and we treaded on small walkways with long stilts that elevated the neighborhood above the sea.

Walk the planks, Pirate!

We spent our one hour hiatus looking for a place to fill our stomachs. I remembered a restaurant on our way to Brgy. Palanas that looked a lot like McDonald's. A minute of retracing our steps and voila! Mister M restaurant.

"Love ko 'to"
... now where have I heard this before?

Tocino, scrambled eggs, chorizo, and garlic rice

Back with satisfied stomachs, we were met with the sight of our pumpboat just outside the makeshift waiting lounge. Ate Grace's husband, Kuya Rodel, was El Capitan, while El Capitan's assistant was John Louie. They assisted us in boarding the boat, loading some of our heavy bags, and making sure the bags were covered and waterproofed. Also, the boat was equipped with life vests. They knew how the ride was going to be.

Ready for boarding

One thing you need to know about the small- to medium-sized pumpboats in Brgy. Palanas - they don't have roofs or sun covers. The covers will only drag the boat away in case a strong wind blows. So make sure you don't get fried to a crisp when being under the sun for two or more hours.

Cap'n Rodel and his assistant John Louie

By the sea fishing

We started our voyage at around 8 am. Our way to Tinaga island isn't what anyone could call "smooth sailing". The sea was rough and wavy. Kuya Rodel, with his calm look, had to accelerate or decelerate the boat in order to go with the flow. By experience he knows what to do in these situations. But fret not coz these does not happen all year round. The sea is mostly fair sailing during the summer season.

From google maps. Click to enlarge.

Sun, sea, and waves. WAVES!

 

After a two-hour rollercoaster ride, we safely arrive in Tinaga Island's Mahabang Buhangin.

A looooooong stretch of fine, white sand

Mahabang Buhangin is pretty much a beach bum's dream destination: laidback, peaceful, and a breathtaking view everywhere you look. Lucky for us, the beach was all for our taking. Aside from the locals, the three of us were the only travelers on the island.

Welcome to paradise, mi amigo!

Getting a tan

Clear turquoise waters

Ahoy! That's another island!

Tents are the standards here since there are no resthouses in Mahabang Buhangin. They do have cottages that you could rent for php150 overnight.

We cooked our lunch at an earlier time since we wanted to enjoy the beach more. There is no electricity in the area. So it would be better to do the important stuff while the sun is up.

Water is available in Tinaga island, but just to be safe, bring your own supply of drinking water. The nearest fresh water comes from a pump near the cottages. Also, a toilet has been constructed in the area so you don't have to worry about doing it in the bushes.

Pumping water from the ground

Making little waves

Bigger waves!

Aside from relaxing by the beach, we hiked to where the nearest village, Brgy. Mangcawayan, is. They have a store where you can buy salt, matches, eggs, some types of fish, and spices; if you forget to buy some back on the mainland, this might be the best place to get them. It's a 15-minute leisurely walk with sights of tall grass, coconut trees, and carabaos. The wind blew nicely on the hills' long grass which made them look like that of a shaggy dog's fur.

From wikimapia. Click to enlarge.

On the way to Brgy Mangcawayan

This pathway leads to the village

Moo!

Bahay kubo

Deep well

What a lovely playground

It was already 4pm and we still had to cook our dinner, so we went back to Mahabang Buhangin before it got dark.

Back at camp before sundown

Low sun, long shadows

Walking the long beach

Kids' best friend/ride

A nice sunset view

It did rain that night, so we ended up putting our tent a quarter inside a cottage, while the ever helpful caretaker, Kuya Arnold, had to wrap a tarp around the cottage to protect us from the rain and wind. But despite all that, we all slept comfortably in our tent.

It was lovely waking up to the sound of the waves.

Good morning lovely view

It's 10 am and after plenty of photos, we packed up and headed back to Brgy. Palanas.

Nearing Brgy Palanas. Palanas hill and the miners' shanties on the right.

Mahabang Buhangin is the best beach I've been to so far. The pictures do not do any justice to how nice the place is. I think it's also the peace and quiet, plus the scenic view, that made it an excellent place to relax. But since Calaguas is no longer a hidden destination, the place has been getting crowded. Many would flock the island during weekends, summer breaks, and holidays. We were very lucky though to have the place for ourselves.

The boat ride back to Brgy. Palanas was now less rough. It took only an hour and a half to reach Kuya Rodel's house. Back there we washed up and chatted a little with the family. We said our thank yous, waved goodbye, then headed back to Paracale.

We walked the street leading to Mister M, but on the way we decided to eat at the El Minero Snack House for a change.

Creamy sisig

Their mami needs more flavor

Time check: 1 pm. According to our itinerary, we had to get to Paracale's gas station to catch the V-hire (van) going to Daet. Yep, after the island bumming, it's time to surf the waves of Daet.

A roundup of tips for this trip:

• Bring a tent.
• There is no electricity in the island. Bring flashlights and spare batteries. Fully charge your gadgets before leaving Brgy. Palanas.
• Networks available in Paracale are Smart and Globe. In Tinaga island, Smart only.
• Water is available but it is best to bring your own drinking water. At least 2L per person.
• Food and cooking supplies can be bought at the market in Paracale.
• Greet the locals and always be courteous. This generally goes a long way.
• Respect the island. Never litter. Properly dispose your trash. No shouting or cussing. Keep the island's peacefulness at all times.

Contact information:

Superlines
Cubao
(02) 414 3321 / 414 3319
Pumpboat 
Brgy. Palanas, Paracale, Camarines Norte
Kuya Rodel 0948 150 2452 / Ate Grace 0912 508 7766

How this Island trip made waves in Mustachio's pocket:

Airport shuttle to Taft MRT Php 20

MRT Taft to Cubao Php 14

Lunch Php 75

Supplies: Butane + Food (Php 390/3 pax) Php 130

Dinner Php 55

Superlines bus Cubao to Paracale Php 515

Supplies (Paracale market): Food + Water (Php 240/3 pax) Php 80

Tricycle to Brgy. Palanas Php 8

Breakfast Php 69

Pumpboat (Php 2500/3 pax) Php 833

Mahabang Buhangin entrance fee Php 75

Tip for caretaker Php 75

Lunch Php 80

Tricycle to Paracale Php 8 


Camarines Series:
Camarines Norte: Tinaga Island's Mahabang Buhangin (you're here!)
Camarines Norte: Surfin' CamNorte
Camarines Sur: Wakeboardin' CamSur

Camarines Sur: Bicolano Grub at Geewan

Camarines Sur: Do Not Eat Bicol Express, Ride It!