White Pebble Beach near Naga City

I’ve traveled far just to visit some famous stone beaches in the country. There’s Luna Pebble Beach in La Union, Mabua Pebble Beach in Surigao City, and Valugan Boulder Beach in Batanes. These beaches are known for having shores covered with pebbles, cobbles and huge boulders instead of fine sand which give them a unique landscape.

white pebbles beach minalabac camarines surLittle did I know that there’s a nice pebble beach in my own home province of Camarines Sur. Bagolatao Beach can be found in the barangay of Bagolatao in the town of Minalabac, just 45 minutes away from Naga City! Continue reading “White Pebble Beach near Naga City”

Chasing Waterfalls in Pili, Camarines Sur

I grew up in Naga City, but I never knew that there was a very nice waterfall circuit just in my own backyard. Most Naguenos are probably familiar with Malabsay and Nabontolan Falls accessible via Panicuason in Naga City, located on the East slope of Mt. Isarog.

mt isarog shower falls curry pili camarines sur

But apparently there are also eight pristine waterfalls shrouded by a triple-canopy forest in the Pili section of Mt. Isarog National Park (MINP). The site, surrounded by farming communities and some historical points of interest (including a Japanese memorial and wartime tunnels) is currently being eyed as a potential eco-tourism trail. And boy, does it have potential! Continue reading “Chasing Waterfalls in Pili, Camarines Sur”

Castaway in Caramoan

Interest in Caramoan, Camarines Sur has surged ever since it was featured in the hit reality show Survivor. International franchises of the show that have been filmed here include Serbia, Israel, Bulgaria, France and most recently the 25th season of the US version, which started airing last week.

caramoan islands travelup

Continue reading “Castaway in Caramoan”

Mt. Isarog Park: Trekking to Malabsay and Nabontolan Falls

NOTE 4/18/13: I recently got to visit Malabsay Falls again. Check out the updated post here.

Even though I grew up in Naga City, Bicol and often spend Christmas vacations and summer there, I’m sorry to say that I haven’t really been able to explore a lot of places. This is something I plan to resolve soon, little by little.

About a month ago, I decided to spend the weekend there to visit my folks. Lo, one of my childhood friends who works overseas, was also in Naga for a vacation, so I asked if he wanted to check out some of the tourist spots I’ve never been to. Because of the short notice, the quickest thing to arrange was a trek to falls in the Mt. Isarog National Park. The last time he went there was back in high school and he wasn’t familiar with the trail anymore, so he got two other friends of his to help guide us. Continue reading “Mt. Isarog Park: Trekking to Malabsay and Nabontolan Falls”