Traveling is such an exciting activity. I love discovering unusual places so much, I actually created a bucket list of destinations I want to go to. There are several items I have already ticked off from the list, but of course, there are more attention-grabbing places that I want to visit.
One of the unforgettable trips I had lately was my Catanduanes getaway. I went there by land and sea. It took a total of 18 long hours to get to my travel destination, which was the island of Puraran. I was flabbergasted when I finally reached the island. It was worth the wait. The best and only word I thought of when I saw the place was “tranquilness”. Now I know what a real paradise looks like. It is nature at its finest.
I was there during the off-season in December and stayed in a cottage hut surrounded by palm trees just off the beach. Total relaxation was what I felt during my stay. The staff at the Majestic Puraran Beach Resort was very commendable. I never felt like a tourist at all because they treated me like a family member. They never failed to surprise me during meal time. All the food they served tasted homemade and really felt like home.
The island of Puraran is the home of the well-known “majestic” waves with its tremendous long-barrel-type surf. The surfing spot boats of a glorious view of mountains and coves and is listed as one of the top surfing locations in the world. The whole stretch of the beach gives a good view of the crystal clear water and the bright blue sky in addition to its glorious cloud formations are indeed totally invigorating.
Another interesting attraction that can be found in the area is Balacay Point. It is a prominent peak that extends along the northern coast of Puraran. I was invited by a local on a short hike early in the morning. It was an easy 30-minute trek and climb through the muddy forest going uphill with the wide expanse of grass-covered slopes. There were some wondering carabao we met along the way.
I was speechless when we reached the top. Without a doubt, it was the most wonderful spot I had seen in Catanduanes. The spectacular panorama atop Balacay was very rewarding and the impressive Philippine Sea was a sight to behold with its remorseless waves aggressively smashing in different directions.
I dare say that this weekend escapade I did was one of the best experiences that I had. It was the best place for communing with nature. I witnessed attractive sunrise and sunset, I was able to enjoy swimming in the sea and walk barefoot on the sand without any inhibitions. I found joy and serenity. All things considered, it was a majestic experience.
HOW TO GET THERE:
RSL Bus which has daily Manila to Virac trips. This will save you the hassle of stopping over in Tabaco City. From Tabaco City pier, your bus will go onboard a ferryboat to take you to the island. At the Virac pier, there are jeepneys that can take you straight to the Puraran Surf Camp. Daily scheduled trips are available at the terminal in Cubao and Padre Faura in Malate and Alabang.
