Catanduanes is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol province region of Luzon.Its capital is Virac and the province lies to the east of Camarines Sur.
Catanduanes were once known as the THE LAND OF THE HOWLING WINDS because of the frequent storms that pass the island but not to this day this land is getting known for more explored and unexplored places and spot that tourist must see.
We arrived at Virac airport from manila at exactly 7:30am. Morning flight will be the best time to travel going to Virac Catanduanes so you'll still have time to go around and visit tourist spot.
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Ten steps from the exit door of the airport you'll see this sign and a lot of tricycle line waiting for you,Me and my friend decided to walked a little more for a reason that we can get a much cheaper ride (excuse us for being a backpacking traveler)in short nagkukuripot :) we asked kuyang driver how much will it cost if he'll bring us to virac town proper and answered 60 pesos but we asked for a discount and he answered ok 20 pesos each go ride (natatawa ako dito sapilitan sakay)and because we still have more time to go places, we strolled around town and ask some if we possible to rent a ride and we found out that you'll have two choices you can rent habal habal (single motor bike)or you can rent a tricycle for a tour for 600php not bad package of 5 destination:
- bato church (st.john the baptist church)
- batalay shrine
- maribina falls
- pagasa weather station
- sakahon beach
This PAGASA-DOST weather radar station is considered as one of the most advance radar station installed in the country and was fundings from Japan International Cooperation Agency.This is a must see spot in Catanduanes why?because in here you can see a very nice view of the whole Catanduanes Island and you may consider as Batanes view of Catanduanes.In here no entrance fee needed you only need to log your name and make a small talk to kuyang guard :)
This was taken at the back part of the radar station and in here you can see the breathtaking view of the bay and islets.When i was making chitchat with kuyang guard the last storm surge spawned their island was by typhoon Pablo (according to kuyang guard of pagasa dost catanduanes).
St.John the Baptist church was one of the old churches in Catanduanes located at the town of Bato.According to our driver guide it was originally built with wooden materials that was year 1500's and it was 1830's the people of Bato town reconstructed the church using coral materials and was finished after 50 yrs.
picture taken inside the church and storm proof tested by time.
Batalay shrine built over the burial place of Augustinian priest Fray Diego Herrera who died in Brgy Batalay.
It was noon time when we reached our last destination Maribina Falls the most famous falls in catanduanes.The water was so refreshing.
entrance fee:
child- 10 php
adult- 20 php
My thoughts:
Before i go travel or exploring one place i do research and read a lot i must say that Catanduanes has this potential to be more popular spot for tourist i just hope that people of this island specially in Virac will be more open for tourist in a way that they can be more educated about what places to visit and history.I hope that department of tourism or any organization will undergo seminars to people of Virac regarding the concept of tourism.I travel a lot and appreciates different cultures and tradition.I met new friends of different places local or tourist.I have this policy to myself that every time i visit places i make it a point that i already did every single activities they had and visited all spot they have but Catanduanes island is one of my favorite among places i visited which i want to return again and again, this place has this magic spell on me.i just hope that they can get support from their higher official that they elected.I wish that they can adapt the ilocos way when you ride a tricycle that every driver was trained and be certified tour guide by Department of Tourism and it also means that their fare will be fair enough not so pricey to any tourist visiting their place.I am saying this because We had bad experience when we rode tricycle at the airport.Please note that this was not general we also met people who willingly and openly help us.We surely visiting again Catanduanes and i hope when we come back there's a big improvement.
