Lakwatsarah

Puraran Beach As it turns out, January isn't really a good month to see Catanduanes' full bloom beauty. The weather’s not cooperating and the breeze was too cold for us, we couldn't even gather the courage to drag ourselves into the water and swim. Not to mention the very strong waves. I passed the yearning to swim and bond with my camera underwater as the last thing I want is to find myself in the middle of Pacific Ocean. The water was  rough even near the shoreline. Despite the gloomy weather (which happened all throughout our stay), we didn't pass the chance to see Catanduanes famous tourist spots especially two of the top beaches of the province, Twin Rock Beach Resort and Puraran Beach. Travelers shouldn't miss these two gorgeous beaches especially during the calm summer months and even during the rainy season for seasoned surfers. The trip happened last January 18-20 with college buddy Yael.  Here's how we spent t...

Yael at the splashy beachside of Puraran ( click here to read Day 1 ) Day 2 'Ma'am maalon pa din po.' is what appears on the text message. Ok fine. We give up, no Caramoan for us. No Matukad island, no island hopping, no caving, no beach bumming, no snorkeling, no secret lagoon, nothing! Guess we're left with no other choice but to give a particular surfing spot a chance, the Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes. It's that one tourist destination we consistently hear from the locals. Problem is, we don't know how to surf! To surf or not to surf? Guess we'll decide when we get there.

Rock Formations, Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes January. Virac, Catanduanes. We're supposed to be doing island hopping in Caramoan, our main destination that weekend. A Bicolana friend recommended making Codon Port in Catanduanes our jump-off point, said to be the fastest way to reach the famed group of islands. Prior to the trip, being the "Ms. D-I-Y Planner" that I am, I was able to contact a boatman who offered us the cheapest rate among others for island hopping. I was expecting an epic Caramoan beach bumming kind of tour, thinking I was able to cover everything there is that I need to know for this trip. swimwear - check! waterproof camera - check! cheap accommodation - check! Cheapest Island Hopping Tour - check! Super discounted plane ticket (Mla-Virac-Mla) - check na check at last year pa namin binili yung ticket! There's just one big problem and a major factor I failed to (seriously) consider - the WEATHER!

Location: Bato Church, Maribina Falls, Twin Rock Beach Resort and Puraran Beach I am making 2013 a meaningful year. So I started the year traveling with my college buddy Yael along the splashy shorelines on the Pacific side of Catanduanes province, the Land of the Howling Wind. Isolated from its sister provinces in Bicol region, this slice of paradise has remained concealed from the invasion of tourists. Take a look what this laidback province has to offer.