On the second part to end this Carabao Series, let me share to you another set of photos I have taken while on a boat ride around this island. As a direct contrast to my previous post, the sky in this post is clearer and sunnier and what's mystical is that this and the previous post were taken on the same day.
Carabao Island is dubbed as the sister of Boracay Island. Although they are just an hour apart, the former is located in Luzon while the latter is in Visayas. Locals call the place Hambil while other refer to it as San Juan. It is a laid-back and simple community of around 12,000 people.
In this island, you will find white beaches and coves in its natural status. In a beautiful pure virgin white sand beach, Carabao Island is a place where children can play and enjoy the natural beauty of an island paradise, a place where men and women can be children again. And, most importantly Carabao Island is the ideal place for tropical dream vacations: Water sports galore, ideal for diving and learning to dive, mountain biking, tennis, golf, horse-back riding, island hopping and lots of sunshine. And as one of my commenters amply describe it - it is Boracay of the seventies.
Reality Bites:
1. You need to bring everything you need into this place, i.e. food, water, snacks, 'coz accomodation and restaurants is nowhere to be found if not scarce.
2. If you hate wavy boat rides, the best time to go there is summer.
3. The best way to roam around the place is thru motorbikes that you can rent by the hour.
4. People there does not smile a lot and there are urban legends that some of them dislike visitors so observe proper respect when you are in the place.
5. There is nothing much to do there but just nature tripping. So if you are a party-goer, better stay in Boracay instead.
My World:
This is my entry to "This is My Word" meme. To view other participants' world, please click here.
So, there is still a place that civilization did not invade, well, tourism at least. This is my type of place.
ReplyDeleteMine's up at http://ewok1993.wordpress.com
LS: I would still like to visit because of the great natural beauty of the island. You think the people would like visitors.
ReplyDeleteGreat seascape!
ReplyDeleteI love it.
Happy Holidays!
it's a very good alternative for people who want a semi private mood getaway. but soon, as more people discover it, the population coming in will increase. i also learned that land titles has tripled in that island and may even increase.
ReplyDeleteIt surely is a breathtakingly beautiful place, maybe all the more so because it doesn't seem so touristy. I've really enjoyed your tours, look forward to more. Thank you, and have a wonderful Holiday!
ReplyDeleteI would really want to see this place, the photos you have captured makes me want to go back to Bora and have a side trip to Carabao Island. Happy Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLooks like volcanic geology. I was surprised to see you writing about white sand beaches. But I don't doubt it either. Geology and ocean currents never cease to amaze.
ReplyDeletecool place! im afraid after you've posted these pics people might discover this place and before we know it, we have another boracay.hehe btw, wer u able to witness the sunset there? must be more beautiful than bora.=)
ReplyDeleteBack to nature.The #4 reality bite well,I'm not sure to like it or not.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I wish you a Merry Christmas,wonderful holiday & jolly good 2009.
this is my email addie: prinsesa_fajardo@yahoo.com weeeeeeeeee yun lang. kita kits!
ReplyDeleteWOW, such awesome photo's!! Great post too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays
I love to go around these beautiful islands on a boat ! Clear blue waters and pristine looking islands - great shots :)
ReplyDeletehappy holidays!
ReplyDeleteLawstude, I love all that great beauty and then your little reality check...too funny! Merry Christmas.
ReplyDelete@ photo cache - i like the place as it is but give it at least 5 years, the place will certainly change.
ReplyDelete@ fishing guy - maybe they are not yet used to starngers but i am sure things will be different once tourists flock the area.
ReplyDelete@ tabib - thanks. happy holidays too.
ReplyDelete@ the dong - i agree. there are lots of development planned for this island. i am not even surprise at the claimants, and i think this will be another land law battles in the future.
ReplyDelete@ sylvia k - thanks you. i just can't say enough of how beautiful and laid-back the place is. exact opposite of the party beach place that is boracay.
ReplyDelete@ sheng - thanks. this is definitely a good side trip from boracay. just allot a day for this place.
ReplyDelete@ robert v. sobczak - so true, one of my fave subjects are geology and the sea. this is my sum-up post for carabao island and i have featured beaches of the place in my previous posts.
ReplyDelete@ angelmd-no-more - some says it is the next boracay but i think there will never be another boracay soon. carabao island will be famous on its own.
ReplyDelete@ unclewang - well, maybe they are still not used to have many strangers around and they are just overly protective of their place.
ReplyDelete@ prinsesamusang - i look forward to going in your place. thanks.
ReplyDelete@ sara g - thanks. and happy holidays too.
ReplyDelete@ bwzone - thanks. be sure to go on summer when the sea is calmer.
ReplyDelete@ allen yuarata - same to you.
ReplyDelete@ brit' gal sarah - glad you like them. merry christmas too.
ReplyDeletelove the rocks...they make the shoreline much more interesting. people in the island are not used to tourists, probably the reason why they don't smile at strangers. also, people in this kind of place are shy...but start a friendly conversation with them and they'd invite you to stay in their homes.
ReplyDeleteI've to agree with you that it's hard to leave a beautiful island behind b/c of all the tranquil moments that you've spent there.
ReplyDelete(:
Dito ko lang nalaman ang tungkol sa carabao island. parang nilibot ko lang ang pinas sa lawstude's blog.
ReplyDeleteReally hope the people there is more friendly. Would have make the trip to the island more memorable
ReplyDeleteWow, very beautiful island. You are really adventurous. You must have enjoyed very much. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI can see from your photographs when the sea is getting rougher, it is probably more so in the open. I'll remember summer is a better time to go unless I want to take a motion sickness pill or put a scopolomine patch behind my ear LOL. Have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletePlease have a look at the right side of my blog and check “Season’s Greetings”! Click on the picture which was taken from your blog. Best wishes to you and your family,for a happy new year. Philip
ReplyDeleteI which you a Merry Xmas and a Happy new Year... and keep on with your great blog.
ReplyDeleteThat smooth rock and rough rock was a funny combo. Lot of shapes on that island.
ReplyDeleteSo the locals are not friendly to tourists?
ReplyDeletethey're like the Scottich version of UK then...
that rough rock sure has a weird appearance. such is the force of nature =)
ReplyDeletemerry christmas!
Interesting. Sounds like it might be fun for a day trip or short visit, but I'd much rather enjoy nature than be partying all night!
ReplyDeleteWow! Very nice shots!
ReplyDeleteExchange Links?:D
@ luna miranda - i agree. people here are shy alright. given a chance, i would have stayed longer and mingle with the locals.
ReplyDelete@ kyels - so true. it is like you are leaving a part of you there that would long you to go back.
ReplyDelete@ redlan - salamat. natutuwa naman ako at sumasama kayo sa paglilibot ko kahit sa blog ko man lang.
ReplyDelete@ borneo falcon - i personally think that they would open up once the island's development starts.
ReplyDelete@ alicesg - i did enjoy it very much. the rocks and the seascape is one of the best sights i have seen this year.
ReplyDelete@ bertn - believe it or not, my fear is more on my equipment because the sea water would definitely destroy my cam.
ReplyDelete@ phivos nicolaides - thank you very much for that one philip and have a happy holidays to you and your loved ones.
ReplyDelete@ tr3nta - thanks. and same goes to you too.
ReplyDelete@ crome3d - geology rocks lol.
ReplyDelete@ kris jasper - i guess they are not yet used to lots of tourists but i think they will open up once development gets underway.
ReplyDelete@ carlotta - yup. these rocks might have passed the test of time and also ravages of the sea. they surely look great.
ReplyDelete@ wren - me too. i love nature more but i do get crazy with partying sometimes.
ReplyDelete@ yfur porsche p fernandez - thanks. will link you.
ReplyDeletemerry christmas, atty. oman! this island is just pristine. :)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful Christmas, lawstude!
ReplyDeleteOne thing is for sure, included na ito sa list n gplaces na dadayuhin ko in the future. Merry Xmas Lawstude! :)
ReplyDeleteI get sick-sickness easily. So I guess I should only consider coming during the summer, eh? ;)
ReplyDeletekuya! happy Christmas din sayo ah!
ReplyDeleteingats ka palagi=)
kuya oman..babati lang ako sa iyo ng maligayang pasko...=}
ReplyDeletewow so many comments! you have lots of fans already, me included..the carabao island is very beautiful. thank you for letting us have a glimpse of it thru your photography!
ReplyDeleteThere must be a lifetime of islands to explore and reflect upon in your area with each having a beautiful but unique personality. May the World everywhere show its beauty to those who continue to have their eyes closed. Thanks for bringing extra beauty into my world. Merry Christmas to you Lawstude.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos as always.
ReplyDeleteI hope this remains as a paradise. Enjoy the rest of the year =) Thanks for always showing the beauty of home...
Salamat uli.
as always beautiful post and photos are excellent.love your blog.
ReplyDeletehappy holidays from botetourt county virginia.
Sounds like a great place to visit! I wouldn't mind a place with no restaurants or party-goers, just nature lovers. All the water shots are precious.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday!
pahabol po... Happy Christmas!!! =)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!! wait no more like breathtaking! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCorrection please: The name of the island is Carabao island. The name of the municipality is SAN JOSE, not San Juan. Hambil was the olden name of the island and still the island's popular name.
ReplyDelete