Catanduanes: finding the Value of Simplicity

 There are moments when you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of a city life, run away from the heavy downpour, or hide from the hot sun, but you don’t have the faintest idea where to go. All of a sudden, you hear the voice of the wilderness calling you. What if the tables turned and the things you wish to disappear for a while will create the best days of your life? Well, this is what happened when Blaine, my bestfriend, and I found our sweetest escape in Catanduanes: an island located in the Bicol Region of Luzon.  In this serene island, you will realize that all the small things you turned the blind eye to will be worth-keeping.

            You    can    survive   without   gadgets. 

ZERO signal for smart users. By the way, I am pertaining to Puraran Surf Beach Resort, where we stayed for the whole trip. So, when you plan to stay there, you should inform your family beforehand. This is probably one reason why people were not glued on their phones. Everybody’s chatting with their family and friends. When someone needs to relay a message, you won’t see him call or text; instead, he will go straight to the person, no matter how far it will take him.

          The mind-set    ‘Sleep when the rain falls’      becomes                                            ‘Joyride when it pours’.   

Every day, we rode a motorbike going to places such as Virac, Baras, Bato, and Gigmoto, and every day we got caught up in the rain. Back home, you’ll do everything to avoid the rain. But it’s ironic that we set foot in the ‘land of the howling wind’; the land where typhoon always hits. When we were right in the middle of our joyride, the rain suddenly poured. Probably more than two or three lightning bolts struck through the ocean. Well, of course it is weird to open your umbrella. So the best thing to do is to open your arms, feel the rain falling on your face, and savour every moment as your bike zigzags through.                                                                         

                      The nature’s sound is one of a kind.

Part of the joyride is hearing the voices of the nature; the chirp from different species of birds, whistles of crickets, and other unidentified creatures.  When they all sing at once, it would be the most beautiful music you could ever hear. Have you every appreciated this music in the city?

      Seeing the SUN everywhere is an emblem of a perfect day! 

Many people complained about the heat! But in Catanduanes, and probably in other coasts too, wherever you see the sun, it will always look picturesque. As you lie on the sand, you’ll feel the sun’s kiss; when you ride on the roads, the sun follows; and when you reach the peak of a mountain, the sun will be there to illuminate the panoramic view. Speaking of mountains, there are two famous mountain peaks there, Binurong Point and Balacay Point. I definitely recommend visiting Binurong Point! Just check out thepictures as they say a thousand words. Sadly, we couldn’t witness the sunrise because the ocean is covered with mist and clouds. If you are lucky, the best time for visit is at 4am!

Time was short to make the most out of our trip. There’s more to say, but I learned that after all the hardwork and time spent chasing after your future, you will realize that contentment lies at present. All you have to do is to teach your eyes to value what’s around.   



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