Catanduanes High: 2013

There was short queue of about 7 people when we arrived at the Tabaco Port ticketing booth.Which was a big relief since we were expecting a beeline considering that November 30 was Fiesta day in San Andres. We fell in line and bought two deluxe tickets bound for the three hour ferry ride.

There are two routes going to Catanduanes, Virac (4 hours travel time) and San Andres (3 hours travel time).

Regina Shipping Lines offer free wifi onboard while Penafrancia doesn't.

Upon arriving at San Andres Port we walked out of the Pier gate and headed towards ACC Mall (it's actually more of a grocery than a mall). Jeepneys bound for Virac can be found there.
Being Fiesta day, a student of mine invited us over to their house for lunch.

Typical Catanduanes Fiesta fare. Carabeef is an accepted viand here.

After the filling meal we decided to check out the sights in San Andres. One of Riza's guests was a tricycle driver who gamely acquiesced to Riza's request to bring us to the Our Lady of Sorrows Icon in Bgy.Batong Paloway,San Andres .
Photo above shows the gate of The Our Lady of Sorrows Church which holds the Our Lady of Sorrows Icon.

The Icon which is said to be growing in size since it was found at a stream a hundred years ago.

After the Church visit we were brought back to the center of San Andres town where we parted ways and rode another trisy going to Virac. Distancce between the two towns is 16 kilometers and charged Php 150.00.We had a short stop at Luyang Cave.
Phtoto shows the entrance of Luyang Cave. The cave is located along the zigzag road going to Virac. There is a nominal entrance fee.

According to our trisy driver, the cave network is quite extensive and reaches to 2 nearby barangays.

It was 1:30 pm when we reached Catanduanes Midtown Inn. We paid Php1,320 for a standard double room.( Php 1,200 + 10% VAT).

The 2nd floor lobby which is the only place where we were able to get a WIFI signal.

The entrance to Maribina Falls. It's about a kilometer and a half from the main highway.

Tres escalon.

We then headed towards the town of Bato where the oldest church in Catanduanes can be found. A view of the town of Bato from across the river.

Side entrance of Bato church

Probably a Parish Priest who they buried inside the Church.

Bato church facade .

After Bato, we went t back to Virac and asked to be dropped off infront of our Hotel. We then walked 2 blocks to have merienda at Blossoms. We had an order of halo-halo and pansit guisado for the both of us which is good enough for 2 to 3 people. .

Their menu.

After our merienda my fiance decided to go back to the Hotel while I hopped on a trisy and asked to be dropped off at the Virac Public Market. The trisy ride was Php8.00 and was about 6 blockas away from Catanduanes Midtown Inn. The market is a 2 storey edifice that occupied a whole block.

The wet section is located at the second floor. The octopus is Php 80.00

Tuna and shark.

On my way back to the Hotel I decided to walk instead along th baywalk.

It was quite a long walk but the scenic view of the ocean and fresh salty air was worth it.

Some do's & dont's if you plan to have a picnic here.

Seabreeze Seafood Restaurant is right beside the Pier. It's frontage also serves as a terminal for buses and jeepneys bound for Gigmoto, Baras, and San Andres.

We had our dinner at one of the cabanas and had sizzling seafood and tempura. I find their prices a bit steep .

Sea Breeze menu.

After dinner, we brought supplies at this supermarket for our Puraran trip tomorrow. The supremarket is inside a mall where Jollibee and Chick Boy is located.

One Two Sawa Fastfood is a diner located beside Catanduanes Midtown Inn.

I wanted to have our breakfast here but my fiancewanted to eat at Jollibee.Guess where we had breakfast.

a smile as wide as Jollibee's.

This is the jeep we rode going to Baras.Jeepney fare from Virac to Bara is Php 40.00.Travel time is about an hour. From Baras town there are a lot of tricycles that can bring you to Puraran for Php 150.00.