Five Days in Region Five - Part Two

Day 2: Sorsogon City to Matnog, Sorsogon

From the city center, we walked a few yards to Savemore to buy our food and eat at Bigg's Diner. Bigg's Diner is a popular food shop in the region so I was told that I have truly been to Bicol because I have already eaten there. From there, we rode a trike to the jeepney terminal wherein we'd ride a jeep bound to Matnog. It was a butt-numbing ride because for an hour, you'd be squeezed into the seats in order to fill the jeep to more than its capacity. It was not the first time I heard of top loading but placing a wooden plank to the jeep bars near the exit is just so foreign to me. Hahaha. I have never seen anything like it. Jeep fare costs Php100 and you'll alight at the last stop, Matnog Port. It is only a short walk to the boat dock to Calintaan Island where Subic Beach is located.

For documentation purposes, please have yourself registered at the Tourism office, just before the wet market. They will also be responsible for assigning you the boat because there is a cooperative of pump boat operators, which ensures equal distribution of  clients among the members. Boat fee costs 2,800 and environmental fee costs 175 pesos if I remember it correctly. The fee includes an island hopping activity and a round trip service to and from the mainland. Not bad, eh?

Boat dock

Subic Beach

Campsites

We got to the island at about lunchtime then rented a tent good for three people for 500 pesos only. Rates can go down on off-peak season. Cottages are also available, just inquire at the tourism office so they can help you make arrangements. We decided to do the first part of the island hopping on that day, and the remaining part the next day. Island hopping includes the Hidden Lagoon, Juag Fish Sanctuary and Tikling Island.

Entrance to the lagoon

Me, Suzette, and Kei at the lagoon

From the boat, you have to swim going to the lagoon. The boat will lend you its life vests for those who cannot swim that well. There is also a part of the lagoon wherein you can do rock climbing then cliff dive. We weren't able to do this, sadly in order to save time and to appreciate the tranquility of the lagoon.

After spending a considerable amount of time in the lagoon, we headed towards Juag Fish Sanctuary. It is a private property but guests are allowed to enter. You can buy fish food for 50 pesos.

Juag Fish Sanctuary

Day 3: Matnog, Sorsogon to Bulusan, Sorsogon

Other sights to see would be Tikling Island in which you would see amazing rock formations after a short trek to the back of the island. Our boatman accompanied us to the area and volunteered to take photos for us.

Look Ma, the water is so clear!

The beach/docking area of boats in Tikling Island

Titanic-esque rock formation

Rocks and titas in the crystal clear water

More rocks

We were slated to go to Bulusan the same day that we went to Tikling. We boarded a jeep bound to Irosin, just near the Matnog Port. A little trivia: Matnog Port is the link of Luzon to the Visayas, as Matnog, Sorsogon is the nearest point to Allen, Samar.

That's Capul Island (Allen, Samar) right there.

Bye, Matnog!

We haven't gotten around into exploring Irosin but based from what I have read, it boasts of natural hot springs. After an hour, we alighted at the Irosin Public Market and boarded a jeep bound to Bulusan. My next post would be all about Bulusan so stay tuned. :)

Follow my five-part Bicolandia adventure by clicking on these links:
Part One, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five