Discovering Catanduanes: Virac

After checking out at Twin Rock Beach Resort, we had a difficult time going to the town proper. The tricycles were hard to come by, most probably because it was lunchtime - a typical laid-back attitude in the provinces. We waited for like more than an hour, but to no avail. Luckily, a supplier for the resort graciously offered us a ride to town. We thankfully accepted the invite.

We checked in at Catanduanes Midtown Inn, an affordable and comfortable place to stay in the city. It is in a good location as well, a good base for our Virac exploration. I booked the hotel via email just before we left Manila. It was the best hotel - like accommodation I have found in my Catanduanes research.

I also research the restaurants to eat in whenever I go somewhere unfamiliar. I decided to go to one of those in my list after checking in. There are many tricycles just outside the hotel but we had a difficult time going to the restaurant. The first tricycle driver had a wrong misconception of where Blossoms Restaurant is and he brought us to a wrong place. The second driver also did not know about it but fortunately, we passed by the restaurant by chance and finally found it. All the trouble when it was just actually walking distance from the hotel!

The first floor is a cafe/bakeshop of some sorts. A waiter led us to the second floor where the actual restaurant is. The place has a homey and airy atmosphere. The ceiling is high and there are wide windows and a balcony.

The servings at Blossoms are for meant for sharing. We found about that when the food arrived. We did not expect that due to the cheap price. We tried the squid rice, chicken fingers and fried calamari.

After our late lunch, Baby and I headed back to the hotel to prepare for our sightseeing. We commissioned a tricycle driver to bring us to Bato Church and Maribina Falls. I love old churches and old architecture in general.

At first, I was hesitant to go inside because I was wearing a racer back top. They are very conservative in the provinces and I did not want to be disrespectful of their customs. I remember my humbling experience in Baclayon Church in Bohol where a church lady offered me a piece of cloth to cover my arms and shoulders before entering the church. Flashback Bohol....

Anyway, I was relieved when no one minded me in Bato Church. I just stayed for a short time because I am the only one wearing a sleeveless top. The church was beautiful and had a dramatic effect from the light pouring in through the window.

After this, we proceeded to Maribina Falls. Some kids were jumping off a rock and swimming when we got there. We were prepared to take a dip in the refreshingly cool water but did not; I thought to let the kids enjoy themselves.

We went straight to the market to check out some souvenirs after. We had a difficult time finding the usual tourist mementos like key chains or fridge magnets with the word Catanduanes. They really are not yet tourist ready. Baby was able to buy a shirt and I was pleased to find this pen holder/desk display for myself.

For our last dinner in Catanduanes, we ate at Sea Breeze. I suppose it is a very popular restaurant, a very busy place with friends and families hanging out. It is also child friendly, with a play area on the side. It is an open-air type so you can really feel the breeze from the sea.  Too bad though that we cannot see the sea at all because the restaurant is poorly lit. To appreciate the setting, it is best to dine there in the morning or in the afternoon.

We ordered soup, grilled tanigue and battered prawns.

Tired and full, we headed back to the hotel and ended the day with a massage booked from the hotel.

Read Discovering Catanduanes: Twin Rock Beach Resort

INFORMATION:

CATANDUANES MIDTOWN INN

San Jose St., Virac, Catanduanes
Tel. no. +63 (052 )811-0527, Fax +63 (052) 811-1526
E-mail: info@catmidinn.com
Website: www.catmidinn.com

Discovering Catanduanes: Twin Rock Beach Resort

What's in Catanduanes? Friends would ask me after I told them Baby and I are going there for our first trip as a couple. That’s the same exact thing on my mind when I booked the trip. That's the reason I wanted to go. I want to find out! The usual tourist destination doesn't interest me anymore. Once I've been to a certain place, going back again is the least of my priorities. I would treasure the experience but I would be out looking for new adventures and sights to see. 

 All I knew was there's a place in Catanduanes with a big rock on the sea near the beach. I didn’t even know where it was. I love to research on the internet but this turned out to be quite challenging. There’s not much useful material and in depth tourist experience about this province. While doing my research, I found out that Catanduanes is a surfer place. Puraran Beach is popular because of the Majectics, a surf break. This is definitely not for me. I don't care for water sports and activities; I'm not very good with swimming. 

Where is that darn picture of the rock?! At last, I found it!

To maximize our trip in Catanduanes, I planned to stay the first night at the TWIN ROCK BEACH RESORT and the second night in the town proper of Virac. The resort's website at the time was not displaying the pages fully. I remember only seeing the price of the rooms and two phone numbers. There was no way to book online or even correspond by email. 

Due to the nature of my work, my body clock is on Eastern Standard Time.  I am mostly asleep during the day and I couldn't find the time to call and make a reservation. I asked Lemon, my friend from work, to book for me last minute. Unfortunately, we didn't have the chance to talk at all before my flight. I boarded the plane without any idea how far the resort is from the airport, how to get there or if we have a room at all.

 I am a seasoned traveler anyway so I tried not to worry during the plane ride. I just enjoyed the view. Wow! My first time seeing the almost perfect cone of Mayon Volcano.

Upon reaching Virac airport, I again tried calling Lemon. But no avail, he was not picking up. I then tried calling the two phone numbers listed from the resort’s website but no one’s answering as well. While I’m doing this I was calmly looking around, hoping somebody is holding a piece of paper with our names written on it. Everyone from our plane had people with cars picking them up. Resigned to the fact that no one was there for us, we looked for a public transportation of any sort. There was none.

Baby was already worried so I suggested we try our luck at a nearby store, just right across the street of the airport. We bought some drinks first then asked around for directions to Twin Rock. A man said he would be willing to take us there in his tricycle. Great! We paid Php250 for the one-way ride. The road going there was bumpy but we did not experience any discomfort. The tricycle was bigger than what we have in Manila and it was so well cushioned. Our behinds didn’t hurt at all from the bouncing that we got.

We told our driver that we didn’t have a booking. He said there are plenty of rooms there. He also assured us that he would not leave until they confirm that the resort would take us in. I was so grateful when he said that. I didn't see any other lodging during the 20-minute tricycle ride.

At the front desk, the receptionist told us that there were no available aircon rooms. We would have to wait for a guest to check out in about 2 hours. She explained that all of the current occupants of the resort are all guests of the Governor. That day was the inauguration of the winners of the 2010 government elections. We had no reason to complain at that point. We were very appreciative of the fact that they allowed us to stay without any prior communication. We agreed to stay in a fan room until the aircon room becomes available. Lucky for us, the transfer took less than an hour.  

 

We then eagerly took a quick tour of the place.

We got hungry. At the sari-sari store/restaurant no one acknowledged or minded us. People seemed busy, just walking past us. We were not sure who to ask or call among them. There are no uniformed employees wearing nameplates here. Maybe they were not sure if we were paying guests or guests of the governor. I was thinking, is this resort closed for business today, and we really are not supposed to be here? It seemed liked it. 

We sat there for about ten minutes. No one approached or talked to us. Baby finally got up, walked to the storekeeper to ask if we can eat there, and asked for a menu. 

The old school menu. Literally. It made me smile and reminisce my old grade school projects.

I can't recall what we ordered. I just remember it was a little pricey for the resort. You wouldn't expect that price list from looking at the cover of their menu.

The staff left us alone to explore the property by ourselves. It's now time to bask in the beauty of Twin Rock's private cove.

Some dusk shots.

We had a peaceful and laid back time in Twin Rock. It was a good change in pace. The views were lovely. Looking at the scenery of the cove is like looking at a giant postcard. 

The only downside was the nagging feeling that we did not belong there all throughout our stay. Come to think of it. No one led us to our room; they just pointed us to its direction. No one told us if we have free breakfast the next morning. (We did pay for our breakfast). There was no briefing of the resort amenities or suggestion of activities. It was a little disconcerting that we did not feel we are welcome paying guests, rather a couple of outsiders who insisted on staying there.

My take on it? Catanduanes or Twin Rock is still underdeveloped in terms of tourism and hospitality management. The people at the resort seemed like nice people but they obviously lack training. Alternatively, maybe just shy? I don't know. They were not intentionally being aloof to us. Unfortunately, they were also not very helpful. 

I still recommend going to Twin Rock Beach Resort just for the picture perfect view alone. 

Again, maybe they were just really closed for business the day that we came.

Postscript: This blog was written a year later from the actual trip. Twin Rock website has since been updated. The improvement is HUGE. They now have full information, activities, WIFI, free breakfast, etc. Good job!

Read Discovering Catanduanes: Virac

Information:

TWIN ROCK BEACH RESORT

Igang, Virac, Catanduanes 4800

Philippines

Email: twinrockbeachresort@yahoo.com

Telephone No.: (6352) 811-3742

Telefax No.:      (6352) 811-1707

Mobile:            0918-991-9605 (Liby)

                      0929-421-7088 (Eden)

Website: http://www.twinrock.com.ph/home.html

From Manila, fly to Virac, Catanduanes via:

Philippine Airlines

Cebu Pacific