Karlo Espinoza

Jomalig Island is an isolated paradise in the easternmost part of Polilio Group. Pronounced as “humalig”, Jomalig is an island municipality of Quezon Province. Locals of the island are called “Jomaligins” and are among the kindest persons I have met.

After six hours of ferry ride, at last! We arrived in this kind of paradise. We stayed in Baluarte Resort in Jomalig Island. You can see a sand bar in the middle of the sea in this part of the island. I thought you will only witness golden sand beaches in the island but I was wrong.

I was amazed by the sea breeze around three in the afternoon. ‘Coz it’s very coozy, calming, relaxing, name it! I feel like I am in other dimension where peace resides. 

This is the first time I saw a golden beach with a light turquoise beach in my life. I promise you, this is indeed a Paradise!

This is the famous sand ripples of the island - Kanaway Beach. The beauty of of this beach is seen when it’s low tide. 

In this photo, you can see that there is a part of the island that has a white sand. This is the Pamana White Beach Resort - the Little Boracay. Perfect for people who are in a state of depression. You will realize that there are so many reasons to live for.

The Little Batanes of Jomalig Island, The Lingayen Cove. “Ang ganda, PROMISE!” The cove is so breathtaking, you can see and realize that Jomalig is situated faraway from stress.

Puno ng Walang Forever - ONLY IN JOMALIG ISLAND! Don’t forget to ask your Habal-habal Driver to visit this tree. As the name itself, this tree is situated away from the forest so they called it A Tree that is Loner. I as a travel enthusiast to loves to take take pictures, always consider the position of the sun. That is indeed a travel tip. Sunrise and sunset is highly recommended to add a dramatic scene to your pictures!

As I am about end my write-up, it really hurts because a piece of heart is left on this beautiful paradise. Too many pictures that is worth sharing! In the picture is me with my Baguio-based friends who want to witness this majestic island. Ican’t believe that there are also other people who are like me that will make a way to travel or in other words, kaladkarin.

This picture is captured in Sadong Golden Sand Beach. Your 20 pesos is really worth it!

Mt. Daraitan, which sits near the border of Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon. One of my favorites,but I don’t want to go back anymore! Why? Though it’s elevation is not as high as other mountains, Daraitan is one of the most difficult to climb for beginners. If you plan on climbing this mountain, set it on summer days.

Daraitan’s trail is composed mostly of limestones, so gear up all your gloves and socks! ‘Coz this trail is literally an adventure! This picture is an unexpected shot. My joiner had a jumpshot in a cliff located in the summit.

“Sa iba ka naman na-fall” The woman in the picture is one of my travel buddies and now is on a relationship with a Pharmacist.

This is one of the attraction in Mt. Daraitan - Heart Peak

This is True. When you hike, you forget all bad things that happen in your life. See this picture? They are all solo joiner. Two of them lost their loved ones. Though hiking is done in a day or few hours, you will feel that you are not alone.

This is the most chillax spots in daraitan, the famous, Tinipak River. Youmust make extra precaution while enjoying the boulders of the river. Because you will not expect current in this area. Many hikers find it a good rest not knowing the rapid current especially in the river. 

This is a waterstream where you can take a bath and drink a water because this is a spring that comes out at the foot of the mountain. It is said that this is the spring where the Filipino soldiers that fought in the Japanese war takes their water supply.

Hardest part of the trip with new found friends: Uwian na! There is no bridge that connects the Barangay of Daraitan to the mainland of Rizal, so balsa is the solution.

Caramoan Islands are one of the beautiful sites in the Philippines, located in the unexplored area in region of Bicol. The islands have unique characteristics, some has pure white sand, others has golden sand. This is I think an icon of Camsur while Calaguas in Camarines Norte. Here in my blog, I will show you my favorite shots.

Ah! This is one of my favorites! Spectacle and perfect! This is Lahos Island, our first stop. There are so many islands in Caramoan but you need to stay for 4 to 5 days to explore all of the activities.

“Iwas tayo sa taong may travel history. Yung galing sa bago niya tapos babalik sa’yo.” This is one of the main attraction in Caramoan, The Matukad Island, where you can find the “Magic Bangus”.

The diving site, Cagbalinad Island here you can find the clam-like stone. It’s our first day in the place but it is indeed breathtaking views, SULIT!

The second day of our stay in Camsur. We started our Long Trip Tour. This is my picture being excited to see the top where you can find the little batanes of caramoan - Guinahoan Island. So peaceful kind of view. I wish I could stay for too long.

One of the golden sand, Cotivas Island, where our tour guide Kuya Arnel made us sand castle. Another feature of this island is the sand bar that resembles Kalanggaman Island.

Manlawi Sandbar - though we don’t saw the sand because it is high tide as you can see in the picture. It is the place where we ate our lunch. It is very memorable to me because it is unusual place to eat. Imagine you are in the middle of nowhere eating seafoods.  It is good also that it is high tide so you can enjoy the view, you can also enjoy kayaking!

Of course you don’t want to miss the highlight of Caramoan - Bag-ing Beach. This is the island where the Survivor Series: Caramoan.

This long stretch of beach is the way to the headquarters of Survivor. Sayang! We don’t have a time to visit the island where the famous Mangrove Trees. On that island, you can encounter the “Lumba-lumba” or Seasnake. It has black and white stripe color which is venomous. I think a good experience. Hehe.

The 3rd most highest mountain in the Philippines! It is a must hike mountain for travel enthusiasts, mountaineers, influencers. 

There are two trails to go to the summit. The 1st one is the Ambangeg Trail, it is recommended to beginners and the 2nd one is Akiki-Amba Trail that is for experienced hikers.

We spend the first day of our trip on “Baban’s Homestay” which is located at the foot of the mountain. It was so cold that we need to have a bonfire. Yes it is. It s far more cold than in Baguio City at night.

So near yet, so far. If you are wondering what are those grass-like shrubs in the picture, it is the famous Dwarf Bamboo.

We started the trek at exactly 2:00 AM. And here is the outcome of effort. - at the summit.

Literally, breathtaking Playground of the Gods. Note: Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg is a backtrail type of hike with a difficulty level of 5/9.

This is my favorite stolen picture. I don’t know why but it looks so peaceful to see.

And this is a picture captured while we are going down the mountain. This is featured on the page of “Taong Bundok”. The woman in the picture is our coordinator. She assists us in our hike and the name of their group is “Team Bakas”.You can check them on Facebook. PS: As I am writing this blog, I would like to congratulate Miya on giving birth to her son.

Of Course! Jumpshot is a must!

On my front is Mt. Tabayoc and must be also conquered. SOON!

The Mossy part of the hike. You can only appreciate it when you will go back on the jump-off. You can see mossy trees.

"As a pharmatographer, you don't need any medicines like yakapsule or kisspirin to treat your depression or loneliness, I'd rather recommend taking Vitamin D-agat and Vitamin B-ATANES!

- A must experience in life! - Batanes

- My new friends, our group is called "Team ePAL", 'coz our flight is delayed.

- 1st time on a plane, window seat, BATANES is the destination.

- Don't miss shooting Long Exposure. Stargazing is absolutely stunning.

- North Batan at sunset.

- On our way to Sabtang Island. Big sea waves along the way. We feel so nervous because, boat in batanes does not have "katig".

- Ah! My favorite shot on our trip! Using Tamron 70-300 mm, a view of Batan from Sabtang Port. Unfortunately, I have no Model.

- On our 3rd day, we visited South Batan. "Grabe! Speechless kami nung nakita namin ito."

- Tayid Lighthouse, South Batan, Batanes.

One of the best travel experience! These are "must" for people who loves to seek nature, history, adventure, or to boost their happy hormones.

Leyte - Land of History

Kalanggaman Island is an island located in the municipal of Palompon in the province of Leyte.

36 hours of land tour and we arrived on the island.

Morning breeze on the Island. ‘Pang-world class di ba?”