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Published: March 28th 2006
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I'm back in Virac after spending a week at Puraran Beach. The trip there consisted of a one and a half hour Jeepney ride from Virac to Baras and then a 5km tricycle ride from Baras to the beach. The tricycle drivers originally wanted 150 pesos (about $Au4) for the trip, I offered 50 pesos then sat down to see who'd crack first. One guy then gave me the story about how expensive petrol was etc so I said there's no way a local could afford to use the tricycles if that was the real price. He then dropped the price to 100 pesos and said that if locals use the tricycles they usually have 5 crammed into it, I'd be having it to myself so it was classified as a special trip. Fair enough point but I stuck to my guns and waited in the shade. After about ten minutes he called out to another tricycle driver and asked him if he'd take me to the beach for 50 pesos, the guy readily agreed with a big smile. It's always difficult to know the right price and I always expect to pay more than a local, I later found out
Beach Hut
I opted for a room rather than a hut. that the local price is 25 pesos so I was pleased to pay only 50.
The tricycle driver took me to the Puting Baybay resort, I got a room in the main house overlooking the beach and Pacific Ocean for 300 pesos a night (about $8) and for an extra 220 pesos I got three big meals a day; with the San Miguel at 22 pesos and a great beach I knew I was settling in for a while.
When I arrived there was only two other guests, Graham and Andrea from Canada, they left the following day. That same day Mat a young British guy, Cheryl his Filipina partner and young Jason arrived. They were good company and we played a lot of pool (8 ball) and enjoyed a few San Migs. Later in the week I met Glenn an Aussie guy living there with his Filipina wife Malou and their daughter Holly, Glenn's 18 year old son Mitch was also there on an extended holiday. He was a young surfer, Glenn also surfed. On the Sunday I watched a footy game at his house - Broncos Vs Parramatta, he had the place built and it was very nice.
The beach
The sand was similar to that found on Aussie beaches, maybe a bit coarser. So what's to do in a place like Puraran beach? I got into a bit of a routine, breakfast between 7am and 8am, swimming for a few hours then a shower and reading until lunch, normally about 12.30pm. After lunch I'd play pool with Mat and Cheryl (and other guests who arrived later) until about 2pm, I then read for a while and usually had a bit of a nap. Beer O'clock was 6pm so I'd have a couple of San Migs before dinner which was served at 7pm. After dinner it was a few more games of pool then Mat and I (and sometimes Cheryl) would go to the next resort - "Majestics" for a few more beers. It was only a short walk down a sandy track but I was glad I brought my torch as the track wasn't lit.
Majestics is the other resort at Puraran beach, the brother and sister (Allan and Irene) who basically run the place are very friendly. Prices are about the same as the Puting Baybay and the cottages very similar. Unfortunately they don't get nearly as many guests as the tricycle drivers drop people off at the Puting Baybay which is
Mat, Cheryl and Jason
The games between Mat and I were about even, Cheryl had our measure though. the first resort at the bottom of a steep hill. However in the peak surfing season (August to October) both places can be full, the guests being predominantly surfers from Australia and Japan. Years ago there another resort but it got destroyed in a big Typhoon, 1998 I think.
The surf at Puraran was quite good on a number of days, the biggest it got was about 2 metres. I didn't go out though as the reef break was a long paddle out and the wave was quite fast. Glenn offered to lend me his mini mal but I decided that it probably wasn't a suitable wave after not surfing for over 20 years. Still those who go there looking for surf can be rewarded with very nice waves.
A couple of days before I left two backpackers arrived, Kym from Denmark and Asaf from Israel. They had been to Donsol and had swam with the Whale Sharks, they both raved about it and said it was worth every Peso. Asaf had spent 5 months in China and had a lot of stories to tell, he was a real outgoing sort of guy and got quite animated after a few
Glenn and Glen
Discussing footy at the Majestics resort over a few quiet beers. beers.
This morning I said goodbye to a really nice place, must take Eleanor there some time in the future. Tomorrow it's back to Manila and then onto Davao on Saturday. I checked my footytips a little while ago, got 5 last week (not bad) but I'm 4 off the leader. Next update will most likely be from Davao, thanks for the comments and thanks Jenny for keeping Mum updated.
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eldon templonuevo
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hello
hey glen,do you remember meeh from baras im dat drive the motorcycle from zhongsen the blue one right,hey can you say hi to my couzin kuya elvis and to albert. thank you my is eldon they should know meeh