Rainy season has began but it did not discourage us from visiting Kinamanukan island or Chicken island as locals called it. One of the many beautiful islands of Camarines Norte. Ms. Ron sent out the invite which I gladly accepted. Joined by Wayne, another friend, together we boarded a Superlines bus bound for Daet on a rainy Saturday evening. We did not reserve a ticket prior, hence we ended up in a non air-con bus. It was crowded (nearly overloaded) that going out during stopovers was a bit of a challenge. We had also a long journey mainly because of traffic going out of the metro and in San Pablo. We made it to Daet past seven in the morning hungry.
Contrary to the weather in Manila, it was sunny in Daet. We started the day with a breakfast at Jollibee. After which we bought the supplies that we will be needing in the island. When we had everything that we needed, we took a tricycle to Pandawan Fishport in Brgy. Bagasbas. From there, we rented a motorized bangka that brought us to the island. Travel time was around 25 minutes.
Arriving at the island, there were a handful of island-goers enjoying the beach. We were welcomed by Tatay Samuel and Tatay Reming. They were the caretakers of the fish sanctuary around the island. The island is privately owned and no amenities of a resort. It has a thick forest cover which I liked. Creamy and powdery white sand made up the shorelines. The waters were not that crystal clear but nevertheless inviting.
 |
| Chicken Island's Shoreline |
A compound surrounded by a bamboo fence with a small hut near the shorline which served as the home-base of the caretakers (bantay dagat) of the fish sanctuary was where we stayed and hanged our hammocks. It was also under the shade of trees providing enough cover from the sun and shield from strong wind. We were lucky that there was a manual water pump where we can bath after dipping in the sea and a toilet that we can use for calls of nature.
Clouds stated to form while we were preparing our lunch and it has been cloudy for the rest of the day. After we devoured our lunch we had a siesta. It was around four in the afternoon when woke up. Perhaps the long bus ride took its toll on us. All the island-goers had left and it was the five of us in the island. We strolled along the shorelines and did a couple of picture takings. I was anticipating a dramatic sunset but sadly the clouds hid it. I took a dip instead until dusk.
The night in the island was so quite. There was no electricity, though phone signals were strong. Tatay Samuel and Tatay Reming were very much accommodating that they lent us their battery- powered incandescent bulb. They also shared some cooking utensils with us. By seven in the evening, our dinner was ready. We enjoyed the food, the two joining us. We had no activities for the rest of the night, not even a single shot of rum. The clouds had fade away and the stars were so clear in the dark sky. Before going to sleep I prayed for a nice weather for the entire night so that we had a comfortable sleep in our hammocks and for the day to come so that we can enjoy the beach. With waves gently crashing the shorelines, I fell into slumber.
 |
| the powdery white sand |
There was a promise of a sunny day ahead when I woke up the next day. From where we were stationed, the sunrise was obscured by the thick forest. However, the sky was bright and blue signalling a fine day. I did a morning stroll a long the shorelines while my companions were still asleep. It was a different morning with sound of the birds and waves I was hearing and a vast sea I was seeing, far from usual morning sights and sounds of the city. It was just so relaxing!
I headed back to camp to help prepare our breakfast. In no time it was ready and was consumed instantly. We were energized and ready to enjoy the island on our last day. We decided to have a tour around the island. The sun was up revealing the beauty of the island even more. Halfway, Ms. Ron and Wayne decided to not complete the tour and instead stayed on the part which they found picturesque. Excited, I continued to go around. I passed by a rocky area where a lot of crablets resting I disturbed. I even saw a banded sea snake resting atop the rock. I was surprised by its presence that my knees started shaking. I hurriedly left but careful enough not to be sensed by it. There were also birds of white and black hovering over. I must say that the island is rich and indeed a sanctuary.
 |
| banded sea anake |
The island was small that in less than twenty minutes I was reunited with my companions. I saw them having a great time taking pictures. Selfies included. I had to admit I joined them and I had a number of my own selfies, too. We were enjoying very much that we didn't mind the intense heat of the sun kissing our skin. We have the entire island all to ourselves and we felt like we're free to do what we wanted, even unli selfies and annoyed no one.
It was when our stomachs clamored for food that we headed back to camp. A pasta courtesy of Ms. Ron, satisfied our hunger. We then took a short rest on our hammocks before going back into the beach at high noon to snorkel not bothered buy the sun. The beauty of the island was also underneath. Corals and fishes were alive. However, some corals where destroyed and in bad state. Though there were efforts to salvage the remaining, hence the area was declared fish sanctuary. This was also the reason why Tatay Samuel and Tatay Reming where there tasked to take care the sanctuary from illegal fishing activities.
 |
| the marine life |
As we left the island, I realized that I enjoyed our stay and the whole experience. I liked how untouched it was by commercialism considering its proximity to mainland. The island has high potential for tourism. I just hope though that island-goers more than enjoying will be also concerned not leaving their trash. It was a sore in the eyes to see bottles of liquors and mineral water, plastic cups and plates, junk foods wrappers and even baby diapers littered a long the shorelines around the island. The island is beautiful and it will be even more beautiful and appealing seeing it trash free.
 |
| the other side of the island |
How to get there?
If coming from Manila, Board a bus going to Daet. There are a number of bus lines plying the Manila-Daet route. Superlines, Daet Express and DLTB to name a few. Fare would range from 450 pesos to 550 pesos depending on the type of bus. AC or non/AC so to speak. From Daet, take a tricycle going to Pandawan fishport in Brgy. Bagasbas. Alternatively, the island can be accessed through the towns of San Vicente and Vinsons. From these jump-offs, boats can be rented from 700 pesos to 1000 pesos. In our case, we paid 1000 pesos boat rental from Brgy. Bagasbas in Daet. Travel time to the island is less than 30 minutes in all jump-offs.
Island Amenities and Fees
No entrance fee being collected in the island. The island is said to be privately owned but no caretakers are stationed in the island. Tatay Samuel and Tatay Reming are bantay dagat from Vinzons, tasked to take care the fish sanctuary. The island is under the jurisdiction of Vinsons. There are no resorts in the island. There is no electricity but cellphone signal was strong. There are a lot of trees to hanged hammock.
Island Activities
One can go beach camping, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking(you have to bring your kayak), sunrise and sunset viewing. If you want a raw and crowd-less island, this is for you.
 |
| me challenging the waves 😛😜😜 |
