This island is a popular island hopping and swimming destination because of its long stretch of white-sand beach.
Took this photo of the island from afar.
And this, when we disembarked from our boat.
To get to the island’s beach, we had to walk through their barangay, which was really nice because it gave us a glimpse of how the locals live: my favorite Indian mango sold for Php 2 each, roosters as pangsabong (cockfight), a couple sleeping on a papag (wooden bed), children perched on the balcony of their nursery center, a fisherman earning his keep, and two local children who asked me to take their photo.
Finally, we arrived on their sandy beach. While my friends were buying some clams for lunch, I roamed around and took photos. Here’s my favorite:
This one’s taken using my Samsung Galaxy Note 2. I just recently discovered the joy of taking panoramic shots, and I’m just happy my phone has this feature.
Caohagan is also famous for its fresh seafood – fish, clam, crab, seashell, lobster, etc. Their prices are a tourist trap, though.
Aside from their seafood market, the island also has a souvenir shop. Again, the prices are expensive e.g. a necklace I can buy for Php 50 in Mactan Shrine is sold at Caohagan at Php 150 to Php 200.
It also has cottages for rent (bottom right picture on the above collage). Pardon my ignorance on the rates (docking, cottage rental, etc) as we were not charged anything because my colleagues knew the island’s caretaker.
From talking with the vendors, we learned that the island is owned by a Japanese who has been living in the island for about 2 decades now. They added that he takes really good care of them. He built a primary school, sends scholars to college, and gives them medical assistance. He also taught them quilt making and now, most women from the community supplement their husbands’ earning through this craft. These women sell their finished products to the Japanese who exports them to Japan.
Before leaving the island, we were lucky to chance on this lady who was painstakingly working on a handmade quilt.
I was amazed because she was doing it without a sample photo or guide. How artistic!
Thoughts, Tales, and Whatnot 
Leave a reply to juleene Cancel reply