IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES :-): August 2013

Filled with excitement as we savored the place tagged as the Island Born of Fire, Camiguin Island. After 5 months of waiting, we’ve finally conquered this island.

15 significant places here in Camiguin Island were listed in my must-visit list. I didn’t make any travel itinerary in advance as it makes me feel sick whenever I can’t follow a designated schedule. I am a Filipino and I am an avid disciple of what they called “Filipino time”. So unquestionably I break all travel schedules. Besides, I am a come-what -may type of girl. Here we go…

Our journey started around 1 in the morning. Everything fell perfectly into place. The timing was remarkably great. I mean, we were able to catch the shuttle’s (barge) first trip going to Camiguin.

Deluxe First trip from Butuan City going to Cagayan de Oro is 2 AM. We humbly asked the driver to wake us up 5 minutes before Balingoan Terminal so we could compose ourselves by then. We arrived in Balingoan Terminal around 5AM having a fare of P 196.00 for adult and P150.00 for my sister (student). We never hired a tricycle going to Balingoan Port so we could save money. Instead, we walked so fast so we could catch the first trip. And thanks God, wish granted. With all the haggling drama, the ticket booth in-charge allowed us to be the last barge passengers of Shuttle # 9.

With those huge waves, my sister Kiray got dizzy along the way and our youngest brother kept on praying for our safety trip while I’m busy chit-chatting with my co-passenger about this island. It took 1:15 minutes from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port. Then we took a ride going to Mambajao via multicab. When we arrived in Mambajao bagsakan, we bought foods for our 1^st day trip.

I was so uncertain whether to stay in a hotel or to stay in my childhood friend’s house. But since I’m trying to be thrifty for souvenir purposes, I’ve chosen not to stay in a hotel not knowing that my friend’s house is situated in remote area (Barangay Campana) where fare expenses is lot higher compared to hotel expenses. Shame on me! But we’re already there, so we didn’t have a choice but to close our eyes and enjoy the moment.

Around 10:00AM after our breakfast, we hired 2 motorcycles for our trip. By unanimous decision, we chose White Island to be our first stop. We arrived in White Island wharfing area which is located in Paras Beach around 11AM, we paid the entrance fee P20.00 per pax, pump boat rental (back and forth) that costs P450.00 and rented some swimming gears. We reached the said island in just 7 minutes. The pear-shaped island has not retained its natural shape as the tide is getting higher after an hour. And with that, we were forced to move on to our next target destination, the Ardent Hot Spring.

ARDENT HOT SPRING

Ardent Hot Spring is located in Esperanza, Tagdo, Mambajao.

Since it’s past 1 in the afternoon, our tummies began to protest. Glad that we saw this low-priced cafeteria “Kainan sa Tulay” situated in Yumbing on our way to Sto.NiÑo Cold Spring.

STO. NIÑO COLD SPRING
The 8 feet pool is damn so cold. Unfortunately, we were running out of time so we were not able to swim and feel the coldness of this spring.

Cottages are also available for rent. And as you can see, they don't use freezer in this area to make the carbonated drinks cold, and I presume the picture says it all.

After 15 minutes of touring around, the rain started to fall so we swiftly proceeded to our next destination, Catarman Old Church Ruins. Catarman Old Church Ruins, formerly known as Guiob Church, was ruined during the volcanic eruption (Mt. Hibok-hibok) on May 13, 1871. This 3-inch astonishing wall is nothing but a worth a stop. Anyway, this place is just few minutes away from Sunken Cemetery.

As we walk inside to the church relics, the little girl approaches to us and she cordially offered herself to be our camera girl while telling us the brief history of the church. She’s definitely amazing. Really! And she even told us that the said place has hidden treasure. Many tried digging but none succeeded.

3-inch wall

inside the church

130-year old tree beside the old convent

After feeding our eyes with historic view of the old church ruins, we went to Sunken Cemetery in which the Camiguin is popularly known for. Again we hired a boat for 100 pesos back and forth so we could have a closer look of the cross and also sunken cemetery. By the way, the cross is just 3minutes away from the shore.

with my sis kiray

Lastly we went to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross where the traditional “panaad” during Lenten season takes place. It’s getting late; hence we only achieved the first station. I promised to visit the 14 stations in my next visit soon!

We went back to my friend’s house around 6pm and had our dinner then finally snuggle up in our bed early.

Fresh breeze woke us up early. We immediately prepared our things for our last but not the least destination, Katibawasan Falls.

KATIBAWASAN FALLS

Katibawasan Falls, 250ft high, is located in Mambajao. It’s quite early so definitely we were the first sightseer there. We paid P20.00/pax for the entrance fee. We never stayed there for long period since we were planning to take the 2 o’clock barge trip. The weather was not good so it would be risky for us to take to last trip.

250 ft high

kipping for only Php10.00

After Katibawasan falls, I and my college friend Jepoy met at Bagsakan and then had our short bonding in Parola and lastly in Cathedral.