When asked what are the Top 3 Destinations in the Philippines that I would love to visit again, Camiguin Island is definitely on my list.
Last year, I booked a flight to Camiguin during the Piso fare of Cebu Pacific Air. I asked three of my high school buddies namely Maire, Kenjo and Ruby if they want to spend the first weekend of October with me. When I informed them about Camiguin, they were a bit hesitant to go with me due to the recent news updates on the war within Mindanao. The media can hype up much negative issues at times affecting the main area T_T. They immediately said yes when I informed them that Camiguin is a safe place. It is also a good reunion tripsince we never really had any out of town trip since we bid farewell to our high school alma mater. Now is the perfect time!
Maire suggested that we book a flight to Cagayan de Oro so we can visit Camiguin. I’ve heard of Camiguin because it was featured in a number of horror flicks like Quija. She even gave me a link to a blog post with a Camiguin Itinerary, which turned out to be written by my friend Angel Juarez of Lakwaterso.com 😀
I asked some bloggers if they’ve been there and only a few said yes. It is my first time to plan a trip with the HS buddies that’s why I wanted to make it special. We arrived in Cagayan de Oro at 6:30AM and took a bus trip for two hours to Balingoan Terminal and a delayed ferry ride to the Benoni Port in Camiguin for an hour. It was nice to see some kids a.k.a. ‘Hagis Barya Boys’ of the Benoni Port who were all smiles when we arrived. They asked the passengers to throw some coins and they will get it. I am impressed with their skills, although some might think that it is a dangerous hobby for the kids. Well, it is.
We went to Paguia’s Cottages for our accommodation. The people there were very accommodating and attended to all our needs. Mambajao, the barangay where we’re staying is a peaceful place. The residents were all smiling to us whenever we pass by.
Right after our lunch, we rented a boat and went to the White Island. The locals claim that the White Island disappears on high tide season. There were two watchers in the island when we arrived. From there, you can see the Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan. The place is peaceful and clean. Perfect for emo moments LOL.
Right after our girl talk in the isolated island, we did a little afternoon trip. We passed by the Stations of the Cross, which leads you to the Old Vulcan. I wanted to do the trek up to the inactive volcano, but my friends are not physically ready. It could have been a rewarding activity for me. I’ll go back to try this one 🙂
Our next destination is the famous Cross Marker where the Sunken Cemetery is located. The sand in this part is dark due to the volcanic eruption before. The place used to be a cemetery hundred of years ago (during the Spanish colonial times, i think) but was ‘sunken’. Camiguin Island is also dubbed as ‘The Island Born of Fire’ and i guess this explains why. While we were on our way to the giant cross, the bangkeros were telling us that we can snorkel there and they have some gears for rent. You will see some corals bulit naturally within the old tombs. I even saw some lapida. It could have been fun to snorkel there yet scary that i might see some skull or skeleton there instead of the usual sea shells LOL.
When we arrived at the cross, it was there when I concluded that Camiguin is Mysterious and Beautiful. I compare Camiguin to a woman who has some inner angst in life (volcano erruptions etc) but she has this distinct physical beauty.
We also passed by to the Gui-ob Church Ruins or the Old Catarman Church. Again, these Ruins from the 16th century are beautiful. Reminds you of a classic past.
The last destination of the day is the Sto. Nino Cold Spring, where we jumped at the water giggling due to the coldness of the water. While the three girls suddenly felt awake after jumping, I felt sleepy. I enjoyed the short swimming moment there, but i ended up sleeping at the jeepney and i even fell on the floor LOL. They kept on laughing at me but I was too sleepy to care. I insisted that I sleep on the floor while the jeepney is still on the road. Shame on me LOL.
We went to Katibawasan Falls the next day. It measures 250 in height and the trees and plans surrounding the area are refreshing to see. It is also a good picnic place and we spotted a number of families enjoying some quality time there. There’s also a souvenir shop within the entrance area so we shopped for pasalubong.
For more pasalubong, we dropped by the nearest Vjandep branch. We went to Luna Ristorante for our lunch loaded with Pizza and Pasta. Yummy!
To complete our afternoon chill season, we went to Ardent Hot Spring, which was very relaxing. It is a mineral pool where the heated waters from Mt. Hibok-Hibok go. There were some tourist who were enjoying the serenity of the place like we do.
We went straight to Benoni Port for our trip back to Cagayan de Oro via Paras Sea Cat. The overnight stay in Camiguin Island is not enough for us to explore the inner beauty of the place. I will definitely go back!
This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for November with the theme ‘Mindanao Bliss’ hosted by Olan Emboscado of The Travel Teller.
I wanted to write my own Top 5 Destinations in Mindanao, but i need to rush this one haha. Visit Mindanao! 😀
gusto ko din magjoin in this month’s carnival! camiguin in ang topic (gaya gaya?) haha
Hehe gora lang teh! 😛
What I like most in Camiguin was the dipping experience at the Ardent Hot Spring. It really has an effect in the body. Made you relax after an hour of soaking yourself into the hot water. :-).
I agree with you 😀 very relaxing yung part na yun ng trip namin. We could’ve stayed longer kung wala lang sana kaming hinahabol na trip hehe. Pagbalik ko ok lang sa akin na i spent the whole day there 😀
hahahah! Natawa ako sa hulog portion. At talagang ninamnam mo na ang paghiga sa sahig ng jeep. lol! Naalala ko tuloy, hindi pa rin kami nagkakaron ng bonding ng HS friends ko simula ng gumraduate kami. Salamat dito! Pplanuhin ko na yan.
Ang dami kong na-miss sa Camiguin. Hindi ko na-experience mag punta sa cross mismo. Dun lang kami sa pang pang. Ang emote ni juday sa Quija hindi ko tuloy nagawa. Nasayang! Nagka-MMK moment ako dahil hindi ako pinayagan mag snorkel sa Kabila Beach sa lakas ng alon. hahah! Ang daming sinabi.. bitter pa rin. Thanks Mica!
Haha kaloka nga yun eh para akong lasing na ayaw nang gumalaw sa hinigaan LOL. Nagdahan-dahan na lang yung driver nung tulog ako sa sahig hindi tuloy alam ng mga friends ko kung matatawa sila sa akin o maaawa LOL 😛
Yup, planuhin mo na yang trip with hs friends mo kahit somewhere near lang. Maganda rin pag-usapan ang HS classmates lol 😛
Aylab your photo with the cross… Parang humaba lalo legs mo gurl. Ahihi.
Thanks Gaye! That’s my beloved reaching out pic hihi
ganda ng unang shot and the second shot…. one word tito boy, dabest.
DABEST talaga! =))
i love camiguin! the place is very dear to me as i travelled there while i was 3 months pregnant 🙂 nothing to stop me from travelling 🙂
Nice! Dapat siguro dalhin mo ulit dito si Mokong 😀
ganda nga ng unang shot! Camiguin + CDO pa lang ata napupuntahan ko sa Mindanao.
Thanks dude! There’s a lot of places to explore in Mindanao. Love it there! 😀
i like the picture of you in the cross.. haven’t been here yet, pero nasa travel bucket list ko din.. 🙂
Thanks! You MUST go! 😀
Katibawasan Falls – Best Camiguin experience EVERRRRRRR! Grabe ang sarap talagang maligo doon lalo na kung malapit ka na ‘impact’ site ng water. Parang bagyo lang. Ang lakas ng hangin at grabe ang lamiiiiiig ng tubig!
Ay, hindi ko inattempt lumapit. I iz scared haha 😀
parang gusto ko gawin to mag isa. hmm! thanks for sharing the IT. i miss traveling w/ you. 🙁
Actually, yan balak ko before hehe. Gusto ko sana mag CDO-Camiguin-Bohol-Cebu pero hindi natuloy. I miss traveling with you too! *hugs*
Ardent Hot Springs, one of the spots i loved in camiguin, very relaxing tlg 🙂
love ko den ang “reaching-out” pic mo…kakainngit ang long-legged-ness! lol! 😛
Thanks Divine! Sana dito tayo mag-explore nina Dominic soon hehe
Sounds like a great place, I might have to go there the next time I come to Philippines. Such a shame we couldn’t catch up this time, but let me know when you get to London! 🙂
Hi Jarmo! You should stay longer on your next trip here in the Philippines and yes, see you in London! 😀
nice post about Camiguin Island… One of the places na gusto ko din balikan. Went there in 2009 with friends… May sabi-sabi pa nga na ang island daw may curse sa mga lovers… lahat ng kasama kong magsyota that time hiwalay na now waaa! baka nagkataon lang… :p
Thanks Nice! Hmmm…. hindi ko alam na may ganyan palang alamat hehe 😀 Thanks for sharing 😀
I heard too many wonderful things about Camiguin since I was in High School.. Dinagdagan mo pa! 🙂 Isa to sa mga pupuntahan kong lugar once nakabalik na ko sa Pinas.
Hi Bino! Seems like Camiguin is calling you na 😛
The people there were very accommodating and attended to all our needs. Mambajao, the barangay where we’re staying in a peaceful place. http://wandergala.com/cheapest-camaiguin-tour/