Experience PILIPINAS

Finally, after a long wait, we decided to have our family trip. Surprisingly, our destination goes to Camiguin Island. We had booked 7 months ago before our scheduled trip. Thanks to Cebu Pacific promo ticket last February 26 we got a one way family plane ticket for only P338.40. I always put in my mind that patience is a virtue. Another lucky day last March 28 when AirPhil Express had their promo, we got our promo ticket cost P672.00. Those tickets are Manila to Cagayan de Oro vice versa (nearest airport to Camiguin). I’ve been to Visayas Area so why not try Mindanao. I heard it’s a good spot too, but tourists turned down and think that this place is unsafe. I shall say that they’re wrong! Mindanao is a virgin place. So if you got a chance to visit it then go. This is not a crowded place. It is a nice idea to see and experience the beauty of Mindanao. I suggest putting Camiguin Island for your travel list.

The idea of visiting Camiguin Island came from watching OUIJA Movie starring my idol Judy Ann also through internet searching and blog reviews. What’s more in Camiguin? The seven volcanoes, the White Island, the Clam sanctuary and the Mantigue Island, the different types of spring (cold spring, soda water and hot spring), and the adventurous travel channel (via air, land and sea).

It is a dawn of September 11 when we went to the Airport. Originally our flight is 4:15am but it was moved to 5:20am. My husband, daughter and I, were so excited for this travel. We landed to CDO or Lumbia Airport around 6:45am. It was an hour and 25 minutes flight. I think we were more or less 30 passengers in a plane. Cagayan de Oro is also known as City of Friendship. We do not have a lot of time to take picture in Lumbia airport, because security guards are hasty to take our baggage. hehe (nagmamadali na parang may taxi na naghihintay!) When we went out at the airport, we were surprised with taxi cabs outside and asking a ride going to Balingoan port (port going to Camiguin). We were so tired that time so we decided to take it for P1500.00. We realized it late that riding taxi cab was bit expensive. A ride from Lumbia Airport to Balingoan Port took 3 hours travel. We reached Balingoan Port around 10:30 am. We did not take our lunch yet, only light snacks. We paid 170.00 each for RORO Ferry Boat. It is a two hour trip again. It is our first time to ride in a ferry boat, little scary cause I cannot swim and I never learn to. I was so impressed to my little Hannah. She seemed not tired at all. She was cooperative. We enjoyed the sea view at the deck of the ferry. We had seen the active Hibok-Hibok volcano. Camiguin was so blessed to have these scenic spots. We reached Camiguin Island past 12nn. We were looking for any fast food chain for lunch, unfortunately, we found none. We saw Sr. Pedro near the port but it’s still under construction.  We waited for 30 minutes more because the multicab of our hotel is still on their way. I made a booking in CAMIGUIN HIGHLANDS RESORT for two nights. It is bit pricey but worth it.

We checked in at exactly 1pm. We decided to rest on our first day due to a long travel time. My husband and I did not rest. We took pictures of the hotel. The hotel is in a private place, no residences around it. We took dinner in the hotel restaurant. ( no choice! ;))

I scheduled the multicab tour to Camiguin on our second day. After we ate our breakfast, we started our tour. We went to Katibawasan Falls. The falls was refreshing to my eyes.

Then we went to Old Volcano Walkway. I hate hiking cause I do not like to walk more, but this place made me feel so tired but significant. In each station of the cross, Jesus figures are there. We finished only 7 stations, because the next mountain going to the 8th cross looks scary. It looks so remote place. (I think there are snakes but our driver said it’s safe), besides, we brought my 4 year old kid. If I come back, I will really finish the 15 stations.

The most popular Sunken Cemetery, it is said that this is the remains of Mount Vulcan eruption 1871. On its third eruption, the whole capital of Camiguin along with its cemetery sunk under the sea. Ouija movie was shot here.

We also went to Sto. Nino Coldspring. It is true that the water is very cold. It looks like they put an ice in it. We did not swim maybe we’ll get colds after. 

It was lunch time, so we went to J & A Fishpen. We have seen many live different fishes. We ate shrimp and clams for lunch. We had a full lunch and wished to sleep after.  

It was 2pm, when we went to the most anticipated White Island. Reaching this island took 15 minutes boat travel. We were so fascinated when we were near.

I felt so lucky to visit this place. All my worries were lost. It was a mesmerizing experience. The White Island is so white and blue. It was not our plan to swim here, but white island blue waters were so inviting. It is comparable to Puca Beach in Boracay. This island disappears during high tide. 

Its C shape means captivating! I want to go back! PICTURESQUE!

Finally, we went to the Ardent Hot Spring. It was really hot and crowded. There are different levels of high temperature in each pool.

We decided to drop by to TABLEA factory and PASTEL. The two are the popular products of Camiguin. We returned to hotel around 5:30pm.

On our third day, we woke up early even our flight is 17:55. It’s always better to be early. After our breakfast, we checked out around 8:30am. We reached the port in Camiguin around 9:30am. Then, we rode a ferry going back to Balingoan Port. We arrived to Balingoan port around 11am.

We decided to take a bus to Agora, it is cheaper than a cab. It cost P65.00 each. We got to Agora Terminal 1:30pm. Since only a cab can enter the Lumbia Airport, we had no choice but to take it for P300.00. We got to Lumbia airport around 3pm.

And we arrived in Manila at 18:25.

I SHALL RETURN to see the other tourist destinations in Camiguin.

Cebu, the Queen City of South plus the Magellan Cross, of course I should not missed this place. It has the most remarkable and historical places plus a white beach too (hehe). It was October 10, 2010 Cebu Pacific had a promo P10. I’m kinda good in promo hunting! right? I went there last Seollal (Korean Holiday). We were in a group, and my daughter (Hannah, she’s 4). It was her first time to ride a plane. A week before our travel, I was telling her that she should not make any noise inside the plane nor freak out.

During our fly to Cebu, Hannah never freaked out, she kept on saying that the plane is moving up, going to right side and left side and that made her say “WOW MOMMY”. We got to Cebu at night. Sadly, we did not take a picture in Mactan International Airport, because Hannah started to tantrum. “mommy, tita, picture na naman”.

We rode a taxi going to PORTOFINO BEACH RESORT. It took only 10-15 minutes.

We chose to book here because it’s a beachfront with swimming pool (Hannah loves swimming). The resort looks disgusting at night.

But when we enter our room, we were impressed on it. The room was spacious, good AC and clean TB. The next morning, when we went out for breakfast, another wow thing impressed us.

The nativity of the resort (like Caliraya Style) and the mouth watering plated breakfast they served (danggit, my all time favorite and tocino, Hannah’s favorite naman). Yes it is plated not buffet style.

We rented a taxi cab for P1500 for 5 persons to tour us. We went to Magellan’s Cross, Lapu-lapu Shrine, Basilica Minore, Fort San Pedro, Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, also in Jollibee (they don’t accept Jollibee card hehe!) etc.. The taxi driver also assisted us in buying Cebu clothes, danggit fish and dried mangoes (for pasalubong) in the cheapest store in Cebu City.

Thank you Manong!, We also enjoyed the beach in Portofino, (white sand? yes, but BORACAY is whiter and finer) and the swimming pools which has different depths.

We got the afternoon flight going back to Manila thru AIR Philippines (600.00/person all in). We REALLY REALLY enjoyed our short trip in CEBU. This is something we could never afford to forget. Nice people but most of the taxi cab has batinting (it so expensive talaga!).

Palawan is also a dream place for me next to Boracay. Some bloggers said its a nice place to visit, also the reason why I expolre its beauty. Luckily we got the roundtrip promo fare all in P650.00 (via zest air).

At the airport to Puerto Princesa

Arriving at Puerto Princesa Airport

For those who have doubt with Zest Air. Well, we had a safe and smooth flight via Zest Air.

And through thorough research we found the most affordable van rental for UNESCO Underground river tour and City tour.

I really appreciate our tour in Underground River, well, it is breathtaking and little wetty things. I also enjoyed the boatman for his corny but cheerful jokes. Boatman not batman.

The crocodile Park and Nature Park

The Iwahig Prison and Penal Park

Rancho Sta. Monica

Bakers Hill

Butterfly Garden

Commodore Mansion

We booked a room in Microtel Puerto Princesa. What makes us choose this hotel because it is a beachfront and so because its MICROTEL itself.

The room is so quiet and relaxing.

Nice shallow beach plus their inviting swimming pool, and so their danggit (fish) for breakfast. Because of those I have the reason to return, not mentioning the wine offered for apology. haha!!

Check this www.palawanvanrental.com, look for Kuya Francis. He gave us an affordable and unforgettable tour in Palawan. If you check other rates compare to him, he's cheaper, imagine we only spent P500.00 for a 2 day trip. He also arranged our permit in underground river tour. No hassle at all! DIY is the best for cheap travel.

My first plane trip was BORACAY. My all time dream travel when I was young. We got a plane ticket from PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (promo ticket cost P1800 roundtrip all in). We booked it 4 months before the travel date. I've read from blogs that tickets are cheaper 3 months earlier.

I went with my sister. We reserved a hotel with a private beach named PUCA BEACH.

We loved the hotel due to its peaceful serenity and because of the secluded Puca beach. The beach has many many many puca shells, and very private. My sister and I are only there, no more only a guard and those who have an island hopping adventure. I love my pictures there, pristine water beach, fine white sand with shells(virgin beach), plus sexy me. 

We stayed at ALTA VISTA DE BORACAY. This hotel is far from the crowded white beach. Don't worry they have a free schedule going to D'Mall every hour.

You will also like the overlooking infinity pool. 

LOVE HAVING A TAN COLOR IN BORACAY!!!!!!

I am raised in a CD class family. I always dreamt for a TRAVEL LEISURE during my childhood. We cannot afford to travel, because I thought travelling requires a BIG MONEY. So I told myself: I will travel Philippines especially BORACAY when I grow up. Well, I did. And thats the reason why I want to share this site with other people who was once like me.

Some people thinks that travelling needs MONEY (i mean more). Honestly, it is a wrong belief. I've been into many places, but I only spent a little. 

Everytime I travel, I always make sure that my expenses will not go beyond my budget. In addition, camera must be full charged too. 

Travelling recharges and motivates me to work hard. The key to stay longer and longer to my stressful work (but happy).