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.