Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Exploring the beautiful island of Camiguin in 3 days

Camiguin island is shaped like a pear and it’s the second smallest province in the country (next to Batanes).




To go to Camiguin, you need to take a flight going to Cagayan de Oro (CDO).  From the CDO airport, you can take a cab going to the Agora terminal.  The taxi fare is about Php350 (USD8) for the 30-minute trip.  From the Agora Terminal, just hop on a bus going to Balingoan Port.  The fare is Php143 (USD3) for the 2-hour bus ride.  Then from the bus stop in Balingoan, take a trike going to the Port for only Php10 (USD0.23).  If you’re travelling with a group of 5 or 6, it would be more practical to hire a van going to Balingoan Port.  But if not, it’s really so easy to commute.   

Here’s the ferry going to Camiguin, or more appropriately, it’s called a “roro” (roll on roll off).



Here's how the "roro" looks like inside.  This is at the second level because the first level is usually for vehicles.


The boat fare is Php170 (USD4) and it’s about a 1-hour trip.  

Once we reached the Benoni Port, the multicab driver we hired was waiting for us already.  The cost is Php2,000 (USD47) for 2 days and covers the usual points of interest of Camiguin.  BTW, the multicab is their version of the jeep.

My first impression as we hit the road – Camiguin has really nice roads, crystal clear water ....



and lots of greenery.  




We were wondering what the colorful buntings are for and Kuya Danny (our multicab driver) said they’re to shoo away Maya birds from eating the palay by shaking the strings.  

We stayed at the Bahay Bakasyunan.  Very nice place and friendly staff.  And the food is really good!  I think overnight rate is between Php3,000-Php4,000 (USD70-90).

Bahay Bakasyunan


The first place we visited after checking in at the resort and grabbing a late lunch was the Katibawasan Falls.  Entrance fee is only Php15 (USD0.35).   It’s good that they keep the entrance fees low so everyone can afford - both locals and tourists.   It was so tempting to swim but the water was so cold so we passed on the opportunity. Haha… 

Katibawasan Falls
Outside the Katibawasan Falls, we saw these round crispy round stuff being sold at the stores and we asked what they were.  They are Camiguin’s version of kipping – made out of ground camote (sweet potato), dried under the sun and deep-fried.    It is served with latik (sweet sauce made from coconut).  The kipping is so crispy and yummy, and it’s only 10 bucks (USD0.23)!  
Kipping Delicacy of Camiguin
Kipping
From Katibawasan Falls, we headed to White Island.  You have to hire a boat to bring you there and pay minimal entrance fee (Php20 if I’m not mistaken).  The boat rental is Php400 (USD 9).  Spotted this family enjoying a quiet afternoon looking out to the sea.  What a beautiful sight!



Prior to our trip, I really didn’t have time to research about Camiguin.  Surprise, surprise as we were approaching White Island.  It’s an island with no trees – like a sandbar in the middle of the sea.  It did have 2 Coca-Cola booths!  Very clever advertising…

White Island
Camiguin's White Island is so beautiful and its sand is powdery white!

White Island
After White Island, we ended our first day in Camiguin at the Ardent Hot Springs.  The hottest among the pools is 39 degrees Centigrade.   

Ardent Hot Springs
While in Camiguin, we also passed by some of the island’s Centennial houses.




On our second and last day, we went to this old house where soda water flows. Soda because the water which comes from the mountains tastes like carbonated water.  


Soda water
Kuya Danny said that they have an abundance of water especially in barrios. Water is practically free, he said, and they only need to pay Php10 (USDo.23) every month.


He shared that life is simple and easy in Camiguin (this is coming from someone who used to live in Manila).  He told us that they plant their own crops and veggies and it’s easy to fish.  All they actually need to worry about is how to earn money to buy rice.  What a good reminder for us when we start worrying about non-essential things.

We also went to the Walkway going to the Old Volcano.  It’s a popular place this Holy Week since along the pathway are the Stations of the Cross.  We went up to the 300th step which is only up to the 4th station! I know, what a shame.  Haha…


Spotted this praying mantis in one of the stations.  Unfortunately, it’s also its last official portrait.  When my friend came back to take its photo, it was squashed to the ground already.  A passerby must have accidentally stepped on it.  

Praying Mantis
Across the Stations of the Cross, there are souvenir stores selling these beach dresses for Php330 and souvenir shirts for Php120.

Then we headed to the Sunken Cemetery. Yes, this area used to be a cemetery but after several volcanic eruptions starting in the 1800s until 1953, the tombs are now buried about 20 feet deep.  They say it’s a popular diving site but if I knew how to dive, I'm not so sure it's a place I want to explore.  Haha...

Sunken Cemetery
While at the Sunken Cemetery, ask the manongs to take your photos using their camera tricks.  They have a lot of tricks up their sleeves and they do it for free.   


Here are some souvenirs being sold at the Sunken Cemetery. 



Camiguin is known for their hot chocolate.  It’s yummy!  Got packs of their tableas.  They sell for Php50 (USD1.20) per pack.




While my friend and I were buying  some tableas, there was this cute kid who kept following me. I took it as a cue that she wanted to have her photo taken so I took some snapshots of her.  Got Baby Lindsay’s address from her lola (grandmom) and I’ll be sending some of her photos via courier when I have them developed.

From the Sunken Cemetery, we visited the Old Church Ruins of Catarman, Camiguin which was destroyed during the volcanic eruption in 1871.

Old Church ruins of Catarman
This tree must be more than 200 years old.  It has withstood several volcanic eruptions! 

Centennial Tree
The people have now built a small chapel within the church ruins.


For lunch and for a quick swim, we stopped over the the Soda Water Swimming Pool.  


Some amazing action at the Soda Water Swimming Pool.  
Again, soda because the water that comes from the mountain tastes like carbonated water.  Not that I drank from the pool.  Haha… But I did taste the water from the tap. :)  For lunch, we had Adobong Native Chicken which was recommended by the locals.

While at the Soda Water Swimming Pool, we met this group of kids from Catarman, Camiguin.  They are a group of cousins enjoying a summer outing. Their age range from 6 to 12 years old.


When I asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up, 5 of them wanted to be a teachers, one a vendor, another a nurse and the last one, wanted to pursue a career in CompSci.  

One of them raved that three cousins in the group are honor students. In this day and age when kids are generally competitive, it was so refreshing to see someone (who didn't get any award) brag about the achievements of others.  And that's how it should be - we should be happy for others when great things happen to them. :)


These kids live a simple life.  So simple that they just walk to and from school everyday and their parents stay at home growing ampalaya (bitter gourd), kalabasa (squash), beans, malunggay and talong (eggplant) which also serve as their daily food supply.  They are  happy, contented and full of laughter.  And they had so much fun playing 1-2-3 Jump in the pool!  I'll also be sending copies of their photos once I get them developed so they'll have something to remember about the Summer of 2012. 

For our last stop, we visited the beautiful Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Sagay, Camiguin.


Check out the church chandeliers, they're made from big tree roots. How creative!


Outside the church, I spotted these 2 kids picking up their slippers from the canal using sticks.  Initially, I thought they must have accidentally dropped their slippers into the canal.  But after they got the slippers, they ran uphill, then dropped their slippers into the canal and chased them downstream!  It was actually a game they're playing!  Whoever said that kids nowadays need toys to have fun should learn from these two boys. :)


While waiting for our ferry ride to CDO via the Ocean Jet Liner, we  stopped over at the Lagoon Café to have snacks.  The girl at the counter recommended its fried snappers which they breed.  While waiting for our orders, I took a photo of their aquarium.


Then shortly after, the manong dipped a small net into the aquarium and got some fishes.  Uh-oh…



That’s the only time I realized they are the snappers that will be fried!  Guilt.  But I’ve to admit, they are so yummy and crispy. You wouldn’t even feel any fish bone. 


We also ordered Crispy Banana and they served them with langka sauce.  So delicious! 


Anyway, here’s my last view of Camiguin before we finally boarded the Ocean Jet liner going to CDO.  The fare via the Ocean Jet Liner is Php600 (USD14).


While waiting for the Ocean Jet Liner from Camiguin going to Cagayan De Oro, two English-speaking Pinoy boys, age 8 and 10, asked me “Are you Filipino?” and struck a conversation with me.  Apparently, they are from Cagayan De Oro and when they found out that we were going to Bukidnon and CDO, they started giving me travel tips!  Really good tips on where to go and what to see! :)  They even introduced me to their parents.  Very smart and good-mannered kids!  When they grow up, they would surely charm a lot of girls.  Haha…

While in the boat, I started reading Catching Fire (the second book of The Hunger Games) and in the last 20 minutes before reaching CDO, the same boys spotted me.  They were with another group of kids from Manila (whom they met in Camiguin).  They transferred to the seats in front of us and entertained us with their stories about taekwondo (they are blue and yellow belters),  Tekken, Assassin’s Creed, karate and crushes – you know, boy talk!  Haha…  

And dig this, one of them has this crush who happens to also have a crush on him and you know what the girl crush gave to him as a gift? A real horse!  Wow. They assured me they weren't pulling my leg. Haha… It was refreshing to see these boys engage in conversation with us instead of playing with their PSPs and smartphones because as we all know, it's not easy to get boy tweens get unplugged from their gadgets.

Beautiful island, friendly people and lots of happy memories to cherish. :)

If ever you plan to visit Camiguin, you can contact Kuya Danny Villar to tour you around.  Here’s his number - +639161071977.  The multicab rental rates and tourist packages are regulated by the government so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged.  If you dive or like to snorkel, there's an island called Mantigue Island which you may consider visiting because it's not part of the standard itinerary.

Kerwin's Anime DrawingP.S.  I bumped into the kids from Manila (introduced by the kids from CDO whom I met at the Camiguin ferry) at the zipline place in Bukidnon.   One of them (Win-Win) was the one who convinced me to try the longest zipline course in Bukidnon.  He said it wasn't scary at all.  Haha.... 

I bumped into the same kids again at the CDO airport while waiting for our flights back to Manila.   They entertained me with their whitewater rafting adventure and even asked for my Facebook account!  Haha...  And here’s a souvenir which Win-Win drew on my notebook.  :)

P.P.S.  All of  the kids I've met during this trip come from very diverse socio-economic classes.  Some are privileged, some are not.  But it doesn’t matter what one’s status is.   When kids tell their stories, their eyes and voice are filled with the same awe, delight, enthusiasm and excitement.   Every story is a wow story.  :)