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| White Island |
My colleagues and I were very excited when we all agreed to visit the Northern Mindanao after the Cebu Pacific Air has slashed the cost of air fare tickets. We were lucky that we were able to purchase a round-trip ticket on sale bound Manila (MNL) to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) for 4 days and 3 nights escapade.
One of my colleagues has organized our trip (she's really good in preparing this) and has sent us the final itinerary before our departure date. Only the hotel, Camiguin Island tour, zipline and water rafting tour were set for reservation. The rest of our tour has been done by 'DIY' (Do It Yourself) strategy.
Day 1
After an exciting one and a half hour, the air craft has landed at Cagayan de Oro (CDO) airport. From CDO Airport, we opted to ride in a taxi and traveled approximately 2 hours going to the Port of Balingoan. And then we boarded in a ferry (Paras Sea Cat) going to Port of Benoni, Camiguin at approximately 45 minutes.
At the terminal, we were waited by our tour guide in Camiguin Island. We rode in a multi-cab and initially headed the Villa Paraiso Hotel.
After leaving our bags at the hotel, we started our official half-day tour at Camiguin Island.
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| Camiguin Island Tour |
Our first pit stop was at Katibawasan Falls.
At the foot of Mt. Timpoong, around five kilometers southeast of Mambajao, can be seen a 250-high feet waterfalls. This cascade is surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders.
One would be able to find peace by merely looking at the cascades that is continuously splashing and rushing down the green pool. We just enjoyed the scenery here and did not swim anymore.
One would be able to find peace by merely looking at the cascades that is continuously splashing and rushing down the green pool. We just enjoyed the scenery here and did not swim anymore.
Our second pit stop was at Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort.
This is one of the most popular hot springs in Camiguin. It is located six kilometers southwest of Mambajao in Esperanza, Tagdo. It has a four-tiered pool of varying depths and warmth. It is indeed a natural hot pool that could reach at around 39-40 degrees from the bowels of Mt. Hibok Hibok. This is indeed a good place for relaxation.
On our way to our next pit stop, we passed by the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross. Only one of us has tried to go up the station of the cross since most of us were already tired. We just waited our friend at the base to complete his own adventure.
The last spot we headed, as it was becoming dusk already, was the Sunken Cemetery.
Lying 20 feet underwater in Barrio Bonbon, Catarman lies the Sunken Cemetery, the remains of a volcanic eruption. The huge cross, which was installed in the year 1872, is actually the landmark of the Sunken Cemetery which sunk during the 1871 volcanic eruption. For tourists who would love to take a closer look of the cross, there are bancas that can be rented to take you to the site of the cross.
Day 2
We continued our trip in Camiguin Island at Day 2. We started to complete the countryside tour before the Island hopping and water adventure.
Our first pit stop at Day 2 was at Sto Niño Cold Springs.
Four kilometers north uphill of Catarman proper can be found the Sto. Niño Cold Springs. This pool is measuring 25 m by 40 m and 1/2 m deep of cold spring water sprouting from its sandy deep lagoon.
After taking photos at the Cold Springs, we headed to Soda Swimming Pool.
This big swimming pool is rumored to taste like Soda. We were really curious to find out if it really does. Unfortunately, it's too early when we reached the pool and it's not yet open. So our question was left unanswered.
When you do further research about this pool, guess what, you'll find out that it tastes like a regular water only (oops! sorry if I posted a spoiler...). Its name could have been get due to its bubbly characteristic of the water.
Our next pit stop was at Catarman Church Ruins or the Ruins of the Gui-ob Church.
Located in Barangay Bonbon, 10 kilometers from the center of Catarman town, can be found the famous Church Ruins. This entailed a history that once there was a establishment that has been made a Spanish settlement in the year 1697. But due to the devastating 1871 earthquake and eruption of Mt. Vulcan, the whole town of Catarman has been wiped out. The church and hundreds of houses were crumbled into pieces when the ground rolled and broke into deep crevices where hundreds of lives were lost. Only the remains of adobe walls of the church, belfry and convent were left after that major catastrophe.
After our memorable countryside tour and photo shoots at the famous landmarks, we already headed to Island hopping. And of course, Camiguin Island tour will not be completed if you have not visited the famous White Island or Medan Island.
Located two kilometers from the beaches of Agohay and Yumbing. This small inhabited white sand bar is with picturesque of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan as its backdrop. The island, with a shape that differs depending on the tide is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and shell collecting.
During low tide, the island is visible and somewhat formed a 'C' shape. During high tide, the island is somewhat lost in the sea. A truly magical and extraordinary place. A paradise that one would uncover the true beauty if I would describe it.
There are no trees, vegetation and structures on the island. That means there's no cover against the heat of the sun. It is advisable to bring along whatever you have to provide shelter from the hot sun such as umbrella, headgear, sunglasses and sunblock lotion and prepare to bring food and water if you'll stay longer on this island.
There were also vendors of sea urchins but I never had the chance to taste it.
After our amazing experience at the White Island, our banca tour guide headed us to Mantigue Island.
Passing Mahinog (about 14 km south of Mambajao) by boat ride of 20 to 30 minutes, one could reach the Mantigue. This is about 4 hectares in land size and is surrounded by a gleaming white beach of powdery coral sand. The clear waters reveal the hard and soft corals and sea weeds that surround the island, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. In the center of Mantigue is a lush, green mini-forest filled with grasses and several trees and plants.
The rest of the group enjoyed snorkeling and starfish hunting under the strong rays of the sun. I opted to stay at the banca after trying to dip in a deep blue sea once :).
To complete our journey in Camiguin Island, we visited the Kebila Beach Resort where the Giant Clams Ocean Nursery was located.
One would be amazed to see different Giant Clams species and thousands of shells in this sanctuary. One would learn that in Camiguin, you would be able to see the 6 out of 9 types of Giant Clams in the whole wide world. And most of them are endangered already that's why the local community is trying to preserve it.
A short orientation is provided by the local community guide and a few rules were also laid out like no touching of the clams, taking photos without flash and the like.
We continued our trip in Camiguin Island at Day 2. We started to complete the countryside tour before the Island hopping and water adventure.
Our first pit stop at Day 2 was at Sto Niño Cold Springs.
Four kilometers north uphill of Catarman proper can be found the Sto. Niño Cold Springs. This pool is measuring 25 m by 40 m and 1/2 m deep of cold spring water sprouting from its sandy deep lagoon.
After taking photos at the Cold Springs, we headed to Soda Swimming Pool.
This big swimming pool is rumored to taste like Soda. We were really curious to find out if it really does. Unfortunately, it's too early when we reached the pool and it's not yet open. So our question was left unanswered.
When you do further research about this pool, guess what, you'll find out that it tastes like a regular water only (oops! sorry if I posted a spoiler...). Its name could have been get due to its bubbly characteristic of the water.
Our next pit stop was at Catarman Church Ruins or the Ruins of the Gui-ob Church.
Located in Barangay Bonbon, 10 kilometers from the center of Catarman town, can be found the famous Church Ruins. This entailed a history that once there was a establishment that has been made a Spanish settlement in the year 1697. But due to the devastating 1871 earthquake and eruption of Mt. Vulcan, the whole town of Catarman has been wiped out. The church and hundreds of houses were crumbled into pieces when the ground rolled and broke into deep crevices where hundreds of lives were lost. Only the remains of adobe walls of the church, belfry and convent were left after that major catastrophe.
After our memorable countryside tour and photo shoots at the famous landmarks, we already headed to Island hopping. And of course, Camiguin Island tour will not be completed if you have not visited the famous White Island or Medan Island.
Located two kilometers from the beaches of Agohay and Yumbing. This small inhabited white sand bar is with picturesque of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan as its backdrop. The island, with a shape that differs depending on the tide is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling and shell collecting.
During low tide, the island is visible and somewhat formed a 'C' shape. During high tide, the island is somewhat lost in the sea. A truly magical and extraordinary place. A paradise that one would uncover the true beauty if I would describe it.
There are no trees, vegetation and structures on the island. That means there's no cover against the heat of the sun. It is advisable to bring along whatever you have to provide shelter from the hot sun such as umbrella, headgear, sunglasses and sunblock lotion and prepare to bring food and water if you'll stay longer on this island.
There were also vendors of sea urchins but I never had the chance to taste it.
After our amazing experience at the White Island, our banca tour guide headed us to Mantigue Island.
Passing Mahinog (about 14 km south of Mambajao) by boat ride of 20 to 30 minutes, one could reach the Mantigue. This is about 4 hectares in land size and is surrounded by a gleaming white beach of powdery coral sand. The clear waters reveal the hard and soft corals and sea weeds that surround the island, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. In the center of Mantigue is a lush, green mini-forest filled with grasses and several trees and plants.
The rest of the group enjoyed snorkeling and starfish hunting under the strong rays of the sun. I opted to stay at the banca after trying to dip in a deep blue sea once :).
To complete our journey in Camiguin Island, we visited the Kebila Beach Resort where the Giant Clams Ocean Nursery was located.
One would be amazed to see different Giant Clams species and thousands of shells in this sanctuary. One would learn that in Camiguin, you would be able to see the 6 out of 9 types of Giant Clams in the whole wide world. And most of them are endangered already that's why the local community is trying to preserve it.
A short orientation is provided by the local community guide and a few rules were also laid out like no touching of the clams, taking photos without flash and the like.
Before we left the Island, we bought cheap pasalubong like lanzones fruits, Pastel etc. I would attest that the original Pastel from Camiguin is still the best.
I never dreamed that I could be able to uncover the true beauty of the Camiguin Island one day. I appreciated this place even more because the locals were very hospitable.
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