Woohoo, here comes the juicy part of the Camiguin trip! I mentioned in my previous post that it took us half a day to travel from Cagayan de Oro to Camiguin, but I swear, it was worth it. We spent the whole day of Day 3 in Camiguin -- beach bumming and touring around the island. Here's how the day went.
Day 3: Camiguin
8:00 AM - Breakfast
Just a few meters away from where we stayed at is the port. It's where you'll find boats that you can ask to take you to the famous white islet of Camiguin for a particular price. Also there's a small tiangge in the area, as well as a couple of turo-turo eateries. It's called turo-turo because you simply have to point which dishes you'd like to eat and they'll prepare it for you (turo is tagalog for to point). We had breakfast at the eateries there, under the shade of the coconut and mango trees. Refreshing and appetizing with the sea as our view.
That's the beach in front of the boat port. That's our view while having breakfast. Crystal Clear, and very clean.
9:00 AM - Trip to White Islet
We negotiated with one of the local boat operators to take us to the famous Camiguin White Islet and back. We had to book two boats because we were 11 in the group, and one boat can only accommodate up to six passengers. Also the locals informed us that we needed goggles or snorkel gear for us to enjoy the corals there. Quite excited with the idea, we did rent snorkel gear for Php85.00 -- good for the entire trip.
To our dismay, upon our arrival at the white islet, there were also a couple of locals who offer snorkel gear for rent --- at a cheaper price! If you didn't bring any snorkel gear with you, don't worry because you can rent their gear for Php 50.00 when you get to the White Islet. Don't rent from the port (lesson learned).
Yes, that's how small the White Islet is. View from our boat on our way to the White Islet.
9:15 AM - Tiny Paradise
Wow. Major Wow. The white islet was more beautiful than I had imagined. Just a small island of white sand with crystal clear water and a very healthy marine ecosystem to boot. With goggles, you'll clearly see the corals, the schools of fish, and we even had the chance to meet a coral snake. LOL. Camiguin White Islet is simply beautiful.
We're finally here!
Simply Beautiful!
View from the island: Mt. Hibok-hibok in all its glory!
White sand, crystal clear waters
See how clear the water is, you can see fishes swimming with you!
Woohoo, enjoy the sea and sun and sand!
12:30 PM - Back to Camiguin Main Island
High tide was coming up and the islet is starting to disappear. Yes, literally the white sand slowly became engulfed by the sea, and what used to be sand on my feet became water. After going back to the resort, went out again to tour the island. We negotiated with the multicab driver who drove us to the resort last night to also take us around the island.
One of the views we got to see while on our way to the Sunken Cemetery.
We decided to have a late lunch at the Sunken Cemetery. There was a restaurant on a hill overlooking the cemetary, but we were too lazy to go to the cemetery -- I think probably because we were so full, and that the sun was just at its glory. We've been tanned enough already.
The Sunken Cemetery
3:00 PM - Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Another popular hotspot of the island of Camiguin is the Old Volcano and the Stations of the Cross. During holy week, the locals would climb the steps of this old, inactive volcano and visit each station of the cross. This is an old Catholic tradition. Fortunately, when you reach the top, you'll have a breathtaking view.
Stations of the Cross
View from the top!
5:00 PM - Ardent Hot Springs
Another hotspot of the island you cannot miss is the hot springs of Mount Hibok-Hibok. This mountain is the volcano at the center of the island, probably shaping the island as it is right now. There are several "pools" you can check out: the lukewarm, half-cold half-warm (at first you'll enter the pool assuming it will be hot, but cold water actually settles below. So you'll get half warm water and half cold water below). Also there's the really hot spring water with 39 degrees C in temperature. Amazing, really. And crystal clear too.
They also have massage services for Php 150.00 for those who want a total relaxation package.
Hot Springs -- see how clear the water is?
7:00 PM - Dinner
After the hot spring, we went back to our resort, changed into dry clothes and had dinner. We had dinner at the Terrasse International Ristorante just a couple of meters away from the resort and the food they serve there is really really good. A bit pricey, but definitely good.
Day 4: Trip back home
The trip back home is a struggle -- knowing that your vacation is about to end makes me depressed. Our flight back to Manila is at 4PM, so we had to leave Camiguin early in the morning so we can check in at the airport at around 2:00 PM.
Just before leaving Camiguin island, we bought our pasalubongs. Camiguin is famous for its Pastel, bread with creamy custard filling. The prices of one big box of Pastel is only Php 130.00, whereas you can buy them for Php 180.00 in Manila. We hoarded A LOT of boxes as pasalubong for our friends, and families.
we arrived in Cagayan de Oro City at around 11:30 AM, and so we decided to have lunch at one of its famous malls -- Lim Ket Kai mall. It's one of the first and biggest malls in the city. Rumor has it that everytime SM CDO makes some upgrades to its mall, Lim Ket Kai Mall will also do the same.
At around 2:30 PM, we checked in at the airport and at 6:00 PM, we were back in the jungle (Manila). Hello again, world.
The plane to take us back home. Huhuhu :(
So here's a summary of our expenses for Days 3 and 4:
Day 3:
Php 100.00 - Breakfast
Php 100.00 - Boat Rental (Php 1100.00 for two boats roundtrip)
Php 85.00 - Snorkel Gear
Php 200.00 - Lunch
Php 5.00 - Entrance Fee to Stations of the Cross
Php 30.00 - Entrance Fee to Hot Springs
Php 200.00 - Dinner
Php 100.00 - Multicab rental (Php 1000.00 tour, includes transport to port the next morning)
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Php 820.00
Day 4:
Php 50.00 - Breakfast/Coffee at the Port
Php 500.00 - Pasalubong (Pastel)
Php 150.00 - Pasalubong (Keychains, etc.)
Php 150.00 - Ferry Fare
Php 140.00 - Bus Fare
Php 7.00 - Jeepney fare from Bus Terminal to Lim Ket Kai Mall
Php 200.00 - Lunch
Php 100.00 - Taxi to Airport
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Php 1297.00
The total expenses of my 4-days in CDO and Camiguin:
Day 1: Php 1134.00
Day 2 (AM): Php 900.00
Day 2 (PM): Php 968.00
Day 3: Php 820.00
Day 4: Php 1297.00
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Php 5119.00
Not bad at all!
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