CAMIGUIN: The Island Born of Fire

Camiguin is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao. It is a pear shaped island in the northern tip of Mindanao. It plays host to 7 volcanoes, including the active Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Kaya pala madaming springs (hot and cold) ang Camiguin.

photo by anna (grabe hanggang camiguin, sikat!)

After the inip trip sa ferry, we arrived in Benoni Port at around 2pm. A van from Paras Beach Resort was waiting for us at the port. Paras is only 30 minutes away from the port. A welcome drink and a souvenir  necklace was given to us upon arriving at Paras Beach resort lobby. We were designated into two family lofts. Since we arrived so late, we had to maximized our tour and there were many places to go to. The receptionist gave us a guide map to decide where to go first.

We checked our rooms first and changed our clothes. Ang ganda ng rooms namin, in fairness sulit yung pagod sa haba ng byahe. I'll make a separate post about Paras Beach Resort. Around 3pm, we started our tour.

We headed first in Katibawasan Falls which is situated at the town of Mambajao. The falls is about 250 ft high and the water pool is ideal for swimming especially during summer because the water is cold. The entrance fee is only 15. Upon entering the gate, you'll see a monkey chained on a bar in a tree. Might stay away for about 2 meters from the monkey just for safety precaution. A concrete stairs will lead you to the pool area. Just be careful when going down the stairs at the main pool, medyo slippery kasi. At syempre, madalas ako ang water tester kaya I tried to dip my feet, and it's really cold. Hindi ko mapigilan hindi magswim kahit pa malamig.. very inviting yung water. When you submerge your whole body into the water, nag-aadjust na din yun body temperature kaya hindi na masyadong malamig. Ang problema lang pag umahon ka na. hehe! We didn't spent too much time sa falls, picture-picture lang and we decided to leave kasi madami pang pupuntahan. Paglabas ng Katibawasan, we had a chance to buy some souvenir shirts from the stores around the area.

Next, Walkway to Old Volcano and Station of the Cross. We didn't attempt to go all the way up kasi nadiscourage na kami dun sa sinabi nung nakasalubong naming lalaki. Mga 1 hr daw bago maakyat hanggang crater.  Goodluck naman eh madami pa kami pupuntahan and medyo late na kaya we decided na hindi na akyatin. Picture-picture lang then we headed to Sunken Cemetery.

At the sunken cemetery, dito kami medyo nagtagal dahil sa daming kulit pictures from  our bangkero.  The fee for the boat going to the big Cross is only 20 php/head. According to our bangkero na medyo lasing... the big cross was built to mark the site of cemetery underneath the water. Long time ago, when the old volcano erupted, the whole cemetery sunk. Medyo creepy yung place kasi may mga tombs underneath na tinubuan na ng mga coral reefs, and now this is one of the most unique diving sites.

 

jumpshot!

perfect!

Our driver, took us to the church ruins and we had a quick photo shoot there. The church was destroyed when the old volcano erupted.

Next is the Sto. Nino Cold Spring which is located in the village of Looc, Catarman. The water that comes out from the ground is crystal clear and for about 20 degrees cold.  And dahil malamig, puro paa lang ang nilagay ko sa tubig. From what I've read, madami daw small fishes dito and if you stay motionless in the water, these fishes will come and pick up the dead skin. Parang foot spa lang.. hehe! Gabi na kasi kami nakarating dito kaya hindi ko na nakita yung mga fish. The entrance fee here is 25 php/head.

Medyo late na and it's time for dinner, gutom na kami and thought we will go to our last stop which is the Ardent Spring, kasi dun daw may restaurant. Pero nagkamali kami, dinala muna kami ni kuyang driver sa Soda Spring. Parang ayaw ko na pumasok, pero nakakacurious bakit sya tinawag na soda spring. Lasang softdrinks kaya? hehe! It was cold soda because it resembles to liquid in bottled softdrinks, yun may bubbles. The water has sulfur kaya may bubbles and distinct odor.

photo by anna (feeling mowdel lang!)

 Gutom na talaga kami and salamat last stop na which is the Ardent Hot Spring. After paying the entrance fee of 20 php, we looked for restaurant. Medyo full yung resto, wala kaming mapwestuhan pero hindi na kami umalis kasi tyak may matatapos namang kumain. After few minutes, may mga tumayo na and umorder na agad kami ng makakain. Hindi ganun kasarap yung luto pero ayos na din, gutom na talaga ko nun. Yung bill namin umabot ng 1,199 php. After eating, we headed to the pool. Madaming pools, depende sa temperature ng tubig. Syempre dun kami sa pinakamainit. 39 degrees ata yung pinuwestuhan namin. At first, mainit talaga pero unti-unti mong isubmerge yung katawan mo magiging ok na ang temperature. Nakakarelax ang tubig, problema lang pag-ahon kasi manginginig ka sa lamig. Hindi na din kami nagtagal umahon na din kami. Paglabas ng Ardent namili yung iba sa amin ng mga souvenir shirts.

 

Balik na kami sa resort and after shower, borlogs na kaming lahat sa sobrang pagod. I woke up early the next morning. I was thinking kasi kung pwede kami mag white island bago kami bumalik ng CDO. Sabi kasi ng receptionist, it depends if it's gonna be low tide or high tide. And isa pa, we need to get back early to CDO kasi magbyahe pa kami to Bukidnon. Pagkagising ng iba kong kasama, nagtanong ako sa receptionist kung pwede pa kami pumunta ng white island kasi I saw boats going there. Sabi naman ng nakausap ko, malapit na tumaas yung tubig kaya hindi na pwede. Nakakadisappoint lang, kasi 5 mins away lang yung white island and tanaw na tanaw sya from the resort. Di bale next time, babalik ako ulit sa Camiguin. So, we had our breakfast which is included in our package and took some pictures around Paras. Around 8am, we left Paras and headed to the port to catch the next ferry going to Balingoan Port.

photo by anna ( waiting for our breakfast)

wall-e wants a piece of my food

emote pose sa seashore

bye camiguin! til next time..

Medyo bitin ang Camiguin. Di bale next time susulitin ko na.

xoxo doranggala