(Mantigue Island from afar)
Since it's #throwbacksaturday today, I wanted to share with you how lucky I am to be able to experience Camiguin Island trips five years ago along with my friend and her mom.
Camiguin Island of Northern Mindanao is the next travel destination. We travel from Iligan City (my hometown) to CDO by land, the travel lasted for one and half hour. Things got easier once we reached Agora Market, all the buses can be found there whether you're west bound, south bound or east bound. In our case, were Camiguin bound so we hooped into an east bound bus (Butuan) as it will bring us directly to Balingoan Port, travel time is more or less 3 hours. Butuan bound buses has a pick up terminal in Balingoan, so when our bus stopped there for like 10-20 minutes we alighted and walked to the port which is just a few blocks away.
Where to stay?
As soon as we arrived in Camiguin, we asked the pedicab driver if he knows some place to stay since were not prepared for that trip, we didn't even planned the itinerary for this trip. That time was a holy week and all of the resorts and hotels were full, good thing Mr. Driver know someone who rent a room. We end up in a house in Mambajao, actually we just rent a room but its big enough for the three of us. We stayed for 3-4 days.
Where to go?
We went to Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hot Spring Resort, Old church ruins, Sunken Cemetery, walk way to the old volcanoes, white island, and white island fish sanctuary.
Fish Sanctuary
When we go outside to look for a place to eat, we found this sanctuary not far from our place to stay. So we got our curiosity and went there.
That part of the seashore are the fish sanctuary.
Katibawasan Falls
It is located five kilometers southeast of Mambajao at the foot of Mt. Timpoong in Camiguin. It is a nice place to cool off during hot and humid days, it provide ice cold water. The area surrounded by huge tress and dropping vines with giant ferns decorating the surrounding land.
Ardent Hot Spring
It is situated 6 kilometers southwest of Mambajao. It's also considered as the most popular hot spring in the island, it is a natural pool of about 39°C coming from the bowels of Mt. Hibok hibok. They have eatery too.
Old church ruins
It is located in Brgy Bonbon, Catarman. Upon arriving at the location of the ruins, the only thing that made me recognize it as a church are the candle and other religious crafts vendors outside. We saw the remains of a once beautifully structured Spanish era buildings. The moss covered and cracked coral stone walls are evidence of how old it was and a tragedy that came with it. It is said that when the first volcanic eruption took place in early 1870's, the town of catarman was badly destroyed making a portion of it sank into the sea. The ruins of Guiob Church also known as Old Church Ruins is all that left of the old town.
I'm always attracted to ruins and historical places.
Walkway to Old Volcano
It's was a holy week when we took our trip and attend the Panaad Festival. The slope of Mt. Vulcan gets filled with prayers especially during Holy Week, devotees and tourist like us climb a series of steps which eventually becomes a mildly difficult hike. It got tiring as we went on but the view from the top was simply breathtaking and was worth every step.
Sunken Cemetery
Approximately 16 kilometers from Catarman proper. This island's famous Sunken Cemetery, marked by a cross standing in the middle of the sea, resulted from the birth of Mount Vulcan in 1871. The huge cross was built in 1982 which lies 20 feet underwater to commemorate the community cemetery which sunk during the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vulcan.
White Island Sandbar
After eating delicious and satisfying breakfast we headed to Brgy. Yumbing in Mambajao where we can rent a boat to take us to White Island. The glistening blue water make the literally white island standout. As you get nearer, the water gets clearer and the shades of blue are more apparent. There's a sari-sari store in deserted island which also serves as a landmark and where you can buy food, chips and drinks. You can also rent umbrellas. Often, fisherman come by and invite guests to sample their catch. While we were laying under the big umbrella, a fisherman came by and offered us theses spiny urchins as a meal,
Where to eat?
The time when we took that trip, we often just prepared our food on where we stay. We just experience eat outside when we go to Ardent Hot Spring, they have a restaurant there and had dinner at Luna Ristorante.
So far this was the long and best trip for me. I am in love with Camiguin Island and I'm definitely going back for sure. What about you blogger's? What was your best trips?
After eating delicious and satisfying breakfast we headed to Brgy. Yumbing in Mambajao where we can rent a boat to take us to White Island. The glistening blue water make the literally white island standout. As you get nearer, the water gets clearer and the shades of blue are more apparent. There's a sari-sari store in deserted island which also serves as a landmark and where you can buy food, chips and drinks. You can also rent umbrellas. Often, fisherman come by and invite guests to sample their catch. While we were laying under the big umbrella, a fisherman came by and offered us theses spiny urchins as a meal,
Where to eat?
The time when we took that trip, we often just prepared our food on where we stay. We just experience eat outside when we go to Ardent Hot Spring, they have a restaurant there and had dinner at Luna Ristorante.
So far this was the long and best trip for me. I am in love with Camiguin Island and I'm definitely going back for sure. What about you blogger's? What was your best trips?
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