Caimiguin: Paradise Undiscovered
Philippines got a lot of beautiful Eden like place that none of the other countries has. We're blessed to have these to enjoy and nurture. So, this summer I was able to spent my two days vacation in the beautiful island of Camiguin.
Camiguin is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is politically part of the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province. Camiguin is the second-smallest in the country both in population and land area after Batanes. Mambajao is the capital of the province and its largest municipality both in area and population. ( Thanks to Wikipedia for these information.)
We went to Camiguin on a Friday since it's the only available day the ship has going there when you originate technically in Cebu. (The ship's trip going to Camiguin is only during Fridays 8pm.). We rode a ship going there and it was a 12-13 hour trip (the ship was so slow asdfghjkl!) You can also ride a plane if you want.
When we arrived in the port, there were a lot of motorela or rela (their common public transportation with like 8 seating capacity) that will take you wherever you want to go. There are a lot of resorts and hotels you can stay in. We stayed in GV Hotel since almost of their beach resorts are really fully booked for summer. They were accommodating. Their hotel is not really like that big though but it was fine.
On our first day we went to Macao Cold spring, the water was indeed cold (precisely hahaha). You'll see little fish swimming with you but then we didn't dared to swim since we saw an eel hahaha. After visiting the place for like 10 minutes, we went to another cold spring in which they designed like a pool (and this time there's no eel). So we took a dip and we felt a little Brrr! coldness in the water. Good thing! our bodies adapted easily.
We went back to our hotel to take a bath again and prepare our things for another swimming bonding. It was around 6:30pm when we went to Ardent Hot Spring. The area is big. They got many cottage and you can even put up your own tent. And they're open 24/7. Isn't that amazing?
We stayed in the hot spring for about an hour I guess. You can really feel relaxation in the water brought to you by Mt. Hibok Hibok, which supplies the hot and crystal clear water. It was 9pm when we went back to our hotel and rest.
Day 2
We woke up early for our tour package but apparently something happened, there was a little mechanical mishap with the transportation we suppose to ride on. But this didn't made us to stop discovering Camiguin. We went to the church first (since it was Sunday) which is just a walking distance from our hotel. After that we ate our breakfast in a small "karenderia" or eatery that is just a walking distance still from the church. (Trivia: There's no mall and fastfood restaurants there. That's what we discovered hahaha)
By the time we arrived, we snap! snap! snap! photos of the beautiful paradise. It was really an amazing creation. The sand is really white and the beach is so clean. It was well maintained. There were 4 little sari-sari stores that sell
drinks and food (but I guess they're only there every summer). It was truly a #NoFilterDay for me when I was there. The beauty it inhibits gave a natural filter. You can't help but just admire the place.
Next spot, Sunken Cemetery! It's one of the unique cemeteries I've been to. We were just there for a while, we just took pictures of the view and check their souvenir shops.
Next, we went to Camiguin's another tourist spot which is the Katibawasan Falls. It was a bit far from Sunken and there was an entrance fee of 30.00. It was a breathtaking attraction. A must see paradise. The water is cold (just what I expected). At the end line of the falls there's this smoky feature with tiny cold droplets that touches your skin when you're at their cottage near the falls' feet. We really had fun there.
After submerging ourselves to that relaxing falls experience, we went back to our hotel and prepared our things already on our way back to Cebu.
It was indeed an incredible place that needs to be seen for at least once in your life. I commend people's discipline in maintaining cleanliness in their place. They don't use plastics anymore but they instead use paper bags. I hope this little island shine bright like a diamond. :)
Trivia: Since the island is just so small, you can navigate Camiguin in just about 3-4 hours. :)
For the photos, I used my Canon Digital IXY 800 IS camera and used the Foliage feature. I edited my photos on Snapseed, a mobile editing app that is availbale on Apple and Android. To view more pictures of our escapade, follow or add me on Facebook.:)
Go, visit Camiguin and discover the beauty of nature.
'Til my next vacation trip, this is Malycartee signing off. :)
I captured the sunrise as soon as I got up.
Camiguin is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bohol Sea, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) off the northern coast of Mindanao. It is politically part of the Northern Mindanao Region of the country and formerly a part of Misamis Oriental province. Camiguin is the second-smallest in the country both in population and land area after Batanes. Mambajao is the capital of the province and its largest municipality both in area and population. ( Thanks to Wikipedia for these information.)
We went to Camiguin on a Friday since it's the only available day the ship has going there when you originate technically in Cebu. (The ship's trip going to Camiguin is only during Fridays 8pm.). We rode a ship going there and it was a 12-13 hour trip (the ship was so slow asdfghjkl!) You can also ride a plane if you want.
When we arrived in the port, there were a lot of motorela or rela (their common public transportation with like 8 seating capacity) that will take you wherever you want to go. There are a lot of resorts and hotels you can stay in. We stayed in GV Hotel since almost of their beach resorts are really fully booked for summer. They were accommodating. Their hotel is not really like that big though but it was fine.
We're inside the motorela hahaha
This was the swimming pool "like" cold spring I told you.
This is Macao Cold Spring
We went back to our hotel to take a bath again and prepare our things for another swimming bonding. It was around 6:30pm when we went to Ardent Hot Spring. The area is big. They got many cottage and you can even put up your own tent. And they're open 24/7. Isn't that amazing?
Souvenirs!
There are many souvenir shops to choose from.
Having fun in the Hot spring! :)
We stayed in the hot spring for about an hour I guess. You can really feel relaxation in the water brought to you by Mt. Hibok Hibok, which supplies the hot and crystal clear water. It was 9pm when we went back to our hotel and rest.
Day 2
We woke up early for our tour package but apparently something happened, there was a little mechanical mishap with the transportation we suppose to ride on. But this didn't made us to stop discovering Camiguin. We went to the church first (since it was Sunday) which is just a walking distance from our hotel. After that we ate our breakfast in a small "karenderia" or eatery that is just a walking distance still from the church. (Trivia: There's no mall and fastfood restaurants there. That's what we discovered hahaha)
This is their Christian Church.
Inside the church
You'll notice this signage outside the church
After eating, we rode on their orange motorela which is west bound (and green motorelas are east bound, amazing right?) and went to Agoho where you'll start your journey to the White Island. We paid 450.00 php (good for 6 persons) for a boat that will take us to the White Island. drinks and food (but I guess they're only there every summer). It was truly a #NoFilterDay for me when I was there. The beauty it inhibits gave a natural filter. You can't help but just admire the place.
Next spot, Sunken Cemetery! It's one of the unique cemeteries I've been to. We were just there for a while, we just took pictures of the view and check their souvenir shops.
Next, we went to Camiguin's another tourist spot which is the Katibawasan Falls. It was a bit far from Sunken and there was an entrance fee of 30.00. It was a breathtaking attraction. A must see paradise. The water is cold (just what I expected). At the end line of the falls there's this smoky feature with tiny cold droplets that touches your skin when you're at their cottage near the falls' feet. We really had fun there.
After submerging ourselves to that relaxing falls experience, we went back to our hotel and prepared our things already on our way back to Cebu.
It was indeed an incredible place that needs to be seen for at least once in your life. I commend people's discipline in maintaining cleanliness in their place. They don't use plastics anymore but they instead use paper bags. I hope this little island shine bright like a diamond. :)
Trivia: Since the island is just so small, you can navigate Camiguin in just about 3-4 hours. :)
For the photos, I used my Canon Digital IXY 800 IS camera and used the Foliage feature. I edited my photos on Snapseed, a mobile editing app that is availbale on Apple and Android. To view more pictures of our escapade, follow or add me on Facebook.:)
Go, visit Camiguin and discover the beauty of nature.
'Til my next vacation trip, this is Malycartee signing off. :)
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