Camiguin - CDO - Bukidnon

2 Comments , , Edit


If you are planning where to go in your next travel escape, then I highly recommend a short trip to Camiguin, Cagayan De Oro (CDO) and Bukidnon. These beautiful places are all found in Mindanao, the second largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines. Me and my college "barkada" (Squad) took on this adventure last year and boy it was great. I want to share the stuff that we did and the places we've been to and hope that this will help you, my co-travel enthusiast, plot your next journey!

Come again to Camiguin

 Our first destination was the beautiful island of Camiguin - a small volcanic island off the northern coast of Mindanao. In getting there we took a Cebu Pacific flight from Mactan Cebu International Airport for less than an hour - fast and convenient.
Touchdown Camiguin!
That mandatory airport welcome signboard groufie
When we arrived at the Camiguin airport, we were welcomed by our tour driver and his "multicab" (a mini open van). We then started the tour around the island and went to our first stop - the 16th Century Spanish Church Ruins in Bonbon, Catarman. As the name suggests, the place was really old and only the strong pillars and walls were what's left standing of the once veneered church. I thought the scenery was perfect for prenup videos and photos. I mean if I were to be married (in the near future that is), I would consider this place.

Photobomb! (haha)
Old walls of the main church
Tower
I love Camiguin!
Beautiful place
Blogger pose
Next we went to the scenic cross of the Sunken Cemetery which marks the remains of the island’s rested locals driven underwater during a volcanic eruption in 1870’s. It was just a quick visit. We didn’t go to the cross itself because we’re trying to get up to speed with our itinerary (plus the sea swells were scary that time so we didn’t risk it). Then we headed to the Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross. We hiked and then stopped at every station to reflect and rest as well. Having been able to conquer Mt. Pulag earlier that year, I thought getting to the top of this trail was piece of cake. But I was wrong, because it was not that easy and still very exhausting for me. Nonetheless, we felt a sense of gratification and fulfillment reaching the last station. From an old church to a sunken cemetery and then Stations of the Cross, I didn't think that our first day was going to be that pious.
Below that cross is the sunken cemetery
To the top of the old volcano!
We're almost there!

View from the top. Tiring yet worth it!
After breaking buckets of sweat, what better way to spend the rest of a hot sunny day than to take a splash into the island's many natural water attractions. From waterfalls, cold springs, to hot springs, you name it and this island has it all for your. Some of the places we visited include:
  • Katibawasan Falls - Features luscious flora and clear waters dropping more than 70m to a plunge pool. Makes you appreciate nature even more. 
  • Sto. Niño Cold Spring - a huge pool of cold spring water sprouting from the sandy bottom. Perfect for a hot summer day. 
  • Soda Water Swimming Pool - a volcanic spring of Bura, Camiguin where you can swim in a pool full of soda water. Very relaxing and first of its kind. 
  • Ardent Natural Hot Spring - bubbling in the heart of Camiguin, this mineral pool is heated by Mt. Hibok-Hibok with water around 40 degrees Celsius. Rejuvenating and good for the health. 
Katibawasan Falls
Feetfie in Sto. Nino Cold Spring
Soda waters of Bura, which means bubbles in Bisaya
Water temperature can go around 35 to 40 degrees Celsius
Last but definitely not the least place we visited was the White Islet of Camiguin - a small sand bar just 30-40 minutes away from Mambajao wharf via Bangka. We did this the morning after our day 1 in the island. When we stepped foot on the sand bar, we were greeted by the finest and whitest of sand, and clearest and bluest of waters. We enjoyed basking in the morning sun and staring at the wonderful view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and the whole island from where we're standing. 
What a sight to see!
Sea urchins - Sold and eaten raw




After this experience, I could say that I have officially fallen in love with the beauty of this island. Leaving it was tough and I have promised myself that sooner or later I will return and answer its call saying, "Come again to Camiguin!"

Off we go to CDO!

We took a ferry from Benoni Port, Camiguin around noontime and arrived in Balingoan, Misamis Oriental after an hour or so. From the terminal, we rode a bus going to Cagayan De Oro City for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours. When we got there we checked in at Victoria Suites and since it was a Sunday, we just spent the rest of the day by visiting their plaza, lighting some candles in their church, going to the Mall, and exploring other sights in the city. All of us then had a good night sleep in order to prepare for tomorrow's big adventure.  

For our itinerary the next day, we booked a Kagay tour package which offered a trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park and the White Water River Rafting (you can contact them through their website at http://www.kagaycagayandeororafting.com/). From our hotel, a Kagay service van drove us to Dahilayan Park in Bukidnon. Wandering around the place we saw lots of pine tress. What I loved about it, aside from the many thrilling rides, was the very cold climate - even colder than Baguio in my opinion. Due to time and budget constraints, we only tried 3 ziplines, but as I said, Dahilayan offers many more exciting things for all adrenaline junkies out there. You can visit their website at http://www.dahilayanadventurepark.com/ for more information. 

I took down the Great White!

Next to Dahilayan, our Kagay tour package took us to this buffet restaurant to have a very sumptuous lunch. We fed ourselves full and very excitingly changed our outfits and prepared for the next activity - White Water River Rafting. This time we rode a jeepney and went to the start off point of the river challenge. We were given a short briefing from our tour guide on some safety reminders before we started, especially on what to do if we were capsized and got driven by the strong rapids. Then we jumped on our rubber boat and started rafting through the long and winding Cagayan River. After an hour of rowing and getting hyped whenever we see huge rapids, we were able to say that we took down the Great White Water Rafting challenge of CDO. It was full of adrenaline and we had a blast!








WE SURVIVED!
We finished the whole trip and spent the rest of the night chilling and buying some "pasalubong" (souvenirs) at Limketkai Mall. On our last day we rented a van to drive us to the airport. Since we still have time to spare before our scheduled flight back to Cebu, we went to the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. It featured a 15 meter statue of Jesus as the divine mercy and the focal point of the Divine Mercy Hill. After that short side trip, we then proceeded to Laguindingan International Airport and flew back to Cebu. That ended our 4-day voyage to the promising island of Mindanao. 
See you again Camiguin-CDO-Bukidnon!
Camiguin-CDO-Bukidnon are just some of the many great destinations in Mindanao. So if you're planning on your next big adventure, I highly recommend you try check them out and experience what I experienced from this trip. Cheers Wanderers!
-------------------------------------Expenses--------------------------------  
Day 1:

1700.00 - Multicab Rental (Day Tour around Camiguin)
300.00 - Tip – Kuya Driver
2,108.00 - Myrna's Homestay, Camiguin (2D1N Check IN)
100.00 - Stations of the Cross + 2 kilos lanzones
40.00 - Donation - Old Church Ruins
329.00 - Lunch
179.00 - Chooks-To-Go
100.00 - Lunch - Kuya
210.00 - Sto. Niño Cold Spring
60.00 - Salbabida
210.00 - Soda Water Swimming Pool
210.00 - Katibawasan Falls
210.00 - Ardent Hot Spring

Day 2:

140.00 - White Island
900.00 - Pumpboat - White Island
1050.00 - Breakfast – Checkpoint (good for 7)
70.00 - Motorela to Van terminal
210.00 - Van to Benoni Port
105.00 - Terminal fee - Benoni Port
1190.00 - Shuttle Ferry to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental (good for 7)
60.00 - Motorela to Balingoan bus terminal
840.00 – Bus from Balingaon, Misamis Oriental to Cagayan de Oro City (good for 7)
100.00 – Motorela from CDO Terminal to Victoria Suites Hotel
2,200.00 - Victoria Suites 2 rooms (1,000.00-Deluxe; 1,200.00-Suite)
860.00 - Greenwich
50.00 - Motorela to Centrio Mall CDO
865.00 - Drinks - Mango Mania
50.00 – Motorela going back to Victoria Suites

Day 3:

2200.00 - Victoria Suites
360.00 – Breakfast (good for 7)
14,700.00 - Kagay Package (Dahilayan Adventure and White Water River Rafting) – includes Van to and from Dahilayan, Buffet Lunch, Jeep to and from White Water River Rafting, CD burning of photos and vids from river rafting.
200.00 - Tip - Guide
21.00 - Motorela to Victoria Suites (3pax; from Kagay office)
49.00 - Jeep to Limketkai
49.00 - Jeep to Victoria Suites

Day 4:

1,750.00 - Van Rental (Divine Mercy Shrine/Laguindingan Airport)

CONVERSATION

2 comments:

  1. Ian MendezSeptember 11, 2016 at 9:54 PM

    What a great adventure. Do you have an itinerary for this trip and the costs? Would it be possible if you can send me at ianmendez87@gmail.com.? Thanks in advance. Have a great day further.

    Cheers to more adventure. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 12, 2016 at 2:48 AM

    Hi Ian!

    Thanks for your comment. Sent you a note. Hope that helps in your next adventure.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Back
to top