In this trip I experienced the most unexpected things but I enjoyed every minute of it. So it all started when my boyfriend booked a trip from the US to visit me here in the Philippines. Then we looked at different blogs and reviews of what places to visit but I always wanted to go to Camiguin Island so I left him with no choice. We booked a round-trip ticket through Cebu Pacific from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro. We chose this route because it was cheaper to visit the 2 islands (CDO and Camiguin ).
* From Laguindingan airport we took Magnum Express going to Agora Bus Terminal - it's one of most convenient way to commute from the airport to other places in CDO.
| fare: about 200 php | travel time: about an hour |
* From Agora Bus terminal, we took an airconditioned bus going to Balingoan Port.
| fare: about 150php | travel time: about 2 hours and 3 minutes |
* From Balingoan Port, we took a ferry going to Benoni Port in Camiguin Island.
| fare: round it up to 200php | travel time: an hour and a half |
Finally our adventure begins. As soon as we got out of the terminal, I spoke to the bystanders and I asked if there were motorcycles for rent and sure we did find our sweet sweet ride. It was a Honda XRM and it costs 500 pesos per day (24hrs) we rented it for 3 days, of course I asked for a discount with a big smile on my face and I got myself a deal and then we drove to our resort, Camiguin Action Geckos Dive & Adventure Resort which we only paid $45 for 2 nights.
 |
| Welcome to Camiguin Action Geckos |
We spent the rest of our day making ourselves comfortable and of course eat, a lot. I have to say, our resort serves some really good food for its price and we enjoyed dining there plus the resort Manager was very nice and accommodating, he gave us a map of the island.
The next day we spent some time checking out the beach in the resort, lounging in their hammocks and playing with their cats. We were blessed with a beautiful day, the sun was up and smiling at us.
Camiguin is a small island, most of the roads are paved and close to the coast, the road signs are visible and are well-placed so its really easy to go around the island.
We then packed up our stuff, set up google maps and google "mouth" (by mouth we asked the locals for directions) and rode to our first destination.
1. J&A Fishpen Resort and Restaurant. We had breakfast, it was good and worth the price. This place is a few minutes passed Benoni Port. While waiting for our food, we were able to take some awesome pictures of the floating cottages and our beautiful selves! LOL
2. Giant Clam Sanctuary. After our breakfast, we head straight to the sanctuary. My phone service was acting up which placed my navigational skills to a risk. So I had to use google "mouth". It was easy to find the place and the people were very helpful in giving us directions. When we got there, we had to pay a minimal amount of 40 pesos if I remembered it correctly for us to get into the property and if we wanted to snorkel and see the giant clams, there's another set of fees (of course). The property was so quite, they have a decent landscape of native plants and flowers, you could see native chickens running, guinea pigs in their big cage, baby clams in different colors and kinds and a nice picnic area if you want stay for the day. If we had the time, we would have wanted to snorkel and see the giant clams face to face. I must say that I adore their beach, I would have wanted to swim but we need to go to our next destination! eyes on the price.
3. Binangawan Falls - I died.
After the giant clam sanctuary we just followed the main road going to Binangawan Falls. We saw the road sign - 9KMs to the falls so we turned right and followed the road.
The road going to the falls is newly paved, the view was awesome and it was a hell of an uphill drive. We ran into some guys on their motorcycles and we kind of drove around with them and at one point in our ride, we saw them pull over and we pulled over too. We were curious so we asked them why they stopped. They said they had to let their motorcycles rest since they have been driving uphill for a long time, I could smell the tires burning. We chatted about where were headed and they laughed and said they are going to the same place. They were all dressed for the occasion while my boyfriend and I were wearing tank tops and board shorts, very stylish. Little did we know that we need to gear up for a long hike, get ourselves protected by the tall grasses, forest insects of different kinds, sharp and slippery rocks and the worst, leeches! A lot of them. Wait, NO one told us that there was a hike or that there were leeches but there's no turning back now.
We drove up to the peak until the very end of the paved road. We parked our motorcycles and started climbing up the mountain. Yes, mountain, tall grasses, lots of trees, no visible trail, insects, sharp and slippery rocks, ferns taller than me, birds chirping and a beautiful view.
After about and hour or so of life-threatening hike, we reached the magnificent Binangawan Falls. It was worth it.
Seeing this wonderful creation made us speechless but really its the long hike that made us so tired. We sat down on one of those rocks and I took my water shoes off to let my feet rest from walking. I was surprised when I saw little leeches sucking my blood. Those little bastards have been in there the moment we got into the forest, they are the ones you find in wet soil/mud. Never have I imagined pulling and scrapping out those little monsters from my feet, they are so hard to get rid of. It's weird because I did not feel a thing the whole time I was walking. When I looked at them, they had so much blood, their body couldn't contain it, so they just explode. ewe!
I asked the others to check their feet and they have more than 10 leeches with them. So after that, we had some snacks, some picture taking and then we head back.
and then they lived happily ever after. LOL
Now on to our next stop.
4. Tuasan Falls. After an exciting hike back and forth from Binangawan falls, we needed to cool down. Our newly found friends were going to Tuasan Falls which happened to be one of the waterfalls on our check list so we went with them but before we did, I immediately asked how long will the hike be and they laughed. Yay, no more hike.
The ride was easy and fast. When we got there, we stopped by at a small store and had some snacks and beer. Then we saw a local artist named Budoy and yeah.. picture taken!
Tuasan Falls is okay, its a nice long falls, nothing grand but worth the time.
5. Ardent Hot Springs. What a better way to end our day than a hot bath for 30 pesos each.
We swam from the top to the bottom part of the pool which has the hottest temperature. It was simple but relaxing.
6. Northern Lights. We had the best and biggest meal ever!
You see, we have been riding all day and have been to different places around the island so were both exhausted, hungry and dehydrated. We head back to our resort to change and of course, grab some food. We found out that the resort's restaurant closes early so we looked for other places so have food and beer. The security guard was kind enough to point us to Northern Lights restaurant and bar. It's located not far awar from our resort so we hit the road and found ourselves ordering food and of course beer. We had pizza, chicken wings, chicken pork adobo and some beers. We couldn't finish them all due to their big servings eventhough they were hella good.
7. Katibawasan Falls. We saw a rainbow! There is a rainbow towards the end of the waterfall.
We made a quick drive to the falls the next day before heading to Mantigue Island. We did not expect for this falls to be this beautiful. I like that they have flowers and that you could see the waterfalls from the top and you could see the rainbow.
8. Mantigue Island. It's one of the best islands I have ever been to and this deserves a separate post. Check it out.
