 |
| CAMIGUIN |
Visiting the Camiguin Island is
always in my bucket list, and it’s been quite a while before I finally call it
as an experience. The moment I had a
chance to schedule a trip, I always consider this place as my priority of destination
since a friend lives in a nearby city, Cagayan De Oro. But scheduling is not that easy, considering
the time, the buddies, and the budget.
And it takes us third attempts before we push through the travel. And to tell you, this first travel to
Camiguin will and forever lives in my mind.
It was a day before holy week of
2010, the day we push our long overdue travel a reality. Alex and Cathy were my buddies from Davao and
Cheng from Cagayan De Oro. We first plan
to ride by bus going to Cagayan De Oro that night at around 11:00PM or earlier,
before we run out of bus for which it’s the scheduled time for the last
trip. We then set our minds to be at the
waiting station by 9:00PM. Since Alex
has his business itinerary in Davao, he picks up bicycles to be retailed in his
area. So the second plan was made, we decided to take the schedule of the
delivery truck in to consideration. We
have these options; option number one, to take a bus if the bicycles were
picked up at an earlier time; option number two, to ride by means of delivery
truck if the pick-up time is beyond last trip by bus. Plan B was our option. Why? It’s obvious; it didn’t come before the
scheduled last trip by bus. Our ride
through the delivery truck was never easy, but we at no time run out of reasons
to make our ride memorable and blissful.
 |
| that blue Pajero |
 |
| look at how far we were |
We arrive Cagayan De Oro at
around 9:00AM Holy Thursday. We headed
to our friends house Alex for a meal and rest awhile before heading to our main
destination. We were surprised to know
that we are using a blue (my favorite color) Mitsubishi Pajero on our way to Camiguin,
courtesy of Alex’s brother Dindo.
12:300pm, on our road to Balingoan,
we planned to freshen ourselves the moment we touch the island. To our dismayed, we stock on waiting to be
onboard the shuttle ferry. We’ve been
waiting for hours, as in hours, from almost 3:00PM we got onboard at around
11:00PM. But we never let the waiting
ruin our trip and it was good that we had foods with us like, chips, breads,
nuts and the famous lanzones. We also made
it as a destination of initializing friendship with the rest of people who were
also waiting. Until we touch Camiguin,
it was 1:00AM and almost everybody was very tired. We all fix ourselves to
rest.
 |
| church I have visited |
 |
| station of the cross |
First day, church visit and in the
afternoon we climb this mountain to honor the Stations of the Cross. I was amazed with the churches built in the
past centuries. There you will notice
how religious the people of Camiguin island, with it’s not that large area,
there are “hhhmmm” I’m not so certain about it, I think it’s around 13 – 15
churches built within the island. Then
the way to cross, we had this bad experience while unloading from the car, the
policeman demanded our attention for a no parking/no unloading violation. But everything was settled by the use our
charm. On the way to the cross, station
by station, we were experiencing the sincerity of its purpose and enjoying the
views amazingly landscaped by nature.
 |
| the beautiful white island |
 |
| enjoying the island |
 |
| that beautiful clouds |
 |
| tattoo |
 |
| one way ticket |
 |
| the mountain along the sea |
 |
| the big tree |
 |
| the cross that reminds the cemetery |
Second day, resort hopping and
come what may schedule. We had white
island visit, cold spring, hot spring, falls, historical landmarks and even
this weirdo backpacker’s inn, we all finished these in one day. The white island visit really stocked my
mind, the white sands, the blue waters, the waves and everything that was
present in the island was great. I even
remembered having my arm and face tattooed.
I also remember just dropping by a boulevard for a picture because of
its view that is amazingly lovely. We
set our cameras, had our best pose and done, we’re good to go again for our
next destination. The church ruin
landmarks where we were able to experience our pictorial in a giant tree, this
church was ruined by a volcano eruption and now considers as one of their
treasured landmarks. Oh! How will I forget
the sunken cemetery where you can find the very popular cross amidst the
sea? It was fun watching people crossing
from shore to the cross with excitement and I guess frightened knowing that it
was a cemetery before.
 |
| the pose |
 |
| so cold in here |
 |
| the weirdo |
Having these experiences will somehow
complete my journey in life, enjoying the bounty of nature, its sceneries,
calmness and loveliness. The food was
readily available at a low price, it’s just like ordering from an ordinary
restaurant, unlike some resorts with prices as high as three to four times
higher than its suggested retail price. To
add the persons who stand as our foster family / host. Ate joy and her family, the De La Riarte’s,
there hospitality and generosity is beyond expectations. Because of these, well, the beauty of Camiguin
Island is not in question, it is a fact.
These made my Camiguin island experience even more unforgettable.
 |
| :-) |
 |
| here he comes the vessel |
 |
| savoring our last pose |
 |
| bye bye Camiguin |
 |
| roof deck |
 |
| hhhmmm yum yum |
 |
| our foster home |
 |
| relaxing |
-
From Davao city you may take 7 – 9 hours ride by
bus or 25 minutes fly by plane to Cagayan de Oro city
-
Two hour travel to Balingoan for a ferry ride. It’s about two hours ride before reaching
Camiguin Island.
And quickly before you notice,
you will experience one of your most loved vacations.
