Destination Diary: Camiguin

For Holy Week 2018, we left Zamboanga early morning and hit the road to Cagayan de Oro to spend the days in Camiguin. Knowing my family, anything that has to do with simple island life is a yes. Luckily we had relatives in Camiguin so we saved on accommodations and had help securing a vehicle for rent to get around the island.

Camiguin is enchanting. There are natural springs all over the island, with raging but beautiful waterfalls, lovely white-sand beaches and yet there are two volcanoes watching over its landscape, showing themselves every once in a while, from the clouds. What interests me is that the island can be circled in just a day with a rented vehicle.

Staying in a bahay kubo owned by our relatives, I for one, am grateful to have experienced island life during a time meant for reflection and gratitude. Here, I learned the word Panaad, which many of the island’s visitors were doing during Holy Week. And I’m reminded that it’s long weekends like these that are meant for slowing down, reflection and to spend time with family. There’s a Filipino tradition that they call bisita Inglesia during Holy Week, but in Camiguin, do old church ruins and sunken cemeteries also count?

Our beautiful bahay kubo in front of the beach and my view from the balcony

How to Get There

There are two options to take the ferries, depending on which port you’re closest to. There are two types of ferries. The fast craft leaves from Opol and heads to Balbagon Port in Camiguin which takes about 4 hours, leaving at 9:00 PM and then arrives in Camiguin shortly after midnight. On the other hand, the ferry from Benoni in Camiguin docks in Balingoan in Misamis Oriental which takes about an hour and a half and vice versa but also takes another hour from Balingoan by van to Cugman where were staying with also our relatives the Hojases in Cagayan de Oro.

One way to get around the island is to rent a multicab for four (?) 

While in Camiguin, we rented a vehicle to get around the island, with the help of our relatives who were from Mambajao. But my cousin who was used to driving around and has been to Camiguin countless times, took the car by RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ferry. We even met other visitors of the island who came from Butuan and used dirt-bikes to explore the island during the Holy Week season.

Zamboangueno meets motorela in Camiguin

Camiguin is perfect for those who want to slow down and experience island life. I loved that experience of going to the market and introducing the motorela to C, it’s one of the popular ways to get around the island. In fact, I saw a foreign girl hire a motorela driver to take her to the popular attractions and she got to enjoy going around the island like a local. 

Arden Hot Springs, Camiguin

Dip Into Ardent Natural Hot Springs

I’ve been thinking about this for as long as I can remember. Along with the Sunken Cemetery, this is highly associated with the island. It’s a natural hot spring and there are huts along the springs for picnics. While we were there, some repainting was going on. I like that it’s great for relaxation and just dipping in hot, natural water that’s just free-flowing. But when it’s time for a shower, boy oh boy does it ever chill…

Sunrise in Naked White Island, Camiguin

Witness Sunrise in The Naked Island

…Is actually a sandbar.

One needs to get up early to beat the heat, it’s not good to let noon reach you here because it’s a sandbar that’s just bare. It’s good to see the greater island of Camiguin from a distance, and as the day goes further, more and more visitors dock to the sandbar. Food and drinks are allowed, and if you forgot your goggles, there’s a tent that can rent you a pair. There’s also first aid available just in case.

Boats are rented for your party to the sandbar, and for souvenirs and food, there are stalls just where the boat rentals are located. We were happy to have fresh Pastel de Camiguin from the bakery itself which started decades ago while watching the sun rise. After which, we headed on to….  

Soda Springs, Camiguin

Dip Into Soda Springs

To the likeness of soda, the water from the springs are caused by the presence of small amounts of sulfur, and standing on the edge of the pool, the source can be seen where bubbles come from. The soda springs have a lot of patrons because accordingly, the waters can do wonders to the skin. Of course, we took advantage, swimming and diving in the cold bubbly water, it felt like swimming in colorless soda. There’s a restaurant beside the pool that offers to cook food for your group and what Pinoy family doesn’t enjoy eating with hands on a picnic, hmm?

Tuasan Falls, Camiguin

Pay A Visit to the Raging Beauty That Is Tuasan Falls

Now this one is undeniably a beauty. It’s already quite accessible because of a road recently constructed for her visitors. She rages, and yet she’s quite a gem up there in the mountains. People are allowed to have picnics in Tuasan Falls but it’s being closely watched and people are not allowed to get close to the falls. Stay safe and always heed to rules and regulations, but anyone can easily admire her from a distance.

Camiguin Bee Farm

Enjoy A Healthy Cup of Coffee In Camiguin Bee Farm

Looking at the coffee selection here, it’s a prime destination for conscious, health-junkies to experience home-grown food being served with pride. We took a break from roaming around the island and stopped by to enjoy ice cream and coffee. It’s a bee farm in the island of Camiguin and it also sells honey and coffee.

I got a taste of the bullet coffee and the dragonfruit ice cream, just to see how different it tastes from the one I had in Ilocos also on vacation some time ago.

Dragonfruit and Mango Ice Cream, Camiguin Bee Farm

Americano and Bullet Coffee, Camiguin Bee Farm

Old Church Ruins, Camiguin

Visit The Old Catarman Church Ruins

Part of Camiguin’s charm is its history. Having a group of people survive on an island at the mercy of two volcanoes is not something to shrug off. Looking at the old Catarman Church Ruins, it makes one wonder what happened. But despite pre-technology, some of the church’s stones are still standing after all these years.

Catarman Old Church Ruins, Camiguin

Boat All The Way to the Cruz Mayor In The Sunken Cemetery

There’s a Filipino horror movie that was filmed about three sisters who play the Ouija board, and eerily, the setting is against the Sunken Cemetery in Camiguin. Everybody knows that the giant cross in the middle is the Cruz Mayor and that there are sunken tombs down there. Ever since I was younger I’ve had visions of souls under the water just waiting for innocent visitors to pounce on them, we even made up jokes about it for those visiting Camiguin. It’s just something associated with the island itself, you know?

But the years have turned it into a diving destination because the boatmen there say that there are a lot of corals and fishes which chose to make the cemetery their home together with the already nameless tombs that are sinking deeper and deeper.

Should you wish to visit the Sunken Cemetery, there are boatmen who will take you for only Php 100, and with the number of visitors, they have learned a thing or two of taking fun and memorable photos. Souvenir shops align the entrance to the balcony of the Sunken Cemetery. 

Sunken Cemetery, Camiguin

Mantigue Island, Camiguin

Spend A Day In Mantigue Island

How lucky are we to live in a bahay kubo right in front of the beach which is less than just a kilometer of a boat ride to Mantigue Island? Very lucky indeed.

Mantigue Island left me speechless. It’s one of the paradises in the Philippines that’s clean and well-maintained. Who can ever resist powder, white sand and clear, blue waters plus a view of Camiguin’s volcanoes from a distance?

From a series of visits to waterfalls, beaches and springs, this has got to be the proper dessert to capping off Panaad in Camiguin. 

What better way to admire Camiguin but from the shores of Mantigue Island?

The other side of Mantigue Island

Yeah, it's not difficult to fall in love with Mantigue Island

On the shores of Mantigue Island, Camiguin

Restaurant by the Lagoon

Camiguin is a beautiful and rich island. The best way to punctuate one’s visit is to enjoy a scrumptious meal at the Restaurant by the Lagoon. And what’s to enjoy there? Fresh catch of course, kamay-kamayan style if possible.

Sunset by the Lagooon

In summation, I’m already missing the quiet island life that Camiguin has to offer. It’s leisurely, simple and just what I need to unplug together with my loved ones. We’ve already talked about going back the same time next year purposefully for the Soda Springs and for Panaad once more, and in the beautiful bahay kubo that became our humble home for the duration of our stay in the enchanting island of Camiguin.

Panaad 2018, Camiguin Island, Philippines

Until next time Camiguin. 

Destination Diary: Singapore

I look at Singapore as a model city-state, because of its consciousness in preserving its land and resources, integrating nature as a garden-city against its highly urban setting. Safety, fairness and convenience are the themes that regulations bring to all of its people. One needs to know the city very well to determine the balance between save and splurge, luxury versus being content with the common choices there are. Plus, it may be a bit pricey to do everything at once in SG, but we keep talking about going back and doing what we missed.

For someone who has a long weekend and can endure a four-hour midnight flight to SG, here’s what you can do in metropolitan Singapura:

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is a popular complex for both young and old to explore and learn about various species of plants. My favorite spots are easily the cacti and succulents. Obviously, my mother’s favorites are the orchid displays. The waterfalls inside the Cloud Forest is refreshing too. The complex is divided into two: The Cloud Forest features a waterfall with many jungle plants, rainforest species and a stalagtite display. The Flower Dome is also a very beautiful place to experience different flower species cleverly arranged inside the largest indoor garden. For this particular Sunday, there were so many visitors, must also be because of the long weekend. 

The waterfalls inside Cloud Forest and display of Lego structures by the pond

Venus Flytraps growing in a terrarium

The terrarium collection in the Cloud Forest

Marina Bay Sands from the Cloud Forest canopy walk 

The stalactite display in the Cloud Forest 

Inside the Flower Dome with succulent displays 

Collection of  colorful tin canisters in the Flower Dome

Garden display in the Flower Dome

 Marina Bay Sands Roof Deck 56^th Floor

Yes, that’s the 56th Floor of the most luxurious hotel and mall in SG. For an entrance fee, we were able to go to the highest viewing deck and café and see the city from a tall vantage point. I also got to see a glimpse of the seaport that has interested me. Here in the deck, I realized that although we share the same time zone with SG, the sun at 5:00 PM is like 3:00 PM heat, and that it sets late in the evening and rises late in the morning. Unlike in the Philippines, by the time 8:00 AM rolls in, the sun is up already.

View from Marina Bay Sands 56th Floor Deck and Cafe and Seaport

Sentosa Island + Universal Studios

No visit to Singapore is complete without going to Sentosa and Universal Studios. Sentosa is an island destination filled with amusement parks and resorts, it’s really a family getaway. We took the cable car from Faber Peak just across Vivo City to Sentosa and from the Merlion Station in Sentosa, took the short tram ride to Universal Studios.

Universal Studios features a lot of studio sets, from Jurassic World, to Waterworld, Transformers, Far Far Away and Madagascar. My personal favorite is The Mummy and the studio set where we visited offered a really cool experience of seeing how it all works behind the cameras. Steven Spielberg’s walk-in Lights, Camera, Action is a must-visit. There are a lot of shows to enjoy, but queuing up for the rides can take a up a lot of time, not to mention that some faster rides don’t allow people with high cholesterol and heart disease to ride them, so it’s better to turn around while it’s still early. I regret not getting the express pass for all rides and shows to beat the queues. Lesson learned for another day then. 

The round trip cable car to Sentosa Island from Faber Peak

Universal Studios Gate, Sentosa Island

The Mummy set in Universal Studios

Far Far Away, Universal Studios, Sentosa Island

Waterworld Show, Universal Studios, Sentosa Island

The Popcorn Truck, Universal Studios 

Palawan Beach, Sentosa Island

Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park was my idea, so it took us a couple of bus rides from the condo where we were staying to take the buses to Jurong District.

Lorry Loft, Jurong Bird Park

It’s a good attraction for both young and old, and the one-way tram ride is enough to let you encircle the whole park. Different stops also mean different shows. Lorry Loft allows you to feed lorries so that you can get up close and personal with them while you feed them. Waterfall Aviary lets you experience different birds that dwell near bodies of waters, from waterfalls to ponds. There’s also the Pelican Show nearby. The High Flyers show is in the amphitheater and it’s all about colorful macaws, with various talents. Of course, the show isn’t complete with games and a show of dancing flamingoes because …. Piiiiiiiiink…

Pelican Cove, Jurong Bird Park

Flamingo Pool, Jurong Bird Park

Lastly, there’s a show of predator birds, from hawks, eagles and (gulp) vultures. Even one white vulture named Kevin has a story of his own, flying from the Himalayas in search of food, he arrived in downtown Singapore so exhausted. Staff from the Bird Park took him in and helped to rehabilitate him back to health. 

Botanical Gardens, Singapore

Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are for you if you love growing orchids and enjoy Old English gardens, and if you have the energy to walk around. Admission is cheap, at only SG$5 per person, but during our visit, it poured so we scurried to the top of the hill. It’s really a relaxing place to walk around in, plus it’s therapeutic with various landscaping all over the place, there are a lot of zen gardens you can find in the sprawling area. It’s a Unesco World Heritage Site and great for weekend walks and just recharging with the help of nature. 

The Botanical Gardens Clock Tower 

It said photo spot so......

Chinatown

As anybody knows, Chinatown is the place for food and pasalubong so here’s where one is allowed to splurge. And because mooncake season is up, anybody who’s exposed to Chinese culture know that they can just keep showing up before Autumn Festival in all shapes and sizes, for example we found the piggy shaped and merlion mooncake.

Getting off the crossing to Chinatown, (you know you're in Chinatown because of the lanterns)

I'm curious as to how long these structures have been here and how many generations have passed through

Merlion mooncake

Piggy shaped mooncake

There are endless shops in Chinatown, so many shops, not enough SG$ lol

Chinatown square

Looking back at our quick escape, a week is not enough in Singapore. There are still so many things to do and see. We did agree to ourselves that we can always come back one way or another. In the meantime, here’s an interesting mural to conclude our Singapura trip. Ciao! 

Mural in Chinatown

My Quick Guide to Singapore

You Know You're in Singapore When....

You Know You’re In Singapore When

Here’s a post highlighting the experiences I’ve enjoyed in Singapura, I hope that we can adopt these in our hometown and beloved country someday, though we’re off to a good start with Cebu Mactan’s T2. Read on to find out what it is I love about Singapore. 

Imagine that you've fallen asleep and found yourself in the middle of a city. How would you know where you are? To answer that question, you know you're in Singapore when... 

It's easy to take the public bus and train in SG

Public transportation is on time, clean and very efficient

Buses are always on time, every corner is spotless and all you need is an EZ link card to get around. It’s one way of ensuring that the best way to get from Point A to B is to tap on the card reader and you’re good to go. Each ride is as low as SG $.60.

  

Satay stalls by the Bay

Hawker food stalls are as sanitary as food court malls and restaurants

Here, street food stalls are more of a definition episode of “I Dare You” but in Singapore, even street-side hawker food stalls are a mainstay because of affordability, sanitation and definitely taste. Food is taken seriously in the city-state, all the more if it has a reputation to uphold. Some of the best -tasting food that locals bring us to are right by the street, if not those that are family-run for generations. 

Mommy claiming her tax return in Changi Airport

 You receive a tourist tax return when you spend a minimum of $100 on goods

In order to win back tourists after having spent a good amount shopping in SG, those who have spent over $100 on goods can actually enjoy a little tax return at the airport. To add to this bonus, it’s easy to have one’s passport scanned at the kiosk, then line up after the immigration check in the tax returns counter. You will be then asked if you’d want it in cash or cheque. Tadah, there’s a good sum to enjoy a quick snack in the lounge before boarding. Sweet, huh? 

You can leave your stuff at a corner table and come back to them later, no more worrying about thieves

It’s only in SG that we felt confident leaving our stuff behind in search of food, without having to worry about strangers picking them up. Theft is a very serious crime that’s punishable and qualified for investigation. The locals know this by heart and here is an example of leaving our belongings in a public area while we buy what we wanted for lunch, only to come back to a table that’s not just cleaned after but still with our belongings safe and sound. Oh how I long for this day to be a reality in Mi Ciudad. 

Photo taken from Straits Times Singapore

Your exit (checkout) at immigration is automated

Talk about hassle-free immigration, the management keeps electronic records and allows all registered travelers automated exit. One simply has to go through passport scanning, facial and fingerprint capture and you’re good to go. It didn’t get to me as I was looking forward to an exit stamp on my passport, but I already have an arrival stamp upon entering, so that’s that. Stress-free boarding, that’s Changi Airport for you. 

My father enjoying his giant meat bun

Food servings are bigger than your face

No more words needed, that’s my father delighted with his giant meat bun from Vivo City, devoured in Sentosa Island, that’s as big as his face. So imagine how I had to split up the other meat bun into quarters. The same goes for the rest of the food that we bought all over the city, affordable, huge, delish… 

All over Changi Airport (Why do I keep taking photos of these three's backs?)

Not only is the airport fully carpeted, even the toilets are comparable to hotels

The arrival lounge and immigration look like a hotel lobby, plus the conveyor belt section for luggage pickup is like a garden. Facilities are modern and complete, I don’t mind staying here for a delayed flight because Changi can just do no wrong. No wonder it’s one of the Asian airports that continue to astound travelers globally. 

I long for the day when these can happen in the Philippines. For a start, Cebu’s Mactan T2 (Terminal 2) airport is comparable to world-class airports, so at least that’s something to be proud of.

What are your experiences in Singapore? If you're planning to visit Singapore, you might want to check out My Quick Guide to Singapore and for added tips here's a list of Things To Do in Destinaation Diary: Singapore

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My Quick Guide to Singapore

Got a long weekend and some leave credits to spare? Head on over to Singapura! I've gathered a handful of tips for you to enjoy a long weekend in the Garden City of Singapore. Allow me to experience some mishaps so that you don't have to lol. 

Here’s a quick guide to the incredible city-state of Singapura: 

1. Exchange Currencies at the Airport for Competitive Rates 

Traveling via Mactan International Airport Terminal 2 in Cebu, we stuck with our standard practice of changing our Philippine Pesos to American Dollars, then changing the US$ to Singaporean Dollars. It turns out that at the exit of Changi Airport, there are competitive money changers that accept Philippine Pesos as well. It’s quite a relief that we added cushion to our traveling allowance, as well as discovered that one does not need to panic if there’s no forex in sight if you’re carrying pesos.

2. Get a SingTel SIM Card for Communication and Data Needs (SGD $38)

 This can last you a week as the SIM Card is widely used in Singapore and Malaysia, plus it has free 3GB data that can be tethered and shared among family and friends if you’re staying a week or less. With the free calls to all SingTel numbers, you can keep in touch with friends and family who are also in SG and  it automatically turns on roaming when you leave SG, which is perfect if you have planned itineraries to Malaysia or if you’re back in the Philippines. You can purchase your SIM cards right at the airport upon arrival. 

3. Top Up Your EZLink Card and Take Advantage of Cheap and Efficient Public Transportation for both Bus and Tram

You know you’re in Singapore when the bus is on time, it’s clean and efficient. We were handed EZLink cards for access to bus and tram and learned how to take the right bus from one destination to another. In SG, bus rides cost only 60 cents, and if you have an established routine, a top up of SG$10 can last for a week or more. Topping up EZLink Cards can be done in 7/11 outlets all over the city-state.

4. Don't Be Afraid of Food Hawker Stalls! 

Food hawker stalls are all the rage in SG because they serve good local dishes, are affordable and highly sanitized. A meal in a restaurant can range anywhere from SG$15-20 with or without drinks. But hawker stalls can offer SG$4-7. I’ve enjoyed tons of dishes in these places and tasted the local flavor to boot. It’s also good for sharing with travel buddies.

5. Express Passes in Amusement Parks Will Actually Do You Good!

Being in SG for the long weekend also made me realize that we were not the only ones trying to explore Sentosa Island and Universal Studios. There are still a handful of families with children who have thought of bonding over the sights in Sentosa. In other words, expect a crowd in a huge attraction such as this. Thus, the waiting time for rides and shows can be very long. The regular pass will only fall short compared to the express pass when it comes to top choice rides and attractions especially in Universal Studios in Sentosa. Get the express pass, it will make you wait only 15 minutes for rides compared to the 90 minutes for the regular pass.

6. My Handy Dandy Travel Essentials 

"Don’t forget your good walking shoes, water bottle, cap, umbrella, foldable wind breaker, powerbank and stuff them all in a lightweight bag."

Now this has got to be my mantra if you will. I’ve learned that the weather in SG is not the same as it was the day before, so extra caution is still to be taken. It rained when I purposefully left my windbreaker at my aunt’s apartment, and we were forced to purchase expensive drinking water from a convenience store because we thought bringing water with us was just heavy. Some lessons still can’t be learned huh?

But despite all these experiences, I’m really impressed with the city and who knows when I will get the chance to go back. My time there is nothing short of incredible. Well at least with the quick guides that I churn out for these destinations, perhaps you can learn a thing or two which could come in handy when it’s your turn to visit these sites someday. Watch out for my next posts! Ciao!

You Know You're in Singapore When

Destination Diary: Singapore and Things To Do