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....