Camiguin: The Island Born of Fire (Part 1)

Day 1 - 31 January 2016

We started the day early to prepare for our travel towards Camiguin. As we have checked the distance from Iligan, approximately we will be there by noon. So, we hired two habal-habals to the bus terminal which the guard of Staylite Suites suggested to us. We paid 100php for both and split the fare into 3. The bus terminal is 5 to 10 mins away from Staylite Suites so we were able to ride the non-stop CDO bus for 100php until Bulua Terminal.

The bus ride took us roughly less than 2 hours and then we rode a jeepney for about 15-20 minutes going to Agora Terminal for 12php. From there, you have an option to ride either a bus or a van to Baligoan Port. In our case, we chose the later due to travel time since that van just needs to be filled with passengers that it will go straight to the port. A man approached our group while we were at Dunkin Donuts and offered his transportation service to the port for 120php per person.

The van was slowly filled with different passengers bound for Balingoan Port. The back part of the van was our space and I must say that it was quite comfortable for our 2-hour ride. At 11:30 AM, we were able to catch the M/L Hijos ferry which will be leaving by noon. Ferry ticket was at 170php and an additional of 2php and 15php for the Municipal and Terminal Fee. While waiting for the ferry, I texted our contact for our tours and accommodation in Camiguin, Teddy, that we're about to board.

Our transport towards the Island Born of Fire

The ferry started to roll by 12:30 PM. We passed by several fishermen near the port doing their thing under the intense heat of the sun. I can only imagine their sacrifice just to get some fish for a living.

Feeling the fresh sea air on my face, I tried to get a nap since the travel time would be around 1.5 to 2 hours. As I close my eyes, the excitement fills me in of what I may see and experience on our upcoming adventure.

Inside Benoni Port

Then our ferry have reached the port of the small island of Camiguin. We immediately went inside the terminal to have our clothes changed for the tour. Their terminal was clean and spacious for travelers. Just outside the terminal, our driver was patiently waiting for us holding a placard with my name. In my mind, I was "Oooh, cool!" hahahaha. We rode a green multicab and headed to our first destination - Mantigue Island.

When we booked our tour with Sir Teddy a month before our trip and we decided to have it customized since we only have limited time with specific destinations that we wanted to visit.

By 2:30PM, we reach the jump off towards Mantigue Island. We hopped on our small motor boat (550php per boat) and after 10 minutes, our feet have felt the fine sand of Mantigue.

View of Mantigue Island from the marine sanctuary

According to TripAdvisor, Mantigue Island is the 4th top destination after Katibawasan Falls and White Island. This natural beauty is very good in terms of diversity since aside from the beach, you can also see that there's vast space for trees. You actually have plenty of things to do here. You can visit and stroll in their nature park, have a picnic area with tables under the trees, paddle boarding, you can swim and do snorkeling with giant clam or just bum by the beach.

However, if you want to go the the marine sanctuary (which I suggest that you do), you will need to pay 100php for the boat and another 10php per pax for the environmental fee. For me, the additional fees are all worth it. Your eyes will feast with the amazing view underwater.

Snorkeling at the marine sanctuary

Our lovely boat guides

After enjoying the sun, sand and the island, we proceeded to the Arden Hot Spring to relax. It's waters come from Mt. Hibok-Hibok where most hikers also go to to end their day. The entrance fee is 30php for adults and 15php for kids. Inside, there are tables and rest rooms for visitors. If in case that you don't have food with you, you can buy snacks or even meals outside the park. We enjoyed the hot waters while we exchange stories about our day.

On my next post, we will have our entire day touring around Camiguin. Until then!

When We Chased Watefalls in Iligan City

Day 0 - 29 January 2016

Chasing waterfalls is a bit of  a trend today as most of travel junkies know. When we decided to do a side-trip to Iligan City upon booking our CDO trip, excitement filled me. I made a research and discovered that Iligan has more than 20 unique waterfalls. Thinking of visiting each waterfalls, I tried to do a research about most of the visited ones and made notes for reference.

We arrived in Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan De Oro around 9:00AM and immediately looked for the Super Five shuttle to Iligan. This was the shuttle service that was recommended by our colleague that we reliable and safe. Once you step out of the arrival area of the airport, the different shuttles are very visible. There are vans going to CDO, Agora Market, Iligan City, etc. So, we spotted the the Super Five shuttle to Iligan which cost 150php including a bus transfer.

When we entered the bus, it was spacious and there were a few people on board. (Tip: Seat on the right side to have a view of the sea along the Butuan - Cagayan De Oro - Iligan Road). The ride took us 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Intergrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal was the drop off in Iligan. Having not known the exact ride to our inn, we rode a "taxi" hailed by one of the porter at the terminal. This taxi looked like a private car and has no air condition and has a fixed rate of 100php within the city. In less than 10 minutes, we're at the Staylite Suites where we had a reservation.

The "Reception"

The good thing about Staylite Suites, there are no deposits for reservations. You can just pay upon check-in. We paid 600php for 1 room with a large bed, a bathroom, a small desk and cable TV. That's it.

Forgive me, this shot was taken after our stay and we were no longer able to fix the bed thoroughly. But the bed was prepared neat and clean for us on our arrival.

Anything that you will request has additional charges. Like extra towel, drinking water, etc. They have their list and menu on every room. But if you are just looking for a place to sleep in, this is good enough in a city.

We decided to start our trip after lunch and we decided to just visit 2 waterfalls since we only have the afternoon to wander. We walked a few minutes to the main street to wait for a jeepney (7php) to the city center. From the city center, we rode another jeepney going to Buru-un (11php). Just advise the driver that you will be going to Maria Cristina Falls and they'll drop you at the jump off. (Tip: Seat at the right side of the jeep to have a view of the sea. Landmark is a steel bridge and the entrance is on the left side of the road.)

Entrance to the Nature Park

The jeepney driver dropped us across the road going to Maria Cristina Falls which is inside the National Power Corporation's Nature Park. We paid 45php per person and 50php for our group for the shuttle since they said that the waterfalls is quite far from the entrance,

The shuttle

We stopped by the Botanical & Zoological Gardens first to explore. They have an ostrich, a monkey, birds and a butterfly house plus some plants here. There are also a few patios where you can take a rest and breathe fresh air. After exploring the gardens and taking some pictures. we headed back to the waiting area where our shuttle driver dropped us. We thought that he was the only driver that time for he was also assisting other guests around the park. We waited for about 20 minutes, I guess, until we were fetched. And so, we have reached the viewing point of Maria Cristina Falls and there was a program on-going which was a bad timing. Anyway, seeing the falls gave me a literal "WOW" on my face. The one that I have only read in books is now in front of me. It was massive and the waters coming from above was so strong! No doubt it provides hydroelectric power to almost 70% of Mindanao. Indeed, the second highest waterfalls in the Philippines is Majestic.

The shuttle picked us up at the parking space. As we passed by the waiting shed near the Botanical Gardens, and the guards offered us a ride to Tinago Falls. We grabbed their offer for 75php per person. Well, I can say that this price is reasonable enough because Tinago Falls is quite far from Maria Cristina Falls.

From the main road, the motorcycle turned left leading to a small road towards our destination. (TIP: Your landmark is the small stores like a small market). Once you arrive at the jump off leading to Tinago Falls, you will be welcomed by tour guides that will offer their services. However, as long as you can read signs, you no longer need a guide.

On our case, we were surprised that our guide said that it was mandatory to get a guide. Two of them walked with us to approximately 500 steps down to reach the falls. Be careful because these steps are steep and can be slippery when wet. The number of steps is worth it once you have witnessed the beauty of Tinago Falls.

According to legend, there was a Sultan who lived with his wife. The Sultan's wife, while being pregnant, met a diwata who pretended to be a beggar who asked for help. The wife did not entertain the beggar which made the diwata curse the couple and their child to be ugly. So it came true and the child was named Tin-ag and the couple hid their child inside a cave due to embarrassment. Later on, Tin-ag grew up and met this diwata again and offered her to become something beautiful. She accepted it and from there, she became the Tinago Falls.

Till our next adventure!

El Nido: Philippines' Last Frontier (Part 2)

Day 2: 28 November 2015

This is our second day of our island hopping tour. Again, we woke up for our daily breakfast by the beach. This time, we did not booked our tour with Mark because we realized that he got most of the payment during our first day of tour which was not right because the crew of Kuya Robert did most of the job.

We went straight to Brgy. Corong-Corong by contacting Kuya Robert directly. As we have agreed yesterday, we have arrived by 8:30 AM and hopped on the boat once seeing our boatmen. Then, our second and last island hopping your started!

1st Stop: Helicopter Island

The island got its name from its shape. Well, this one's pretty obvious because from afar, you will already notice it. Some say that it also looks like a upper half part of a fish too. Haha. The waves were VERY STRONG by the time that we have arrived that we need to dock far from the shore. It's far that we needed to swim like for 7 to 10 meters with the waves. Whew!

Stepping on the sand and taking a 360-degree view of the island, I'm in awe. This is one of the best islands of Tour C. Being a diving spot, too bad that we were advised not to snorkel because of the strong waves. So, we just enjoyed running and playing at the beautiful shore.


2nd "supposed to be" Stop: Secret Beach

Due to the strong waves splashing at the entrance of the beach, we did not continue stopping here. There were plenty sharp limestone formations before you can go inside and the waves made it so dangerous. So, we just got a glimpse of the beach from the outside. It was gorgeous. Imagine a secluded beach covered by tall limestone formations with waves splashing to the rocks.

3rd Stop: Matinloc Shrine

Since the start of the trip, this part intrigue me. Why was it called Matinloc Shrine? Matinlo meaning beautiful in Cuyunin (native language) because the island was indeed beautiful. As we docked at the side of Matinloc Island, we were greeted by an abandoned port. Well, it's not just the port that was abandoned, but there's also a large house and a shrine beside it. According to Kuya Abner, this area was guarded before because of the the hidden treasures scattered around. No locals are allowed in this island too. There are many stories on why this place was abandoned. Some say that the owners changed their religions or they have already taken all the treasures in the place.

When we entered the house and it was a mess! Doors are no where to be found. Flooring and walls were a disaster. Because this house was built beautifully, the people started to get items from or even materials since it was abandoned. Sad truth.

To get a picturesque view of the nearby islands, we climbed a cliff following the steps above the mini museum. I was not contented with the normal level of the cliff and so Kuya Abner told us that we can still climb even higher but beware, the rocks are VERY sharp so climb at your own risk. The risk did not disappointed me because the view was breathtaking. I saw how the waters changed colors on some parts of the sea and the island and rock formations nearby.


4th Stop: Star Island

This is the island just across Matinloc Island which is a private property exclusive for the participants of the Tao Expedition. To get to the island, you need to either dock at the old port or sail around at the other opening of the island because it's actually covered by big limestone formations.

While we were enjoying the island on our own, our boatmen have turned into masterchefs again. Of course, island hopping is not complete without our lunch. See what they did!

We are so lucky to have visited and spent time on this island because its very beautiful and it struck is so much! See the photos below and you'll understand why.

Way in.

5th Stop: Talisay Beach/Tapiutan Island

Supposed to be our last stop was the Talisay Beach. Small and peaceful beach but fun to do snorkeling here. Beware of sea urchins though. Be sure to just swim and not set your foot on corals. We have also seen monitors lizards hanging out behind the trees. Maybe they are one of the guardians of the island. Haha.


6th Stop: Cadlao Island (part of Tour D)

Floating on my back on the water and looking at the sky, it felt so peaceful. Ending the tour with this island was just relaxing. The water was so calm and we all took a swim. Again, be careful of sea urchins below!

Cadlao meaning smile or laugh in local dialect. If you get to check Cadlao Island from an aerial view or just the maps, you will see its shape that looks like it is smiling on you.