Accidental Lawyer: CDO-Bukidnon-Camiguin 3 (Camiguin

It was again an early day for us as we checked-out of New Dawn at about 6:30AM. We boarded a cab to Agora Terminal, where we took the Bachelor Express Bus bound for Butuan City en route to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental (pronounced as “Baling-wan”), the jumped-off point to Camiguin also known as “The Island Born of Fire”, as it was formed due to the eruptions of numerous volcanoes in the island.

Camiguin Island...from Balingoan

We passed through different towns of Misamis Oriental such as Villanueva and Kinoguitan. It took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach the Balingoan from CDO. The highway is well-paved and the bus airconditioned, hence you need not worry of comfort.

From the Balingoan Bus Terminal, we boarded a motorela to the Balingoan Port for P6 each since we are on a rush to be on the 9:00AM ferry. If you are not in hurry and your baggage is light, the port is just 250 meters, more or less, from the bus terminal on the other side of the Highway. Travel time from Balingoan to Benoni Port in Camiguin is 1 hour and the fare is P130.

At Benoni, we hired a multicab for P1500. The multicab is good for the whole day and the driver (Kuya Digoy) shall serve as our tour guide. Rates for every type of transportation are posted at a billboard at Benoni.

*Contact Kuya Digoy

Mobile No. +0909 6745504

Balingoan Port

Benoni Port

An available option is for you to ride the van to Mambajao for P30. Most resorts/hotels are located in Mambajao. Nonetheless, there are other resorts, like Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (BBC), that are located before you reach Mambajao proper. In Mambajao, you may take the motorela in going to your desired resort/hotel. Another cheap way of going around the island is to hire a motorcycle for P350.

BBC is among the best resorts in Camiguin. BBC’s amenities include a swimming pool, game room where you can play darts and billiards, a restaurant that serves great food which are also reasonably priced (it’s a different case though with regard to the drinks as an 12oz Coke costs P45), a bar, and a gym that is currently undergoing construction. Coconut and lansones trees also serve as shade along the walkway. The staff is very warm and courteous. They even have a board at the front desk showing the different celebrities who stayed at BBC. Another advantage of staying at BBC is that they accept credit card payments. However, the place is not really for the budget conscious but I can say that it is worth every penny.

Lansones...Camiguin's Pride

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin

Balbagon, Mambajao, Camiguin

Tel. No. +63 88 3871057
Mobile No. +63 9209017270

www.bahaybakasyunan.com

After finalizing our accommodations at BBC, our first stop is the Katibawasan Falls, a waterfall which cascades into a natural rock pool. As the path leading to the falls is being paved, we had to briefly trek the last bend of the road. Entrance Fee is pegged at P30 per person. Be careful on your way down to the pool as the steps tend to be slippery.

Katibawasan Falls

The water is so cold that your body takes time to adjust to it. After about a minute in the water, you’ll be alright. It really is a different experience as the water is so clear and the beauty of the place, one of a kind.

For those who are more adventurous, there are tour packages that offer rappelling down the 250-ft. high waterfall.

As advised by Kuya Digoy, we went straight to Sto. Niño Cold Spring in Catarman Town in order to save time as it is the farthest of the sites included our itinerary. Water springs from sandy bottom of the pool, the deepest part of which is 7ft. (middle part), and since the water is clear, I did snorkel in the big pool. Surprisingly, I even saw a small crab...where did it come from?". The water from the big pool spills to a kiddie pool located at its base.

Foot Spa...anyone?

We ordered lunch at the eatery located by the entrance of Sto. Niño, and the ginataang manok (native), grilled fish, and brown rice were served and delivered to our cottage thereafter. There are also stores around the fence of Sto Niño where you can buy snacks and drinks.

From there, we stopped at a bridge as Kuya Digoy pointed to us the Tres Marias Volcanoes. According to him, these three volcanoes are getting bigger in size over time. This is another proof of Camiguin’s volcanic nature.

Tres Marias...in the middle

Along the circumferential highway just in front of the Guiob Church Ruins, we bought 23 kilos of lansones for P550 which is quite a bargain as we previously bought a kilo in CDO for P50.

Guiob Church Ruins

The church located at Bonbon, Catarman town was destroyed when Mt. Vulcan erupted in 1871. Now, a chapel may be found inside the thick walls of the church. That’s not all, at the back of the church ruins, were the remnants of the old church convent and the belfry. It was there where we encountered a local who gamely took our pictures and suggested the best angles to frame. I’ve never seen before a tree as huge and as tall as the century-old camel tree beside the old convent. It even dwarfs the lighthouse near it.

Church Belfry

Nice...

Camel Tree...really huge

In our eagerness to go to White Island, we no longer stopped at the stalls along the highway where you can buy souvenirs and t-shirts. What the heck, we thought that the shirts we bought at the stall in front of Katibawasan are already competitively priced, but Kuya Digoy claimed that those previously mentioned stalls offer cheaper prices.

We likewise by-passed the Soda Water Pool and proceeded immediately to the Sunken Cemetery. The big cross that is now visible even from afar was built as a fitting memorial to those who perished because of the fury of Mt. Vulcan.

Actually, a few meters from the cross, you would notice a pathway which according to our boatman ("Mr. Baywatch"), is visible during the low tide. This pathway leads to the Old Guiob Church from the chapel of the Sunken Cemetery. it is also here where the original small cross was located.

We hired a boat that will take us to the Big Cross for P100. The funny thing is, those who did not chose to go to the Big Cross and were contented in looking at it from the viewdeck had to wait for us to finish before they can even take their pictures. We had a great time taking funny shots and experimented on different angles. I even snorkeled without any life vest on, although I am not a strong swimmer, and saw firsthand the corals that grew on the sunken graves. [Like I said….”just don’t tell my mother”…:)]

Sunken Cemetery

Hello there...

A giant leap for mankind

Cross of a Sunken Tomb

We then went to the jump-off point to White Island (a.k.a Medan Island) at the side of Paras Beach Resort. We hired a boat for P400.00 good for the two-way trip. Isn't it wonderful to enjoy the sunset on a sandbar out in the middle of the sea? Must be Paradise, huh.

Powdery White Sand

White Island is a sandbar in the Bohol Sea which can be reached through a 10-minute boat ride from Yumbing in Mambajao. It undeniably highlights the beauty of Camiguin. We really enjoyed its powdery white sand, clear waters, the diverse types of coral and marine species, and the panoramic view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Although most claim that the best time of day to go to White Island is before sunrise, I think watching the sunset in White Island is not on the downside at all. Besides, it is a totally different and unique experience.

White Island....and the imposing Mt. Hibok-Hibok.

The other side of the sand bar. That's Bohol in the background

wOw

Just a boat ride away

A beautiful world

Time to be wacky

Zhhiiiinnngg

However, expect your boat ride to fetch you soon after the last rays of the sun has set in the horizon as it could get very dark in the area especially in a gloomy night as there are no available lights in White Island.

Solitude...anyone?

Beautiful Sunset

Our last stop for the day is the Ardent Hot Springs. There are different pools where you can dip your weary body and wade away stress. Its waters were indeed relaxing and is a great way to cap your day. Also, the pools have varying degrees of temperature. Hence, you can choose the temperature that fits your own liking.