Memories of Camiguin

White Island at day break

I worked in a  university where employees often treated to a summer adventure trip when the annual retreat is held outside Davao. This year's retreat took us to Cagayan de Oro city and our side trip was at the beautiful island of Camiguin.

Camiguin, which has a unique and spectacular setting above the sea, is Philippines' second smallest province next to Batanes, strategically located off the coast of Northern Mindanao near Bohol Sea, cradled by several volcanoes and hilltops. It is surrounded with natural wonders of white beaches, rainforest and mountains, perfect for a relaxing holiday. When I was still in my teens, I longed to visit Camiguin, but never actually imagined I could make it one day.

Swimming Pool of Camiguin Highland Resort.

And that "one day" came eventually.

It was a cool Saturday morning, the 17th of April 2010, when we left Cagayan for Camiguin. Half-past nine o'clock, the Paras Sea Cat finally roared and traversed the Misamis Oriental sea for almost three hours. It was not a smooth sailing because of bad weather and I was a little bit woozy, felt dizzy and ready to vomit during our short voyage. I was surprised with the reaction of my nerves because I am accustomed to a raging sea water especially during stormy weather in my home province, but it was really terrible, so bad that I didn't appreciate the beauty of the sea with flying seagulls as I struggled to control my swaying appetite from yielding.

 The elegant dining hall of Camiguin Highland Resort

But my discomfort soon subsided the moment we arrived and rode the van of Camiguin Highland Resort, I was amazed with the soothing countryside of Camiguin, we passed through the magnificent shorelines, along the coco and rice fields, the varied ecosystem and the thick vegetation.

I darted my gaze at the beautiful horizon and majestic mountain landscapes, across the ocean, clear blue water beckoned with tranquility. An hour later, we arrived at the fabulous Camiguin Highland Resort, a premiere hotel in the island where our group booked for one night. It was beautifully carved at the hilltop along the rugged terrain with exhilarating landscapes with in the municipality of Mambajao, Camiguin's capital town.

Camiguin Highland Resort is such a wonderful landmark with modern Caribbean architectural design surrounded with trees, mountain and wild plants. A luxury resort with comfortable rooms, overlooking the mountains and flora conservation, the place is sooo romantic with a warm welcome message in our room complete with petals in the bed!

White Island at sunrise

Our day tour kicked off at 1:00 pm after taking lunch.

The first site we visited was "A walkway to the old Volcanoes" located at the outskirt of Catarman town along its rugged cliff and trees, it has a stall market beneath, selling souvenir items. It was a breathtaking spot as visitors would have to climb atop using a concrete stairway to view the "station of the cross" landmark and the preserved trees and plants. I wasn't able to go upstairs because it was raining, I just posed for some pictures hehe!

Our second stop was at the ruins of the 16th Century Spanish Church buried during the 1871 Mt. Vulcan Daan eruption. It was a beautiful area with old walls still stood imposing around the site, situated near the coastline, this area has a spacious ground to wander. We walked passed through the small chapel, erected to mark its religious existence, we strolled at the beautifully-trimmed lawn and marveled at its medieval wall which reminded the grim past of the eruption tragedy. I and my friends had really a wonderful time here, poking fun with each other and giggling.

Soda Swimming Pool

Then we proceeded to the famous Sunken Cemetery, few miles from the church ruins. This tourist attraction, which Camiguin's status largely defined, is symbolized by a huge cross constructed in reverence to the graves buried deep into the sea during the eruption of Mt.Vulcan. My only regret was, we never able to go to the actual site because it was high tide and the rampaging of water posed some danger, so we decided to just view the site at the lobby-cliff.

Next stop was at the famous Soda Swimming Pool, a blithe sized pool surrounded with trees and mountains, small cottages available nearby. The water was super tempting but when we arrived, rainshower suddenly worn off my excitement, discarding my interest to dip in.

As much as we wanted to stay longer in the area our time was super limited and we were always in a hurry to move to the second destination. Some of my colleagues bitterly complained with this inconvenience (me included.haha!) but of course we were only following the tight schedule of the tour, so I just sealed my lips and said nothing as we embarked to the next destination- the Cold Spring resort in Sto. Niño.

Cold Spring resort is surrounded with wild trees and ecosystem, the water gushed from the hills and I was really amazed with its beautiful and relaxing environment. But then I didn't plunge into the water as some of my colleagues did, I was afraid that the moment I dived, the van we're riding will blow its silly horn!so I just rolled my eyes in amusement as I watched my friends enjoyed the cold water, then we went outside to just look around near the stall market. I didn't buy anything of course (haha!). I was a bit frustrated this time and almost fed up with the weather condition. It was absolutely disappointing as we're always caught up with rain.

We wrapped up our day with a trip to Ardent Hibok-hibok Hot spring at the foot of Mt.Hibok-Hibok, one of Camiguin's active volcanoes, its last recorded eruption was in 1953. We spent less than two hours here and we nearly collided with bad moods with our precious colleagues as we heavily argued with the time schedule, some of them wanted to go home early while we're enjoying the warm water.hahaha!

I loved its therapeutic water, a perfect tonic for tired muscles and body. I joined my friends swimming in the shallow water of just 4 feet deep hehe! It was nearly 7:00 o'clock in the evening when we left the place. After dinner, we'd plenty of time to splash at the pool. After few dips I retired to bed to relax my tired muscle brought by the stressful-always-in-a-hurry tour. I love the comfy bed and the sweet scented room, I slept soundly that night as if I never sleep for the last twenty years of my life, it was great!

At the powdery beach of White Island at day break

My sweet and sound sleep was cut short because we'd to wake up at 4:00 in the morning to visit the spectacular White Island, just outside Mambajao. After 30 minutes of waiting at last the boat that would carry us to the island finally arrived. White Island is an exotic and romantic white pristine beach with clear water that turns from cobalt blue to aquamarine green.

The picturesque surrounding has a panoramic view of mountains, hilltop and trees. And because our time was very limited, we left White Island two hours later and proceeded to Katibawasan Falls, a natural mountain wonder with a raging waterfalls smacked in the middle of the forest and boulders. Just going to this place really requires an enormous risk and courageous heart as the road is still not yet develop, nevertheless, the area is worthy to explore.

I didn't plunge though as the water is chilling. Again, the blowing of horn of the van made us cringe in slight anger. Shortly before 8:00 in the morning we're back at the hotel and packed up our things. Again, we're in a hurry as if some monsters ready to attack us. I don't even have time to change my clothes, I just took off my short, put on my jeans and my jacket and grabbed my packbag. We left the hotel room as if it was being burglarized by goons with things thrown everywhere.wahaha!

We boarded a small vessel for Misamis Oriental where a van waited to take us home to Davao.

At Katibawasan Falls

While going home riding a van, I started savoring the wonderful feeling of being relax, of being free, free to explore the world and discover other places. It was a very exciting and fulfilling adventure. Not because I was able to escape the boring work in the office but because I was able to combat finally the useless things that bothered me for quite sometime--the silly and stupid emotion that haunted and deceived me for several years. I finally eradicated everything out of my system and at last moved on from the humiliation and rejection I suffered. I also decided to keep my distance to avoid being humiliated again. It was a great realization indeed. I also began to appreciate other people in my surroundings.

At the White Island!

Anyway, the Camiguin adventure was truly memorable because it was my first time to really enjoy the trip and the first time I experienced such a wonderful and relaxing vacation. Everything was fantastic from food, environment, companion, accommodation and the experience itself. I always love Camiguin and hope to go there again some other time. 

The Wonders of Camiguin (Philippines)

cobalt blue water and ivory sand of the White Island, Camiguin.

Camiguin is the second smallest island in the Philippines (next to Batanes) in terms of land area and population, it is only composed of five municipalities with Mambajao, the province's capital, as the largest, but it is a home to many wonderful tourist spots the country can be proud of. An island of varied ecosystem, rugged terrain, pristine beaches and untouched hinterland, Camiguin has a unique setting into the heart of the sea cradled by rugged cliffs and imposing mountains.

This relatively small island is geographically located off the coast of Northern Mindanao, bounding Bohol Sea and Misamis Oriental, the island has only one airport with flights coming from Cebu City but it is only seasonal, visitors may travel via Cagayan de oro city port and Balingoan, Misamis Oriental. Camiguin has a natural beauty of nature and its way of life is far from today’s highly urbanized lifestyle.

The province's profile is tousled with several volcanoes and two or three of these are recorded active, Mt. Hibok-Hibok had a last recorded eruption in 1953 which significantly reduced the population by 30%. Interestingly, Camiguin’s old dialect is Surigaonon, brought by the province’s first settlers coming from the province of Surigao del norte.

Historically, the name of the province is taken from the word "camagong" a large Philippine tree prominently grows in Surigao del norte.  Portion of the Camiguin land was buried during the May 1871 eruption of Mt. Vulcan Daan, it buried large part of the Catarman town including the ancient Spanish church, a tower, a bell and a cemetery. Today, the ruins of the church and the cemetery are two of the most popular tourist spots in Camiguin.

TOURIST SPOTS

 entrance leading to the ruins of ancient Spanish Church

The Ruins of the Old Church – according to the history of Camiguin, when Mt. Vulcan Daan ferociously erupted in 1871, it buried most of Catarman's land, the town’s landmarks wiped out including the ancient Spanish church, its tower, bell and the cemetery. Today, these two sites known to visitors as the Old Church and Sunken Cemetery. The old church site is a remnant of an imposing religious structure which was buried along with its history but largely remembered through the ruined walls that scattered with in the trimmed ground where visitors are free to wander with in the airy surroundings. Just few feet from the entrance area is a small church erected to mark its religious existence.

 The imposing site of the Sunken Cemetery

The Sunken Cemetery-This sounds creepy but this area is where the town's public cemetery located prior to the Mt. Vulcan eruption. To commemorate the sacredness of the place, a huge cross is erected few miles from the shorelines, it is a stark reminder that human bodies were once part of this historical site. The rampaging of the waves during high tide forever shrouded the graves of those passed away but remembered through this landmark which is elaborately constructed to mark the existence of the old cemetery. Tourists may visit this site by riding a boat along the coast line. But for people who have less tolerance on raging waves, they may choose to stay in the lobby-cliff above and view the area. The boat ride leading to the cross just cost P15.00.

Clear, refreshing water of Soda Swimming Pool

Soda Swimming Pool-This blithe Olympic sized swimming pool with a spectacular view of the highland, is fascinating which attract people to have a refreshing dip. With its breezy environment and clear, placid water, everybody is tempted to plunge, but during cold weather, the environment is somewhat chilling I have a second thought of diving into its alluring water during our tour. It has several cottages lined-up along the bank for a more private indulges. The pool is surrounded with trees and plants which pumped fresh sensation, providing visitors with a more relaxed adventure.

part of the water basin of Sto.Niño Cold Spring

Sto.Niño Cold Spring- The cold spring is split into several water basin in its sprawling area just beneath  trees and rainforest, it has an elaborate passageway, cottages and airy surroundings. Smacked in the middle of the forest , the cold water freely flows from atop and said to be, the most natural spring mother earth can offer, one may wonder how this truly gift of nature flows abundantly from its stillness to the ground without ceasing. Visitors may enjoy the area, aside from splashing, through organizing a dry picnic along its lined waiting sheds. Outside, this site is surrounded with stall market of food and souvenir shopping.

 (Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring. Photo credits:lakbaypilipinas.com)

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring-Located at the outskirt of Mt. Hibok-Hibok, one of the province's active volcanoes, the hot spring is a perfect place to release tension and stress by stretching tired muscles along its warm fresh water gushing from the hills. It is divided into three portions, the middle part is the deepest with almost six feet deep and visitors are being warned to take extra precautions. The relaxing environment with varied trees and plants and the terrain, offers tranquility and peace of mind. Though relatively smaller than the space of cold spring and soda swimming pool, personally, hot spring is one of my favorites because of its therapeutic water effect. But due to the absence of improvements within the area, visitors should be cautious with falling branches of old trees or even coconut, it also lacked sufficient lights within the swimming area, but generally, this site is a wonderful choice for tourists for a more relax spirit.

The scenic view of Katibawasan Falls

Katibawasan Falls-A natural mountain wonder with a breathtaking site of raging waterfalls, Katibawasan falls site is surrounded with thick vegetation and a spectacular rainforest, this is closer to Camiguin Highland Resort, the premier resort in the island. It offers a clear, cold water where everybody can enjoy the calmness of the mother earth. It is almost located beneath the forest and a drive experience going to this area is a mixed of great anticipation and excitement. The rugged cliff detailing the area is a breathtaking site beckoning a more fulfilling adventure. Katibawasan falls' drop is as high as the Pagsanjan falls in Laguna streaming unpolluted and invigorating water from wilderness.

The pristine beach of White Island

White Island-A natural paradise, this is one of Camiguin’s pride, this breathtaking site of the province is framed in the middle of the clear blue water of Mambajao. Purely an island with powdery white sand, the beach is surrounded by the splashing of calm waves from the Pacific Ocean which water varies from cobalt blue to aquamarine green. Visitors often seen frolicking at the shoreline, posing for souvenirs with its amazing views. It has a picturesque panorama of mountains and the dramatic horizon. The experience is more soothing and captivating when this area is visited early in the morning where the glimpse of early sunrise dazzled through the sun-kissed beach and clear water.

For a fun-filled and relaxed adventure, consider Camiguin Island as one of your ultimate holiday destinations and enjoy a breathtaking trip with its lush rainforest and hinterland with a spike of happiness and fulfillment through its untouched coastlines.

I visited the island last April 2010 with colleagues in the university (after our retreat in Cagayan) and it was amazing! Felt so relaxed...