I cannot believe that in a span of four months after my last post, too many things has happened. Just when I thought that I already experienced most of the cruel things in the world, the universe gave me a little bit more. And yes, I was/am depressed.
Maybe we can say that I'm better now. Enough for me to write about my recent trips but not enough to write about what I'm going through. Though I know that no one who actually knows me reads this blog, I still cannot make myself tell the story. I am still afraid to receive a sympathy hug from someone who I'm not sure truly cares about me, thus, the deactivated Facebook account. I told myself that I will only bring that social media up again when something good happens to me. Oh well, it's still down so obviously nothing grand is happening.
Anyway, that is not what I want you to read today. Remember when I wrote about what keeps me afloat when I'm sad? The obvious answer is ice cream! The second best would be travelling. Sometimes, I choose to just curl up in a fetal position in my bed while listening to sappy music. Well, I've done that but my vacation is just too long that even I myself believe that I need to get out. So when D's friends invited us to join them in their tour, we said yes instantly.
So during that August holiday, we flew to Mindanao. The trip was a multi-province escapade - Cagayan De Oro, Camiguin and Bukidnon. We've been here before but things might have changed so we decided to still join.
The itinerary we used was almost patterned to our trip before so I will not go into details anymore. If you wanna know more, just go through my posts before. Link below:
Camiguin Day 1: Getting there
Camiguin Day 2: Camiguin in a day
CDO White Water Rafting (Beginner's Course)
Bukidnon Adventure
So on a raining Saturday morning, we left Manila. It was raining hard so we were thankful that the flight was not cancelled.
Just like our previous trip, we went straight to Camiguin after we landed from Laguindingan Airport. D and I were expecting to reach Camiguin late in the afternoon but we were in luck that day because our group managed to get someone to drive us directly to Balingoan port. From the airport, our group of 6 rode the shuttle going to Agora Mall where there are transpo that can take us to Balingoan port. Fortunately, the driver of the shuttle heard us talking and he offered to take us straight to the port for an extra 300 pesos per head. I instantly smiled because that would be very convenient for us. From Balingoan port, we rode a Ro-ro to Benoni port which is the gateway to Camiguin.
After an hour of slow Ro-ro ride, we reached Camiguin around lunch time. Imagine all that convenience? We were supposed to tour the island the next day but since we were there early, we went ahead and hire a multicab to tour us around.
Our first destination was lunch at J&A Fishpen. Just like before, our orders arrived very very late and the food was just so-so. We also changed into our swimming attires here since the tour will be full of dipping in the water. We just left our things inside the multicab.
Next was Tuasan falls. This was not in our previous tour because we went to Katibawasan falls instead. IMO, the latter is better.
Then the Old Church Ruins. Progress happened to this place. For one, this sign was not here before. Then the cross was transferred to a different location and there were stands for candle lighting already. The kids also caught up with the technology since they now know how to operate iPhones. It's so amazing how they taught us vertical panoramic shots. Hahaha!
A tour to Camiguin will not be complete without going to the Sunken Cemetery. I promised myself that when I get back I will go to the cross and not just look at it at a distance. But then, we were in a hurry so no closer look for me again. Maybe next time. Anyhoo, see that small boats below? They went to see the cemetery under the sea. Argh so inggit!
We also took a dip in the Sto. Nino Cold Spring which was still super cold.
We just passed by the Soda Swimming Pool because I told them that there's nothing special in that pool. The water do not actually tastes like soda. They just sizzle a little, that's all. Hehe.
We also did not climb the Walkway to the Old Volcano anymore.
I was looking forward to ending the night in Ardent Hibok-hibok Hot Spring since this was my favorite spot in Camiguin. Unfortunately, there's no water in the spring then. The locals said it was due to La Nina. Or shouldn't that be El Nino? Anyhoo, the place was a sad sight!
We went to our resort after the tour. Bahay-Bakasyunan sa Camiguin was a little bit depressing to look at at night. I think a little mood light can do wonders. Their food was good, their pool was warm even at night, the staff were friendly so I guess the resort is ok. I just wish I was able to stay there longer so I can give better reviews.
The resort during day light was more beautiful.
We waited for breakfast in the hammocks by the beach.
The White Beach is still as magnificent as before. The sand in the bar is still indeed very white. We spent an hour in the beach and half of it was used for picture taking only. Haha! I'm just confused with the shape of the sandbar. It was not what I remembered it to look like. Maybe the current changed it. Also, there were little cottages now that sell food. There were also tables and chairs with shades that people can rent.
Look at this picture below. You might think that the sand bar is secluded but nope, there were a lot of people that time. We just walked all the way to the end of the bar to find this spot.
I also get to play with D since he is game with all the poses I want him to do. I got this effortless jumpshot from my friend Gelo. He jumped but it doesn't look like it right? My friend did it better though. Hehe
We travelled back to Cagayan De Oro by lunchtime. We contacted the driver of our shuttle the day before to fetch us. The initial plan was for us to rest in CDO that day and then do the rafting and Bukidnon adventure the next day. But since it was still early we decided to go straight to Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon.
Now, remember that we were not able to stop by the big pineapple in Camp Phillips before because we were just hitching ride? We did it now! Yey!
And again, we conquered the longest zipline in Asia while raining. We did not buy the pictures anymore since I do not feel like it. Eeerr I actually didn't take a lot of pictures in this trip.
We reached our hotel in CDO around dinner time. GC Suites is strategically located in the center of a gimik area. Nice nice! We were supposed to go to a music festival that night because it's fiesta in the CDO but we were so tired! We just went to hear a mass instead.
We were early the next day to do White Water Rafting! I thought I will not be amazed anymore since I already tried it but hell I'm mistaken. I have no pictures now though.
We rode the shuttle back to Laguindingan Airport at the Centrio Mall. It is still at the Capt. Roa entrance of the mall. Price is still at 199 pesos.
So what's my take-away for you in this trip?
1. It is always better to travel in big groups. This trip was easier for us because we were a group of six, unlike before that there's only two of us.
2. Talk to your drivers if they can take you to places. Like in our case, our airport shuttle driver took us straight to Balingoan port instead of just in Agora Mall. He also fetch us from that port to Bukidnon and then back to our hotel in the city. You will have to pay extra but you will be paying for convenience.
3. Anticipate your itinerary. If you think that you will not be staying in the hotel for a long time, might as well book a cheaper accommodation with a decent bed. I found it very impractical that we stayed in a pricey resort in Camiguin and we only get to sleep in it.
4. Wear something long for White Water Rafting unless you want tan lines. I wore rash guard and leggings but I still got it. It will be better to use aqua shoes also but you can always ask your boatman to tie your slippers to the boat.
Better in time,
Yosh
