DAY 2 & 3 : Camiguin Island Tour and White Island

DAY 1: CDO Whitewater Rafting- Expert Course

DAY 1 : Bukidnon ZipZone Dahilayan Adventure Park

We woke up 5:30 in the morning because we had some confusion on what port we are going. Good thing the taxi driver in front of the pensionne house answered our clueless minds. He drive us to Macabalan Port (Cagayan de Oro port) . The driver is very nice because he did not take advantage of us, he refused contract deal. So we paid 70 pesos for the taxi from pensionne house to Macabalan Port.

camiguin island tour - group pic

Since we are very early, the Paras Sea Cat ticket booth (fast craft going to Benoni Port- Camiguin) is still closed. I and my friends shared stories and the lady following us in line is laughing with us The ticket booth opened around 7:30 am, we bought our tickets that cost us P400 each (regular).

paras sea cat

By 8:00 am we get inside the terminal, we paid P15 terminal fee. They checked our bags and then get to the fast craft, look for comfortable seats. The fast craft left by 8:30 am. It would be a 2 hour ride so I catch some sleep.

After 2 hours we arrived at Benoni Port. We saw kuya Chris holding bond paper with my name. We followed him to the multicab (P 2500), his brother Kuya Rey was the one who will drive us to the tour. They are both equally nice although it was kuya Chris I contact if ever we have questions and if we need assistance. He would immediately reply or call me if I ask him something. FYI: There’s no sun signal at the island.

Elouise and Jeri booked us to Paras Beach Resort. They booked 2 Family Rooms (P3, 000/room). The room is big and clean, it has 2 queen size bed and 1 sofa bed.

Paras Beach Resort

Paras Beach Resort Family Room

After lunch we start the island tour. First we stop by Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross (Donation – P5). We did not expect that we are going to trek for 15-30 minutes to finish all the stations.

Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross

Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross

Walkway to the Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross

You may skip this if/ because:

1. You are not fan of trekking especially if the weather is hot (it would be a long walk )

2. You need to bring water or any drinks plus towel because of no.1

3. If you have kids with you.

4. Some part do have cement stairs some don’t, it’s quite slippery if you’re going down.

Although view from the top is really amazing you can already see the sunken cemetery.

Sunken Cemetery

Second stop, 16th Century Guiob Church Ruins.

16th Century Guiob Church Ruins

There’s a chapel inside the ruins so I made a little prayer and then at the back there’s a tall old tree which is a great for photo op.

16th Century Guiob Church Ruins

16th Century Guiob Church Ruins

16th Century Guiob Church Ruins

We also bought lansones outside (sarap ng lansones nila nilalanggam pa sa tamis. MUST TRY promise! ) P30/kilo

lansones

Third stop, the Sunken Cemetery. If you want to go to the cross you need to pay P20 for the boat ride but since the sun is striking hot, we only take pictures and did not stay long. I think it’s best to go there during sunset (para dramatic yung view ng cross).

Sunken Cemetery

Fourth, the cold spring. We super enjoyed swimming here despite of the freezing water. Eto ang umubos ng oras namen because we played some silly water games since we rented salbabida (P10- small, 15-big). Entrance by the way is P20

Cold Spring

cold spring

Fifth, the soda spring, nothing special with this we just took some photos and swim for like 15 minutes and go. Entrance P20

soda spring

soda spring

Sixth, the hot spring, we only stayed here for 30 minutes because there are lots of people already and we are so hungry so we went back to the resort and eat dinner.

hot spring

The food at the resort was superb! Sobrang sulit and sabe  ng waiter good for two pero pede sya good for 3-4pax. Some of us want to go night swimming, too bad they only allow guests to swim until 10pm. They should put info about the pool hours somewhere so guest won’t be disappointed.

Day 3

We woke up early because we want to catch the sunrise at White Island. Bet you we woke up 4 am and isang tambling lang pala yun sakayan sa boat from the resort, ginising pa namin si kuya rey just to guide us where to rent the boat.

The white island is just 10 minutes away from the resort so do the math we are so early at the island. We own it sarap!

Sunrise, white sand (not as fine as boracay sand, I think hindi sya sand more of fine corals) and the sea. sa aga  namen mas nauna pa kame dun sa bantay ng white island. There’s a P20 fee for the maintenance of the island.

White Island

White Island

White Island

White Island

White Island

By 7am we went back to the resort and eat breakfast. Ang  mahal ng breakfast sa paras not sulit!

By 9am we checked out from the resort. Kuya Rey drive us to Benoni port. We arrived at the port quarter to 11 just in time for the 11 am roro (P135 going to Balingoan Port) . But to our disappointment the roro left the port by 12:20 imagine our stress because we might missed our 4:50 pm flight. From Benoni port to Balingoan port it would take 1 hour and 20 minutes from Balingoan port to CDO proper it would take another 1 – 2 hours. Good thing Kuya Chris offered a van from Bolingoan port to CDO proper. He arranged the van for us (L300 van P2000- aircon is not so cool), so when we arrived to Bolingoan port the van picked us up and drive us to the airport. There’s a little traffic to CDO city and we also bought some take out lunch from Mc Donalds.

Time check 4:30pm we arrived at the CDO airport. The check in counter is already closed, great thing the plane is delayed for 10 minutes so they still entertained us.

The third day was really tiring because it feels like we are on amazing race just to get to our flight but everything is good.

All in all it was a great happy trip. I enjoyed everything, especially with the group of friends I’m with.