Tan-aw Mindanao: Camiguin Leg

This is part of a multi-city, 6-day tour we did in Mindanao. I’ll be writing about the cities separately since I know it will be madness if I even attempt to write about all of it in one entry. Should you wish to get the itinerary or more information about the entire trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

White Island, Camiguin

Camiguin Island and its people have a certain warmth that just embraces you as you arrive. No, it's not the several volcanoes in the island that makes it warm; it's the beauty of the island that's delicately highlighted by its people’s sincerity.

A Brief Account of the Mt. Volcan Eruption

May 13, 1871

6:00 pm

Cotta Bato, the capital of Camiguin Island was

a quiet and attractive town verdant in its natural

wonders. Its peaceful shores provided strolling

grounds for its inhabitants as the basked under

the gracious moonlight.

Suddenly, tranquility came to a halt as a sub-terranean

rumbling sowed undescribable terror. Hundreds of

houses and the churches crumbled into pieces,

the ground rolled and broke into deep crevices

with horrifying earthquake served only as prelude

to the destructive climax; a cataclysm never

witnessed before Mt. Volcan gave out its fiercest

and most violent outbreak.

6:20 pm

Cotta Bato was but a dreadful pile of

ruins. The single volcanic eruption buried a

beautiful town in obscurity.

Hundreds of lives were lost while the

survivors sought refuge in the open country

that gave them hope for a tomorrow.

* Text taken from the marker at the Guiob Ruins *

HOW WE GOT THERE: We got there taking a plane to Cagayan de Oro, then went on a road trip to the Balingoan port, which is the jump-off point to Camiguin Island. Ferries to Camiguin depart every hour or so, depending on the season. The ferry trip from the mainland to Benoni port of Camiguin takes about 45 minutes to an hour.

WHAT TO DO THERE:

Go to White Island – White Island is actually a sand bar, only less than 10 minutes away from the island of Camiguin. It is the most popular spot on the island and is only visible and accessible when the tide is low. There is a small floating hut where you can place your things while swimming or basking in the sun. White sand of course, however do not expect powder-like fine sand like that of Boracay. The really good thing about White Island is that it’s so small, that when you’re lucky enough, you get to have the entire island to yourself. There is another sandbar nearby, where sea birds rest during low tide - a pretty cool sight.

Relax in the Various Pools in the Volcanic Island - Soda Pool, Hot Spring pools, Cold Spring pools, etc. There are plenty to choose from. Ask your tour driver which ones you can go to given your route.

Eat lanzones for crying out loud! As of now, I believe they have the best lanzones in the country. The lanzones festival happens every third week of October so try to catch it if your can.
Hike Up the Pathway to the Old Volcano - The pathway is actually marked by the Stations of the Cross until you reach the top. Take time to enjoy the view (which we didn't see really, because we were too tired).

                                                                                                 

WHAT ELSE TO SEE:

Soda Pool - One big pool of soda water, that's it.

Ardent Hot Spring - Very relaxing. Just hope not too many people are there when you visit so you can really relax. Take a dip in the warm pool first before going to the hottest one (39 degrees!) so your body can gradually adjust to the temperature.

Sunken Cemetery - This is one of Camiguin's most visited sites. During eruptions in the 1870s, the cemetery subsided. Now, the area is marked with a white cross.

Clockwise from upper left: Cross at Sunken Cemetery, Guiob Church Ruins,road to Soda Pool and Vjandep Pastel

Guiob Church Ruins - In Catarman town, the church was built in the Spanish Colonial times and was destroyed by the same volcanic eruptions that submerged the Sunken Cemetery. A quaint chapel now lies inside the old church's ruins.

WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT:

La Luna Italian Restaurant – really good Italian food! The Italian owner and his Filipina wife run this little restaurant. It’s a bit weird that there’s such in semi-remote place like Camiguin, but believe me when I tell you that they sure know what they’re doing. Must be one of the best tiramisus I’ve had in a while.

Vjandep – affordable meals in the town proper, also where they make the pastel, a light bread stuffed with various flavors. The Vjandep pastel is one of the things Camiguin is also famous for. Despite the wide array of flavors available, the original yema flavor is still what works for me.

I hear that J & A Lagoon near the Benoni port is probably the only place where you can get good seafood in the island. You may choose to do a little fishing and have them cook your catch.

WHAT TO BRING HOME:

Pastel from Vjandep - They have several flavors to choose from. However, if you still plan to go around Cagayan de Oro, you may opt to purchase from Gaisano or Limketkai Mall instead. Prices are about PhP10 higher, but you are saved from the hassle of carrying boxes of pastel around.

Lanzones - Great to bring home as pasalubong if you're headed home straight from Camiguin. Really good to give out.

WHERE TO STAY:

Paras Beach Resort - The resort was originally built by the owners for their own recreation. They have relatively affordable rooms and the location is great as you can see White Island from the restaurant.

Enigmata - We were supposed to stay one night at their treehouse. However, the typhoon the week before our arrival destroyed some of the foundations, making it dangerous to stay in. I'd still recommend this place for those who'd like to experience sleeping in a treehouse and being one with nature.

Remembering Boracay

"Indian Man" with His Dog and the Boracay Sunset

The island never fails to take over me as soon as I even lay my eyes on it. I become this girl who is somewhat owned by the island, and I feel that I owe it to the island to give-in to it - be a free soul, living life to the fullest, no qualms, no worries and hopefully, no hangover. So how do I even write about a place that's constantly changing and evolving? I write about what I remember from all my trips there, as a sort of homage. 

HOW WE GET THERE:

There are several options to get to the island. Fastest and most convenient of course is through the Caticlan airport, with several airline companies plying the Manila - Caticlan route. From there, you can take a tricycle to the jetty port. The alternative for those who don't like taking small planes is via Kalibo, accommodating bigger planes.

Another option would be taking the bus from either Cubao, Manila, Alabang or Pasay stations of bus lines that have trips to Iloilo. Some of the popular bus companies that ply this route are Ceres, Dimple Star, Gasat and Alps.

The more adventurous alternative and could be the cheapest is to bring your own car or van and take the Nautical Highway. Quickly, here's the rough low-down on the route: Drive to the Batangas City Port, take the ferry to Calapan, Mindoro which will take about 2 hours. From Calapan, it's a 130-kilometer drive to the Roxas Port, which will take about 2 hours depending on how fats you drive. Though best to take your time as the scenery in Mindoro is very relaxing and gives a glimpse into the simple lives of people there. From there, it's another ferry ride which will take about 3.5 to 6 hours, depending on the ferry you'll chance upon. (Note: Ferry = Roll On - Roll Off ferries that load vehicles, cargo and passengers)

Diamond Watersports Parasail

WHAT TO DO THERE:

The Basics: swim, sunbathe, do water activities like the banana boat, flying fish, jetski, parasailing, etc.

Paraw's Sail, view from below

Ride the Paraw - best done in the afternoon, before the sun sets. Not as popular as the others mentioned above, but riding the paraw can be very exhilarating if the wind is strong and the waves are big. It can be very relaxing, too! (Believe me, I've fallen asleep while on it.)

Dive! - Boracay isn't as popular as a diving destination compared to Tubbataha, the Verde Passage or Bohol, but those who has seen the beauty of Boracay above the water should also be able to appreciate what's under the sea. There have been sightings of baby sharks, rays, octopus and other notable marine life. Go to New Wave Divers in Station 1 (very near Guilly's) for a quick fix!


Explore the Nightlife - With the abundance of establishments in the island, I'm pretty sure you'll find a place you'll have the knack for. Currently, it's Epic and Summer Place that tickles our thirst for liquor and dancing. At Summer Place, do yourself a favor and try the Shark Attack!

White Beach and the Grotto

WHAT TO SEE:

White Beach - where most of the action is! Enough is posted about this part of the island on other sites, so I'll keep it to a minimum. Worth mentioning is the grotto or Willy's Rock, where a statue of the Virgin Mary is erected.
Bulabog Beach - Parallel to White Beach, this is where a relatively opposite lifestyle thrives. The area is laid-back, quiet and there is less human traffic most of the time. It's home to Banana Saging, the first establishment in the area, and the "last native guesthouse" in the island.  It is also where kiteboarding thrives, so if you want to learn, scout for shacks offering lessons in this side of the island. It is also on this side that you can watch the sunrise.

Other Beaches in the Island - Diniwid, Puka, Punta Bunga, Balinghai, Cagban, Manoc-Manoc, Tambisaan, Lapuz-Lapuz and others. These beaches aren't as popular as White Beach and Bulabog, but these are worth mentioning as each has its own character and charm.

Sand Sculptures - The kids (and adults) are constantly improving their skills in this craft, making it another source of income for them. Take photos, but please make a kind donation.

Mt. Luho - This is the highest point in the island. Plenty of activities are available on the way up, and the views are also plentiful. Nuff said.

WHERE WE EAT:

Aria Cucina Italiana & Café del Sol - These two are just across each other in D'Mall. Aria serves good, reliable Italian fare every time. Café del Sol is its coffee shop, offering a selection of coffee, tea, coolers and some pastries. Must try their tiramisu. If you were lucky enough, you could have also experienced having the best bibingka in the island. They don't sell this anymore as the owners no longers produce the bibingka. Behind Aria is their gelato bar which serves good gelato, too.  

Ti Braz - What used to be Cafe Breizh, this is the home of french crepes in the island and is the "mother" of the more-known Café Breton in Manila. The same recipe used by Cafe Breizh was passed-on to the owner of Cafe Breton, same with the crepe pairings. 

Real Coffee - A place where feel-good breakfast food and shout-outs of "Good Morning!" is served all day. The Marc's Melt is hands-down a winner, while their Calamansi Muffins and their brownies are good enough to take home.

Jonah's Papaya Lemon

Cyma Greek Restaurant - Another island original. The Cyma chain of restaurants actually had their first branch in the island, which opened during the one of the December holiday seasons a few years back. This place was packed several days after its opening. Several years after, it's still patronized by foodies. Cyma Boracay is a must for our every visit to the island.

Jonah’s Fruitshake - A trip to the island will not be complete without getting a glass or two at Jonah's. My favorites in rotation are Banana Mocha Peanut, Mango Melon and Papaya Lemon. Their vegetable omelet is also perfect for early mornings, paired with the shake of choice and the beautiful view. During peak season, one must be patient as orders can take up to 30-45 minutes to prepare.

Jammers - Open 24 hours, Jammers is one of our go-to places after a night of drinking and dancing. They have good burgers and the like. My favorite is the Sloppy Joe.
Smoke Resto - What used to be just a small restaurant at the D'Mall talipapa now has a branch inside D'Mall. They serve a variety of dishes, from Kao Pad to Sinigang, Chili Omelets to Sizzling Bulalo. With food this affordable and yummy, you couldn't go wrong.
Jasper’s Tapsilog - We've been patrons of Jasper's from the time it was still a bungalow of light materials, serving 3 dishes aside from their staple tapsilog. Today, it's a two-storey building serving everyone from hotel staff to tourists. Try the Jasper's fried rice which is an entire meal in itself.
Also try Truefood Indian Cuisine. Haven't treid it yet as my companions are usually wary of trying out Indian food. But I keep it on my To Do List.

WHERE WE STAY:

Boracay Plaza - The only place we stay in the island. No frills, no fancy rooms, just basic accommodations. So why do we choose to stay here? So far, it has been a safe place for us to stay, not to mention its wonderful location. The rates here are more affordable compared to the neighboring hotels in Station 1.

Other places we've stayed at that are worth mentioning include Hey Jude! Hotel in D'Mall, Sienna's in Station 2, Lion's Den, etc. These mentioned either have good locations, cheap rooms, or nice, accommodation owners.

Remembering.. the places and things we once loved, now gone (or sort of)...

Cocomangas Beachfront and Vendors

Palomaria - Palomaria is that kind of place you love but want to keep a secret - relaxed vibe, nice set-up, good food. I believe it is now a B&B with a different name.

Hey Jude! - If only walls and tables could talk, I cannot imagine how long Hey Jude! would be telling stories. It was the venue of events and parties with foreign & local guests, and music from foreign and local DJs. It is now where Epic is.
Longgaburger & Ihaw Vendors - Ahh.. Foodtrips while drinking the night away.. The longgaburger and isaw fest - booze in one hand, ihaw on the other. How I miss those days. In efforts to keep the beach clean, the municipality now prohibits vendors at the beach. You can still catch some verndors along the road, though the experience ain't the same.
Cocomangas Beach Front - Cocomangas still exists to this day, however the beach front "branch" was where numerous stories were made - stories of drinking before the sun sets 'til drinking before dawn, barely standing due to their shakers and shooters, aching legs and feet from all the dancing in the sand. The beachfront location is now where Guilly's stands.
Gasthof - I miss their Baby Back Ribs. However, do not fret as I believe they have a branch at A Venue Mall along Makati Ave., Makati City.

Bulabog Beach Sunrise

I'll be publishing additional entries about Boracay from time to time, as it changes in every visit. Will keep you posted!:-)

why 'wiki'?

Photo from the JHUMCPS wikispace

When you hear of wikipedia, the first thing that comes to mind is the online encyclopedia; a collection of information that constantly evolves according to its users, providing quick access to information, and gives users the ability to edit the collection.

“Wikireena” was originally coined by good friend and mentor D.B. in her blog. I found it amusing and it sounded pretty good, so it kind of stuck with me.

As anyone would expect, when I was thinking of options for my blog name, it was, of course, one of my options.

So I searched online for the meaning of the term ‘wiki’ and learned from answers.com that it means “quick” in Hawaiian, can likewise be the acronym for “what I know is”, and finally, a “web site that can be quickly edited by its visitors with simple formatting rules which means that the content can be edited by anyone who has access to it and the content is therefore the result of a collaborative, community effort.“

Well, my personal wiki can’t  really be ‘edited’ by viewers, but comments are very much welcome to enrich the content – therefore it can still be the result of a collaborative, community effort. I will likewise try my best to stand true to the wiki idea – I will try to provide as much information as I can as I recount my travels.

Bow.

P.S. Special thanks to D.B. for giving that extra push, motivating me even more to pull this off, and for acquainting me once again with the technicalities of blogging.

why blog?

Boracay Island Sunrise

As kids, we were accustomed to traveling a lot – weekdays at home, Fridays and Saturdays at our grandparent’s house in Quezon City, Sundays at our grandparent’s house in Cavite, summers at our province in Mindanao, some weekends in Tagaytay, etcetera.

I don’t exactly remember when I realized I love to travel. What I do remember was that I took every opportunity to spend a night or two away; even if that means having to watch over my dad, lola or sister in the hospital for various reasons, for a duration of two to four nights. Oh, I remember packing for those “stays” as if it were an out of town trip, feeling as if I was going to stay in a hotel. Weird, I know.

From the time I graduated, I’ve been traveling a lot, going to places for the first time, some a couple of times, some even a lot, for work or leisure. I’ve seen places and faces, experienced sub-cultures, engrossed myself in their food and took snapshots of these things to help me remember.

Leganes, Iloilo

I try, as much as I can, to travel around the Philippines first. As we (myself and some members of our family) believe in traveling around the country first before exploring other countries. If foreign visitors see beauty in our country, why can’t we?

As time passed I realized that I love traveling so much, that there is something inside me that drives me to make me want to share it with the rest of mankind, hoping other people could likewise immerse themselves in the same experience. I started writing about it before, but never really had the guts to continue. So here I am again, more guts, writing about my adventures, misadventures, and everything else in between.

Please understand that what I write here is based on things I have read and learned from other people, and based on my trip there. I'll be recommending and giving tips based on first-hand experience; so when I say I love this or hate that, it's not a fact per se, it’s just my opinion.

Feel free to comment on what I have written and posted. Let me know if you plan to visit a place I wrote about, maybe I can give you more tips. If you have tips of your own, maybe you can leave a comment as well.

Now don't just sit there! Move your butt, pack your bags, walk out the door and travel!

Avilon Zoo, Montalban