"Awesome Camiguin" a Camiguin Island Travel Page by 05nov05

Our day started at 6am, April 5. It was also our 17th month anniversary. Joal and I were so excited to go to White Island, which can be viewed from our resort. It would just take 10-15 minute boat ride to white island which costs P400. We stayed there for 2 hrs. Joal and I had roasted chicken, instant cup noodles and milo for breakfast. The price was affordable.

White Island was just a small island, as in literally small. There were no trees, or big rocks..only white sand, cottages (also restaurants), clear blue water and people. It has a good view of Mt. Vulcan and Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Since white island is a good time for snorkeling and swimming, joal and i took advantage of the 1 and a half hours remaining. Joal did enjoy his new speedo snorkeling gadgets. It is best to go in white island in the morning during low tide, as most of it disappears under the sea in the afternoon.

Kris informed us ahead of time that he wouldn't be able to tour us anymore but sent his cousin, Titing. The 8-hour day tour costs P1500. After white island, Titing brought us to ardent hot spring. I like it there though I didn't swim. Joal and I planned to go back there the next day as we only stayed there for 30 mins.

We then proceeded to Katibawasan falls. Its waterfalls measure about 250 feet high cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. We left after taking some pictures and headed to Catarman Church Ruins.

It's close to 12noon and we wanted to have lunch at J&A Fishpen, but Titing said it's out of the way so we just decided to have lunch at Manitigues Island (P500 boat ride). The island has 4 hectares of evergreen forest fringed with white sandy beach. It's good for swimming and snorkeling as it's also known as a fish sanctuary. Ka Roger (0920.230.0607) accommodated us. He's so nice and very friendly. He said we can actually stay there for a night for P800, but of course we can't. He served us good food for our lunch such as swordfish, seaweeds and soup which cost P800. The water in Mantigue Island is almost the same as in White Island - blue crystal in color and the sand is powdery white.

We didn't stay any longer at Mantigue Island as we had to go back to Camiguin Island where Titing is waiting for us. From there we headed to Mt. Vulcan. It was Maundy Thursday when we came so most Camiguenos were celebrating Panaad. Panaad is a religious activity, a Lenten 64-kilometer circumferential walk that climaxes at the "Walkway to the Cross" in Catarman town on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and "Tabo" on Easter Sunday in Mambajao, the capital town. Soon we proceeded to Sunken Cemetery.

We exceeded the 8-hour day tour of Titing so we paid him an additional fee of P200. Joal and I were so dead-tired and yet were so very happy about the trip. We ended the day with roasted chicken, chicharon and mangoes for supper.

Joal really liked the White Island so we went back there on our last day in Camiguin. Our friends Would already be going back to Manila the next day so they just opted to stay in their resort. Joal wanted to stay in White Island until 1pm. Good thing we found a boatman just infront of our resort who offered us a P200 boatride to the island. Joal snorkeled almost the whole morning while I stayed in our tent sleeping. We were supposed to go boating because Joal brought his inflatable boat but we changed our minds because of the waves. Soon the sun disappeared and the rain fell. Joal went back to the tent and we both slept. We woke up when it's already 12:30 and the boatman returned to fetch us. It rained harder when we left the island and couldn't even see it from our resort.

After we had our lunch at the resort, Joal set up the hammock he bought from Mt. Vulcan. It was so relaxing to lay there reading magazine.