I had made a reservation a week ago at a place, and at 10pm the night before i left, decided i wasn’t comfortable with their reviews and spent a lot of time researching and rebooking, only 28 min before my cancellation date, whew, that was cutting it close. Hopefully i get a full refund
Kevin offered to drop me off at the bus station on the way to take Viana to school. I boarded a bus for Jagna, and arrived 1.5hrs later. Way earlier than the ferry was leaving, but that’s the way i like it, … no rush, no stress. I actually had a burger at McDonalds…still not sure why, i guess because i was so surprised it was there, in such a small town. They have a 2story market here, with room in the center for community events, and Badminten, i was told, by my lady-friend who insisted i sit and visit with her for awhile. People here are really friendly and like to visit with tourists.
And also noticed this guy making paper bags from newspaper… yeah, no plastic ! He was amused that i wanted to know how he did it, but obliged me, and no, i don't think i can duplicate it :(
We boarded the ferry at 12 noon. This is a RoRo Ferry … Roll on Roll off, meaning you can drive vehicles on it. So it’s big and sturdy. It departed 2min early at 1pm, we had calm seas, and arrived in Camiguin promptly at 4pm.
I was immediately impressed as i left the ferry dock and saw this sign :)
At the ferry port, I took a tricycle to July’s SeaSide Haven. I was lucky and got the ‘end’ room, which is always a bonus, since that means and extra window and more light … and … i’m right next to the beach! …and, my own personal bathroom and hot water shower, a/c … $22/night whoop whoop. No air needed, i opened the windows and listened to the surf all night. Honestly, I could have stayed here much longer. As it was, i booked for 4 nights, and stayed an extra 2....that's all the pills i had brought with me :(
Really nice little place with great hosts; and oh eggs, bacon, toast and jam included every morning !
Camiguin is known as the Island Born of Fire. It is hard to imagine that this island measuring 14miles x 9miles, with a circumference of only 40miles, can have SEVEN volcanoes. Mt Hibok Hibok is over 5,000ft, and considered ‘active’. It constantly rumbled and smoked from 1948-1952. In 1948 there was a minor eruption, but in 1949 it caused 49 deaths. On Dec 4, 1951 it really erupted and 3,000 people were killed. The population of Camiguin was 69,000, but dropped to 34,000 due to mass exodus from the island. 2015 census was at 88,000
Camiguin is within the Pacific Ocean Ring of Fire. The ‘Ring’ includes more than 450 volcanoes. It stretches for nearly 25,000 miles, running in the shape of a horseshoe (as opposed to an actual ring). Map .. notice Mt. St. Helens is on there
This is a volcanic island, so the beaches here are not white sand, but brown/black like in Dauin. My first sunset.
Glen picked me up on his motorbike, ....with an extra helmet for me. We went to dinner at Kurma’s, right on the sea. It used to be a Scuba Dive center, but is now for FreeDivers and Yogies :)
I said i met him 2 years ago: one day on a dive boat, and we met later for sunset, had dinner and went to a great bar; ....and i left the next day. We'd comment back and forth on FaceBook occasionally since then. So, i really didn't know him very well. But that is how it goes when you meet people while you are traveling. I will be forever grateful to him for his time. He could have just recommended places on a map, maybe meet for dinner a time or two, and let it go at that. He has a sweet, beautiful Philippino 'girlfriend', Apple, and is building a house. But still, he was so very generous with his time, taking me by motor bike to all the ‘hot spots’ on the island. And there are a lot of them! I wonder sometimes how i can ever repay people who have been so helpful to me while i'm traveling. Here is a map showing all of the 'attractions' this small island has to offer.
At 9am he picked me up again, we started touring the island. I was a bit uncomfortable on the bike at first, but by the end of the trip i could have almost gone ‘no-handed’ :)
Camiguin is a beautiful island because of all the volcanoes, it is lush and green, ...and clean. I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and orderly it is.
Some history: February 16, 1871, earthquakes began to be felt on the island, and increased in severity until April 30, when a volcanic fissure opened up. Mt. Vulcan was born and continued erupting pouring lava into the sea while gaining in height and width. In 1875, the Challenger Expedition described the mountain as a dome, 1,950 ft in height, without any crater, but still smoking and incandescent at the top.
When Mt. Vulcan erupted, it submerged the town of Catarman, pushing it, and it’s Cemetery, below the sea. Now known as 'The Sunken Cemetry". This cross was erected in 1982. Somehow i neglected to take a photo, so this is from the internet :(
and we actually snorkeled the Cemetery and saw the original cross out in the water, on it’s side visible at low tide. Again, this photo is 'stolen' from the internet :(
It is advertised as a spooky dive/snorkel expedition. I envisioned snorkeling in, out, and around gravestone markers; and i am sure that years ago that was true. But in 148 years, the coral has claimed them, and this is the only marker that is still distinguishable; i assume with a little help :) And yes, i did manage to think to take this photo.
We had a Snorkel Guide (required), and had a nice 1hr snorkel here. I was surprised to see several Giant Clams ....
They really are fascinating
One more beautiful than the next
Our Guide found a Blue Velvet HeadShield Slug for us
...and a i saw this Banded SeaSnake
The only thing left of the original town is a wall of the church, part of the bell tower, and part of the convent. And now, this huge 100yr old tree
We stopped at the Bura Natural Soda Water Spring. It is the only soda water pool in the Philippines. They are sulfur-rich, good for body aches and skin problems. This one was a comfortable ‘swimming’ temperature.
We ate lunch at the Bee Farm, which i right on the water, between the Cemetary and the Soda Water Springs. Glen is very outgoing, ...giving a cheery ‘hello’ with a big smile, to everyone he passes by. It is no surprise that after a year, he already has many friends on the island, both locals and expats; including the Bee Farm owners and all their staff. They have done an awesome job of making tables, chairs, railings, and terraces out of drift wood that was collected from the sea. Photos didn't do it justice, use your imagination
We also visited the Kabila Giant Clam Sanctuary and Ocean Nursery where seven of the world’s nine known Giant Clam species are found. I have to include this video, which Glen made sure i was ready for. These kids are so sweet and articulate ! I have trouble understanding them, but their efforts, and hand-gestures are priceless ! You'll have to go to YouTube to see this one: https://youtu.be/R8ZOER9mdq8
You can snorkel here, but i didn't want to have to rush, so thought i'd return another day without Glen.
With 7 volcanos, covered with many different beautiful trees, (which Glen knew the names of), plus thousands of coconut trees and ferns; there are many beautiful refreshing WaterFalls. We visited Katibawasan which cascades 250 ft down to a pool surrounded by orchids and ferns. It’s an invigorating dip, which i did not partake. But here is my requisite WaterFalls photo, compliments of my private guide, driver, and photographer, Glen :)
We also visited Tuasan Falls. This falls is not as tall, and i can't find any measurement, but there is considerably more water falling than at Katibawasan Falls ... it was loud and powerful ! I don't think you would want to stand under it
Originally, to reach the falls, you had a scenic hike along a rocky river bed. But in 2012, in order to enhance tourist, the government began to build a road all the way up to the falls. It opened in 2014, and the parking lot is gigantic, enough for a major theme park. And this is only a small part of the road, it continues, cutting through the mountains from one side to the other, a “Trans Island Highway”. And they didn’t do this ‘half-assed’, it looks like a super-highway .. and an eye-sore to the beauty of the mountain, leaving behind lots of unnecessary destruction. Possibly they should have done a geological survey because the exposed hillsides continue to slide down to the road, requiring continued maintenance (no doubt big money for someone). A simple road would have done the job. I will say, however, that all their roads are very well maintained; .... in perfect condition.
Glen dropped me off at the Ardent Hibok-Hibok Mineral Hot Springs one day. "Wisps of steam can be seen rising from the running waters heat by the cauldron of the mountain"
Well, that's what the literature tells you, however, the last several years it has cooled down. I was in for awhile, and it was warm, but i was expecting HOT.
It is a very nice area, and you can actually rent cottages there. I was in for awhile, and then had to get out, because i was getting chilled (it was shady too). But i had a nice lunch there, relaxed, and then took a Habal-Habal home.
I gave Glen the 'day off' and I hired a Habal-Habal (motorbike) to take me to SoulDivers, to do 2 dives at Mantigue Island, about a 1/2hr boat ride east of the Camiguin. On one of our trips, Glen took me up the side of this volcano for this view. You can see Mantigue Island in the distance in the photo below. And yes, those are Zip Lines, and No, i did not Zip :) Evidently this bay is SeaFood Heaven, with a good restaurant.
Mantigue is a pretty little island, and a Marine Sanctuary, that you can walk around in less than 20min. It supposedly does not have any inhabitants, ...but i walked around it, and ...it does. I asked, and was told the government is in the process of building them homes on Camiguin where they will be relocated.
You can get a good view of this side of Camiguin from here
It has beautiful white beaches, which are a striking contrast with the dark volcanic sands of Camiguin. I understand the snorkeling is very good here.
Pity i did not snorkel. The 2 dives i did were not that impressive; and i later learned that this is not the place to dive... research research research :( The Guide said they usually see 15-20 turtles diving; we saw 2. There were a lot of schools of fish. It was a drift dive, which means you just drift with the current, and don't move around alot. Which also means you are not generating any 'heat', and i was cold on both dives, all of us were. It is the kind of dive, that in the past, have made me think that i didn't really need to dive; snorkeling is better. No photos because i've been having trouble with my camera, and it failed me on both dives. Thankfully, there wasn't much to photograph anyway.
We spent almost 2hrs on the Island, which was 1.5hrs too long for me. I had intended to go back to the Clam Sanctuary and snorkel and then go to a SeaFood Restaurant by the ZipLine. But we were so late, that i decided to just go back home. i tried to get a tricycle or jeep to take me back; but none would pick me up. I've obviously lost my 'touch'... so i called the same guy that took me there and told him i had started walking. He found me on the side of the road and took me home.
I found a great pizza at Luna Restaurant, with 'real' Italian Sausage! And had a nice sunset dinner on the sea another night
I was invited to Glen and Apple's property where they are building a large home. It is up the mountain, but it's tall enough that they will be able to see the water from the top floor. We climbed up to the second floor, but no further. They have lots of banana and coconut trees, and are planting many other trees. I can tell that Apple is a 'gardener'... she loves planting flowers and veggies. It's going to be an amazing place in a year or so.
My last day i visited the popular 'White Island'. It is about a 10min (expensive) boat ride from close to where i stayed. It later occurred to me, it was the same price as the 4hr Ferry coming here !
It is a pretty little sandbar, larger or smaller, depending on the tide. At times it's in the shape of the letter C, sometimes the letter I. People get really excited about it. Families, umbrellas, tables, chairs, food; and stay for the day.
I managed to entertain myself for an hour.
Mt.Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan as its backdrop are it's backdrop.
This 6" tall piece of coral caught eye as i was walking around
I looked inside the pretty shell on top, and it had a few grains of sand inside ... i thought it was cool and i was rather bored
Our dinner the last night i was there
The Ferry departed at 8am, sharp. We had really big Roll on Roll Offs on this trip
They have food-snacks on the Ferry and then they come around with this freshly fried and sugared Banana. It was good ! Reminded me of my favorite Elephant Ears ... only 'healthier' :)
The seas were calm and the currents were with us. It only took 3hrs, instead of 4. When i got off the Ferry at Jagna, i could help but notice how organized they were preparing for their next shipments. In the 'Breakable Cargoes' section ... yes those are eggs piled up in the sun, in the 90 degree weather
i truly loved my visit to Camiguin. It is clean, orderly, and well maintained; they have laws and people follow them. The people are so friendly and i don’t believe there is any crime there. I really enjoyed my time. Most people will tell you that 2 days is enough time to see the island. i would disagree, and it's so quiet and peaceful.
