Day 3 and Happy Birthday to me!!! Happy nst/nth birthday to me! Welcoming the 3rd day of my Mindanao Adventure in the lovely island of Camiguin. I don't remember much when me and my family went here since we came at the wrong time, it was raining and there was a storm that time. Since it's my birthday the day was extra special...almost kinda drowned during snorkeling...haha! Yeah, that's a welcome treat. :)
We left our hostel before 2am to pack-up, shower and travel to the bus station. From here, it was a bus going to Balingoan Port then a ferry to Camiguin. Probably it took us around 5 hours or so of travel. The bus travel was around 3 hours but I slept in to get some needed zzzz...and another 2 hours of needed zzzz during the ferry ride. I know, I sleep a lot and sleep easily if I rest my head on my bag or any other thing.
Arrived around 8ish or so at the island and was met by our driver from Pabualan Cottages, which by the way is our accommodation as well.
 |
| Here is our ferry boat, just arrived at Camiguin |
We just dropped of our bags since the room was not ready. I forgot where we had our breakfast but this day is yet another adventure and lots of activities, snorkeling, swimming and hiking to do. First up was to hike the Old Volcano/stations of the cross. At least the weather was a clear, hot and sunny day instead of a rainy, depressing, mud-filled hike to the top. Oh the hike...but the view from above was worth it. Side note, we didn't get to actually see the volcano since it's now dormant but we did reach the last of the stations of the cross. If it was Holy Week the hike would be perfect. :)
 |
| Step No. 1, starting point |
 |
| More than half of the way, oh there's the volcano! |
 |
| Praise the Lord! |
 |
| From up here, we're going all the way down to that cross |
 |
| Yes, down there, Sunken Cemetery |
I guess it took us more than an hour to hike up and back down again. Didn't do any stretching. :( After hiking, next up would be snorkeling. Talk about overall workout...
We rented our snorkel gears first at the tourism office, just a few minutes walk from the beach below. Had the mandatory talk/overview about snorkeling like the hand signals if you need help and of course do not touch the marine life and the corals. You can touch the hard corals, the one that feels like a rock or a boulder. But the rest of the corals are soft, sticky and can easily break if you crash into them very hard.
 |
| I think that's our boat |
 |
| The approach... |
 |
| Sunken Cemetery, well the cemetery itself is far beyond it |
 |
| Vain! |
The corals were definitely not soft at all. While I was snorkeling, there was a wave, couldn't remember if it was a big one or not since I was mostly looking down below. Then the wave hit me, semi-panic that the water went inside my snorkel, almost choked, drowned, couldn't get my bearings, couldn't hang onto anything. Then the wave passed I was able to swim normally again and resume to taking pictures.
 |
| Blue! Yes, this one moves but very slowly |
 |
| Daddy and Nemo |
 |
| Giant Clam |
 |
| Had enough of the clam pictures? :) |
 |
| I don't remember if this was the hard coral I was talking about earlier |
It was still mid-morning and enough time for a quick stop to see the Old Church Ruins. Creepy vibe going on here if you were alone.
 |
| This is creepy if you actually concentrate enough on the eeriness |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Wide open area outside of what used to be the church |
We had our lunch at the Sto. Nino Cold Spring. I didn't swim that long because the spring was too cold. Hence, the name cold spring? I dipped my feet into the water and you can feel the natural freshness of a cold spring...ok I'm just making this up. In short, the water was refreshing.
Next stop was the Tuasan Falls. I know this feels like the Amazing Race, stopping at each destination and move onto the next one. I guess it's all about pacing but if you're like me, on your birthday and just wants the adrenaline rush of visiting the beautiful places in Camiguin and in the country then you won't feel tired in a bad way, you know, tired in a good way that you feel you've achieved so much, and seen so much!
 |
| A quick stop to see the Tuasan Falls |
 |
| Some major construction to prevent landslides |
 |
| One last look of Tuasan Falls |
Kind of a hot/cold spring overload today but Camiguin Island is known for their springs. So here's another one at Bura Soda Spring. The waters were cold but not as cold as Sto. Nino Cold Spring. No people just us. Yeah! Privacy at its finest! Can swim peacefully and do some weird poses or stunts without anyone watching you. Most of all I like the calm and quiet demeanor of the place. Relaxing after a long day of tiring activities.
 |
| Bubbles are from the natural hot spring |
Last stop before evening comes, Ardent Hot Spring. It's a spring that has legit warm to hot waters. Perfect to my liking since I'm not a fan of cold waters anyway. Great way to end the day, to relax the muscles and soak in the heat. I think this tops my day as my favorite place. Sure, the way going here may not be as smooth and the place was already save for the lights, but the way the springs were arranged takes me in...like a zen feeling. Ok so I just liked the warm water....and the place as well. :)
A relaxing way to end the day then we had dinner at Luna Ristorante. *kaway-kaway para kay Heneral!* Ok this is so not related to Heneral Luna or the movie whatsoever.. :D
Hiked up a hill, almost drowned...hahaha almost, a little bit of "temple run", COLD swim, relaxing sight seeing then some more swimming then a bit of RnR to end the adventure and an Italian dinner to end my Birthday! Bday week isn't over yet...stay tuned to my next entries... :D
| 11/14/2014 | Day 3: Butuan to Camiguin: | |
| 2:45 AM | Travel to Balingoan Port |
| 6:00 AM | Ferry to Camiguin |
| 8:00 AM | ETA Benoni Pier, Camiguin |
| | Pick up at Benoni Pier |
| | Check in at Pabualan Cottages |
| | Walkway to the Old Volcano |
| | Sunken Cemetery |
| | 16 Century Guiob Old Church Ruins |
| | Sto Nino Cold Spring |
| | Tuasan Falls |
| | Bura Soda Spring |
| | Ardent Hot Spring |
| | Dinner in Luna |
Prices may vary on actual vacation so this is what we budgeted before vacay but I think that was the price for the snorkeling gear rental.
