..Camiguin: White Island and Katibawasan Falls..

Time really fly so fast it's the last day for our 2011 summer vacation in Northern Mindanao. But like I always said "save the best for last", this is the main reason why went to Camiguin to see the White Island. Yesterday when we arrived in Camiguin we are very eager to go to white island, but Rhea insisted to see it early in the morning. Our night were spend at Pabua's Cottage, just a few steps away from the boat going to White Island.

White Island is a small sand bar near the coast of Mambajao. The island is a letter "C" shape from above and sometimes "I" depending on the tide condition. There are no trees or any other shades on the island. We are very excited to say Good Morning to the Island but we were a bit late since there were already some tourist waiting for the sunrise. We stayed there for an hour or two, relax on the sand, swim on the clear water and took some pictures. We headed back to our cottage when we feel the heat of the sun.

Next stop is Katibawasan Falls, it is one of the nature gifts in Camiguin. The falls is ideal for swimming especially during summer because of the ice cold water that tumble downs into the green pool. The area is surrounded by huge trees, plants and flower. We don't try to swim because of cold water, we just enjoy the scenic view that Katibawasan falls has to offer.

Before leaving the Camiguin Island, we dropped by to see the Giant Clam Sanctuary. The sanctuary breeds giant clams and other clams to avoid its extinctions. Also you are going to see different shells. Upon arriving at the sanctuary we are ask to log at the guest book. They also offer swimming and snorkeling but since we arrived at noon time we just enjoy watching the movements of the clams :)   

Trip to Camiguin is a two thumbs up ^_^

Date: April 30, 2011

..Camiguin: A Relaxing Nature Trip..

A day of adventure in Dahilayan and CDO river is over, now its time to pamper ourselves to Camguin. We woke 2am in the morning to catch up the first ferry to Camiguin, we rode a Motorela going to van terminal that will bring us to Balingoan Wharf and transfer to ferrty going to Camiguin. Camuguin is known as the "Island Born of Fire".

..Motorela..

..having fun at the ferry..

Upon reaching Camiguin Island I notice a billboard saying "Smoke Free Island", all I can say is wow. We hired a mini jeep that will serve as our service to our island tour. Thank God we have rhea on our trip coz she's the one who communicate with the people there ^_^. First we went to Rhea's house to leave our things. Right after we went to our first stop, Sto. Nino Cold Spring. Its a crytal clear and fresh water coming from the mountain going down the pool. And when I say Cold Spring, its really cold and you will at the entrance some coconuts are soak in the water. Entrance fee is Php 40.00.

..Sto. Nino Cold Spring..

Before lunch time we headed back to Rhea's house, her aunt cooked adobong pusit and prepare fresh coconut from their coconut farm. What shocked us is when Rhea said we'll be eating our lunch at the backyard, OMG they have their own beach ^_^.

..Rhea's Backyard Beach ^_^

Our next stop is Soda Water Swimming Pool, some of my friends take a swim but not me cause its cold again :) It is named such because according to folks, it used to taste like soda. All you need to do is to add sweeteners such as caramel and sugar to taste like Coke. We go there to swim not to taste the water :)

..Soda Water Swimming Pool..

Next is the Old Church Ruins, this is the oldest and unique structure in the island built in 16th century from coral stones.This was turned to ruin in 1871 by Mt. Vulcan Eruption(which they called patay na bulkan).

..Old Church Ruins..

Few minutes away the ruins is the Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin Island that marks the swept remains of the island local. Sunken Cemetery is also a result from 1871 Mt. Vulcan Eruption, that turn a tourist spot. There is a large white cross located at the ocean and you need to rent a boat 20 pesos per person that will bring you to the cross. While crossing the sea you will see below the water are some of the ruins of cemetery. According to the folks the best time to go there is around 2pm in the afternoon.

..Sunken Cemetery..

We didn't attempt to visit the walkway were Mt. Vulcan is located cause we are tired to go up the Old Vulcan. Instead we buy some souvenirs and check in to Pabua's cottage. We headed to our last spot for the day is Ardent Hot Spring. It is heated by the activity of Mt. Hibok-Hibok with lots of pool that have a different temperature. Entrance is Php 30.00, the best time to be there is during night and they are open until 10pm.

This is our first day trip at Camiguin and I can say is I really love the whole island, its quiet and peaceful environment plus best tourists spots. ^_


Date: April 29, 2011
 

..White Water Rafting at CDO..

After conquering the Asia's longest zipline, we head back to Cagayan de Oro to experience the rush of white water rafting in the beautiful Cagayan de Oro river. We got our rafting package with KAGAY. Kagay is the CDO's premiere white water rafting outfitter. They guaranteed the tourists to be safe and they have an experienced river guides that had been trained both by the prestigious International Rafting Federation (IRF) in rafting techniques and safety, and by the Philippine National Red Cross in first-aid and CPR, they assured us that our experience will be so safe and enjoyable.

Since it's our first time and a bit nervous we've decided to take the basic course however people from Kagay said we cannot take the basic or advance course in the afternoon because the actual river run may take up to approx 3 hrs for basic and 4 hrs for advance (baka daw lubugan na kami ng araw sa river..hehehe). Instead they offer us the expert course that will last for approx 2 hrs with 14 extreme rapids. Though nervous we get that package because we don't want to missed this experience. ^_^

A jeepney took us to the start of the course, travel time is roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. Upon reaching the start point our guides started to prepare our rafts, they gave us the vest and paddles. The guy we called Tisoy(a foreigner, forgot his name) is the one who do the briefing and gave instructions to us and what to do if we fall out of the rafts O.O He divided us into two groups(4 in each raft) with two guides at the back. 

Once we are set we started the our fun-filled adventure at the Cagayan de Oro River. Below are the moments we had during our first rafting experience. ^_^

..Briefing and Preparing..

..start of the course small extreme rapids..

..awesome experience with extreme rapids.. ^^,

..we disappear O.O really fun..

..we made it ^_^

 
All I can say is from the moment we cast off to the river, to our first rapid and up to the end of rafting expedition is a two thumbs up adventure experience.  ^_^ I will surely come back to CDO.


Date: April 28, 2011

..Dahilayan Adventure Park at Bukidnon..

Our first out of Luzon trip is to the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro to experience white water rafting(see my next post), but before doing that we need some warm up :) Since we are here for some adventure we started our trip to Bukidnon to try the Asia's Longest Dual Zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park.  

Are you craving for Zipline? Then don't miss the fun and adventure at Dahilayan. It offers a greatest adventure experience for your life. Fly like Superman from a launch point at 4,500 feet above sea level. With speeds of up to 90 kph, zoom through lush greenery and breathtaking views only found in the mountains of Dahilayan.

Going to Bukidnon is 2 hours travel from CDO. We hire a van that will pick up us at the airport and bring us to Dahilayan. You know you are near the park if you see a big pineapple from Del Monte Philippines also you will pass by large pineapple plantation.

Upon arriving at the park, we don't waste our time and headed to counter to start our zipline adventure. We are all excited to conquer the Asia's Longest Dual Zipline ^_^

We started with the warm up ziplines to equip ourselves before the doing the longest one. They called it as the 320m + 150m Dual Zipline.

After the warm up we are transported via 4WD to a launch tower at 4500 feet above sea level of Mt.Kitanglad. From there we are ask to wear the ziprider's gear and wait for our turn. Asia's Longest Dual Zipline is two 840m zipride through the green mountain of Dahilayan.

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Date: April 28, 2011