CDO-Bukidnon-Camiguin (March 3-4, 2011)
This year we set foot to the beautiful land of Northern Mindanao! In that awaited trip, 11 of us explored the following places: CDO, Bukidnon, and Camiguin and we all enjoyed the best of N.Mindanao.
March 3 (Thursday)
Our trip started off at Terminal 3 Cebu Pacific, we got the 1peso flight and it cost about 250+ per person (Very very good deal!). Our trip was really early in the morning. The first group went on the first trip at 4:20 AM and the other group was on the 6:10 AM flight bound to Lumbia Airport, CDO. MLA-CDO and vice-versa goes about 1.5 hours. You may experience lots of air turbulence here and there but it's alright :)
Arriving to Lumbia Airport greets you with many rides going to the city. We paid Php500 for 1 van and the driver drove us to our hotel at Middleton. We waited for our other companions there.
After they arrived, we headed off to Dahilayan, Bukidnon for the zipline experience that is included in our package. Dahilayan is a quaint town. It's cold but not really as cold as Baguio more of Tagaytay cold. There, you will have to go through 3 zipline and the last one is the longest in Asia. It was really scary at first when they opened the gates but all was worthwhile when they let go of you.
After that experience, we went back to CDO and ate Lunch at Mindy's and prepared for our White Water Rafting Experience!
After Lunch, a jeepney drove us to the location. Upon arrival, we were given equipments such as: Helmet, paddle, and safety life jacket. Then, we were briefed on what will actually happen, how to paddle, and safety instructions for the whole duration of the experience.
The rafting lasted for about 2 hours and we took the Advanced course just so we can experience real action. Unlike the Beginners course, there were lesser rapids and fun compared to Advanced course.
After the rafting, we headed to a restaurant near the river and we were allowed to take our shower there. We decided to have our dinner there as well. By the way, if you are in CDO expect that there will be less seafoods because CDO is known for their Meats. Meats are of abudance there at that place.
Heading back to the hotel in the evening it was really cold plus it was raining hard at that time.
We retired for the day.
March 4 (Friday)
Fully energized, we were ready to go to our next destination, the beautful but mystic Island of Camiguin. CDO is 3 hours aways from Camiguin.
Going to Camiguin, you will passby Misamis Oriental. Land travel is for 2 hours and ferry boat ride to Camiguin Island is for 1 hour (we took the roro fyi :)). You may opt to ride the Fastcraft but it is set to travel via schedule.
After hours of travelling, we reached Camiguin! Very mystic island but it was heaven. We checked-in to our hotel Bahay-Bakasyunan sa Camuiguin (BBC). The hotel was really beautiful.
Here is our Itinerary for the Camiguin Tour for March 4:
Barkadahan Package:
- Standard Room at BBC
- Breakfast at BBC
- Roundtrip Transfer (CDO-Bolingoan-CDO)
- Roundtrip ferry ticket (Bolingoan Port)
- Roundtrip Transfer (Benoni Port - Resort - Benoni Port)
- Island Tour
- Entrance Fees and Shed Rental (Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Spring, Sto Nino Cold
Spring, Bura Soda pool and White Island)
Our tour was a whole day and it was worth the pay.
First we went to:
1. Katibawasan Falls: Waterfalls measures about 250 feet high, cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders.The falls rushes down into its green pool that is really refreshing for a good swim.
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=ardent-hot-spring-tagdo-mambajao-camiguin)
2. Sto Nino Cold Spring: has a pool measuring 25 meters by 40 meters. It is 2 meters deep of cold spring water sprouting from the sandy bottom. The water flows into smaller pools built for children who could not swim in the bigger eight-foot deep lagoon.
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=sto-nino-cold-spring-catarman-camiguin)
3. Bura Soda pool: The one and only in the country where you can swim to a pool of soda water. It is located in Bura, Catarman, Camiguin. It has great scenery over the fields and the seas as its cold water provides a refreshing splash to bathers and picnickers.
(http://www.camiguintourismassociation.com/camiguin.htm)
4. Ardent Spring: is a natural pool of about 40 degrees Celsius coming from the bowels of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. It has a four-tiered pool of varying depths and warmth. There are cottages, a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and dormitory facilities provided for local and foreign tourists
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=ardent-hot-spring-tagdo-mambajao-camiguin)
We again retired for the day..Next off White Island!!!
March 5 (Saturday)
This was our fave spots of all, why? of course, its Beach time!!! After breakfast, we travelled via van to a place near White Island. Then we rode a boat on the way to the well-know sand bar. Our boat driver told us that he will pick us up again after 3 hours.
White Island is Ideal for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling the intensely vibrant reefs around it, White Island resides two (2) kilometers off the coast of Agoho, Mambajao is the Camiguin's popular sand bar. At times it is in the shape of the letter C, sometimes the letter I, depending on the ocean tide. It has the picturesque Mount Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan as its backdrop. There is no shade spots on this island, so sensitive folks would be wise to remember sun block and/or beach umbrella.
(http://www.camiguinisland.net/content/white_island.htm)
Being there was so much fun. The other side of the sand the water was really blue and deep - great for snorkeling and other other side is green and shallow - great for frolicking under the sun, beachbum, swim and just have fun! Just remember to put lots of Sunblock to avoid sunburns because literally you won't have any shade there except for Summer Umbrellas in which you can rent.
You may want to wear aqua shoes because the sand there is not as powdery sa Boracay or Panglao. Since its a sandbar we all know that during high-tide, the island will vanish that is why sand there is not as fine.
After 3 hours, we were all sunburnt already and our boat came to fetch us as well. Then back to the hotel for a quick lunch before heading back to CDO.
Back in CDO, we checked-in to a new hotel its called "VIP Hotel". That's where we stayed for our last night in N. Mindanao. The hotel was just OK but the thing is, it was cheap and accomodations is good. And they have Ostrich Meat Kebab:
After checking-in, we wander off the city for the very last time. We went to Limketkai mall to buy some pasalubongs and we headed-off to the Night Market. According to the locals, every Friday and Saturday they hold Night Market at Divisoria. There you can see their culture. You can dine, drink and just go along with the music (band is playing the whole time). We ate Bbq and seafoods.
Then its time to rest for tomorrow its back to reality :(
March 6 (Sunday)
This was our last day in CDO. We weren't able to buy stuff to bring home so having that enough time, we decided to go to the public market to buy fruits. We were able to buy Pineapple, Durian and Pomelo for pasalubong for our family.
Then we packed our stuff and headed to Lumbia airport and then fly back to Manila :/
Our trip was so fun and memorable that all of us wants more. It was a great time to spend with loved one and friends whom you share same interests.
Expenses for our CDO-Bukidnon-Camiguin trip:
Airline ticket: Php250.00+ (promo fare with 15kilos allowable baggage)
Trip Packages, Hotels and transfers: Php7019.00
plus your own Misc expenses (food, taxi, pasalubong shopping, booze, etc) :)
Where will be our next trip? Till next blog...
Ciao :)
March 3 (Thursday)
Our trip started off at Terminal 3 Cebu Pacific, we got the 1peso flight and it cost about 250+ per person (Very very good deal!). Our trip was really early in the morning. The first group went on the first trip at 4:20 AM and the other group was on the 6:10 AM flight bound to Lumbia Airport, CDO. MLA-CDO and vice-versa goes about 1.5 hours. You may experience lots of air turbulence here and there but it's alright :)
Arriving to Lumbia Airport greets you with many rides going to the city. We paid Php500 for 1 van and the driver drove us to our hotel at Middleton. We waited for our other companions there.
After they arrived, we headed off to Dahilayan, Bukidnon for the zipline experience that is included in our package. Dahilayan is a quaint town. It's cold but not really as cold as Baguio more of Tagaytay cold. There, you will have to go through 3 zipline and the last one is the longest in Asia. It was really scary at first when they opened the gates but all was worthwhile when they let go of you.
After that experience, we went back to CDO and ate Lunch at Mindy's and prepared for our White Water Rafting Experience!
After Lunch, a jeepney drove us to the location. Upon arrival, we were given equipments such as: Helmet, paddle, and safety life jacket. Then, we were briefed on what will actually happen, how to paddle, and safety instructions for the whole duration of the experience.
The rafting lasted for about 2 hours and we took the Advanced course just so we can experience real action. Unlike the Beginners course, there were lesser rapids and fun compared to Advanced course.
After the rafting, we headed to a restaurant near the river and we were allowed to take our shower there. We decided to have our dinner there as well. By the way, if you are in CDO expect that there will be less seafoods because CDO is known for their Meats. Meats are of abudance there at that place.
Heading back to the hotel in the evening it was really cold plus it was raining hard at that time.
We retired for the day.
March 4 (Friday)
Fully energized, we were ready to go to our next destination, the beautful but mystic Island of Camiguin. CDO is 3 hours aways from Camiguin.
Going to Camiguin, you will passby Misamis Oriental. Land travel is for 2 hours and ferry boat ride to Camiguin Island is for 1 hour (we took the roro fyi :)). You may opt to ride the Fastcraft but it is set to travel via schedule.
After hours of travelling, we reached Camiguin! Very mystic island but it was heaven. We checked-in to our hotel Bahay-Bakasyunan sa Camuiguin (BBC). The hotel was really beautiful.
Here is our Itinerary for the Camiguin Tour for March 4:
Barkadahan Package:
- Standard Room at BBC
- Breakfast at BBC
- Roundtrip Transfer (CDO-Bolingoan-CDO)
- Roundtrip ferry ticket (Bolingoan Port)
- Roundtrip Transfer (Benoni Port - Resort - Benoni Port)
- Island Tour
- Entrance Fees and Shed Rental (Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Spring, Sto Nino Cold
Spring, Bura Soda pool and White Island)
Our tour was a whole day and it was worth the pay.
First we went to:
1. Katibawasan Falls: Waterfalls measures about 250 feet high, cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders.The falls rushes down into its green pool that is really refreshing for a good swim.
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=ardent-hot-spring-tagdo-mambajao-camiguin)
2. Sto Nino Cold Spring: has a pool measuring 25 meters by 40 meters. It is 2 meters deep of cold spring water sprouting from the sandy bottom. The water flows into smaller pools built for children who could not swim in the bigger eight-foot deep lagoon.
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=sto-nino-cold-spring-catarman-camiguin)
3. Bura Soda pool: The one and only in the country where you can swim to a pool of soda water. It is located in Bura, Catarman, Camiguin. It has great scenery over the fields and the seas as its cold water provides a refreshing splash to bathers and picnickers.
(http://www.camiguintourismassociation.com/camiguin.htm)
4. Ardent Spring: is a natural pool of about 40 degrees Celsius coming from the bowels of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. It has a four-tiered pool of varying depths and warmth. There are cottages, a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and dormitory facilities provided for local and foreign tourists
(http://www.mukamo.com/gallery/?a=ardent-hot-spring-tagdo-mambajao-camiguin)
We again retired for the day..Next off White Island!!!
March 5 (Saturday)
This was our fave spots of all, why? of course, its Beach time!!! After breakfast, we travelled via van to a place near White Island. Then we rode a boat on the way to the well-know sand bar. Our boat driver told us that he will pick us up again after 3 hours.
White Island is Ideal for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling the intensely vibrant reefs around it, White Island resides two (2) kilometers off the coast of Agoho, Mambajao is the Camiguin's popular sand bar. At times it is in the shape of the letter C, sometimes the letter I, depending on the ocean tide. It has the picturesque Mount Hibok-Hibok and Old Vulcan as its backdrop. There is no shade spots on this island, so sensitive folks would be wise to remember sun block and/or beach umbrella.
(http://www.camiguinisland.net/content/white_island.htm)
Being there was so much fun. The other side of the sand the water was really blue and deep - great for snorkeling and other other side is green and shallow - great for frolicking under the sun, beachbum, swim and just have fun! Just remember to put lots of Sunblock to avoid sunburns because literally you won't have any shade there except for Summer Umbrellas in which you can rent.
You may want to wear aqua shoes because the sand there is not as powdery sa Boracay or Panglao. Since its a sandbar we all know that during high-tide, the island will vanish that is why sand there is not as fine.
After 3 hours, we were all sunburnt already and our boat came to fetch us as well. Then back to the hotel for a quick lunch before heading back to CDO.
Back in CDO, we checked-in to a new hotel its called "VIP Hotel". That's where we stayed for our last night in N. Mindanao. The hotel was just OK but the thing is, it was cheap and accomodations is good. And they have Ostrich Meat Kebab:
After checking-in, we wander off the city for the very last time. We went to Limketkai mall to buy some pasalubongs and we headed-off to the Night Market. According to the locals, every Friday and Saturday they hold Night Market at Divisoria. There you can see their culture. You can dine, drink and just go along with the music (band is playing the whole time). We ate Bbq and seafoods.
Then its time to rest for tomorrow its back to reality :(
March 6 (Sunday)
This was our last day in CDO. We weren't able to buy stuff to bring home so having that enough time, we decided to go to the public market to buy fruits. We were able to buy Pineapple, Durian and Pomelo for pasalubong for our family.
Then we packed our stuff and headed to Lumbia airport and then fly back to Manila :/
Our trip was so fun and memorable that all of us wants more. It was a great time to spend with loved one and friends whom you share same interests.
Expenses for our CDO-Bukidnon-Camiguin trip:
Airline ticket: Php250.00+ (promo fare with 15kilos allowable baggage)
Trip Packages, Hotels and transfers: Php7019.00
plus your own Misc expenses (food, taxi, pasalubong shopping, booze, etc) :)
Where will be our next trip? Till next blog...
Ciao :)
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