Meet the X-plorers: Camiguin

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Travel Guide: 6-Day Northern Mindanao Adventure: Summary, Itinerary and Expenses

by lakwatserong tatay

This 6-Days of Northern Mindanao Adventure with X-plorerboyz is a series of blog post during our visit to the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte last year. One of my so many draft post.....^_^

Day 1: (September 28)

Our flight schedule is quite late afternoon by 4pm via Cebu Pacific flight and estimated time of arrival in Lumbia Airport is at 525pm. Sad to say the time we arrived it was quite raining at Cagayan De Oro. We hailed a taxi from the airport to our Victoria Suites.

Itinerary:

Day 1:
1300 Meet - up place (Office BGC)
1330 ETD to NAIA Terminal 3 (via Taxicab)
1430 ETA Terminal 3 (check-in procedure & wait for departure)
1600 ETD to Lumbia Airport (Cagayan de Oro )
1725 ETA Lumbia Airport (Taxicab to Victoria Suites)
1800 ETA Check-in Victoria Suites
1900 Dinnertime (Stroll and Beer Session @ Hammertime Grill & Bar)

Blogs:

Expenses: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Taxi to Terminal 3 (from BGC) Php 25

NAIA Terminal Fee 200

Taxi to Victoria Suites 60

Victoria Suites: Family Room (Php1500) 300

Dinner (Carinderia) 60

Hammertime Grill & Bar 156

Mineral Water & Chips 50

Total Php 851

How to Get There:

From Cagayan de Oro City Airport to City Proper

Two modes of transportation is available via Taxi's or PUJ's, Taxi's could range php 250-300 going to the city proper. PUJ's, Carmen bound jeepneys are available outside the airport, php 17, travel time is about 30 mins. From Carmen, take jeepney bound to Bonbon and tell the driver to drop you off at Plaza Divisoria, travel time is around 15 mins.

From City Proper to Cagayan de Oro City Airport

Best mode of transportation if your group is Taxi, like we did...^_^. But if your tight in budget, take jeepney bound to Carmen and get off at KSY. From there, take a jeepney bound for Lumbia which passes by the airport, fare is php 18 and travel time is around 30 mins, all in all.

Transportation:

Since Cagayan De Oro is the city center, there are several modes of transportation. From jeepney or motorela when going around the city or take a bus when going to Camiguin, Bukidnon, Butuan, Iligan or as far as Ozamiz, Pagadian, Davao or Dipolog.

Three Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminals are available in the city:

Agora Market City Bus Terminal - regular land trips from and to Davao City, Malaybalay, Valencia, Butuan, Gingoog City and Balingoan.

Bulua-Westbound Bus Terminal - regular land trips from and to Western towns of Misamis Oriental, Iligan City, Marawi City, Tangub and Ozamiz City, Pagadian, Zamboanga and Dipolog City.

Gusa-Eastbound Jeepney Terminal - regular land trip from and to Eastern towns of Misamis Oriental, Camp Phillips, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Valencia and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Accomodations:

There are number of accommodations available in the city, from expensive once up to cheapest hotels, resorts and affordable hostels, guest houses and inns and lodging facilities.

Notes: Get your accommodation that is near to Plaza Divisoria, so can more utilize your stay in Cagayan De Oro. If you wish to have walk tour and near to city center.

For more additional list of accomodations, click here or here.

Tourist Spots:

For more attractions to see and to visit in the city, click here.

City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office

Grd flr. Tourism Hall

Tel. no. : (088) 857-3164

For more information about where to go, where to shop, where to eat, what to do, look for accomodations, guide and travel agencies in Cagayan De Oro city, you may click here or here.

Day 2 and 3: (September 29 and 30)

Early check out at Victoria Suites, but we will back again after two days of exploration at Camiguin.

Itinerary:

Day 2
0600 Checkout to Victoria Suites
0630 Breakfast time
0700 Agora Bus Terminal (bus transfer bound for Butuan / get off at Balingoan)
0830 ETA/ETD to Balingoan and walk to Balingoan Port
1030 ETA Benoni Port (pick up via Multi Cab / Kuya Chris)
1100 ETA to Pabua Cottages (Owner: Kuya Poloy Pabua)
1130 Lunch time @ Carinderia
1200 Start of the Tour
1800 ETA Pabua Cottages
1900 Dinnertime (room near Pabua Cottages)
2100 Chillax time, and drinking session again...^_^

Day 3
0530 Island Hopping and remaining tourist spots in Camiguin
1630 RORO ride back to Balingoan Port, Balingoan, Misamis Oriental
1700 ETD from Balingoan Port to Cagayan De Oro (GT Express Van to CDO)
1900 ETA Check in @ Victoria Suites
1930 Dinnertime & Beer Session @ Plaza Divisoria (ala Merchato) onwards...

Pabua Cottages

Blogs: (Day 1 @ Camiguin Island)

Blogs: (Day 2 @ Camiguin Island)

Kuya Chris : Camiguin Tour

Expenses: Day 1 @ Camiguin Island: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Jeepney ride to Agora Terminal                        Php 7
Bachelor Express (Butuan bound / Drop off to Balingoan)               84
RORO ride to Benoni Port (Camiguin) Ticket                                 170
Terminal Fee                                                                               2.25
Rayban Shades (nakalimot magdala)      60
Lunch @ Carinderia     73
Sto.Niño Cold Spring (entrance)    20
Fresh Buko Juice                                                                         20
Camiguin souvenir tshirt                                                              120
Bora Soda Pool (entrance)                                                          20
Guiob Church (donation)                                                               10
Sunken Cemetery (entrance and tip)    40
Walk to Old Volcano (entrance)    5
Dinner @ Carinderia    58
Ardent Hot Spring (entrance)       30
The Bar, Red Horse & Chips          30

Total                                                                                    Php 749

Expenses: Day 2 @ Camiguin Island: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Coffee    Php 10
Banca Rent (5 pax - php400)    80
White Island (entrance)    20
Swaki       20
Kuya Chris (Camiguin Tour - php2500)       500
Pabua Cottages: Family Room (php1000)    200
Camiguin Souvenir tshirt ulit...^_^    100
Katibawasan Falls (entrance)       15
Ostrich Farm          free
Mantigue Island (entrance)       20
Banca Rent (5 pax - php550)    110
Tip tou our Eco Tour Guide    20
Softdrinks @ Mantigue Island    10
Giant Clams Sanctuary (entrance)          25
Snorkeling Activity @ Giant Clams Sanctuary (super discount) 100
Lunch near Balingoan Port       57
RORO ride ticket to Balingoan port 170
Van ride to Cagayan De Oro 100
Dinner @ Plaza Divisoria (street foods)    124
Family Room: Victoria Suites (php1500)    300
Beer time @ Plaza Divisoria (street life)                                          60

Total Php 2041

Me w/ Kuya Poloy Pabua

How to Get There:

From Cagayan De Oro City to Camiguin
From your hostel take jeepney ride to Agora Market Terminal, take a Bus(Bachelor Express) bound for Butuan and get off Balingoan Bus Terminal, fare is php84, travel time is almost 2 hrs. Few minutes walk coming from bus terminal Balingoan Port is located and take ferry ride to Benoni Port in Camiguin, fare is 170, and travel time is almost an hour.

Transportation:

Camiguin Island is can toured in a day via its circumferential road. Public transportation is available but sometimes limited. It is recommended to get a habal-habal (single motorcycle) or rent a multicab to go easily on all tourist spots in Camiguin Island. Great thing in Camiguin, transport service is systematized and well organized, it has standard rate so tourist alike wouldn't get fooled by operators who tend to overprice.

Accommodations:

Since we stayed in Camiguin Island for two days, and most of the time we spent on the road, it is better to get a homey type accommodation which has reasonable and very friendly prices....^_^. But there are number of accommodations available, from expensive resorts, hotels, guest houses and inns. For more list of accommodations, you may get here or here.

Contact Details:
Kuya Chris (Camiguin Tours) - 09215637788 / 09069272420
Kuya Puloy Pabua (Pabua Cottages) - 09064152557

Tourist Spots:

For more attractions to see in Camiguin Island, aside from our adventures, you may click here or here.

Camiguin Provincial Tourism Office
Contact nos. : (088) 3871094 loc. 119-120 / 09057895640
camiguin.tourism@gmail.com

Day 4: (October 1)

This day is one hell of adventure day, we will have our zipline adventures at Dahilayan Adventure Park and stop over at Del Monte Pineapple Plantation at Camp Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. By lunchtime, back at Cagayan de Oro, a sumptuous meal and eat all you can treat at Mindy's and afterward, one wet ride in an advance course rafting in Cagayan de Oro river. Below is our driver/tour guide/photographer and additional friend in Cagayan De Oro...^_^

Itinerary:

Day 4:
0700 Pickup from Victoria Suites
0730 ETD to Dahilayan Park Zipzone, stop to Del Monte Pineapple Plantation
0900 ETA Dahilayan Park proper, 3 stages zipline rides....^_^
1230 Eat all you can @ Mindy's
1400 Kagay's Advance Course Rafting @ Cagayan De Oro river
1800 ETA to Victoria Suites
1830 Dinnertime via Plaza Divisoria (ala Pancheto naman...^_^)
2200 Sleeping time daw.....^_^

Blogs:

Expenses: (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Family Room: Victoria Suites (php1500) Php 300

Package Adventure (Zipline and Rafting) 2400

Zipline Cert and photo souvenir 150

Ref magnet souvenir 35

Dinner @ Plaza Divisoria 94

Total Php 2979

How to Get There:

From Cagayan De Oro City to Dahilayan Adventure Park
From your accommodation go to Agora Market Terminal, take a van going to Camp Phillips, travel time is almost an hour. Hire a habal-habal that will take you to Dahilayan Adventure Park, trip is almost 30 mins. It is better to talk with your habal-habal driver so to fetch right after your activities at the park.

Transportation:

There is no public transportation available when going to Dahilayan Adventure Park. The available options are rent a van coming from CDO or commute going to Camp Phillips and hire a habal-habal. We did not actually tried any of these options because we got a tour package from Kagay, which consist of vice versa transportation on each of our activities, eat all you can treat and vice versa transportation on our homestay hotel.

Accomodations:

Since we did not have the chance to stay in Bukidnon. I can't give you any recommended accomodation. However, based from websites there are number of accommodations available, from expensive to cheapest staycation you want. For list of accommodations in Bukidnon, you may click here.

Tourist Spots:

Check out the official site of the province for its comprehensive list of attractions and spots to see in Bukidnon. Click here.

For additional places to visit in Manolo Fortich, click here or here.

Day 5: (October 2)

Our last day of activities, road trip to Iligan City and first time to see one of the mightiest falls of Iligan "Maria Cristina Falls" and one of the hidden treasure falls, known as "Tinago Falls". Although we just seen 2 out of 23 wafterfalls in Iligan, were happy to say...that we had a great and fun filled experiences with falls. Aside from chasing waterfalls, we roamed around NPC's nature park, of course we had so much photo souvenirs on each of these places....^_^

Itinerary:

Day 5:
0500 wake-up call (pero di naman nasunod)
0700 late check out @ Victoria Suites (buti nalang mabait yun manager, wala na extra charge..^_^)
0745 ETA Westbound Terminal (Rural Transit Bus bound for Iligan)
0945 ETA Iligan City Proper
**Supposed to 3 waterfalls, visit Timoga Spring and photo opps @ Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House
1630 ETD from Buru-un to Iligan city proper
1900 ETA CDO West bound bus terminal
2000 ETA to Victoria Suites (ulit.....^_^)

Day 6
0500 wake-up call (ulit di na naman nasunod)
0700 Check-out in Victoria Suites
0730 ETA check-in procedures in Lumbia Airport
1030 ETA NAIA Terminal 3
1300 ETA Touchdown: Antipolo....^_^

Blogs:

Expenses: Day 5 (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Tricycle to Vjandep Tiano                                    Php 14
Vjandep Pastel                                                          590
Jeepney ride to West Bound Terminal (Bulua)    13
Bus to Iligan (Rural Transit: Ordinary)                         120
Jeepney to City proper from Bus Terminal (Iligan) 7.50
Lunch @ Iligan carinderia    66
Jeepney to Buru-un (drop off NPC park)    11
Maria Cristina (entrance) 35
Maria Cristina (shutle service) 10
Jeepney from NPC toBuru-un market                           7
Habal-habal to Tinago Falls                                          25
Back to highways og Iligan                                           25
Life jacket rent    20
Mineral water    25
Jeepney from Buru-un to Iligan city proper 14
Iligan souvenir tshirt    119
Bus to CDO (Rural Transit)    95
Bulua Bus Terminal to Plaza Divisoria 12
Dinner    79

Total    Php 1287.50

Expenses: Day 6 (where 5 persons on this trip, expenses is based per person)

Vjandep Pastel (12 buns) 4 box                            Php 520
Vjandep Pastel (6 buns) 3 box       210
CDO Souvenir tshirt                                                   150
Suite Room: Victoria Suite (php1300)        260
Taxi fare to CDO Airport                                             60
Lumbia Airport (terminal fee)                                       30
Bus to EDSA MRT/LRT      20
Lunch @ Crossing                                                      53
Jeepney ride to Antipolo                                              25

Total                                                                  Php 1328

How to Get There:

From Iligan City proper to NPC Nature's Park
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Maria Cristina Falls, fare is php12 and travel time is around 20 minutes.

From Iligan City proper to Maria Cristina Falls
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Maria Cristina Falls, fare is php12 and travel time is around 20 minutes. Then walk towards NPC complex for about 10 minutes.

From Iligan City proper to Tinago Falls
From city proper, ride a jeepney bound for Buru-un. Inform the driver to drop you off at Buru-un Market, fare is php14 and travel time is around 20-30 minutes. From there, ride a habal-habal to jump off of Tinago Falls, fare is php25. From there you will approximately 20-30 minutes or it will depends.

Accomodations:

Since we did not have the chance to stay in Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte. I can't give you any recommended accomodation. However, based from websites there are number of accommodations available, from expensive to cheapest staycation you want. For list of accommodations in Iligan City, you may click here or here.

Tourist Spots:

Check out the official site of the province for its comprehensive list of attractions and spots to see in Iligan. Click here, here, here or here.

Iligan City Tourism Office
Contact no.: (063) 2213426
www.iligan.gov.ph

Lanao Del Norte Provincial Tourism Office
Contact nos.: (063) 3415241 / (063) 3415804
www.lanaodelnorte.gov.ph

So all in all, my total expenses for a 6-Day Northern Mindanao Adventures...........

6-Day Total Expenses : Php 9325.50

So what do you think......it is expensive or not?

Friday, October 19, 2012

Camiguin: Giant Clams Sanctuary

by lakwatserong tatay

Our last destination is known in Camiguin as a Clams and Sea Shells Sanctuary. It caters different species of small and big clamps. Located in Brgy. Cantaan, Guinsiliban, nestled in a cove that has beautiful white sand beach. This beach is known as Kabila White Beach where the Giant Clams Nursery is located too.

path towards to clams nursery

As you walk and enter the clams premises, there's a minimal fee of (php25), a help in maintaining the sanctuary because as you have know, the person behind taking caring of the clams are working here for free, means their just waiting for tourist / backpackers alike us to get on their premises and paying a minimal entrance fee or may get some of their tours.....:(

tours & activities

Billboards and notices are present as you get inside...Promoting awareness about giant clams that where lucky enough to have this clams living on our country.

This beach was actually divided into two the Kabila White beach that has also a minimal fee and requested to sign on a guest book, which we did not do because where going to the other of the park is the breeding center and education facility. Where there are available glass aquariums and giant round cemented pool created for giant clams.

x-plorerboyz going to breeding center

DENR marker

9 species of clams...

As we entered we proceeded to their breeding center where we had a little learning session about giant clams. That their are 9 species of clams in the world, 7 of these were found in our country and lucky for us that time that 6 of those species where present beneath their clams sanctuaries.

Here are some of the clams that was placed on breeding. In a giant round pool type that has seawater inside and oxygen for this clams to breath.

my photo opps with one of the clams

Here are the baby clams...for non-swimmers, this educational session to observe Giant Clams is such a pleasure. They actually reacts on your movements and close their shells with astonishing speed. Please avoid getting shots with flash as the clams actually reacts. As you approach more carefully or wait for a few moments while the clams opens again, you can observe how they breath and their other movements.

Your group can roamed around in this facility, as you will see different sizes and colorful images of the clams.

more colorful giant clams....^_^

Jayson, Regie, Melvin, Johari and I were just the only visitors that time, so we had the luxury to ask question as we many as we can....solong solo namin ang sanctuary...^_^

More baby clams on the other white round pools located in breeding center.

They also have a station where they taking care of orchids and some other flower fauna's. Sad to say i wasn't able to take many shots of them because my cam is in a bit low bat condition that time....tipid shots na kami...here are some of the common flowers i've seen...^_^

Here's one of their treasures, the clams that creating pearls. They have this in sanctuary and captivity. Based from ate, our guide and lecturer that time. This clams usually creating pearls months or sometimes takes a year. Just forgot to take note of the explanation, why?....^_^

Another place on this sanctuary is the training center and dive camp, where if your a swimmer you will have the chance to see the actual sanctuary and dive into it. Sad to say that time all of us doesn't have underwater camera. But we are all amazed how beautiful the sanctuary was. There where hundreds maybe or really more because, we just go beyond on the floating raft provided by the clam sanctuary.

What you will inside is another learning facility, where you could see different dried shells, actual pictures of the clams there taking cared of. This area also served the changing area for snorkler lovers alike us.

shell and t-shirt souvenirs...

some of the artifacts.

Of course, we did not missed to have our photo opps while inside this sanctuary...one of our wacky shots...

the x-plorerboyz...

x-plorerboyz with our lecturer...^_^

Too bad my camera just got empty that time and likewise to my buddies. Only Jayson and Reggie got the photo opps while taking on our snorkeling gears....:(

Jayson & Reggie are getting ready....

Here are the list of activities and corresponding fees you may opted to choose as you will get inside this giant clam sanctuary....just a little bit info, we got our snorkeling activity that time on just a minimal fee..natuwa masyado samin si ate lecturer....thanks po ate...But for the sake of the personnels we gathered little funds from us that time for a donation on their foundation....^_^

Thank to Regie, for this one last shot on his camera, before getting empty bat too....on the other side of this picture is the Kabila White Beach Resort, which we missed to explored....sayang gahol na sa oras eh...^_^

lakwatserong tatay @ giant clams sanctuary

Done with Camiguin X-ploration, two more provinces to go....Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, and few more activities we had like Chasing Waterfalls, Zipline and many more....^_^ Just an update our supposed to be 2012 X-plorerboyz Trips was moved to November due to bad weather we encountered on our scheduled flight last Sept 8...buti nalang libre parin ang parebook, so by November....so...Cagayan Valley and Isabela...here we come.....^_^

This is part of our 6-Days Northern Mindanao Escapades. Visited and X-plored 4 Provinces: Misamis Oriental, Camiguin Island, Bukidnon and Lanao Del Norte. Our second stop is Camiguin Island , that is known as the "Island Born of Fire", the 2nd province of Northern Mindanao.

Food Trips:
Food finds: Camiguin's Unique Dessert : Kiping
Food finds: Vjandep Bakeshop : Camiguin's Famous Pastel

Accomodation:
Pabua Cottages

Tours & Activities:
Having Fun at Sto. Niño Cold Spring Resort
Bura Soda Pool Resort
Walk to the Old Church Ruins
Trek to Walkway to the Old Volcano and Station of the Cross
Sunken Cemetery
Relaxation at Ardent Hot Spring Resort
A Glance with Katibawasan Falls
Camiguin's Ostrich Farm
Snorkeling at Giant Clams Sanctuary
Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

Island Hopping:
White Island
Mantigue Island

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Camiguin: A Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

by lakwatserong tatay

As our shuttle droves to Giant Clams Sanctuary, Kuya Chris told us about the Tanguines Lagoon, an artificial lagoon, which was not actually part of our itinenary. We just passed by on this lagoon although were aware what to see and do on this lagoon. We just have our photo opps and proceed to our last destination....^_^

Tanguines Lagoon

Tanguines Lagoon is a man made lagoon near Benoni Port, Town of Mahinog, used as a fishpond but eventually on a part of this lagoon was converted into a floating restaurant, travel lodge and now offers ziplines. Aside from this choices, it offers nature fresh air, with serene rocky cliffs and purely tranquility.

other side of Tanguines Lagoon

Aside from J&A Fishpen that is known in this area, this lagoon also offers travel lodge known as Lagoon Travel Lodge and a bistro not far from Lagoon Travel Lodge known as Lagoon Bistro that offers inexpensive seafoods cuisines too.

from far away is JA Fishpen (floating restaurant)

One of the restaurant located in Tanguines Lagoon is J&A Fishpen, based from some reviews it offer fresh and delicious dishes, some like it and some don't. The food costs also was quite pricey so basically we passed by this because where on a budget travel that time, but maybe by the next time we visit the Province of Camiguin, we may have the chance to experience dining on this floating restaurant.

photo source

As of July, 2012, Camiguin launch their 1st ever Zipline that has a distance of 700 meters. Now known as Camiguin Benoni Zipline located at Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin Island, a three lane zipline, that basically crosses Tanguines Lagoon, giving you a chance to across a body of water and a sight seeing experience of the serene coasts of Mantigue Island and Benoni. So after having hanged in the air, you may try to dine in JA Fishpen or Lagoon Bistro or stay near the lagoon on Lagoon Travel Lodge, which we missed out when we where there.

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Taguines Lagoon

One more activity in the Province of Camiguin, An Educational Tour and Snorkeling Activity @ Giant Clams Sanctuary. Then next stop in the Province of Bukidnon, to visit the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation and Farm and Experience the Asia's Longest Dual Zipline in Dahilayan Adventure Park.....^_^

Meet the X-plorers

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

Travel Guide: 6-Day Northern Mindanao Adventure: Summary, Itinerary and Expenses

Friday, October 19, 2012

Camiguin: Giant Clams Sanctuary

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Camiguin: A Glimpse of Tanguines Lagoon

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