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

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.....^_^

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

Camiguin: Accomodation: Pabua Cottages

by lakwatserong tatay

Prior to our Northern Mindanao, i had already made reservation for our stay on Pabua's Cottages and also got the services of Kuya Chris for Tour of Camiguin Island. As we reach the Benoni Port, Camiguin, we been greeted by one a child that Kuya Chris helper, he was the one meet us upon boarding out the RORO. But before we got out the port, of we did not missed to have an photo opportunity of Benoni Port Welcome signage....we may not know when we will have the chance again to go this "Island Born in Fire"... ^_^

Xplorerboyz @ Benoni Port, Camiguin...

Right after our meet and greet with Kuya Chris, together with his family, that were not aware Kuya Chris's wife and relatives where with us on RORO trip from Misamis Oriental....^_^.

our rented multicab...^_^

Here are some of the scenes that i've captured while going to Pabua Cottages....were we passed by seashores, Church of  Mambajao if im not mistaken and had to chance to got a close up shot of a motorela, one of the famous mode of transportation in Camiguin.

The motorela

Motorela - a tricycle-jeep hybrid public transportion in Camiguin

Kuya Chris just dropped her family on our way to Pabua Cottages, our trip from Benoni Port to Pabua Cottages lasted for almost 45 mins. By the time we arrived in Pabua, Kuya Puloy was still in Cagayan de Oro, one of the caretaker said that maybe by next day, we will had the chance to meet Kuya Puloy. So to make the story short...we just leave our big bagpacks on our room, and the tour started.

So moving forward, we had our 1st day of tour done in Camiguin and already shared of all the details, stories and information about the places we've been. Now let's go to our room accomodation.

room # 2

Kuya Puloy offered to us, Room # 2, which has two queen sized beds and one single bed, can hold up to six occupants. Our rented room includes towels and beddings. Our room is equipped with cable TV, A/C room and we had our own private toilet and bath facilities. We had also our own porch and dining area. And one of the most remarkable free is Wi-Fi access...^_^. For only php1000...not bad...^_^

Staying at Pabua Cottages makes a homey feeling, just placed in a compound. It is really best for trippers like us that are looking for lodging that has pleasant amenities and offers reasonable room rates. Located to drop off point when your group wants to go to White Island, like what we did...next post ko na un...and one of the popular restaurant.."Italian Bistro Luna Ristorante..sad to say di namin natry toh..^_^. just infront of this lodging house is one of the famous resort in Camiguin which is Paras Beach Resort. Just right beside also in this lodging is Paguia's Cottages, that i just found out a relative of Kuya Puloy Pabua...^_^

Pabua's Cottages offers: 9 Bungalow type cottages with different sizes, all are equipped with Cable TV's, A/C rooms and owns a Private Toilet and Bathroom. Each cottages has its own outdoor porch and dining area. Wi-FI access is available on the compound for FREE!!!!..Except for Room #7 that has its own kitchen, refrigerator, cooking equipments and utensils.

Room 1: 3 double beds (can accomodate from 6 to 10 pax)
Room 2: 2 queen size beds and 1 single bed (can hold up to 6 pax)
Room 3: 1 queen size bed (good for 2 pax)
Room 4 & 9: 2 double beds (good for 4 pax)
Room 5 & 6 & 8: 3 double beds per room (can hold up from 6 to 8 persons)
Room 7: A cottage with 2 rooms ( can hold up to 8 - 12 persons wit h2 double beds per room)

For more information just look at their page on Facebook : Pabua's Cottages
Owner: Mr. Puloy Pabua
Address: Brgy. Yumbing, Mambajao, Camiguin
Contact number: 09064152557

Paguia's Cottages...

How to get in here:
From Benoni Port, traveler's alike can hire a  multicab, or may take a public van to Municipal Capital of Mambajao, take motorela to Brgy. Yumbing, trip would last for almost 45 mins.

For multicab day tour which include pick from/to Benoni Port, here is the contact number of  Kuya Chris: 09215637788, 09069272420,  or you may add him at FB (Camiguin Kuya Criz Tour) we got it for ourselves 2 day tour (php2500).

Kuya Puloy & Me, just infront of their house...^_^

Together with Kuya Chris...^_^

I've already stayed in Pabua's Cottages...^_^

Next stop...our 2nd day at Camiguin....Island Hopping in Camiguin is More Fun in the Philippines...^_^

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

Cagayan de Oro: En Route to the Island of Camiguin

by lakwatserong tatay

For our 2nd day of Northern Mindanao Escapades. We woke up early to prepare for a long day of trip adventures in the island of Camiguin. From our hostel Victoria Suites, we went to Agora Market Terminal and arrived just in time for the 630am trip of Bachelor Express Bus (Yellow Bus) bound for Butuan. We paid php84 each for almost 2 hours trip from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan, i told the conductor that to drop us off at Balingoan and then we proceed....^_^

Bound to Butuan Bus Liner

The was actually just like the non-ac bus of EDSA, but for this time there were no standing passenger or maybe it would depend on its season or the travel time...hehehe..we manage to have our own sit and stay on the backpart of the bus...where we will see everyone....we have also our photo opps along our almost 2 hours bus ride....^_^

The sun was really up when we arrived at Balingoan Bus Terminal, one of the stop over stations of Butuan bus bounds. From the bus terminal, you have option to ride a motorela (php7), if have big backpacks or travelling bags, it is better to ride than walk...hehehehe, or have a leisure walk to the port as it is just few meters away across the main street and Balingoan Bus Terminal, but be careful in walking because you have to cross the highway where all of the buses and trucks going.

Balingoan Bus Terminal

We bought a ticket at the booth for the ferry bound for Benoni Port, Camiguin. A one-way ticket costs php170 and php2.25 (terminal fee). Travel time is approximately 1 hour. Ferries leave Balingoan to Camiguin Island every hour from 6:00am to 5:00pm daily.

We had the chance to have some of our photo opps while waiting for for some vehicles and trucks to be loaded on the ferry, and  then afterwards other passengers got aboard too.....including us...^_^

xplorerboyz in photo opps mode...^_^

Super Shuttle Ferry 9

As there were only few passenger aboard the ferry, me and johari had the chance to roam around the ferry boat. We savored the cool breeze of the air while cruising and the rays of the morning sunlight as we cruise through the Camiguin channel. We enjoyed also the views as we started to cruise and the view of the majestic island of Camiguin as it is already visible from the ferry.

One of the islet as we started our cruise from Balingoan

ferry's open passengers seats...^_^

of course i would not missed the chance to have photoopps

the captain with other boat crews...

Care to have transportation rentals in Camiguin...

The majestic view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok

my co-xplorerboyz....^_^

This province is known to be as the island "Born of Fire" for it has seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes and it is said that due to volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectaculat island that is now bursting with natural wonders that we will be visiting for a 2 days stay....hehehehe. Camiguin Island is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao. Divided into 5 towns, namely: Catarman, Guinsiliban, Mahinog, Sagay and Mambajao.

Upon reaching Benoni Port, transport services such as habal-habal (single motorcycles that used in tricycles) and multicabs will be approaching you as you've departed the ferry and port. It would be really best if you already contacted someone for the tour so as to avoid getting annoyed, lucky for my group we did that. We were welcome by one of the port's porter and tell us to follow him to Kuya Chris (our tour guide/multi-cab driver).

It is very important to get a services only from someone you can trust. Here's one of the most recommended Multicab tour guide/driver Kuya Chris (contact #: 09215637788) for your tour on all of the tourist spots on this island with his multicab (we got a special rate: php2,500/ 2days) for group of 5 persons.

What's good with Kuya Chris, he was originally a local of Camiguin and really knows well where to bring you and gives your group information on the spots you toured on. It just like having an educational trip, besides being our driver, he will be your tourist guide, travel buddy and also be an photographer...hehehehe. Thanks to Kuya Chris for making our trip to Camiguin an eductional/ecomomical/most memorable one!

Lakwatserong Tatay @ Port Benoni, Camiguin

Watch out for the detailed tour and spots that we visited on Island of Camiguin. We had the chance to see and experience most of the best of Camiguin from swimming, island hopping, trekking and historical sites and many more....and one of the most important one to visit and buy Camiguin's best pasalubong Vjandep Pastel.

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 first stop is the Capital City of Misamis Oriental, that is known as the "City of Golden Friendship", Cagayan De Oro City.

Food Trips:
Hammer Time Bar & Grill Restaurant (Bar Hoppin)
Mindy's (Eat All You Can Buffet Lunch)
Plaza Divisoria's (Weekend Night Street Food Dining)

Accomodation:
Victoria Suites

Activities:
Our Trip to City of Golden Friendship
Cagayan de Oro River (River Rafting Experience)
En Route to Camiguin (RORO Boat Transfer)