Life is Beautiful: June 2007

"Have you been to Camiguin?"

Most people I've asked doesn't even know where it is on the map. Well, am not surprised. I also didn't know until my brother-in-law invited me 6 years ago - that was my first visit along with my niece and her hubby. I thought it's about time I/We start exploring our beautiful country. Let us take a peek and discover the beauty this island has to offer.

First, let me show you where it is on our country's map, I actually encircled it with a red ink (see below). It's so small that you may probably think it's one of those "unnamed" islands we have.

This is the "zoomed in" picture of the island. Mambajao is Camiguin's provincial capital.

Getting there is quite a long way since you will have to fly for about an hour to Cagayan De Oro (CDO). From CDO airport, you can take a taxi or bus going to Guinsiliban Pier. Fortunately, we had our service vans waiting for us, this is more comfy coz it's about 2 hours ride to the Pier. From the pier, we'll ride a ferry going to the island itself, that is about 2 hours also. Whew!!! If you plan a trip, spare a day for travelling so you'll have time to rest once you arrive.

I should say that my visits to Camiguin were "once-in-a-lifetime" events. The first was March 2001, we don't have kids yet that time and I spent it with my favorite niece, Karen and her hubby, Tim. They live in US so it was very timely to go places with them. The second visit was just last year June 16 to June 19 2006. Now, that vacation is indeed with family and friends, I was with QREs and my family (including my beloved in-laws).

Camiguin Island

Our first trip on March 2001. Hands on deck! We didn't have a digicam then

Pics at NAIA and CDO airport, June 16'06

This one was aboard the ferry going to Camiguin island.

Ardent Hot Spring
In the heart of the island bubbles this mineral pool with water around 40C. Vapor rises from the heated waters that run down the vents of the dormant Hibok-Hibok volcano. The springs are ideal to bathe in at night surrounded by cool mountain air. It has therapeutic effects. Picnic huts and tables are available in the beautifully landscaped gardens and there is a restaurant on site. It is 6 kilometers southwest of Mambajao.

Sarap maligo!

Hot spring is hotter with a warm hug from honeypunch (2001)

2006 at Ardent now with Nicole.

Some of the group at Ardent.

Cotton blanketed the entrance of the hot spring

Everybody enjoys a dip.

Sunken Cemetery
A large white cross marks a cemetery swept into the sea by Old Vulcan Daan's eruption in 1871. From here it is a perfect place to watch the glorious sunset over the ocean. It is also an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. An annual fluvial procession is held by townsfolk in honor of the sunken graves of their forefathers and as a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

2001 photo with my loveski

Katibawasan Falls
5 kms southeast of Mambajao center. Waterfalls which measures 250 feet high cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Its cold water provides an ideal summer splash to bathers and picnickers. Maaallllaaammiiig annng tuubbiiigg!

My family on the falls

"Tarzan" of my life

My family submerged on the cold Katibawasan waters

Cold splash with Intel's (and the industry's) finest QREs (a.k.a. Quality and Reliability Engineers)

Sto. Niño Cold Spring
A spring located 4 kilometers north uphill of Catarman proper. It has a terrific huge pool of cold spring water measuring 25m x 40m sprouting from sandy bottom. The area has native stores, picnic huts and toilets for visitors and guests. It is located 4 kilometers north of central Catarman.

Mommy and Nicole taking a dddiiippp!
Mommy's turn

Don't try this at home!!! He he Jump In, ang lammmmiiiggg!
Masarap magpalamig!

Mench, Liza and Loloy

Station of the Cross/Walkway (Old Vulcan)
13 km. west of Mambajao; has 70 to 80 meters drop; landmark of the PANAAD Pilgrimage. It is where life-size statues depicting the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - the 14 Stations of the Cross that dot a trail to Old Volcano's peak are found. At the last station is a sepulcher carefully carved and chiseled out of volcanic rocks. The pilgrims congregate here to pray during Lenten Season. Sorry no picture of this coz I was busy doing shopping down the shops for pasalubong.

White Island
Is an uninhabited white sandbar where the view of towering Mt. Hibok-Hibok and of Old Volcan reflects the grandeur the Province of Camiguin has ever achieved. It is reached within 10 minutes through light water transport from anywhere in Yumbing, Mambajao area.

From the White Island, Camiguin's shape resembles that of a pregnant woman lying down. Can you see from here?

2001 photo with honeypunch

2006 trip with QREs, off the shore to white island. Tahan na anak!

Just arrived the white island with Camiguin at the back

Ang magka-nguso! Love you both.

Our dear Nicole

My "loves" at the white island

The Martins, eating our packed breakfast.

Friendster poses from the island

Wow nice shots! Clockwise direction: Liza and Loloy on their unsynchronized jump photo, Danmorrise, RJ whose now in Austria and Roy's little angel, Justin.

White Island with mommy and nicole

Martins taking a stroll on white sands

Pahinga muna , SARAP!

Mommy, Daddy and Nicole on White island

White Island changes its shape every now and then depending on the tide (water level), weather and that dictates somehow as to which part of the sand bar will be exposed out of the water. So pictures taken may vary from time to time.

Footprints in the sand

Sandbar at its best!

Mantigue Island
3 kms. off shore from Barangay Hubangon and San Roque in Mahinog. The island has 4 hectares of evergreen forest fringed with white sandy beach. A fishing village and seaweed culture is found in the north side. One side of the beach is shallow with few corals while the opposite side is a deep drop off for snorkeling and diving. Mantigue Island is about 12 nautical miles from Mantangale Alibuag Dive Resort for its captivating white sand and clear waters, it is ideal for beach goers and divers as well. The majestic walls and overhead coral formations are home to small tropical fishes, pelagic fishes, marine turtles and stingrays which are abundant in this mushroom-like island. Available transport: rented pump boats.

Martins on the way to Mantigue

Mga nguso going to Mantigue

Just arrived Mantigue

Island pictures

Fun, fun, fun at the island

Mt. Hibok Hibok Observatory - our last lakwatsa

Yes, may PHIVOLCS sa Camiguin, this is because there are a lot of volcanoes on this island. Mt Hibok-Hibok is the most famous. Place is good for educational trip stops.