Last year, my partner and I went back home for a three-week vacation in the Philippines. One of the places we visited was Camiguin Island. Camiguin is known as an island born of fire due to volcanic eruptions that shaped the island. It is also known for the famous White Islands situated a few minutes boat trip from the north coast of Camiguin. And of course, any Filipino would know that Camiguin is best known for its lanzones. There is even a festival held in the island during the peak season, it’s just a shame that we went there early. If you really want to taste the province’s famouse lanzones, you should go there around October time as that is the start of harvest period.
I did a bit of research before we traveled. My boyfriend was really excited as he was the one who suggested that we go there. I’ve never been to a place near the Mindanao island, so it would be a first for me and my beau.
Our flight was from Manila to Cagayan de Oro (CDO), since it was a late night trip, my boyfriend and I opted to stay at one of the cheap lodges in CDO. It was a really nice weather at the time so we explored the surrounding market for dinner and ended up going for some fried chickens and pork bbq across the lodge. It was unfortunate that we only had limited time to spare when we were in CDO so we had no chance of exploring this beautiful province. This will definitely go into my ‘next stop’ list.
The following morning, we got up early to catch our ride from CDO market to the part and ending up in our lovely hotel in Mambajao, Camiguin Island.
I booked a hotel room with Bintana sa Paraiso, a place I would describe as a honeymoon place. It was such a beautiful hotel! We had a mini swimming pool right in front of the room, a balcony overlooking the sea and really nice and comfortable bed. I was in awe with how peaceful the surroundings were and the caretakers were really friendly and nice.
It was such a nice retreat for us because we felt like we were really close with nature. When you wake up in the morning, you can feel the fresh breeze from the sea, birds chirping and the sound of the waves right down from our hotel room. During our first breakfast, my boyfriend was treated to a fresh buko (Filipino term for coconut) juice, taken directly from the tree right next to our hotel. From then on, the hotel staff would deliver us fresh buko every morning.
The activities we’ve done were not as organised as I would have expected. But since it was a small island, easily accessible through a moped, we just cruised around using the rented moped from the hotel and started exploring the island.
We started our days with the usual breakfast prepared by the lovely hotel staff in Bintana sa Paraiso: Filipino breakfast for me and fruits and buko juice for my boyfriend. It was a really nice experience. I felt the most relaxed when I was in this place.
Exploring an island via a moped is a very exhilarating feeling. Before I met my boyfriend, I used to go on trips planning for a detailed itinerary to make sure I go to all the nice spots in that area. But when I started traveling with him, I got used to be more spontaneous and just go with the flow. You see, when you explore an island using a moped (remember to bring your license as there are police checkpoints around the island), you get to see small things you never usually do when you’re in a group tour or in a very tight schedule. You get to smell the fresh breeze and you just take all your surroundings in. You don’t have to worry about time because you have your own mode of transportation and you never really have to worry about anyone else but yourself (and for me, my boyfriend).
I’m pretty sure everyone who has been to Camiguin would agree that this is a beautiful island. The Tuasan Falls, White Island in Mambajao, Sunken Cemetery, Sto. Nino Cold Spring, Katibawasan Falls were my favourites. I would definitely go back to explore and hike the Old Volcano.
See below for some pictures I took during the trip:
Junieper 
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