Camiguin: The island born of fire

Camiguin is known for its Lanzones, the sunken cemetery, the Pastel and its hot and cold springs among others. So what comes to mind when we hear people say that I'm from Camiguin or I'm going to Camiguin ?
An island full of excitement and with a lot to do, right? We immediately think, Boracay or any island that has gained its popularity among travelers and bakasyonista alike.
I guess that's the thing with expectations, too much could be a bad thing. If you're a city girl/boy and is expecting an exciting nightlife from Camiguin then you'd be in for disappointment. But if nature is more your type, then you probably fall in love with this small island in the Bohol sea.

How to get there?
You can reach it by plane or by boat.
As for us, we were in CDO first (information on how to get to CDO, refer to the previous post) then we went to Agora Bus Station and boarded the bus to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental. It's not airconditioned so the fair is Php60. The distance between the city and Balingoan is 88km or 2 hours of land travel. I guess this depends on the stops the bus makes and how fast it runs.  We left the city around 2pm and arrived in Balingoan around 4pm. But if you want to travel comfortably, you can ride in the airconditioned bus for about Php140, one way.
The bus terminal is a five-minute walk from the wharf but if you have a few bags, you can always ride in a motorela for Php7. We made it just in time for the ferry to Benoni port in Mahinog. I think there are actually 3 ports in Camiguin situated in different towns. Last trip to Camiguin is at 5pm, or so they say. If you couldn't make it to that, they said there are Lantsa or wooden vessels available. The ferry trip to Camiguin usually takes an hour to an hour and a half.
Upon arriving in Benoni, we immediately went inside a jeepney to Mambajao. I suggest you take the jeepney since it's only Php23 or you can rent a multicab for about a Php100 or Php200 depending on how many you are. Mambajao is a 30-minute ride from Benoni.

Where to stay?
There's a GV hotel in Mambajao but if you prefer to stay near the beach, go to Yumbing, a 10minute motorela/multicab ride from Mambajao. There are a few cottages/houses for rent there. There's also a resort called Paras and it costs a bit expensive than the houses which is around Php700 per day.

How to get around the place?
There are motorelas, multicabs and jeepneys. You can commute or rent the whole thing. Commuting is cheaper. Drivers tend to overprice people who appear to have no clue at all about the place.
Minimum is Php8. Don't agree to go to Yumbing from Mambajao if they're asking you more than Php10 each.

What to see?

• White Island- a sand bar located off the coast of Agoho. To get there, if you're not staying in Yumbing, secure a ride to the place and ask the driver to take you to White Island. Then pumpboats are on queue there and it will take you to the sand bar in 5minutes for only Php400 plus entrance of Php20. I think the maximum people allowed in the boat is 6. Go there early in the morning to witness the sunrise. There's not much to do there but snorkel, swim and walk around the sand bar. I think it would take you less than 10 minutes to walk around the whole place. Picture-taking is a must. There's a scenic view of Mt. Hibuk-hibuk and Mt. Vulcan. Jump and tumbling shots would look great with them in the background, trust me. 

• Ardent Hot Spring- we rented a motorela for Php300 roundtrip to this hot spring. We went there at night to make most of our time in the island. The entrance fee is Php30. There are cottages there and I think about 5 pools each with different temperatures ranging from 29-40 degress centigrade. There are also rooms for rent in case you're too scared to go back to town since the way there is just too dark, even for me. And if you want a massage, they have a hut there that offers services.
• Sunken Cemetery-i think the pumpboat costs around Php500 when you go there from Yumbing. This is just near Yumbing. 

There are a lot of places to see in Camiguin. Unfortunately, we didnt have the time to explore it all. I would have loved to see the waterfalls, climb Mt. Hibuk-hibuk, Mt. Vulcan, Mantigue Island.

If you're a nature-whore, you'd love Camiguin. The place is just too quiet especially when the clock strikes at 7pm. It's almost a deadtown, Mambajao. It's too quiet, even for me.

All in all, I had a good time. A visit to the place won't be complete without tasting or buying some Pastel for pasalubong. The ones by Vjandep are the best. Just so you know, it was really hard for us to look for a place with delicious food to eat. Everytime we ask people restaurants, they'd always take us to carenderias. Sad, sad. 

But I especially like the dishes in Vjandep restaurant, a five-minute walk from Vjandep bakery.

Should I go back to Camiguin?

hmmm. maybe 10 years from now. This place is best for families who are traveling together or just wants to have R and R and to those who are into diving and nature.