"CAMIGUIN ISLAND is known to the island "Born of Fire". It has seven volcanoes and several volcanic domes. Volcanic eruptions and land movements have created this spectacular island which is full of natural wonders and historical riches."
~~~ I copied this description from the Camiguin official tourism website!
I remember the first time I went to Camiguin was 28 years ago...that was really rustic Camiguin and all I remember was the very simple and natural beauty I saw and felt, and that I really enjoyed that vacation!
We rode PAL from Cebu to Camiguin direct! ...hehehe... PAL was by sea and we call it "PALUTAW-LUTAW" (translation: FLOATING)! It was a small wooden boat but since we were young and adventurous, anything goes!
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| approaching Camiguin |
I remember the old ancestral home of the Chan's, which I really couldn't locate again, but Cynthia said it was in Mambajao. We would sit in the azotea and it also had the "haunted feel". I remember sitting in the "pantalan" (pier), which was walking distance from the family home and with a basketball court along the way! It seemed we were the only tourists at that time.
I remember going to the White Island, but we jumped off from the black shores of the mainland with small huts and coconut trees...and again, I couldn't place it! Cynthia informed me the place is now the present PARAS RESORT...what a transformation!
We were the only people in the White Island aside from the boatman who fetched us much much later! We had the place to ourselves! We swam and did funny things which only we could laugh about...secret of sorts!
Of course, we went to the Katibawasan Falls and were able to "shampoo" our hair without anybody reprimanding us...that was, just for fun of course!
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| Katibawasan Falls |
We were brought around by Cynthia's relatives...our driver then is now in position in the Camiguin government. Of course, we visited the Ardent Hot Springs and the Sto. Niño Cold Springs which continue as tourist attractions to this day!
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| Ardent Springs then |
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| Sto. Niño Cold Springs |
I will forever remember that Summer and I'm so happy that when I came back, Camiguin still maintains the rustic feel even if it has now the best roads. That really impressed me because it makes travel soooo much easier.
Here are present pictures of the natural beauty of Camiguin keeping its rustic feel...
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| delivery to Camiguin Highlands Resort |
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| Katibawasan Falls now... |
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| White Island now... |
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| Mambajao Public Market now... |
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| a "cowboy" in the market bringing a snake in a bottle... |
Hope you also get to visit this beautiful island of Camiguin!
And...this is just Part I of my Camiguin experience...
