Camiguin: Traveling under LPA

Exactly 4 years ago, when we had an early flight to Cagayan de Oro for our trip to Camiguin.  We ate our breakfast at the Agora Bus terminal and rode a bus bound for a 3 hours drive to Balingoan Port, Misamis Oriental.  Earlier that evening, a low pressure area was spotted in the east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Norte.  It was not yet raining in Cagayan de Oro when we arrived, but as we get near Balingoan, it started to rain and had cloudy skies.

We arrived around 11AM at Balingoan Port, and we bought our ticket towards Benoni Port in Camiguin.  There was a parked ferry boat in Balingoan.  They told us that within thirty minutes the boat would sail to Camiguin.  As passengers flocked the port, strong winds and heavy rain were seen outside the terminal.  Locals of Camiguin assured as that there would be a ferry boat that would take us to our destination.  At 2 PM, they decided to board us to the ferry amidst the strong winds and rough waters.  While we were waiting for our boat to sail, a very huge wave struck us and the ferry went side ways towards the docks, slamming us to the side of the ferry.  I got scared but looking at the locals, they seem calm.  My friend and I decided that if ever the ferry was in its right position, we would go down and head back to Cagayan de Oro.  The crew of the ferry where vigilant that they managed to turn the boat again to its docking position.  We were about to go down but the ferry sailed to the waters toward Camiguin.

The boat ride was supposedly only 2 hours, but because of the LPA, we sailed at a very low paced.  My worries about the weather altered when somewhere in the sea, I saw dolphins swimming.  

We arrived at Benoni Port at 6PM, where we don’t have a place to stay.  It was supposedly a do-it-yourself trip, but due to unforseen event and we were already tired, we decided to ride a van and told the driver to take us to Bahay Bakasyunan, an expensive resort in Mambajao.

Bahay Bakasyunan was really a very nice and cozy place to stay.  The amenities were good and the staff were very friendly.  We had our lunch in the bar, the room was spacious in a modern Nipa hut setting.  My friend and I just laughed at what happened the whole day and decided to enjoy our stay in the resort.   

The following day, it was still raining and cloudy.  Our first stop after our breakfast was the White Island of Camiguin.   We road small boat near the famous Paras Beach Resort towards the island.   The shape of sand bar of White Island differs depending on the weather.  When we got there, the waves were rough and we weren’t able to have a glimpse of the famous Mount Hibok Hibok from the island.  

We headed to Katibawasan Falls,  where raging waters were flowing from the top.  

We had our lunch J&A Fishpen, a fishing restaurant in Barangay Benon, Mahinog.  We ordered seafoods and fishes that could be seen in Camiguin.  The driver asked us if we wanted to go to Mantigue Island, but because the coast were also from the side of Benoni Port, we decided not to try the rough waters there. 

Then we went to Santo Nino Cold Spring and the Soda Water Park. After which we went to Guiob Church Ruins and view the Sunken Cemetery. 

We stayed  in  the  Ardent Hot Spring for more than an hour to enjoy the benefits of the water in the hot spring.  Our last stop was the Vjandep bakeshop where we bought Camiguin’s famous pastel.

The next morning, the sun was up but it was time for us to head back to Cagayan de Oro, for us not to miss our flight in the evening to Manila.

For some people, it would had been a disaster trip.  But not for me, I believed that it push me to my limits, that I can brace all the storms.  I was reminded of one of the travel quotes I read somewhere..replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.  And when the time comes, I might head back to Camiguin again, to experience it with the sun, and to view the four strato volcanoes within the island..and to get the chance to explore the Mantigue Island, the one we skipped from our island tour. 

And up until now, I never stop having my adventures.