Chillin' at the Boardwalk

Day 3
June 15, 2015
Siargao

The next day, our flight back to Cebu got delayed for more than a few hours, which got us worried since we had another flight to catch to get us to Siargao. Fortunately, we were informed that the plane we were using to get to Cebu would be the same one to bring us to Siargao. Problem solved.

We arrived in Siargao at 2 in the afternoon and rode one of the many vans stationed outside the aiport. All the vans were filled up quite quickly - I was not sure if there were enough vans for everyone from the flight. Cost was 200 PHP per passenger and it took an hour to get to the resorts near the famous Cloud 9.

We got really excited when we finally saw Ocean 101 resort where we stayed for the next 3 nights. The resort was really good-looking and there were a lot of open areas where one can relax and enjoy the view. The location was also perfect - a quick stroll would get you to the boardwalk at Cloud 9. However, our excitement was cut short once we saw the cheap room we booked (2,300 PHP per night for 3 persons) - it felt like it was neglected or forgotten - the bed had bugs on it and the wardrobe was worn-out.

Since it was already late in the afternoon, we decided to just relax for the rest of the day. We went to the boardwalk to watch the surfers and wait for the sunset.

Later that night, we ate at a nearby restaurant - Kawayan Siargo resort resto bar. The restaurant had a nice ambiance, which matched the very pricey food - Seafood Pasta cost 390 PHP and was only good for 1 person. It tasted good though and the presentation was exquisite.

Seafood Pasta

Enjoying Camiguin Sandbar

Day 2
June 14, 2015
Camiguin

The night before, we discussed whether to wake up early to see the sunrise in White Island or just get a restful uninterrupted sleep. We decided to catch up on lost sleep which was actually a good decision since it rained quite hard in the morning.

We finally were able to leave the hotel at noon and decided to eat at a nearby restaurant - La Isla Cocina. I ordered tuna salad which I did not like at all - it was like they combined whatever ingredients were available and called it a dish. I liked the cucumber iced tea though.

Seafood pasta (180 PHP), tuna salad (160 PHP), cucumber iced tea (60 PHP)

We then rented a boat for 450 PHP to get the three of us to the famed White Island sandbar. Once there, we rented a beach umbrella for 100 PHP to avoid getting roasted under the scorching hot sun.

White Island was very different from the other sandbars I have seen - by far, this is the longest and widest stretch of white sand. It is a great place to loosen up or rest or read a book, as long as you are under the rented umbrella. It is also a perfect spot to catch the sunset.

Day tour of Camiguin

Day 1
June 13, 2015
Camiguin

If my travels for the past decade were not enough to call myself a jet-setter, this trip would probably certify me as one - 7 flights, 8 days, 4 provinces. One would call it an adventure; I call it poor-planning. I blame (sort of) Cebu Pacific for offering more cheap flights to and from Cebu. Hence, for the next few days, we had to go back and forth to Cebu to get to Camiguin, Siargao, and Davao.

First in the itinerary (or probably second since we spent at night in Cebu) was Camiguin. We - Marlon, Rissa, and I - arrived at seven in the morning and we were at Action Geckos resort 20 minutes after.

We found the resort to be quite charming and unique - bottles were used as chandelier, tire as mirror frame, spatula as door handle and towel rack. It also has a lot of open spaces (hammock included), which were perfect for resting and unwinding - which was exactly what we did since we arrived too early.

We booked two rooms since one room can only accommodate 2 persons. One room costs 1,000 PHP a night - there was no air-con nor television and the room was dimly-lighted which made it only suitable for sleeping and nothing else.

At 10 am, the multicab that we rented arrived. For 1,700 PHP, the multicab brought us to various places for the next 8 hours. The first stop was at Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring, a natural hot spring located at the foot of Mt. Hibok-Hibok. The place was crowded and noisy when we arrived - it was Saturday after all. I'm pretty sure it can be quite inviting during lean season - but it was not on this particular day so we left after a few minutes.

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring

Our next stop was at the 76-m Katibawasan falls - where a far more inviting pool was waiting. Also found nearby were stalls selling Kiping, a Camuigin delicacy made of dried sweet potato.

Kiping

After the untimely dessert, we spent a good hour swimming (as well as contemplating about swimming) in the pool.

Katibawasan falls

For lunch, we ate at J&A Fishpen where we had sinigang na sugpo, mixed vegetables, and the flavorful eggplant salad, a must-try.

Eggplant salad - a must-try!

We then went to Giant Clam Sanctuary. For 300 PHP (including rent of life vest for 50 PHP and snorkel for 100 PHP), we had a guided snorkel for about an hour in Kibila White beach to view the clams. Notwithstanding the strong current that day, it was an enjoyable experience - the underwater view - fish, corals, and clams - was one of the better ones I've seen (better than the one I saw in El Nido).

The last stop for the tour was the Sunken Cemetery, where the tombs were driven underwater during a volcanic eruption in the 1870s. The only sign that a cemetery exists is the cross marker which we reached thru a boat for 20 PHP per passenger.

Bird's Eyeview of El Nido

Day 4
April 24, 2015
El Nido

We spent the morning of our fourth day rock climbing Mt. Taraw - a towering limestone cliff. The climb took an hour of body strength, sheer courage, and unwavering faith that each rock we firmly held or stepped on was steady. The view from top was absolutely worth the hold-on-for-dear-life climb.

Vhy, Ryan, and Anjo before the climb

The view at Taraw cliff

Vhy at Taraw cliff





At noon, we rented a van to bring us to the twin beaches of Nacpan and Calitang, which were about an hour away from town proper. It was scorching hot when we got to Nacpan beach. While plenty of tourists sun-bathed, I stayed on the cottage and did not even bother to go to Calitang beach.

Tourists at Nacpan beach

At around 3 PM, we headed back to town to try the 750-meter zipline which connects Snake island to Las Cabanas beach resort. We then stayed for a while at the beach resort, which has a very cool and relaxing vibe. A lot of tourists (mostly couples) were just sitting at the shore, staring into the horizon, waiting for the sun to set.

Susanne at the zipline

Estimated expenses:

3151 PHP - Round trip air fare
3000 PHP - Biolina Guesthouse - 4 nights ( 1500 PHP /night/double room)
1200 PHP - Round trip van to El Nido
1400 PHP - Tour C
1200 PHP - Tour A
 200 PHP -  EcoTourism Development Fee
 250 PHP - Cliff climbing guide fee (500 PHP/2 pax)
 500 PHP - Van to Nacpan and Calitang (3000 PHP/van)
 500 PHP - Zipline - one-way
2500 PHP - Food
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13,901 PHP

Kayaking and Snorkeling at El Nido

Day 3
April 23, 2015
El Nido

We took island hopping tour A the next day. The tour included Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, 7 Commandos Beach, and Simizu Island, which we seemed to have skipped.

Our first stop was at the small lagoon where we rented some kayaks. From where our boat docked, we had to travel a short distance to reach a small pathway leading to the small lagoon. The place was serenely beautiful - but only until a large crowd of tourists poured in. It was a great thing that we started the tour really early - it got really crowded and noisy by the time we left.



Small Lagoon

 

Kayaking at Small Lagoon

After the small lagoon, we got to the big lagoon. No kayaks here - our boat, like the others, just quickly passed through (as if we were running after something) and went on to the next destination which was at the shore where one can found the Secret Lagoon - an even smaller lagoon compared to small lagoon. This one has a very narrow opening - only one person can fit at a time. It was not impressive at all and most of the people just swam and snorkeled near the shore. This was where everyone stopped-over to rest and ate lunch.

Big Lagoon

Secret Lagoon

Afte lunch, we spent an hour in the middle of the sea to snorkel. Then, we proceeded to the last stop of the day at 7 Commandos Beach.