SkimChix - island life

Instead of heading for white water rafting in CDO, we decided to postpone it for this trip. We were exhausted and we've spent too much in Camiguin.

We headed to a college friend's house to spend the night before we return to Cebu. The only place that we could explore was the SM Mall near their village and the village itself.


The village is located in the uptown area and most of the places has just been built. The city itself is downtown which is too far so we just have to check on the homes built the its architecture and designs that we plan to copy on our future home.

This blog is also give my appreciation to one of my close friends in college, for a very warm accommodation. To Maui, Lloyd and her cute baby girl, thank you so much.

We've been told by our driver that someone will fetch us at our place for the island hopping at the White Island. We didn't wake up early because it had been raining really hard earlier. After the rain we walked to the jump off point of our banca ride to the island.

From the shore, we could see the White Island but the waves were big and the cloud was gloomy. For beach bums like me, bad weather can't hinder me from feeling the sand on my feet and taking a dip in the sea.






The island was great, I love the waters, even the big waves, and most especially the white sands. Indeed it was saving the best for last. After eating our breakfast, we packed our bags and headed back to CDO.






















Photos Courtesy of Raymond Lazaro

I woke up early to catch the blue hour (term used by photographers before the sun rises, but I'm not a photographer just a photography enthusiast) at the beach. Then our day started with our home cooked breakfast courtesy of our host cooking the dried squid we bought yesterday during our stroll.

Our vehicle for the day tour arrived and we have to bid good bye to our first home in Camiguin. We brought all our things and carried it with us for the rest of the trip (you don't have to worry leaving it with the driver because they'll offer to look out for it without extra charge).

We started with the old Vulcan, that has the 14 stations of the cross on its path, the top most would give you a better view of the sunken cementary and the open sea. Though on the 12th station we decided to go back since it was starting to drizzle and the thick clouds was beginning to hover above the peak.


Then we proceed to check the sunken cemetery. It was still drizzling and we chose not to go down the beach to get a lower view of the cemetery and we only took photos in the viewing deck.


We dropped by the Old church that was destroyed when the Old Vulcan erupted way back. The walls of the Old Church was there but the church itself was destroyed.


A small chapel was built in the middle of the ruins and the back of the church was filled with green grass, we stayed longer because it was a nice scene for some picture.


The sun was already above our head and we already felt the humidity rising. Good thing, we are already at the Soda Spring. It was a cold spring and the cool temperature was so refreshing and just in time to freshen us up.


After a quick dip, we went to Sto Nino spring. This time we opted not to take a bath since the first spring was enough to freshen us and the ambiance of this second resort is not that appealing. So we just waited for our lunch to be ready before we set to visit another site.


The next place is the Katibawasan falls. It was too far from the remaining spots because it is in the mountains of Camiguin. But the travel was worth it. The falls was tall and you can take a lot of different perspective. The water was very inviting, very clear but it was too cold when I attempted to take a dip.


Next stop was at Ardent Hot Spring. This time I took a dip in the hot water in the first pool (some say that there is another pool which is more hotter). But I think the water was just slightly hot to look warm. Nothing beats the Mambukal hot spring when it comes to hotness of the water.


After our ardent adventure we went to our second accommodation in Camiguin where we were originally booked, the Gamorot cottages.


This time, the place doesn't have a shoreline where we can stroll but a known Resort (Paras Resort) has a break water that is open to non-guest. We also decided to eat our dinner in Paras al fresco. Though the food is not worth the price we've paid.













Our second day at Camiguin ended.

One advantage of seat sale is we are given an opportunity to travel and explore different places. The last seat sale brought me to Boracay, this time we are heading to Cagayan de Oro.

Our plan, to experience white water rafting and explore the Islands of Camiguin. After arriving at CDO airport, we planned to go directly to Camiguin via Agora terminal and rode a bus for approximately 3 hours to Balingoan Wharf. From there, the wharf was only walking distance, so if you plan to visit Camiguin, ignore the tricycle drivers offering you a ride to the pier and start walking and appreciating the countryside.

The schedule of ferry is not really consistent so to pass our time for the ferry to depart, we took pictures and just relaxed in our seats. It could also be a time for you to mingle with fellow travelers and ask them to join you on the multicab (which cost 1500 pesos for a day tour) to cut the expenses. Which is what I did, since there was only me and my husband who occupies the 10-12 person capacity cab. But unfortunately, there was a few tourist and most have already booked their transportation.

When we arrived, we took a van for hire (P 50 pax) then rode a tricycle (P 10 pax) to the place we were suppose to stay. But we were brought to a different place with almost the same name, though we didn't know about this until we were able to contact the person who booked our room (there was no signal for sun network and we have to use the caretaker's mobile phone, because we haven't brought an extra sim for emergency).

But we opted to spend the night at Gamorot residence for a discounted price and we were the only occupants at that time. Then the following day we transferred at Gamorot Cottages. The nice thing about the first place was the shoreline. Even if it wasn't white sand, but you got to enjoy early morning walk at the beach. But the lather has cheaper rates and a much bigger place that can accommodate a whole family or barkada.

We opted to spend the day exploring the place and the community. We dined in the only foodshoppe in Barangay Yumbing that is budget friendly. We made a trip to the rice field and just simply refusing to take a ride with any transportation and enjoyed strolling.

After getting a glimpse of the sunset, which is really not the right angle at the place we've stayed, we retreated to our room and spent the night watching television. It was a long day for us, and we know tomorrow would be longer because its scheduled for our day tour in the Island.

We rise early to catch the sunrise. Wondered how it looks like when you are on top of Philippines' Highest mountain. I wasn't able to bring a hike sandals so I was left trailing the peak with my city sandals, it was slippery and have slipped a lot of times, got pinched by some thorny bushes on the way too. But everything was worth it. Another splendid scenery right in front of me. Clouds was below us, and the other mountains looks so small. We are indeed at the top of the highest mountain.

On our way back to camp, we stayed longer to pick some wild berries. Another delicious treat from the mountain. We prepared our meal, this time it was my turn to cook pasta for our breakfast. My first time to cook with fewer ingredients and I was reminded not to be choosy because I am not in the city. So there goes our breakfast together with other served meals and coffee. When the sun was high, and some of our clothes have dried, we packed and start hiking. This time, taking the Kapatagan Trail.

We passed the volcano's crater (actually Mt. Apo is a volcano). Then the boulders, with sulfur vents. It doesn't smell good. It's like sew water and the fume is very strong . Then my knees started to swell. I have been having problems with my knees before the climb, good thing I brought my knee pads to assist me. It was a descend so a lot of pressure was given on my knees. I thought I couldn't make it. But I can't be weak in this part of the climb, because everyone else was having a hard time dealing with all the boulders and a cry baby is not necessary. So I continued then after the boulders, I have to stop and transfer my knee pads on the other knee to minimize the pain. Then we started descending again on a slippery trail with dried leaves on the floor and mud. Most of the time, I slide through this trail just to minimize adding pressure on my knees. Then we crossed the river and entered Godi-Godi.

Another majestic forest. The temperature was cool and it was misty. Then we stopped to take our lunch at Godi-Godi Camp. I also got the chance to take my pain reliever to help my aching knees.

Unfortunately the place was dirty and trash were littered everywhere. The previous climbers failed to bring there trash with them. So we decided not to spend the night here and started hiking to reach the village before night.

I've trekked, slide, climbed over and climbed under big trees. Crossed rivers and got pricked by thorny bushes. Then the forest ended. Then a muddy trail started to appear. At first I thought that this is only for a few meters, but I was wrong. It was mud until the trail ends at the village. Lemme count the number of times I fall on my butt... hmmmmmmmmm I can't! I've fallen a dozen times already, my butt was starting to hurt. And I cursed the trail. I hate the mud but that made me forget my aching knees. Because all I was thinking about was to reach the village and get this mud done.

Then we met a horse and its tender and he told us that the village is near. I started to worry because I can't see any of my group, there was only three of us in the lead pack. 2 of our guides and me. I can't hear their footsteps and no lights from there headlamps (it was almost dark during this time) and I was afraid that they were lost. I have to admit, I didn't mind if someone was behind me during the trek, because I was too focus to finish the muddy trail.

We arrived in the village and we were offered water to clean ourselves. We washed ourselves and waited for the rest to arrive. For almost 2 hours of waiting, we saw signs of lights coming from the muddy trail. And we know that it is them. They've made it. after everyone has finished washing there selves, we started to cook for dinner. Another socials. No pressure anymore, the trail going back to the city is not that hard, and transportation is available at the foot of the mountain.

We arrived at Kidapawan at one o'clock in the afternoon. We had a briefing regarding our climb at the Tourism office of Kidapawan. We were reminded about the do's and don'ts in climbing and an overview of the chosen trail. We were advised to spend the rest of the day at Kidapawan instead of pushing for an emergency camp in the trail.

But our feet are itching to start the climb, so we did, and arrived at Lake agro at three o'clock in the afternoon, our jump off point . Fortunately, we met some kids who volunteered to act as our porters. And since, it was my plan to have the least load during the climb, we hired them to assist us, actually to carry my load. I was there to enjoy the climb and not to punish myself of my load.

We started trekking the Marble River, which includes passing over a fallen tree branch that connected the ends of the river. It was a heart thumbing experience since it was for more than 7 meters long. I wasn't sure if I can cross it without falling underneath the rocky river. But thank God I reached the end safely. So far that was the most challenging part of the trek, the rest seems very easy. Even crossing the river with strong currents didn't scare me.

Then we reach the most appropriate spot to spend the night, we set up our tents and started cooking our dinner. After our dinner rain started pouring so we decided to call it a night. I had a hard time sleeping with the water flowing on our side and my sleeping bag was getting wet. And the noise from the cascading river was making it more difficult to sleep.

So our first cold night to quest Mt. Apo ended.

I've heard a lot about Osmena Peak and seen a lot of beautiful pictures of the place. And from then on, I started wishing that someday I can experience the beauty of Osmena Peak first hand. For someone who wants it that bad, nothing is impossible. So I spearheaded an event to climb Opeak with the help of course from my mountaineering friends, Bagtaks and Chupacabra. It was also joined by our guest who made the event more fun.

We arrived at our jump off point at around six in the evening so it turned out to be a night trek. It was an hour trek from the jump off point to the camp site. And after arriving tents were pitched and we started cooking our dinner. Socials follow though there's no need to really introduce the participants since we only have a few new faces. Both groups have always been together in most of their climbs and so the night was spend giggling, sharing stories and some boze. Or maybe for myself, got to much of it.

It was cold and the fog has surrounded us most of the time, glad I was wearing two layers of clothes and a really effective warmer. So there I was, spared from the cold.

Morning came and slowly the fog started to disappear and the beauty of the mountains was slowly revealed. It was spectacular! Can't explain how happy I was seeing the valleys and the seas below. I could have sit there in the cliff all day and still I couldn't get enough of it. Feels like I'm in heaven... (or is that a song?) But really, it gave me peace of mind, not that I am troubled but deep in my soul I felt the peacefulness of the place. Its like, all the worries has been wiped off, changed with a more enlighten spirit.

I felt the goodness of our creator seeing the beauty of the place. Can't say more but to bow down to his greatness.. It's not an exaggeration, because it really is very beautiful.. I wish to be back there again, and I won't be promising that it will be my last. The scenery is addictive, you'd wish for more and that's what's happening with me... I'd like to go back and I will be going back...