The Island Born of Fire (Camiguin)

An experienced worth sharin. Finally got time to put it into writings. Hope was succesfull doin it.

First Day, March 25, 2013 around 10:00 a.m. we arrived at Benini Port after two hours of Ocean Jet ride from CdO. It was a fine weather then. Calm sea and cotton candy skies in bluest. The place was stranged to me good thing locals are friendly and accommodating. A friendly driver approached offering an island tour. Since it was still early we hired the driver and enjoyed the countryside trip of the province for only 1500. The driver suggested we better enjoy the tour first then look for a place to stay. Before we started the adventure we fed first our stomach with sumptious eat all you can seafoods for only 150php from local restaurant which is located in the middle of the rice field and Mt. Hibok Hibok as the background. The place was cozy a good place to enjoy the panoramic view of the Province.

Time to start the adventure. Kuya Gerry drove us to Katibawasan Falls located five kilometers southeast of Mambajao at the foot of Mt. Timpoong in the island of Camiguin. It measures about 250 feet which cascades to a rock pool surrounded by ground orchids, wild ferns, trees and boulders. Ice cold water provides an ideal summer splash to bathers and picnickers. The falls tumble down into a green pool, ideal for a refreshing swim. Giant ferns decorate the surrounding land, carpeting for space with huge trees and dropping vines. Rock picnic tables, seats and cookout facilities are available for use. Considered as one of the treasured gifts nature has bestowed Camiguin, the falls is maintained by the province and visitors are expected to pay 30php minimal entrance fee. (Source wikipinas). Outside locals are selling souvenirs where i bought my I love Camiguin shirt for only 150php.

After enjoying the breathtaking falls we headed to Ardent's hotspring, water is 40°C warm. It is heated by the volcanic activity of Mount Hibok-Hibok. There are several pools and a large recreation area. I didn't ever dare swimming. Place was enchanting it was enough to capture mystique moments. Stayed only for 30mins and continued our adventure.

 

Next stopped! The Old Church Ruins. Before i started exploring the place back of my mine saying, "Talaga lang ha, tourist spot to!?". Suddenly an 8 years old kid approached selling some local food and even offered to take me some pictures. The kid was jovial and tactful he instructed me where to posed. And captured wonderful piccas. The kid started talking about the history of the place. Old Church Ruins of Camiguin is one of the oldest and unique structures in the island. Old because it was built sometime in the 16th century. Unique because it is made from coral stones. It was later turned to ruins by the 1871 Vulcan eruption. While the kid is talking realized about what i said earlier, it's not about the view, but it's about the history of the place. It was a nice talked with Jerson but i need to waved goodbye to go to our next tour. Handed him 50php before leaving for taking those good piccas. And he even said "Balik balik Sir!" (Come back soon).

On our way to our next destination, Kuya Gerry stopped and instructed us to go down. Honestly was scared i was waiting for the words "Hold up to!" But i was wrong when he uttered to strike a pose. Started to look around, surprisingly the place was once again breathtaking. According to him that was the best spot to capture Mt. Hibok Hibok as background. I felt like was on the edge of the earth enjoyin the nature's gift. The ocean, trees and the mountain aaaaah sooo province!

After hugging with the fresh air at Mambajao Peak we then proceed to Sunken Cemetery where we also passed the Walkway. According to my history class The Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin Island marks the swept remains of the island’s rested locals. Driven underwater when Mt. Vulcan Daan erupted in 1870’s, the large cross has served the town's people, as well as the tourists, a scenic spot to memorialize the departeds buried there. What amazed me locals were so accomadating, they even offered to take some pictures and directed me what to do to capture a good moment. One of the locals also offered me to try the buko juice, without hesitation i took it and that was just refreshing.

Before we end the day went to our last destination. The Soda Cold Spring situated in the town of Catarman which is 30 minutes away from Mambajao, the main town of Camiguin. It is named such because according to folks, it used to taste like soda. All you need to do is to add sweeteners such as caramel and sugar to taste like Coke. The locals visit and swim in the pool to refresh themselves and not to drink the soda .

The day was about to end, time for us to look for a place to stay. Kuya suggested a place. He drove us to Pabua's Cottages which is few minutes away from the White Sand bar which we scheduled to visit the next day. For only 800php you will enjoy the soo province way to unwind. The place was so homey and the owner was so accomodating. The son of the owner (if im not mistaken) arranged everything for our early visit to White Sand the next day. That was a long countryside tour and time to freshen up and take some rest for summer paradise. PS: strongly recommend the place if you're plannig for your Camiguin trip.

Early rise! Second day! Woke up 5:00 am to prepare. Might wondering why so early? Local suggested best time to go there is early in the morning like 6:00 - 9:00am where the sun perfectly shines, not scourging hot and the place is not crowded yet. Rented a boat for only 400php to crossed us to the White Sandbar which is 7 minutes away from Pabua's cottage. Spending the morning in a beautiful island surely is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Summer paradise. The White Island is a small solitary sand bar located off shore from Agoho, the northern side of Camiguin.This is best place to watch both the sunrise and sunset. The beach is a great place to take jump shots and take pictures of the rising or the setting sun because nothing is blocking its view.

Summer paradise. The White Island is a small solitary sand bar located off shore from Agoho, the northern side of Camiguin.This is best place to watch both the sunrise and sunset. The beach is a great place to take jump shots and take pictures of the rising or the setting sun because nothing is blocking its view.

The time spent in Camiguin was definitely worth it. The island offers you something different compared to the other islands as it offers you picture-perfect views of volcanoes, beaches, waterfalls and many more in just one island. But what makes Camiguin truly special are its people as they are genuinely friendly and free-spirited. We barely had enough of Camiguin when it was time to leave but the summer island paradise has become permanently etched in our memories. Its gentle waves seemed to beckon us to come back soon.

The Underwater World

April 14, 2013, just a typical day. It was a dreary rest day then, the adventurous side of me screaming from the inside. Well I consulted my best friend Google to turn my day to a stirring one. And found this Aquanaut thing! So I grabbed my keys and started the engine, trallla and let the adventure begin. BEHOLD! This is my most favorite escapade ever!

Aquanaut? What on earth is that? I hear you ask.Well, Aquanaut derives from the Latin word aqua ("water") plus the Greek nautes ("sailor”). It's an undersea explorer, esp. one who skin-dives from or lives for an extended period of time in a submerged dwelling. Underwater sea walking in Mactan island is one of the many adventures relish by foreign tourists in the sultry nirvana. One can feel being on a different kingdom as one will play with school of fish in different sizes and glowing insignia's and gardens of corals .

Was actually flabbergasted how underwater walk was available for locals in the city with affordable price in Mactan. Well, lemme share my experienced. I need to ride small boat to cross me to the activity site. Safety check, wear life jacket! When you’re on the site the diver will escort you and discuss the do's and don'ts, utmost attention needed since it's really important to learn the hand gestures that you'll be using under the water. And then the helmet, the helmet weighed about 32kgs but it feels like 2kgs when submerged underwater. After the orientation, and some additional briefing and groundwork of helmet together with the air pressure line attached in the helmet, it's time to plunge. i'm not really good in swimming but i do have enough pluck to do this just for fun and experience.

Mixed of eagerness and angst since I’m with no one tryin the inscrutable world down there (what’s new? :D). Well no one can halt a curious man. The moment I touched the ground, oh, it was like a different world. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. the stillness enthralls me while the schools of fish slowly approaching like soldiers welcoming their boss to the kingdom. So this is life! We walked a few steps going to the reef. The professional swimmer provided me food like hard dough. The fishes then went straight to the dough that I was holding. I can fancy if they were piranhas my flesh would all be a good meal for them LOL. While fishes slowly approaching I’m trying to touch them and feel but really they are quick! 20 minutes was over but that seems to be the longest 20 minutes of my life. 

Wish we had more time and before long we had to climb up the ladder back to the platform. But still find myself enjoying the time reef walking on the sea bed and exploring the marine life. Walking alone didn’t feel lonely at all. It’s a totally different experience and worth the money! By the end of the day underwater walk achieved! 

PS:

To experience this will cost about P1,200 per person. If you want photos underwater just add P350 per CD, they are currently having a promo of P999 each.

-currently working with my next blog. Up a mountain there's fun. Till next then. :D

Tips on Falling Out of Love

Falling out of love with someone is not as spontaneous as falling in love. Most likely, you never tried to fall in love; it just happened. However, when you know that the relationship is out of reach or you've just had your heart broken, you realize that falling out of love is necessary for your sanity. There is no cure, but there are things you can do to ease your pain and help your heart heal.

Getting Rid of Reminders

1. Discard or pack away any and all reminders of him and your relationship with him--this includes cards, letters, stuffed animals, pictures, text messages, voicemail messages, emails and any other sentimental items that take your thoughts straight to him. Tangible items need to be packed away, out of reach. If you can't throw them away, put them in a box in the attic, garage or somewhere else where you won't see them or be able to get to them easily.
2. 
   

Cutting off Communication

3. Avoid any and all communication with her, if possible. In situations where you must speak, such as if you work together and must conduct business, keep it to the matter at hand and don't allow yourself to break down. Don't call her or answer her calls. Delete her texts immediately. Avoid places where you know she tends to go. Even though it may be hard, take a break from mutual friends.
4. 
   

Self-Reflection

5. Lean on your friends and family, but also allow yourself some alone time to grieve; falling out of love is a loss. Confide in one or two of your closest friends who will just listen, as talking it out will usually help you reflect realistically on the relationship.
   
   Take advantage of some positive time to yourself. When you're first trying to get over someone, which is typically the most hurtful time, it's OK to be angry. Write in a journal or even write letters to him, detailing how hurt you are and how you feel about him, then tear the letters up.
   
   Focus on the relationship and be honest with yourself. Admit any mistakes you made, and make a positive mental note of how to improve yourself for you, not for him. For example, if you ignored him frequently, remind yourself with positive affirmations that "I am a good listener" to improve yourself for future relationships. Acknowledge the hurt he's caused you and the things he did wrong in the relationship. Don't put him on a pedestal. Concentrate on the five best qualities about yourself. Write them down and put them in places you see every day, such as on the bathroom mirror. Read them out loud to yourself several times a day.
6. 
   

It's All About You

7. Pamper yourself. Curl up with a good book or go see a comedy with a couple of friends. Take a mini-vacation or spend a day at the spa or gym. Do something for yourself that you enjoy but have neglected. It's okay to casually date, but take it slow and avoid rushing into a "rebound" relationship. You need to heal yourself and love yourself completely before you can offer love to someone else. Think of it like this: if you aren't completely healed, you won't be able to offer the complete and wonderful package that is you to someone else.
8. 
   

Time

9. Above anything else you can do, realize that it will take time to completely fall out of love and heal your broken heart. Keep in mind that, in a sense, you may never fall completely out of love, meaning that a small part of you may always care for her. That's fine, as long as you move on. Don't dwell on her. Keep yourself busy, especially over the first few weeks, since that's when it's usually the hardest.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/way_5455774_tips-falling-out-love.html

Trouncing True Stance...

Cold and placid night without any reasons, I caught myself thinking bout you. It’s started with a shaggy dog story and I think jokes were really half meant. No matter how I rebuff this emotion this is no longer typical. I tried to distance myself from you, but seem there’s this lure that entices me back to you from this denial.

You used to be the normal being I get along with everyday, but not until I saw you  with your intense stare at me for several times. I ignored those days. I don’t know what those gape imply. For whatsoever reason I’m starting akin to it and it’s even better when we both cross our eyes. Seems there are muted words that we wanted to speak.

This is what I hate about myself; I’m such a master of pretention trouncing true stance. Been used to it, this is what the trepidation of being impaired can bring. I prefer to admire you in silence for I fear rejection! I know you’re contented with someone. The only things I have are those strange and baffling stares…

1st Day of the Year @ Crimson Resort and Spa...

This is yet another most popular New Year's celebration, celebrating it at the resort. We rang in the first day of the year with few friends at Crimson Resort and Spa. I think we deserve the break before reality knocks back.

The room, food and recreations, everything was good. Thanks to a friend (Scarlet Ybanez) for the birtday treat!

It’s always wonderful to celebrate special days with people we care about. (Although, of course, we are missing the other part of our family!

Anyway, I hope that you have had a great start to your 2011 too! And, may the rest of the year bring you plenty of things to remember and to celebrate!

Thank You 2010!

It's all about blessings and happiness, that define my 2010. Ended the year and welcomed 2011 with smiles and much love. Missed a lot of people and met new ones who taught me more about life.

To my family for letting me feel what true love is all about, THANK YOU! 

  

To my real friends can’t find right words to encapsulate it as one, thanks for tolerating me from being mischievous, fickle and bipolar sometimes, THANK YOU!

To my officemates (the criminals) thanks for all the talks just to escape from boredom during work hours and of course for the never ending sex topics I’ll try some of your advices soon lmao, THANK YOU!  

And to you my Lord, thank you for everything. Tis blessings may sound small for some, but it’s enough for me to say I’m living in such a wonderful world…

22 @ 2011 :)

Bohol Fever!

 

First Day, December 23, 2010 around 9:00 a.m. we arrived at Tagbilaran Port after two hours ferry ride from Cebu. It was a fine weather then. The sea is calm and the sky in its bluest. The driver fetched us and drove us to East Cost Inn. 

After a short rest, we had our whole day country side trip. We saw so much. We passed by Blood Compact Site where the “Sandugo” took place in 1565; a blood compact between Miguel Lopez de Legazpi of Spain and Rajah Sikatuna of Bohol. We stopped at Baclayon church. Its walls were made from coral and eggs! Amazing it's still standing from the 16th century. The Chocolate Hills the best stop! They are called chocolates because it goes chocolate coloured during summer. There are over 1000 of them and we had to climb more than a hundred steps to get an amazing view of them all. We also stopped at the Tarsier park. Here we saw the smallest primates in the world. We also got the chance to take some pictures with the snake.

 

We also experienced the so called dreadful hanging bridge at Loboc, a lot of natives sell souvenirs. Our last stop was at Bohol Python we got the chance to see the largest python I think in the Philippines named Prony. Headed back to the inn and took our rest. The first day was fun, it was good day out ;) 

Early rise! On our 2nd and last day we headed for Hinagdanan cave, a famous underground cave in Bohol After the side trip went to Bohol Beach Club. The place was a paradise like. Crystal clear blue water, white sands, cooperative sunshine and delicious delicacies a best place to chill! Let the pictures do the talking if how good to stay in the place. 

  

And the clock strikes at 3:00 p.m. then it was time to say goodbye and leave. Bohol is always alive with such a wonderful people and with their native music. The best place to experience the festive spirit of Pinoy. This is not my first time at Bohol and I admit I fall in love with the place on the second time around. It’s just like when you ask for more the place will give you more than what you expect!