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my sister and I at the White Island in Camiguin

This post is another “way-overdue-cuz-I’ve-been-so-effin-busy” type of thing and I feel sooo bad for not having the time to update my blog. But it’s better late than never right? I’m feeling the summer heat already and it’s time to be reminded of how much fun you can do under the sun. Last year, I spent some quality time with my dear sister who’s from the UK. Whenever she goes home, she’s always dying to go beachbummin’ because apparently, bright sunny days in the UK are quite rare. We went down South and explored the beautiful island of Camiguin. Did you know that this place was actually formed through volcanic eruptions? So yes, there are a number of dormant volcanoes in this island. Aside from the wonderful white beach, I will never forget the tourist sites we visited such as the sunken cemetery, the ruins of Gui-ob church, soda pool and cold spring, Katibawasan falls, and the clam shell sanctuary. We also had a chance to go snorkeling at the Mantigue island’s fish sanctuary (heaven for my sister!). Camiguin is a perfect combination of R&R with educational tours that will surely excite history nerds like me and my sister. Kudos to my reliable travel agent who recommended our resort (thanks Michelle!). We stayed at the “Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin”. Here’s my review.

FACILITIES/ROOM: Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (quite a handful to say though) may sound “so typical”, but when we got there, it’s way beyond just typical… and their website did it justice. Hehe. We stayed at a deluxe cottage of cluster A which is right next to the spa, the pool and very near the restaurant. Deluxe cottages are designed to look like nipa huts with a modern twist. What I love about their cottages is that it gives you that rustic feel without compromising comfort and style. Our aircon cottage has two (2) double beds, a small living area, cable tv, a spacious bathroom, your very own lanai and an overall double-height ceiling that gives you that spacious feel. It can accommodate up to 4 persons.

 

 

 

 

 

Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin cottages

 RESTAURANT: Resorts in Camiguin are so far apart from each other so hopping from one resto to another (Boracay style) is quite rare. But that’s ok! Bahay Bakasyunan boasts of a beautifully designed restaurant by the beach. And yes, dining under a tree amidst the solitude and awe-inspiring sunset is possible. Their menu has both Filipino and international dishes that cater to your cravings, and best of all, they’re not that expensive. Breakfast is served buffet style and even though the choices are limited, it’s good enough to keep your morning mood happy. There’s also free Wi-Fi access.

BEACHFRONT: Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin (as with all other resorts) is by the beach BUT there is no sandy shoreline to walk on. Visitors travel to White Island and Mantigue Island to enjoy a perpetual stretch of white sand bars. See the “must-try” activities below!

HOW TO GET THERE: Oh my, we will never forget how difficult it was to get there! My sister and I didn’t realize that it could actually take almost half a day to travel to Camiguin. First you take the plane (Cebu Pacific) bound for Cagayan de Oro. When we got in Cagayan de Oro, their official airconditioned van fetched us. We travelled for almost 2 hours going to Balingoan port. At the port, we took a Ro-Ro heading to Benoni port for almost an hour. At the Benoni port, another airconditioned van fetched us going to Bahay Bakasyunan resort and it took 20 minutes. When we got there, we were so effin’ tired! Haha. But it’s ok because the trip was all worth it.

PRICE: Our whole package for 2 pax with airfare, 4D/3N accommodation and 2-day eco-adventure tour is at Php 45,176.00. Here are the inclusions.

* Room Accommodations / 1 Deluxe room nearest to the pool, Spa, Jacuzzi and Restaurant
* Daily Breakfast set
* RTT/CDO Airport – Balingoan Port – CDO Airport
* RT Ferry Ticket / Balingoan Port – Benoni Port – Balingoan Port
* RTT/ Benoni Port – Resort – Benoni Port (aircon van)
* 2 Day Eco-Adventure tour (aircon van)
* Pump boat hire to White Island and Mantigue Island
* Entrance fees
* Shed Rental
* Complimentary Mineral water for the tour
* Complimentary Massage at the Spa
* Welcome Drinks

HAPPINESS FACTOR: Nice cottage. Great tour itinerary and good food. It was so much fun. If only Camiguin wasn’t so difficult to reach. Maybe it makes it more special because the more effort you put in, the more chances you’ll be surprised. A must-see for all you beach and adventure lovers!

MUST-TRY: Here is the list of activities we did. It’s highly recommended to book a tour because it’s so much easier to have your own driver who will take you around. Besides, there’s not much to do in the resort alone so you really need to go out and visit the sites. We enjoyed our trip with our driver slash tour guide because he was very helpful, accommodating and polite.

Day 1 (ARRIVAL)
* Pick up guest at CDO airport and proceed to Balingoan Port via aircon van (travel time: 2 hours)
* Take Ferry (ro-ro) ride from Balingoan Port – Benoni Port (travel time : 1 hour)
* Pick up guest at Benoni Port & Proceed to Resort (travel time: 20 minutes)
* Check in
* Lunch at Oceanside Bar & Grill Restaurant (pax account)
Day 2 (FIRST HALF OF ECO-ADVENTURE TOUR)
06:00 am Wake-up call
06:30 Breakfast @ Oceanside Bar & Grill Restaurant (inclusive in the package)
07:00 Ready for white island trip
07:15 Depart Bahay-Bakasyunan and proceed to Agohay (entry point to White Island)
07:30 ETA/Agohay (take motorized pump boat to white island)
07:45 ETA/Arrival to White Island (Swimming, Snorkeling, Sun Bathing and Picture taking)
11:00 Depart White Island and Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin
11:30 Lunch at Oceanside Bar and Grill Restaurant (pax account)
01:00 Get ready and proceed to the following
* Katibawasan falls (Swimming, picture taking)
* Old Vulcan / Walkway / Station of the Cross (Trekking and picture taking)
* Old church ruins / Gui-ob church (Sight seeing and picture taking)
* Ardent Hot Spring (swimming)

Day 3 (SECOND HALF OF ECO-ADVENTURE TOUR)
06:00 am Wake-up call
06:30 Breakfast @ Oceanside Bar & Grill Restaurant (inclusive in the package)
07:00 Ready for Mantigue Island trip
07:15 Depart Bahay-Bakasyunan and proceed to San Roque (entry point to
Mantigue Island)
07:30 ETA/San Roque (take motorized pump boat to white island)
07:45 ETA/Arrival to Mantigue Island (Swimming, Snorkeling, Sun Bating and
Picture taking)
11:00 Depart White Island and proceed to J&A fishpen for lunch (pax account)
01:00 Depart J&A and proceed to
Clam Shell Sanctuary
* Sto. Niño Cold spring (swimming)
* Soda Water swimming pool (Swimming)
* Sunken Cemetery / Cross marker (Swimming, picture taking)
04:00 Back to the resort
Leisure Time
07:00 Dinner at Ocenside bar & Grill Restaurant(pax account)
08:00 Massage at Mini day Spa for two SPECIAL PROMO

Day 4 (SECOND HALF OF ECO-ADVENTURE TOUR)
* Breakfast at Oceanside Bar & Grill Restaurant (inclusive of the package)
* Ready for Check out after lunch
* Depart Resort and proceed to Benoni Port
* Take Ferry to Balingoan Port
* Arrival Balingoan
* Pick up guest via aircon van and proceed to CDO Airport

NOTE: We were not too tied down with this schedule because my sister and I were the only ones in the assigned van. We had the freedom to go as we pleased and we adjusted our schedule to our liking. If you’re going with another group in your tour, chances are you’ll have to move along with everyone. So do arrange for a private tour with your concierge!

at Mantigue Island with our driver slash tour guide!

 

 

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