So, the day has come when we met at Cebu-Mactan International Airport to take our domestic flight to Camiguin. That's the shortest travel, by 30minutes, we could get to the island since taking ferries would take a day to arrive there. We went straight ahead to our accommodation which didn't let us disappoint.
Paguia Cottages.
The accommodation is located at Mambajao where it was considered the central part of the Island. The venue was not actually beach front but with a 2minutes-walking distance and near the boat terminal going to the White Island. Paguia Cottages was just 7-minutes by boat in the island. Paguia have their own motorboat (Php400) which you can rent for the entire day stay at the White Island. They have a multicab that you can rent for Php1,500 for the whole day to tour around the island. If you know how to maneuver the motorcycle, you can rent it to Php300-500 a day.
The cottage is good if you are traveling by groups and it is very affordable, a reasonable price for your stay in Camiguin.
The downfall of the accommodation is that they only offer breakfast (corned beef, egg and rice---entirely) but there are resorts nearby where you can dine in or to go. There is a nearby resto and a pizza parlor (just two blocks away), a motorcycle away (habal-habal) to Northern Lights and Perry Pizza.
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Our itineraries.
We stayed 3 days and 2 nights in the island. The island is called "The Island of Fire" as it was composed of most of the active volcanoes in the country.
First Day. We spent our first day exploring the hot springs, waterfalls and the Sunken Cemetery. The warm mineral baths are raved by most tourists for their therapeutic and rejuvenating effects from the springs in the island. The falls are breathtaking and the water is so cold and enjoyable. We trekked the Old Volcano Stations of the Cross which we only finished up to the 6th station. We hurriedly went down to captivate the beauty of the Sunken cemetery. Beneath the sea rests the remains of what used to be the old cemetery of Camiguin. During the volcanic eruption of Mt. Vulcan that lasted from 1871 - 1875, some area in the town of bonbon subsided, sinking the cemetery of the town to below sea level. We also visited the Ruins of the Old Catarman Church that was destroyed and partly submerged by volcanic debris during the eruption, leaving the main church and the bell tower.
Second Day. We headed to the southern part of the island, exploring Mantigue Island and the Giant Clam sanctuary. It is more larger than the White Island and the beauty is captivating. It is a white sand beach off the island of Camiguin. Its a 10-15minutes motorboat away that will costs you Php400 and will wait for you for 4 hours - just enough for you to snorkel and explore the city. If you want to stay in the island for a longer period of time, additional Php200 is charged.
Lunch was spent at J&A Fishpen which gave us the time to chill and relax after the tiring snorkeling we had in Mantigue. Price was costly but reasonable if you by groups. Additional Php100 if you choose to dine in the cottages at their pen. Zipline and fishing are other amenities in the resto.
After our sumptuous lunch, we hopped on to the Giant Clam Sanctuary. The Siliman University Marine Biologists had taken care of this area. Camiguin have 7 out of 9 species of clams in the world which you can see them in the area.
Third Day. We opt to had the easiest itinerary on our last day. Since the White Island is just around our cottage, its the last but not the least in our list. We headed earlier in the island. Food is available in the area. There are kiosk in the island selling local viands and drinks. We stayed in this beautiful sandbar for 4 hours and headed back to our cottage as we want to explore more of the locals and the town proper.
Camiguin is a mystifying place with so much to offer. There are lots of tourists in the area where this is the source of living. But one thing for sure, Camiguin is a must visit island and for sure #ItsmorefuninthePhilippines .
P.S. Don't leave the island of Camiguin with their pastry " Pastel".
