Cagayan De Oro Day 3

Despite threats of the gloomy weather, it was like fiesta upon reaching the Cogon market; drivers and bystanders were greeting us while offering transport services to different locations in CDO. We took a 10 min taxi ride from Metro Hotel to the Cogon Market so that we can catch the bus to Balingoan Port. Our local friend negotiated with the locals and we were led to a Starex service unit to Balingoan port for Php 1500.00 for 5 people. It seems pricey, but it was worth it since most of us were able to nap The impending rain drops was threatening our Camiguin island tour, but we carried on anyways. before our Camiguin Island tour and avoided bus stops. It was a good decision after passing by more than 5 bus stops and seeing other buses parked on the roadside. The driver knew the route and it was as if we were riding the train.

Upon reaching the port, we were too early for the "ro-ro" that will transport us across to Camiguin Island (Roll on/Roll off ferry boat that carries cars and passengers). Other passengers were also waiting for the incoming ferry. The terminal fee was Php20.00 and Php 170.00 for the ferry ride per head. We boarded Star Ferry Boat at about 11 in the morning. The boat was pretty in pink and the seats were comfy enough for our 2 hour ride across the Bohol Sea.  The sea and the breeze, we munched on some peanuts and local spanish bread back from Balingoan port.

Drivers and bystanders greeted us again at Benoni port, and we were really grateful for our local friend's presence. We were also mindful of choosing because the multicab drivers have their own system of queuing for passengers also. Camiguin is a small island, our local driver/guide agreed to tour us around the island for Php 1500.00. As a local resident, "manong" knows the way around the island and talked while he drove. Our first stop led was to Katibawasan Falls. The road to the falls was elevated and sometimes led to off road pathways; though seemingly undeveloped, we felt lucky. It was as if we discovered a treasure island that is uncommercialized and unexploited by the mass.

Before entering, we noticed small "karinderias" (local canteens) selling piles of golden brown Kiping for P20.00 each. It was made of sweet potato, crispy, and served with sweet coconut jam. It was so sweet that it invited a bypassing bee and pet chickens of the locals, the chickens scrambled with every droppings.

Besides the mossy walkway, the trees, vines and shrubs naturally framed the top view of the water falls. A winding staircase led down to a small pool. We took a quick deep after changing in a public shed, I shivered as I took careful steps across the rocky and sandy ground of the pool. I was careful with my steps since the area is mossy and avoided unwanted foot injury. There was a precaution line that warned tourists of the deepness of the area where the water falls. Mr. DQ was 6"2' and was not able to reach the ground with his toes and kept his dream of showering directly below the falls to wait. The falls led to a controlled river-like structure that was regulated by a boulder of rocks. We climbed all the way up the winding staircase again to reach the entrance area, each step was worth the pool below. Entrance fee was P5.00 per head. 

Manong drove us to Paras Beach Resort where our friend reserved a room for 6. Look, mountain view from our left, the pool and sea on the right. Poor Mr. DQ, who helped me carry my sportsbag earlier from the staircase of the falls. We checked in early and left our baggages in the room, some changed their wet shirts before proceeding to the rest of the tour. I did some quality check by jumping on the bed and squishing the pillows - I didn't want to leave.

We continued our tour, Manong took us to the Walkway to the Old Volcano that caused the 1871 eruption. It also included Stations of the Cross, which that leads to the top of the mountain. Manong told us that it was a long way up and we did not go far. Most tourists get a photo opp of the first station. Entrance fee was P5.00. Karinderia and souveneir shops are found infront of the site that sold refreshments, shirts and of course grotto souveneirs. On our way to the Holy Cross, we passed by the sunken cemetery. The cross floated amidst the sea and the only visible structure from the sunken cemetery, one can cross the sea from the shore via small boat while a local pulls the rope towards the cross for a fee, we were content to see it from afar. From our pictures, it is better to go see it in the morning when the sun does not shine against the viewing spot. Bystanders will offer to take your picture with the cross, we took our own pictures. According to manong, a tip of P20-50 will be sufficient.

Our fourth stop was the Guiob Old Church Ruins, towards the sea was a cliff. Amidst the ruins and the knee-high shrubs, there is one well-maintained loo station. For P2.00, the polite caretaker showed up after use and even gave us receipts. The walls of the church ruins ere evidently made from corals and rocks found from the sea. We even brainstormed if the cliff was submerged by the sea and corals grew after 1871 volcanic eruption nearby that submerged the place, or the place was indeed made from the corals.  It was about 20 min drive from the resort, the old bell tower was still recognizable, the new light house is visible from where the old convent was. Nearby was a more than a century-old tree, I wondered how many wars and sunken ships it had witnessed. On our way, we passed by Tres Marias - the 3 sister mountains found at the middle of 2 mountains.


Being the water-loving girl that I am, my insides were tingling with excitement on our way to the cold spring. Some ways are off road again, but I didn't mind as I was already daydreaming of going to the hot spring after the cold one. We reached Sto. Nino Cold Springs and quickly walked to the edge of the natural pool. Our friends jumped into the cold pool. Mr. DQ was not comfortable of swimming with the fishes and I was hesistant to jump into a deep pool as I could not tell due to the clarity of water. We stayed at the edge and discovered a natural fish spa by slowly deeping our legs into the pool. Obviously, we were the invaders of the natural spring. Fishes swam away when agitated so it was important to keep still. It was tickling but it was a treat after a day's walking around the island. I could not deep my feet to long in a cold pool, so I took breaks. There was even a small crab that emerged from a hole on the edge of the pool - good thing we did not sit on it! A local from the outside approached us and asked if we would like some refreshments and even rice meals. We decided to have an early dinner consisting of coconut juices, 1/4 kilo pork adobo and a bowl of rice. The coconut is a bit on the sour taste already; nevertheless, we still scraped the coconut meat out of the fruit. The rice was soft and sticky, adobo pork meat was a little tough but aromatic. For a price of Php 250.00, it was a quick fix for our hungry bellies.

  

There's nothing like a nature-inspired spa trip to cap off the day. As the sun set, we were travelling the off road to Ardent Hot Spring. It was dark when we reached the hot spring and I was careful of the slippery path towards the hot spring. There is a change area, some tables, sheds, and even villas for rent. It was packed, it was almost past their bed time but the kids area are still full of lively children. The adult area consisted of two areas, some people are cooped up from where the water came from. Not much difference to the other side where the water was deeper. I entered the wrong entrance to the pool - my toes couldn't reach the bottom of the pool and hanged on rock formations towards the 5-foot swim area haha, so much for my fear of murky waters. I hanged unto Mr. DQ and tried to reach the bottom, the water was a bit murky yet the calming for tired muscles. The water was naturally warm, not hot. We placed our belongings on the rock staircases infront of the pool and took turns in looking out. Couples, families and barkadas were enjoying the warm pool, some were picnicking in the designated area. We thought of eating onsite, but were concerned on our way back since the service was only for 12 hours. We decided to go back to the resort and eat later. 

On our way back, I couldn't see the sides of the road due to darkness but this was negligible to manong's experience. We tipped Php 100.00 for manong since we enjoyed the trip with him. We enjoyed night pool swimming under the moon light, the water was still as the night since other guests were not back yet. While waiting for our late dinner, I enjoyed chilling on the hammock, while Mr. DQ and friends went for the billiards and table tennis for free. We feasted on our dinner next to the sea. The bulalo soup warmed our spirits, lechon kawali again for the "young at heart", chopseuy was average, sweet and sour lapu-lapu was fresh. After washing up from our room, we ordered cocktails from the clubhouse. I had a screwdriver; refreshing and harmless, but I was tipsy on our way back to our room. Cable TV was available available at the clubhouse and the concierge area, where guests could also sit and chat away. We were beat from the day's touring around Camiguin, we finished our drinks in our air-conditioned room and dozed off under our warm comforters, dreaming of the next day's agenda - White Island.