This year, I was finally able to visit Camiguin Island. I have long been putting off traveling to this sleepy island, since riding a barge or a fast craft is never my idea of fun. I always get sea sick each time I travel by boat, especially when the weather is none too placid. This time however, I was talked into going by my brother and his girlfriend, who is also my good friend. Since they work for the same bank, two office mates will be joining them, bringing along their kids. I did not have any plans on May 1 anyway, which was a national holiday, so I acquiesced, albeit a bit reluctantly. After shopping for a new tankini and charging the cam, I packed my things and woke up the following morning ready to explore Camiguin.
After boarding the airconditoned bus from Cagayan de Oro to Balingoan port, we finally boarded the barge at around 9:45 am. The ride was unenventful, I was sea sick and dizzy of course, trying hard not to puke all over the place. Luckily, I was able to hold off the contents of my breakfast, and finally arrived on the island at past 12 noon, famished for lunch.
We stayed at the family ancestral home of Ate Candy, one of my brother’s bank mates. The place was beautiful, with wide gardens complete with a hammock and a balcony with comfy reclining chairs. Ate Candy’s ancestors also started the Turrones de Mani business, famous not only in the island but all over Mindanao as well. The property also housed the Turrones factory, which was located at the back of the expansive property.
The lunch waiting for us at the house was yummy, and I especially enjoyed the pako salad greens, topped with sliced hard boiled eggs, the calamansi-ridden beef steak, and the fish fried to crisp perfection. Dessert was the crispy and sweet Turrones. After resting a bit after lunch, the first stop for the trip was the divine Katibawasan Falls. The place was beautiful: a 250 m water fall cascaded into a cold pool of clear waters. I could not resist stripping down to my suit and swimming in the clear waters! Everyone did the same, and we enjoyed taking photos of the place as well, and feasting on Pringles, chicharon, fish crackers, and sandwiches.
After enjoying Katibawasan, the gang proceeded to have dinner at Bahay Bakasyunan sa Camiguin, a beach-front resort lined with beautiful cabanas. I was already freezing after swimming in the oh-sooo-cold water falls, that I could not just let pass swimming in the warm pool at BBC. So before our dinner of chicken tinola, eggplant salad, lechon kawali, and stewed vegetables were served, we indulged ourselves in the sun-warmed swimming pool and forgot about all the cares in the world. 
The next day, we headed to Paras Beach Resort for breakfast, and to board the ferry boat which will take us to White Island, an uninhabited sandbar which offers a fabulous view of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and its surrounding foliage. I took pictures all over the place, in between swimming and walking on the fine pebbled sands to take in the beautiful views.
We resumed our tour of the island after swimming and lounging at the white sandbar. After shopping for souvenirs at the Walkway, a popular place during the Holy Week, we visited the huge cross at the Sunken Cemetery. Then we headed to the Guiob Church ruins, which was just magnificent and awe-inspiring, especially as the area afforded us a view of the Camiguin sea. We had lunch of country style steaks, grilled fish, and fragrant rice at Sto. Nino Cold Springs, which was cold by any standard, waayy cooolder than the freezing Katibawasan Falls. It was just perfect for the summer nonetheless, and we enjoyed the springs immensely.
Our last stop was the Hibok-Hibok Ardent Hot Springs. The springs were an unspoiled, natural hot tub, a perfect conclusion to a day filled with swimming, feasting, and happy carousing. I rested my back on a mini water fall at the hot springs, letting the cascading water massage my tired shoulders and back. I almost did not want to leave! Dinner was at Luna restaurant, where they served us fresh salad greens with olives and tuna, and authentic Italian pizzas, brick oven grilled to gooey mozzarella perfection.
At early dawn the following day we left the island, groggy and sleepy, yet wanting to stay for one day more. Just one day more.
Perhaps next summer. 
