Camiguin
A huge cross marks the location of an old cemetery sunk by a volcanic eruption in Camiguin Island in 1871
“May 13, 1871, 6:00 p.m. Cotta Bato, the capital of Camiguin Island, was a quiet and attractive town, verdant in its natural wonders. Its peaceful shores provided strolling grounds for its inhabitants as they basked under the gracious moonlight. Suddenly…. tranquility came to a halt as a subterranean rumbling sowed indescribable terror. Hundreds of houses and the churches crumbled into pieces, the land rolled and broke into deep crevices, a horrifying earthquake served only as a prelude to the destructive climax: a cataclysm never witnessed before. Mt. Vulcan gave out its fiercest and most violent outbreak. At 6:20 p.m. Cotta Bato was but a dreadful pile of ruins. The single volcanic eruption buried a beautiful town into obscurity… (excerpt from an epitaph near a church ruin in Camiguin)”.
The white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of Camiguin
The Katibawasan Falls
That was more than a century ago. Today, Camiguin Island in the Philippines is back in its old glory as a tropical island paradise. The volcanoes still stood like sentinels silently watching over the island, the tropical rainforests have covered most traces of the historic eruption, thick moss have greened whatever was left of the Hispanic era churches along the slopes, elegant colonial era ancestral homes dot the coastal areas near pristine beaches, the remains of an ancient cemetery lay underwater marked by a modern white cross. The friendly locals share peaceful neighborhoods with a handful of expatriates who decided to make Camiguin their home. Tourists are aplenty but the island has retained its rustic ambiance and the slow and leisurely pace of provincial life.
After two long weeks of difficult work in Papua New Guinea in August, I thought that a long weekend in Camiguin was in order and driving to the island from Davao City would add to the adventure.
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The Getaway
It was a long 8-hour drive from Davao City through the mountainous province of Bukidnon, then through Cagayan de Oro, and finally to the small town of Balingoan where ferry boats service the island. We did not catch the last ferry to the island so we spent the night at a seaside resort. This marvelous view of the island was what greeted us the next day.
The ferry to the island took both cars and people. Once our car was properly parked inside the main hull, the upper decks provided a perfect view of the surrounding islands.
The day was sunny though partly cloudy. As we got closer, the mountainous island seemed to rise up from the blue horizon as it was being greeted by the morning sun.
Once on the island, we checked in at a resort called Secret Cove then immediately started exploring the island, hopping from one tourist spot to another.
The White Island, a sandbar that slowly vanished as the tide rose, was a personal favorite.
We hired an outrigger to get to the sandbar early in the morning. Obviously, we were not the only ones with that plan. Several groups came to sunbath, snorkel or swim in crystal clear water. White Island gave a perfect panoramic view of Camiguin.
Once back at the main island, we explored the sleepy coastal towns.
Ancestral homes dating back to American and Spanish colonial era are a common sight in Camiguin’s 5 small towns. This one dates back to 1924.
Fishing boats are also a common sight along the coastal roads.
A fisherman’s hut always has the most scenic view.
A small church now stood amidst the grounds of an old Spanish church in Catarman. The church and the Spanish settlement were destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vulcan in 1871.
The Catholic faith, a legacy of the Spanish era, is still very strong. Visitors to the church ruins make sure they light candles in the small church before they leave.
Just 5 kilometers further inland in the town of Mambajao is the Katibawasan Falls falling 250 down to a pool of cold water, perfect for a swim especially on hot summer days.
The sunken cemetery is a good place to catch the sunset and hunt some souvenirs.
Boating in these small “bancas” (outrigger canoes) can always be arranged
Being a fish lover on an island, I searched for the best place to get the best fish and I found it here around a lagoon near the Benoni port where our ferry docked. We had a huge lunch of sea foods on huts built over fish pens where seawater fish, including mature tuna and trevally, swam beneath our feet as we dined.
We barely had enough of Camiguin when it was time to leave but the island paradise has become permanently etched in our memories. Its gentle waves seemed to beckon us to come back soon.
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wow – looks like a beautiful place.
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It is. Thanks for the visit, Emilio.
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Lovely shots of a beautiful place…..subscribed 🙂
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Thanks. Much appreciated. 🙂 Your blog looks great too!
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What an amazing place…beautiful pictures!
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Thanks a lot.
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Been curious about The Philippines for the past few years, since seeing an episode of No Reservations in which Anthony Bourdain visited there. This post makes me even more curious; gotta get out there sooner rather than later. Beautiful photos. As usual, thanks for sharing.
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Hmm, gotta find that episode. Thanks. Would love to hear from you once you’ve been to the Philippine islands.
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Incredible. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience
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Thanks, scrapydo.
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Thank you for taking the time to write this up.
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And thanks for taking the time to read my notes. 🙂
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Beautiful photos wonderful commentary.
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Thanks, Bonnie.
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Woah! Nice weather out there! It’s been RAINIING these past few weeks and I haven’t had a chance to shoot some nice landscapes. Kudos!
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Thanks. Though a bit difficult, taking photos under the rain can be exciting as well. 🙂 Regards.
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You’ve shared so many gorgeous photographs here, Jessie! The landscapes are quite stunning, but so is the photo of the woman lighting the candles.
I wish we’d had more time in the Philippines; there are so many special islands to explore…
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Thanks, Tricia. I’m sure you’ll get a chance to visit the Philippine islands again. Regards.
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Gorgeous photos! Enjoyed!
God Bless you!
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Wow! I’ve had a few friends rave about the Philippines (mainly Montego Bay) but this looks like something to really go see. That cross must be so impressive in person.
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Thanks, Lady D!
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Remarkable location.
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Thanks for visiting, Simon.
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What an amazing place to experience and to photograph, so beautiful and it looks so relaxing.
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Thanks.
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Awesome shots, especially the sunset.
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Thank you.
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Stunning Photo’s. Thank you for sharing all the interesting information and lovely photo’s.
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Thanks, Coreen,
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Just gorgeous!
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Thanks, Gina.
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awesome place…..must see it someday! Thanks.
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You should. Thanks for the visit. 🙂
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love your shots 🙂
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Many thanks, Shiela.
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Pingback: The Ancestral Houses of Camiguin « A Traveller's Tale
Fantastic captures! Go here I must!
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beautiful place…and beautiful pictures!
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Gorgeous photos! I’ve been to Camiguin 3 times already and I can say, this island has it all for people who like to swim or take a dip. Cold springs, hot springs, waterfalls, white sand beaches… You name ’em, Camiguin has them! Do check out my photos of Camiguin on my blog.
https://rodifiedopinion.wordpress.com/
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Thanks for visiting my blog. Be in touch. Browse through the category sections,
I feel you may find something of your interest.
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Beautiful pictures
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Well done photo-essay. Beautiful shots. Would love just a day or two there away from Ontario’s winter right now. 😀
Thanks for visiting my blog. It is much appreciated.
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At least 32 degrees centigrade in the area these days — yes, a good getaway from the Ontario winter. Thanks for returning the visit and leaving a comment.
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Wow does not do it justice!
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Hello, Rasha. Thanks for your very kind comment. Truly appreciate it. 🙂
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Hello! I was actually browsing for some travel blogs since I need some tips and ideas on how to write my first blog. So anyway to cut the story short, I found myself reading some of your blogs and they are really inspiring and the places you’ve been are amazing! Try visiting Tinuy-an Falls still located in Mindanao same as Camiguin, if I’m not mistaken. Kudos again!!!
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Hi there. Thanks for letting me know that you were here and I appreciate the kind comment. Yes, Tinuy-an falls is in my bucket list for the Philippines. Thanks for the tip and goodluck with your blogging!
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wow! love your shots! You did a great in choosing Camiguin as your subject. The place was beyond beautiful!
BTW, you should also try Enchanted River when you visit Tinuy-an falls. Happy travel!!!
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Thanks! Got a camera itch wherever I go and Camiguin did not give me any excuse. Regards.
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Wow… what a place 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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I would love to visit this place soon! Nice pictures!
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I love all the photos and I just love blogs on the Philippines! I hope I get to visit all the beautiful places someday!
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🙂 Yes, lots of beautiful places to visit in the Philippines. My bucket list is still half full!
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Oh I haven’t even touched anything in my bucket list for the Philippines. I feel that I have a long way to go to see all the beautiful places over there!
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great photos! i’ve been here once, i want to go back. Anyway, would you happen to know the number of ancestral houses in Camiguin?
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Hi, Rafael. The ancestral houses I know in Camiguin are only those that we saw while we were driving around the island. I’m sure there are more, probably more picturesque ones. Thanks for visiting.
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Great photos! i’ve been here once, i want to go back! Anyway, would you happen to know the number of ancestral houses in Camiguin sir?
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