How to go to Camiguin? (A hidden paradise)

Manila to Camiguin via Cagayan De Oro (CDO)
(PICTURES TO FOLLOW)

Manila – CDO – Camiguin

We boarded a plane at NAIA (T3) to Cagayan De Oro (Laguindingan Airport). Our flight last 1 hr 55 minutes.

From CDO, there will be a lot of shuttles waiting outside the airport going to Agora Market which is the drop point for people who are going to Balingoan Port.
rates per passenger: P199 (As of May 2014)

You can get a discount if you are in a group.

On our case, since we are five on our group. We managed to rent an L300 van which cost us Php600.

When we reach Agora Market, you will be welcomed by a lot of men who are asking if you are going to the Port of Balingoan or if youre going to the airport.
(if you already know what to do and you don’t need their assistance, you can just inform them directly. However some are really makulit)

Beware these some guys, because they will ask some charges.

Some of the guys, offered P200/pax from Agora Market to Balingoan Port. You need to reach the port before 5-6pm because they don’t cruise at night.

There will also be buses available from Agora Market to balingoan however it will take 3-4 hours by public transportation because of the stop-overs and such.

On our case, we rented a Starex for Php2000 which will bring us to Balingoan Port/

Since we are only 5 riding the vehicle, we can managed to sleep but if you’re a nature lover then you cna definitely enjoy the view.

We arrived at Balingoan at around 2:30

Good thing the ferry leaves at 3PM.
Ferry cost 200per person.
View from the ferry,

You can chose to seat inside, where the canteen is located but we choose to seat outside to enjoy the view.

Upon reaching Benoni Port…

 

I’ve reserved a room at Pabua Cottage that only cost 800/night for 2 person. They also offered transfers 450/way.

Contact Information for Pabua Cottage:
 http://www.pabuascottages.com/

pabuacottages@yahoo.com

Rochelle Pabua
09177023010
09202328573

When we arrived at Benoni, Kuya Chris (driver) from the cottage where we are staying was already waiting for us.
View from the multicab from Benoni to Yumbing, where we stayed for 4 nights.

Camiguin Day Tour

Pabua Cottages also offers day tour for their guest using the multicab which is already good for 8-10 person.
It will only cost you Php1,700 (rate as of May 2014), you can contact Kuya Chris +639069272420 to book your tour or just simply ask Ms. Rochelle of Pabua Cottages to avail. The day tour will be from 8am to 5pm.

Before we proceed on the first itinerary on our list, Kuya Chris told us to have photo ops here. You can see Mt. Hibok hibok and the very nice ocean view on the background. 

Ohhhh.. it's me! :D

Here's our itinerary for the day.

• Walkway
• Sunken Cemetery
• Old Church Ruins
• Sto. Niño Cold Spring
• Soda Spring, 
• Katibawasan Falls
• Ardent Hot Spring 

Photo's taken from Walkway.

From here you will be able to see Station of the cross. It is a total 3.0km for you to reach the top of the hill and going back.

 You will be ask to pay Php5.00 for the environmental fee.

Photo's of us trekking the old volcano and some pictures of the stations of the cross.

Me and my boyfriend. Tired but still can pose quite nice, Lol

We are almost halfway.

The very last station on top of the hill.

View from the top. Really amazing!!!

2nd stop: Sunken Cemetery.

Rate: Php10/person

However, if you wanted to go near the cross, you will be paying minimal charge for the boat ride.

On our case we just took a picture and didn't even bother to go near because we can already the beauty of it even from afar. And we still need time to visit a lot of places.

Picture, picture!!!

Me and boyfriend. Photo taken by the guy who's selling coconut juice.

They actually don't require payment but you can give them small amount

.

Another one! We love Sunken Cemetery pose.

Ohhhhhh!!

 Third Stop: Old Church Ruins

Here, you don't need to pay for anything however there will be a donation box displayed before entering. You can drop any amount in the box, you also need to log-in on a piece of paper for tourist registration. Maybe they need that to track how many tourist visiting per day.

My sister walks in the Old Church Ruins.

Old bell tower.

Group picture. The little girl who took the picture told us to pose here because it will looks like we are in a picture frame.

Part 2

How to go to Regina, Rica (Tanay, Rizal)?

How to go to Regina Rica from Cubao via Marcos Highway(Cubao, QC to Tanay Rizal)

1. From Cubao take a jeepney going to Cogeo, Gate 2.
2. Get off at Cogeo, Gate 2 Jolibee.
3. Walk northwards going to ACG Mall where you can find Sampaloc, Terminal.
4. Wait for few minutes until the jeepney gets full.
5. Upon arriving at Sampaloc proper, ride a tricycle and tell the driver you’ll get off at Regina Rica.

When you already reached the green gate, that means you are already there.

You need to walk 5 minutes away to the reception area where you need to logged in your name as the other people in your group. In the reception area, you can also buy souvenirs (T-shirts, handkerchiefs, bracelets, and etc.)

From there, you can already see the 300 stair steps to the sacred Regina Rica.

When you already reached 300 steps, you need to proceed to the briefing area.

Those who are first-timer’s you need to attend a quick briefing just for you to know the things that you should do upon entering the sacred Regina Rica. He/She (depending who’s in charge) will explain those necessary things you need to know.

*Picture-taking weren’t allowed inside the sacred Regina Rica

After venturing Regina Rica, you will be able to see a  certain place where you can light a candle. You can choose from the candles, depending on the color. Some are for success, love, hope, career etc.

Each candle cost Php20.00

Cubao to Cogeo Gate 2 – Php 24.00
Cogeo to Sampaloc Php 61.00
Tricycle from Sampaloc to Regina Rica Php 20.00/pax
One way fare = 105php/pax

My sister, me and my mom. :)

A Historical Trip to Corregidor (Pics to follow)

I am not into History or I may say that I'm not into reading History facts but since my boyfriend is, we have decided to visit Corregidor Island, one of the historical places near Manila, located at the entrance of Manila Bay. It will only take an hour for you to get to the island.

Sun Cruises Philippines offered Corregidor package tours.

You may visit their website http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/packages.html/ for their updated rates.

Each package will cost starting from Php2,250.00/person and the it depends on the activities that you wanted to be included on the package you chose.

We got our package from BORIS TRAVEL AND TOUR CO. We have chosen BORIS TRAVEL AND TOUR CO. since I have already communicated with them through email and they respond so fast. After that night of exchanging emails, we have paid through Banco De Oro for our day-tour package.

Day Tour Itinerary

Transfer In : 15-May-13 Check-In 15-May-13 7:00AM
Transfer Out : 15-May-13 Boarding Time 7:30AM

• ETD MANILA 8:00AM
• ETA Corregidor 9:15AM
• Guided Island Tour with Lunch
• End of Tour 15-May-13 2:30PM
• Depart Corregidor 2:30PM

ETA MANILA 3:45PM
This was  the package we chose.

(Rates as of May 2013)

DAY TOUR PACKAGE ( Mon-Fri )
DAY TOUR PACKAGE ( Mon-Fri )
Php 2,300.00 2,300.00 x 2 ADULTS
TOTAL Php 4,600.00

INCLUSIONS

 1) CCP-Corregidor-CCP Ferry Transfers

2) Shrine, Entrance and Terminal Fees

3) Guided Island Tour ( by Tranvia bus )

4) Buffet Lunch ( one time only )

5) Fuel Surcharge

OPTIONAL

 1) The Lights and Sound Show at Malinta Tunnel (Php200 per person)

2) The Rocket Zipline (Php150 per person)

3) Outdoor Activities (Sunset viewing, night lateral tour, sunrise viewing, hiking-

Outdoor Activities (Sunset viewing, night lateral tour, sunrise viewing, hiking-
Php250 per person per activity)

4) ATV (All-terrain-Vehicle) - Php500/hour

5) Kayak - Php500/hour

We didn't do other optional activities since we only have few hours to explore the island. We just did The Lights and Sound Show at Malinta Tunnel (Php200 per person).

(OPTIONAL)

Upon entering Malinta Tunnel, they dimmed the light for the show, so you won't be able to take good quality photos if you are not using DSLR, but it is not advisable to use camera's with flash because it may affect the show. You must try it, you will learn a lot about history and about what happen on this tunnel.