Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Amazing Race: Cagayan de Oro & Camiguin (Day Tour)


It’s been a week now since we arrived from a sought-after pre-Summer and post-Christmas tropical treat in Cagayan de Oro City, en route to our main destination: the Island Paradise of Camiguin. Although our itinerary is relatively short (Two Days/ Two Nights), it was nevertheless a worthy and amazing trip especially for a first timer. And I couldn’t thank you my batchmate, Kae, for this who knows-once-in-a-life-time excursion to celebrate her birthday day. Alfred (another batchmate) was also with us. In a nutshell, I should say that this particular trip is like an amazing race of some sort as we were literally running after our time since we checked in at the airport.
ACCOMMODATION
Since we are on our backpack, we walked our way to search for the cheapest accommodation rates around Limketkai complex. And lucky for us, we were able to find a newly build and mind you, very affordable but cozy inn called Traveler’s Pod. It is within a Limketkai Gateway Tower (Ground Floor) right beside the Limketkai Mall. The complete address is below:
Traveler’s Pod 
   Gateway Tower 1, Limketkai Drive corner C.M. Recto Avenue, Limketkai Center
   Phone: (+6388) 851-8988
   Mobile: (+63917) 717-6910
As we are on a day tour, we booked for two nights for only 300++/pax per night AC Room (with CR & Cable TV). I high suggest this accommodation, even for families. The rooms are relatively safe as it is inside a building, while the ambiance is very conducive for resting since they also offer spa services. You can just imagine the interior setup and the soothing music all day in its hallways. Not to mention the very polite staff.
WHERE TO GO
Camiguin Island Paradise
CDO Weekend Market
CDO White Water Rafting
We were not able to avail due to limited time. Our purpose really is to conquer Camiguin, so decided to set aside the rafting activity next time. (I was eventually able to try white rafting in Davao. Our story in my upcoming posts)
ITINERARY
Day 1
4:00 PM         PM ETD- NAIA 3 (Cebu Pacific)
5:30 PM         PM ETA- Cagayan de Oro Airport
5:30 PM         Take a van to city proper (15 minutes)
7:00 PM         Check-In (Traveler’s Pod)
7:30 PM         Dinner at Ket-kai (short for Limket-kai Mall), beside Robinsons
8:00 PM         Explore the City: Eat & Buy at the Saturday night market at the Provincial Capitol area
DAY 2
4:00 AM        Wake Up/Bath
5:00 AM        Go to Rural Transit Bus Terminal
5:30 AM         ETD to Balingoan Port (around 2 hours long)
7:30 AM         ETA Balingoan Port/Terminal to Camiguin
8:00 AM         ETD to Benoni Wharf, Camiguin
9:00 AM         ETA Benoni Wharf; Look for Multicab Operator (preferably Kuya Junior)
9:00 AM         Start of Day Tour
9:30 AM         Katibawasan Falls (30 Minutes)
10:30 AM       Ardent Hot Springs (1 Hour)
12:00 PM       White Island, 15 minutes boat ride (2 Hours)
2:30   PM       Via Cruces, Old Church Ruins & Sunken Cemetery (viewing/picture taking)
3:30   PM       Sto. Nino Cold Spring (wash up)
4:00  PM        Back to Benoni Pier
5:00  PM        ETD to Balingoan Pier
6:oo  PM        ETA Balingoan Pier
6:30  PM        ETD Balingoan Bus Terminal (walking distance from the Pier) to CDO Proper
8:30  PM        ETA CDO Proper; back to hotel
9:00  PM        Dinner/Gimmick: We tried a resto serving ostrich meat at Kagay-anon Restaurant, Limketkai Complex
5:00  AM        Wakeup/Bath
7:00  AM        ETD for Manila

CHECKLIST:
Light clothing
Small bag (gala proper)
Sun block lotion/ Shades/ Cap
Camera (with extra batteries); better if you have DSLR. You don’t want to miss your new found paradise.
Swimming clothes (Note: Falls, Hot spring, Beach, Cold Spring)

SPECIAL MENTION:  Traveler’s Pod and to Kuya Junior (Camiguin guide/driver)
*This is was originally drafted last February 2011.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Edge's Trail

Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you traveled.” ~Mohammed


This blog was borne out of passion and love for travel. Regardless of our reasons for traveling, we can’t do away with the pleasure we get from any of these travels or excursion, or however you call them. For the some fortunate people, traveling is just a routine, referring themselves as jet setters. But for the average and struggling worker, traveling is a luxury and a dream come true. But with the advent of affordable and cheap modes of transportation such as low-fare airlines and roll-on roll-off facilities, not to mention the boom of cheap accommodation and modest tour packages, criss-crossing the entire Philippine Archipelago is now a thing to consider.
From my simple travel experiences-in-progress, I intend to share with fellow working young people and groups some helpful information on the sights, sounds and tastes of various PH destinations. As I am also traveling on a shoe-string, this blog is for those the budget traveler who, despite the modest accommodation and subsistence, still equally enjoy the pleasure of the islands.
Ultimately, this blog hopes to ‘Making simple travels, Memorable’.