GasttoAdvent#7: Camiguin Island Foodies

"First, we eat then we do everything else" - M.F.K. Fisher

And that's what we did. As soon as we stepped on the coast of Camiguin, we felt the need to eat. We haven't had breakfast yet so.. Anyways, here are some of the food you can try if ever you get a chance to visit this wonderful island.

 Tapsilog: One of the most common Pinoy breakfast combo. You can get this almost anywhere in the country. (We just wanted to see if Camiguin tapsi is better than tagalog tapsi :p)









Lanzones. (Sorry no pictures available) but I highly recommend for you to try this. It's one of the sweetest bunch I had. It's a bit expensive when you buy it off-season though.

Vjandep Pastel box

Vjandep Pastel. This is also available in CDO but its less expensive when you buy it from the original bakery. They also sell other types of bread but this one's their best sellers and top requested "pasalubong" from Camiguin bakasyonistas.

Kiping

Kiping. Fried "lumpia wrapper" like snack made of cassava topped with caramelized sugar. Bought this one from stores near Katibwasan Falls.

Kilawin. We had blue marlin soaked in vinegar with ginger. Fresh raw fish for lunch! You can request for the fish to be grilled to. The vendors sell them per kg. and will cook it for you so you can enjoy swimming in Sto. NiÑo cold spring while you wait.

Sea Urchins: Sold by locals in White Island. 50 php for 3pcs. Served with vinegar.










I was looking for a place where we can eat fresh sea food but didn't found one. Could be that it does not exists or we just have to look hard enough to find it :) Maybe we'll find it on our next Camiguin trip.

Giant Clams Ocean Nursery

After doing a quick stop to Moro-Moro watch tower in the municipality of Guinsiliban, we finally arrived to our next destination. We were already quite dry when we arrived there, just in time to take another dip in the waters of Camiguin, this time with the Giant Clams.

The Kibila Giant Clam Conservation and Ocean Nursery is maintained and operated by CCMPC, a community-based cooperative. A classic example of how eco-tourism can provide a community income generating opportunity through environmental conservation and protection. This made my visit to this area worth the "long" trip around Camiguin Island.

Welcome, but first, the rules

We availed the guided tour package, which I think is good because we get to learn many interesting information about this place (and the clams too!). One of the many interesting information is the fact that the shores of Guinsiliban, particularly where the Clam Sanctuary's located, is the only strip of White Beach attached to the Island of Camiguin (White Island doesn't count cause its sandbar and its a boat ride away from the main island).

Giant Barkadas

Time to meet Tridacna Gigas!
"Can we eat the clams?" - a not so bright but curious question of mine
     Obviously I was quite hungry, hence the question. Turns out the giant clams species are already endangered. The sanctuary wanted to contribute to the society by preservation and propagation of these enormous creatures.(KUDOS!!!). Moving on~~~
    First stop, a concrete tank containing 6 of the 9 known giant clams species. 4 of which are endemic to Camiguin, while 2 were imported from somewhere in Pangasinan? (if I remember it correctly).

Giant clams shoreline

After the introduction and the presentation by one of the tour guides, we proceed to wear our snorkeling gear and and swam into the reef of clam farm. I was equally thrilled to see the giant clams, corals, lots of fishes and the fact that I am floating over water where my feet can't reach the sea floors, thanks to their floatation device. (Taking swimming lessons is still on my bucket list). After a swim over the clams, we walked back to the shore to have closer look at the juvenile clams and the "sick" ones that needs more TLC until they are strong enough to again survive on their own. We also had close encounters with the clown fish curious of our feet.

We had enough time to appreciate the view of the sanctuary before we headed off to our next destination. I would want to come back to this place and swim once again and hopefully next time, I'd be able to float on my own ^_^

Anyways, here's the breakdown of our expense for two:
Entrance Fee: 50.00
Clams Viewing: 300.00
Equipment Rental: 200.00
Life vest: 100.00
------------------------------------
Total: 650.00 PHP

Camiguin Island tour and Itinerary

Airfare seat sales really attracted me to decide to fly to Cagayan de Oro for the second time to explore this region of Mindanao more. What I originally planned to be a CDO-Bukindnon-Camiguin trip (which is the usual CDO travel IT) turned to 3days-2nights Camiguin Island trip. And I must say that this turned out to be one memorable vacation. For travel enthusiast, planning and much research is needed to come up with the best travel itinerary. This I did and may I add that it wouldn’t hurt to ask the friendly locals (although there are only a certain number of people who can speak Tagalog, but most are fluent in English) who are more than willing to help to make your stay as memorable as possible.

View near Old Volcano

I was not able to properly reserve a place to stay but I trusted Paguia’s Cottage owner Ms. Weng to reserve a room for 2 and was delighted that she reserved a better room for us (3-4pax capacity) for the same price because the 2pax bedroom we requested was not available at that time. Going to Camiguin from Manila was quite long but it was comfortable since we got to ride the Ocean Jet fast craft which was air-conditioned. The long trip was however well-worth it mostly because of the people we met along the way who were helpful and hospitable too.

White Island

Here's our actual itinerary during our stay in Camiguin, the Island born of fire.
Day1:
4:40 am Manila to CDO (Laguindingan Airport)
6:10am ETA at CDO airport
6:30am ETD from airport to CDO via Magnum Express
7:30am ETA Magnum terminal near Centrio Mall in CDO
7:45am ETA Macabalan port (via taxi)
8:00am ETA from Macabalan Port in CDO to Benoni Port in Camiguin
10:36am ETA Benoni port
GUINSILIBAN:
10:53am early lunch in J&A Fishpen
MAMBAJAO:
12:00nn ETD from port to Mambajao public market (where Vjandep bakery is) Motorella ride to Brgy Yumbing
1:00pm ETA Paguia’s Cottage, rest
3:00pm Explore the White Island
5:00pm travel back to mainland
7:00pm: Dinner at Fire Island Grill
9pm: Lights out

Day2:
8:00am  start of tour
CATARMAN:
8:30am    View old volcano
8:40am    Walkway to the old volcano and Stations of the cross
9:30am    Viewing of Sunken Cemetery
9:40am    Stop over at Ruins of Church of Gui-ob (aka Church of Cotta Bato)
10:00am  Bura Soda Spring
11:40am  Sto. Nino cold spring
GUINSILIBAN:
2:00pm    Moro-moro watch tower
2:20pm    Giant Clams Sactuary
MAHINOG:
4:20pm    View of Mantigue Island
4:55pm    Katibwasan Falls
6:10pm   Ardent Hotspring
7:30pm   End of Day Tour

Day3:
8:00am    Check out from Paguia’s Cottage
8:30am    ETA Mambajao Public Market
9:45am    Van left terminal to Benoni Port
10:00am  Departure of RORO to Balingoan Port
11:41am  Arrival of RORO to Balingoan Port
12:00nn   Bus to Agora Market
2:00pm    ETA Agora Market, Lunch
3:00pm    LAX shuttle to Airport
4:30pm    ETA shuttle to Airport

Estimated expenses for 2 pax excluding airfare from Manila to CDO:
 

About Us

Duo out to experience life

Axel: Traveling and adventure doesn't really run in my blood. Certified introvert, but thankfully I found a partner who inspires me to get off my couch and wander around and experience life :)

Clyde: An adventure-seeker photography enthusiast and a well rounded person. Most of the photos in this blog is credited to this curious and animated person.

Together, we create a certain balanced harmony, a recipe of happiness and desire to experience adventures, travel and life.