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
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Total: 650.00 PHP