Day 1: Camiguin Countryside Tour

Lesgow, Mindanao!

Did I mention that I went straight from work to the airport? Well, I dropped by my place to pick up my things and changed. I was hoping to get to Camiguin really early to take a really good bath. But to my horror, Kuya Teddy suggested that we proceeded with the countryside tour. Haggardness. :| 

From Benoni Port, we started our countryside tour immediately. The first stop was the Sto. Nino Cold Spring. Cheers to instant but oh so cold bath that I've been waiting for. 

Ready now? L-R Dwin, EA, Apple, Jelai, Tsina

Yun lang, you'd freeze cold with the water. But so what, we were haggardness na! :p

Sto Nino Cold Spring

Our next stop was the Gui-Ob Old Church Ruins. Kuya Teddy showed us the old chapel, the bell tower, and the century old tree. 

Jelai and Dwin

If you are familiar with that creepy local movie, Ouija, then you might have seen our next destination - the Sunken Cemetery.

We're getting there!

If you notice that rope in the picture, that was what they used to transfer us. I'm not kidding. Practicality wise, that would be quicker and easier. Believe me, look!

Kailangan may photo op sa bangka, Teh Apol?

The Sunken Cemetery is an interesting place. But creepy, yes. Maybe because it's a cemetery. According to Jelai, it's a good spot for photo op to capture the sunset though. She's the photographer in the group, she should know. :p Anyway, the guides had so many picture tricks but only Dwin tried them. Well, I did try the one with the paddle, but it didn't come out as good as Dwin's. So erase erase erase.

Moment ni Dwin :p

Last stop was the Walkway to Old Volcano and Stations of the Cross. We just stayed here for a minute or so for a group picture. We were too hungry by this time. We then went to the Terrasse International Ristorante. Okay, they made us wait here big time. But oh well, the food was awesome. We loved the pizza. We had yummy seafood pizza, cheesy cordon bleu, sweet and sour fish, bulalo and lechon kawali. It was really worth the wait. :)

Now, that was a jam-packed first day. We headed then to Bahay Bakasyunan in Camiguin which was simply awesome. More on that on my next posts. :p

Lesgow, Mindanao!

It's been awhile since my last trip. Finally, I was able to get a well-deserved break from work and school. Yehey! It's the Mindanao leg this time! :) 

I did the last minute itinerary for this trip. We were a bit hesitant to push through a vacation in Cagayan de Oro feeling that it might be a little insensitive considering the recent calamity that hit them. But according to Brenda, our CDO local contact, white water rafting is operational since Christmas. 

Hello CDO, the City of Golden Friendship with my friends!!

Kuya Gammy picked us from the airport at around 10 am. Flights got delayed. By the way, Jelai, EA and I flew with AirPhils, but Apple and Dwin took Cebu Pacific. Apple and Dwin were late for their flight so they needed to get another flight. Re-booking is more expensive.

We reached the Balingoan port at around 1pm. We paid the ferry ticket and the terminal fee. Ferry left at 1.45pm, and Kuya Teddy, our Camiguin local contact, picked us in Benoni port at 3pm. :) 

Hello Camiguin!

We started our countryside tour and stayed in Bahay Bakasyunan in Camiguin. We beach bummed in White Island the following day. Short but sweet stay in Camiguin. Watch out for my Camiguin stories. :)

Good morning, Camiguin! <3

My 2011 in a Delayed Review

A year-ender post? Deym. It's the mid of January already. I know, I'm too lazy. But I'm just enjoying my iPhone 4S to the bones that since I got it on the 24th of December I wasn't able to use my laptop until today. Namen!!!

Let's get back to the uber late year-ender post. Last 2011 -

I starred in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid via my Batulao failed attempt on the summit. 

I've been on my first volunteer work in Nueva Vizcaya through Lifeline Foundation.

I survived spelunking in Sagada.

I tried the Space Shuttle Max in Enchanted Kingdom.

I've gotten all dirty in the mudslide at Caliraya for the project's summer outing.

I beach bummed in Dalampasigan with my team.

I celebrated my third year at work in my current company.

I leveled up and got ISEB certified.

I got kindle-citement and signed up the Apple fan list.

That's it. I know, I didn't blog that much last 2011. I had a serious heartbreak and I couldn't bring myself into writing all the messy stuff.

But my 2011 is not really bad. It was just a heartbreak, I have gazillion things to be thankful about. My Facebook status summed it up.

Bring it on, 2012! :)