The Island Born of Fire

Camiguin is definitely a one beautiful island!

I think I mentioned this in my past blog that I have top islands I wanted to visit when I was in college and one of them was Camiguin. Yey! My dream came true.🙏❤️😊 Kiliiig... 

My trip to Camiguin was my first long trip after my overdue stay in the hospital.

 So, when my friends (couple) who were soon to get married told me that we could go to Camiguin after their wedding, I was very excited to fly. But since my medication wasn't yet completely over, my mama wasn't glad at all with the idea of me traveling alone somewhere very far. However, I could understand that she also wanted me to enjoy after my painful months, so, she just let me go and checked on me every after two hours... maximum. Hehehe 

My flight was from Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) to Laguindingan International Airport, Misamis Oriental. As usual, my flight was very delayed, 🤦‍♀️I arrived at LIA at around 8PM. Then, it took about an hour by van from LIA to Cagayan de Oro City bus terminal. From CDO bus terminal, it took approximately 3hrs by bus going to the municipality of Balingoan. I arrived at Balingoan bus terminal past midnight. Good thing there was still a "balut" vendor at the terminal. I didn't feel scared while waiting for my friends to pick me up. 😁 That was a looong journey, indeed.🥴 Despite the delays and all, I still had fun. I am used to traveling alone. 

Well, as promised, after the wedding was the Camiguin time! 

It only takes an hour by barge from Balingoan Port to Camiguin. That's how near guys! 

So, if you're planning to enjoy and explore the island born of fire, here are some of their best sites to visit. 

#1 White Island

True to its name, very white!😍 White, wide, long and fine... It's just that, you would feel very hot there since there are no trees at all on the island. 

#2 Katibawasan Falls

My neck hurt a bit when I kept on looking at the top of the falls for minutes. It's so high and the water is so cold! 

#3 Tuasan Falls

What I like about this waterfall is that, it's not deep. Hehehe So, those who don't know how to swim like me, this is the best for us! Hahaha 

#4 Sunken Cemetery 

While on the boat going to the big cross I remembered the horror movie "Quija."😱👻 It was a bit creepy since I already knew the place was a cemetery and gravestones were just meters under the boat. I had goosebumps actually, but at the same time I felt very happy because finally, I got to see this historic place. 

#5 Sto. Niño Cold Spring

Another true to its description "cold." :) Ang lamig talaga dyan.😬

What a lucky island, indeed! Why? They both have cold and hot springs. But I wasn't able to take a photo of their hot spring since we took a dip there at night and my thoughts that time were only eating and relaxing in the very warm water. ☺️

#6 Bura Soda Water Pool

This is the most unique pool I've ever been to. Guess why?😊 By far, this is the only pool I have ever known which uses soda water, instead of plain water. Bongga, di bah? Laysho mga dzaeee ug dong! 

#7 Bon-Bon Church ruins

This is another historical landmark in Camiguin, particularly found in the municipality of Catarman. 

This is the only structure of the church left when it fell during the volcanic eruption and earthquake in 1871. 

* There are still so many other interesting sites in the island, but we weren't able to see them anymore because our time was a bit limited, and we still had to go to Bukidnon. 

That's all for now guys. I wish you'd have a nice dream about Camiguin.😊

P. S. 

When I had an accident in El Nido months after the Camiguin trip, I lost all the raw photos of this trip. 😔 

Until then... Stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️ 

YES to San Vicente, Palawan!

Good news guys!

The municipality of San Vicente, Palawan has already lifted its protocol for domestic tourists having Negative Antigen Test result for vaccinated individuals upon entering the town.

So, all you have to prepare are your VACCINATION CARD or VACCINATION CERTIFICATE, VALID ID and S-PASS.

Although it's not required anymore, but you are highly encouraged to book only in an accredited accommodation. Why? 

1. It's been inspected for your health and safety;

2. It's your way of helping those who have invested hard and being compliant to permits and licenses; and

3. That's being a RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER. :)

If NOT VACCINATED or partially vaccinated,  Negative RT-PCR test result (specimen taken 72hrs before the flight) is still required. 

These protocols mentioned above also apply for foreign tourists.

For the fully vaccinated LOCAL tourists (those from within Palawan), just also present  your vaccination card/vax cert and Valid ID. No need for an S-PASS.

If not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, present your Valid ID and Negative Antigen Test result (specimen taken 24 hrs upon entering at the checkpoint). 

Again, please book in an accredited accommodation. :)

Note: Children 10yrs old and below are not required to undergo Antigen test/RT-PCR test as long as the other family members or companies are fully vaccinated.

See yah! :) 

PASALUBONGs

I believe, most of us look for something that we can take back home for our loved ones and friends when we travel somewhere. We, Filipinos call it "pasalubong. " 

Some may buy bags, printed shirts, key chains, etc. In my case, I buy ref magnets for my own collection especially if it's my first time in the place. For pasalubong naman, I usually buy local food  because it's something unique and sometimes it's economical.😅

This time, I would like to share with you the foods or the pasalubongs I love to buy for my own consumption and for my friends every time I get back to Palawan.

#1 Landang

This is tradionally used in  making "binignit" particularly in the Visayas Region. It is described as a creamy soup with bananas (sabá), sweet potatoes, coconut milk, langka, and among others. (I'll share a photo of binignit next time.)

This particular thing comes from "buli" or "buri" (a type of palm in the Philippines), but it isn't available in Palawan. It normally costs 100 pesos per kilo. 

#2 Sago

This is also mixed in binignit. It can be found in Palawan, but it's not yet cooked or soft. And I'd tried boiling them twice but of no success. Hahaha Di jud ko kahibalo. Matigas parin. But I'll try again. I won't give up.😊

One small pack costs 5 pesos. 

#3 Pan bulingit in Ahl Richie bakery

This bread is called "francis" but many of us in Cebu call this pan (bread) bulingit (messy/dirty) not because it's literally dirty, but just because of how it looks on the outside.😁

Especially when it's still freshly baked, mmmmmm pagka sarap oi!😀

#4 Goldilocks polvoron

My favorite polvoron ever particularly, the classic flavor! Unfortunately, there's no Goldilocks in Palawan, either. That's why this is always in my list to eat every time I travel where there's Goldilocks.😊

#5 Odong

Wala din po ito sa Palawan. :( Among the different types of noodles sold in Cebu, this one is one of my favorites. I even like this better than "misua."  Sardines lang po ang ihalo niya. Yummy na! ☺️ 

 Ito na siya pag luto na. :)

#6 Chicharon in CarCar City

 

Chicharon can be bought anywhere in the Philippines, but the Chicharon in Carcar is really incomparable.😜 Iba talaga ang lutong at sarap niya, and you may have the spicy or non-spicy. It costs 400PhP per kilo. 

#7 Ampao

This snack is also a product of Carcar City. A very popular one! It's not expensive either. You can buy 3 packs for 100 pesos- there are 3 separately packed ampaos in a pack.

#8 Shamrock Otap

This Otap is a legend. Hehehe Sobrang tagal na po nitong brand na ito. The quality of their otap is world-class. Naks!

#9 Rosquillos

I love Titay's Rosquillos more than this, but I just couldn't find Titay's in that supermarket I went to. Out of stocks according to the supermarket attendant. But this is fine. Conching's products are also good especially their sliced bread. 😋 I forgot to take a photo of that.

#10 Bocarillo

Very colorful, right? :) It's sweet. It is made of coconut meat and sugar. I don't know what else they use to cook it. Hehehe This snack has been one of my favorites since childhood days. It costs 25 pesos per pack.

#11 Caycay

This snack is made of flour, sugar, kalamansi, and peanut. Its taste is distinct. It looks hard on the outside but pretty soft in the inside. Parang ako. Charot! 

#12 Patatas

This kind of snack is actually common. But every time I go home I still buy this even if I can buy this in Palawan. Hahaha

AND most importantly 

#13 Holiday hot and spicy beef loaf 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to buy this just recently when I went home. 😭😭😭 

I went to two malls to buy this, but out of stock.  My brother even went to many stores in town twice just to buy this, but to no avail. Out of stocks parin. Ang sad. 

And I didn't go to Cebu City to shop actually, because I was worried kasi parang walang pandemic doon. Ang daming tao talaga. Kaya, kahit di ako nakabili ng holiday h&s beef loaf, okay nalang. E online shopping ko nalang. 😂

How about you? What pasalubong do you often buy for your loved ones and friends? Share mo na by commenting down below..go! 👇

Until then.. Stay safe and healthy! 🙏 ❤️ 

Going Home (Cebu) During Pandemic

Finally, I was able to visit my family and my first home (Cebu) after two years! 

My fiancé and I's original flight was December 26 last year, but due to typhoon Odette we weren't able to make it.

Crossing new Mactan Bridge 

Indeed, traveling these days isn't very convenient obviously because of this pandemic, and there's no direct flight from Puerto Princesa City to Cebu and vice versa so, we had a connecting flight via Manila. Connecting flights s*ck! Hahaha It's tiring and more expensive. Who would agree with me?😆

Good thing Cebu is not restricted anymore. So, all you have to prepare is your vaccination card/vax cert or medical certificate for unvaccinated/partially vaccinated individuals. The Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) is not that strict either. However, coming back to Palawan is more inconvenient actually, because the province is more strict. There are many requirements to comply including an S-Pass, Antigen test for fully vaccinated individuals or RT-PCR test for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals.

Kaya, don't expect a speedy check-in time. 😁

Once you arrive at PPS airport, there'll be disinfection of your hand carried belongings. 

Linya is real pa guys. 😂 

After which, you'll undergo a validation, which separates the travelers bound for PPC  or the province, since the two have different requirements. 

This is the area for travelers bound for province. 

This one is for the city bound travelers. 

After the short screening process, you'll be stamped. Parang papasok lang ng discohan. Hehehe

Oh, by the way, Cebu's airport does not use TRAZE app anymore, but PPC Airport does. 

Despite all those struggles in flying, I and my fiancé had to go home and it was just all worth it.😊 

Enjoying our time with my parents, nieces and nephews.

For me, simple things really matter, and family matters most.❤️❤️❤️

I'll be sharing with you more of my home visit next time and the "pasalubongs" you have to try and to buy in Cebu. :) 

Until then... Stay safe and healthy. 🙏❤️

P. S. 

All domestic departures in MCIA are now at its terminal for international flights temporarily.