Thursday 10 March 2016

Cagayan De Oro - Camiguin - Bukidnon Tour 2016

I promised myself that this year would be a year filled with adventure for me and it seems that everything fall into place. For this year's company team building, we went to Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin and Bukidnon for the duration of 4 days. During my four day visit, I appreciated the rich and unspoiled natural wonders, coupled with a rural culture that is barely tinted with excessive modernity.

Touchdown Cagayan de Oro at Laguindingan Airport




Our first stop if the Divine Mercy Shrine located in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. It is one of the sought after pilgrimage site in the country. Statue stand at 50 foot tall. You have to walk at least 200 steps in order to get closer to the statue. 




I'm told that the Sunken Cemetery is beautiful during sunset so we need to catch the ferry to Benoni Port.

Our ferry boat. From Balingoan Port to Benoni Port


Touchdown Camiguin Island at Benoni Port
I fell in love with Camiguin at first sight! I love how Camiguin is untouched by modernity(even my smart bro doesn't work so it took me a long time to finally get a signal). Too sad about my trip to Camiguin is that there were so many place that I want to see, (Katibwasan Falls, the Giant Clam Sanctuary, and Mantigue Island) but because of time-constraint I wasn't able to visit them.

For reference, blow are the map of Camiguin Island. I'll definitely come again


Among the places that I visited are:
  • Moro Watch Tower
The interesting fact about the Moro Watch Tower is that it was built to keep the Moro pirates away from the pillaging. During the early days, the villagers were always on lookout for pirates because of rampant pillaging and looting. Now, only small portion of the ruins were preserve, the rest were converted into school.



  • Sto. Rosario Church
Sto. Rosario was one of the oldest church in the Philippines, but - it doesn't look like it. It also one the unique church because its interior is made up of bamboo and driftwood.





  • Old Gui-ob Church Ruins
This church was destroyed in 1871 during the eruption of Mount Vulcan (Old Volcano).

The ruin interior of the church


Old Bell Tower


Welcome to Camiguin

  • Sunken Cemetery
Driven underwater by the eruption of Mount Vulcan, the whole cemetery was submerged. The large cross was later built to commemorate the remains of the departed loved ones.







  • White Island
A strip of inhabited land that is mostly made up of coral. The day was gloomy and overcast and yet the island offer peace and tranquility. 






  • Pool Chasing
    • Sto. NiƱo Cold Spring


    • Soda Swimming Pool
Soda Pool got it name because of the taste of it water.



    • Ardent Hibok-Hibok Hot Spring Resort



  • Tuasan Fall



We need to get back to Cagayan de Oro and ready ourselves for the next itinerary.




Next stop on our trip is Bukidnon. Bukidnon is a landlocked province that is located in Northern Mindanao. It is a haven for outdoor adventure enthusiast. Sadly, I was only able to go to Dahilayan Forest Park to experience the Drop Zone.


Acre of acre of lands and pineapple plantations were seen while driving up to Dahilayan.


  • Dahilayan Adventure Park


And now we prepare for our extreme adventure, first on the list is to conquer the longest running zipline in Asia at 840 meters.








And while I'm at it, why not also try the Dahilayan's Drop Zone? Think I can do it on 120 ft? Let's see.



I enjoyed everything that this Park has to offer sadly because of time constraint again, we need to be at Del Monte Clubhouse for lunch. 

That's one big steak!
After a full meal, we are now back again to Cagayan de Oro, at this point I really really want to rest so that I can prepare myself for Cagayan White Water Rafting. 










Till my next adventure!