I should have posted this right after we traveled in this beautiful amazing island last May 25-26, 2013 but I was too busy with my other hobbies and that one frightful event that impacted our lives (which I will be blogging later on). Since summer is coming, so I'm going to share about our my experience in Camotes Island, Cebu, Philippines. This is, by the way my 2nd time traveling far from home.
Located at the eastern part of Cebu, Camotes Island has been known as one of the favorites of adventure-seekers. You will be blown by the beautiful white-sand beaches, historical landmarks and many more. A perfect place for a relaxation and getaways.
We agreed to meet by 3:30 AM at Jollibee Highway Mandaue. Since all of us come from Cebu provinces, we decided to stay at the USC-TC Dormitory the night before the scheduled meet-up. We are privileged to stay there because we are all former dormers. But you can still stay at the dorm if you have a relative (or a friend maybe) who can refer you to the dorm supervisor. You have to sign up a form at the dorm office before you can stay. The rate was 100php for no beddings, 200php with beddings per night. See? Really cheap and you'll not worry about your safety.
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| Room 9, St. Mary Hall, USC-TC Dormitory |
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| Me at USC-TC Portal 3:00AM waiting for a jeepney |
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| My friends fronting USC-TC Portal |
I have contacted a driver a month before to pick us up at port, tour us around the island and drop-off the following day. I was clearly instructed to buy tickets the day before our departure to secure a Jomalia seat to Consuelo. Unfortunately, the tickets were sold out when we got to the ticketing booth at their Mandaue branch. Yet, we were still hopeful that we can still catch up the Consuelo 5:00 AM trip. But there was a problem, we didn't and the next trip is at 8:30 AM. However, the seats for Poro trip still have slots left. Poro is in the opposite of Consuelo and is miles away from where we were supposed to stay. I calculated the hours, we might not be able to finish our tour if we don't ride now so we called kuya driver to give us guidance on what to do. He told us to get a trip to Poro and he'll pick us up there. Boat fare is 180php for non-aircon, 200php for aircon.
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Riding a roro bound for Poro, 5:25 AM
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| It nearly took 4 hours to get to Poro, so pictorials! |
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| Arrived at Poro, 8:54 AM |
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| Passengers unloading |
Once you arrive at the port, multicabs and motorcycles will be there but make sure you've made reservations for a vehicle in case all of them are already hired. You can hire a motorcyle to tour you for 500php per head and multicab for a 2,500php but you can haggle. The vehicle to be used for our trip is air-conditioned, amazing isn't it? Tip: It's better to get an air-conditioned vehicle in Camotes to avoid the dust clinging on your skin especially when you put sunblock all over your face and body and the temperature's quite hot especially in the summer so you would want to have a cool air after your sizzling tour on the spots. You can contact him in these numbers and look for Alfred Lim: +639051550325 | +639092673862 | +639265296337 | +639108795577 | +639222291336. Our driver's name is not Alfred Lim though, and I regretfully have forgotten his precious name (I'm bad at remembering names). Kuya driver is so amazing. He will never bore you throughout the trip. He will even suggest places for you to see and dine. You'll also learn Camotes trivia through him. One trivia I've learned from him is how the Camotes got its name. Hint: "C'mon Tess!" *wink* He's very accommodating and friendly. You'll never feel awkward around him. I'd still choose him if we ever visit Camotes again. The whole tour would cost you 2,500php (this is year 2013) however, we were picked up at Poro so we'd have to pay additional 500php for the gasoline.
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Our kuya driver! (I'm so sorry it's been a year I've forgotten his name)
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He took us at Boho Rock first since it's the nearest from Poro. Entrance fee is 20php. The place is enticingly breathtaking. Kuya driver a.k.a our tour guide told us we could jump off the edge of the rock freely if we wanna commit suicide lol.
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| The view from above |
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| Going down, this will be the left side view |
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| Right side view |
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| That's really high up there, my camera just couldn't capture the whole frame |
My hubby (in blue shirt) is Acrophobic. It was amusing seeing him conquer his fear of heights. He's tremendously shaking at that time. He was even the one who was frightened for me when I took their pic and I was standing at the edge of that concrete plank.
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| Walk off, uh I mean, pose on the plank! |
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| Floating cottage a distance away |
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| Fear of heights? Nah. |
Our second destination was Timubo Cave. Entrance fee is 15php. It was really hot outside so a dip in the cool waters would be refreshing. Be careful in going down the steps, the path is really muddy and slide prone accident area. And because the spring water is so clear, they said you can actually drink it so DO NOT IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES pee in it!
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| Inside the cave |
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| Crystal clear water |
After Timubo Cave, we were dropped off to the place where we're going to stay for the night, the Borromeo Resort [click the link for info!] which is located at Bakhaw Beach. Bakhaw is still an underdeveloped beach so we get to enjoy our privacy. You can contact Borromeo Resort in these numbers: +639994035704 | +639179050454. We chose the resthouse which will just cost you 2,500php if you haggle. It has a living room, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, dining table and entertainment appliances. That's good for 10 people already.
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| This is the view outside of the Resthouse we were staying |
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| Another pose while waiting tehee~ |
After leaving our things, we then headed to Lake Danao.
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| Group shot |
On our way to Lake Danao, we passed by the road full of trees. It's like I'm in another country. I can only imagine what it would look like if there's autumn. We stopped for a while to take a picture. Then we proceeded with the tour. Entrance fee is 20php. You get to enjoy a kayak adventure and a horse ride.
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| Lake Danao Park |
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| A photo with the famous landmark symbol |
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| Horse ride is 50php per 30 mins. You can share the time with your friends. |
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| The view from the lake |
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| The lake |
It was already 1:00 PM when we decided to have lunch. I originally planned for us to have our lunch at Pito's Sutukil which is popular in blogs for its delicious seafood specialty. However, Kuya said that it's quite pricey so he took us to Santiago White Beach where he said he knew someone who offers the same as Pito's Sutukil for a cheap price. He took us to Nena's Grill & Drinks. The beach was in low tide when we were there.
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| Santiago White Beach and the grilled me under the scorching sun |
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| There's no wifi actually lol |
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| Behold! Hippie section :) |
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| Does it suit me? Hehe |
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| My girlfriends with Santiago Bay's beach accessories at the back |
We spent three hours enjoying the beach. We recorded a music video, sang in the karaoke place and took pictures everywhere. At 4:02 PM we were off to our last stop, Mangodlong Rock Resort. Entrance fee is 20php.
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| Sun-kissed girls |
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| The view from the other end |
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| Too tired to move |
The reason why kuya decided to take us to this place at the end of the day because he thought we were going out for a swim. But we were already exhausted from the adventures and the scorching heat of the sun, we just decided to take photos of the place then off to rest.
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| Blue clear water |
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| Last group shot |
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| Beautiful place |
At 5:00 PM, we were back at Borromeo Resort. While us girls are strolling along the beach, the boys were preparing for our dinner. We asked the house caretakers' permission to have a bonfire at the seashore. They agreed only that we put a metal roof on the area. Such timing, the power went out so we enjoyed more the light provided by the fire and the huge full moon.
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| The fire under the full moon |
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| Burn, baby, burn |
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| Desperate to get a phone signal on the island, was trying to check on our baby back at home |
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| DS is our group's name |
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| Roasting marshmallows |
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| Night swimming |
The next day, we spent the entire day enjoying the beach and taking photos.
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| Living room scandal |
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| Right side view |
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| Bakhaw Beach's sand |
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| You private beach eh? |
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| Almost a group jumpshot |
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| Power punch! |
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| Sync Sisters |
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| The beach is clean, those are just fallen leaves |
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| Left side view |
At 2:00 PM, kuya already came to pick us up and to drop us off at Consuelo Port. Here's the problem again, they're out of tickets... again. A lot of people were also waiting there. Then we decided to be taken to Poro Port as we have no more money with us to pay for another night. And paid Kuya additional 500php charge. It was too little in my opinion. I was even embarrassed we were not able to give him a tip for his excellent service to us. I hope the next time I come back to Camotes, he'll tour us again and this time, I'll be able repay his services.
While waiting for the 5:00 PM ferry, we strolled around Poro.
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| Public Drinking Facility |
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| Poro Town Hall |
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| The Poro Church which is dedicated to Sto. Niño |
When we were inside the ferry heading for Cebu, a strange cloud appeared in the blue sky. I called it the Big Bang cloud. It looks like an explosion.
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| The big bang cloud |
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| Beautiful sunset |
We arrived in Cebu at 8:45 PM and headed back to our homes. It was an awesome vacation. I will definitely be back someday. So if you want to get away from the city, Camotes Island is the perfect place for you. Limited access to network, internet and electricity... you'll surely appreciate the serenity.
Expenses:
HEADCOUNT = 7
Entrance fees:
Timabu Cave - 15 php
Buho Rock - 20 php
Mangodlong Rock Resort - 20 php
Lake Danao - 15 php
Fare:
Cebu-Mandaue - 10 x 2 = 20 php (back & forth)
Mandaue-Danao - 30 x 2 = 60 php
Danao-Camotes - 180 x 2 = 360 php
Others:
Van Rental (pick-up, tour, drop-off) - 2,500 + 1,000 (additional fee) / 7 = 500 php
Home Rental (Borromeo Beach Resort) - 2,500 / 7 = 358 php
Food + Drinks - 500 php
Dorm - 100 php
TOTAL: 1,968 ≈ 2,000 php each
For more information about Camotes Island tour, this blog has been helpful to me.
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