On our way to Camiguin!
At 3:00 a.m., I thought all the girls were already at the lobby ready to check out. Anne Marie realized that two lolas and one lolo(?) were still left in their room. When she tried to knock bang on their door, that was the only time they woke up. And faster than you can say Camiguin, they were already dressed up and saying French words to everyone.
We were finally able to leave at 3:40 a.m. riding our hired vans. We had to set off at this unholy hour because we wanted to maximize our time in Camiguin. The trip from CDO to Balingoan Port was a little less than 2 hours, and we were aiming to ride the first ferry trip to the island. Luckily, we reached the port five minutes before the 5:45 a.m. first trip. And we made it! (Fare from Balingoan to Benoni Ports=P170/person plus P2/person tax)
It was Anesa's birthday that day. We love her dearly because she has acted as the mother of our batch, that's why everyone calls her Mama Nes. What a blessing for her to be out in the open sea at the crack of dawn on her birthday!
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
While other people looked like zombies (ingat ka sa katabi mo, Baby!), at this time of the day, our group exuded freshness--kape lang ang katapat nila!
 |
|
Photo by TCHashiba |
 |
Photo by CDRamos |
|
| Photo by CDRamos |
Sorry, but we just had to take pictures in every nook and cranny we could find!
|
 |
| Photo by EAPalanca |
Another set of vans met us at Benoni Port and took us to our next destination: Paras Beach Resort, Camiguin.
 |
| Photo by EAPalanca |
I like Paras Beach Resort's staff. They were very accommodating to my requests since I started communicating with them to book our rooms. They answered promptly to my email, even at the wee hours of the night. They were able to answer all my queries and gave in to my demands wishes--from island package tour, van hire, massage service, copy of their menu, change in the number of pax, etc. etc. Their service was impeccable--both virtual and personal. (Their island tour package for 18 pax with one night accommodation was P1,245/person, breakfast included.)
We got two rooms--the Dormitory Room, which housed 12 girls...
 |
| Photo from www.parasbeachresort.com |
...and the Family Loft, where the Pahed Family and another three roomed in.
 |
| Photo from www.parasbeachresort.com |
The place was charming...
 |
| Photo by TCHashiba |
...clean...
 |
| Photo by TCHashiba |
...and picturesque.
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
Our nautical look suited the place so well...
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
With the fresh sea breeze and a rocky landscape behind us, how could we pass up this chance to feel like GAP models for a day?
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
A little chitchat (and collection of boat fare money) was needed while waiting for our breakfast to be served. You see, we were supposed to have an-eight hour Camiguin Tour, but later we changed it to just a half day tour to visit the famed White Island, just across Paras Beach Resort. We had to hire three boats (P400 each x 3=P1,200) to go to the island.
 |
| Photo by RLEncarnacion |
 |
| Photo by AAMaruyama |
Full Filipino breakfast was served plus a choice of coffee, tea, or juice. ('Te Osang, parang 'di ka happy sa kape mo?)
 |
| Photo by EAPalanca |
After breakfast, we sailed off to White Island...
 |
| Photo by TCHashiba |
Can you see the white beach up ahead?
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment