Cebu

Cebu is another Island not even close to Camiguin Island or the White Sand Island. Cebu was the last island on my trip. Unfortunately most of the photos where destroyed by the airport baggage scanners. My trip to Cebu was not exactly planned, I had to go to Cebu to get a flight to Manila. I left Camiguin Island bound for Butuan City, then for Dipolog city. I was told to go and visit Dipolog City, so I went. Arriving in Dipolog I registered at a pension house then went to purchase a flight ticket for my return to Manila. The flight from Dipolog City to Manila was completely booked for Wednesday, the next available flight was on Thursday. My flight to return to the US was on Thursday morning 9 am. I was in trouble, I was finally told that a ferry boat would be leaving that night for Cebu Island, arriving at 5:30 am on Wednesday. I then could get a plane ticket from Cebu to Manila on Wednesday morning 9 am arriving in Manila at 11 am. After purchasing both tickets, one for the ferry to Cebu and the other for my flight to Manila. I went to the nearest Internet cafe to check my mail and naturally to send email of my nearly mis-adventure. In the booth next to mine I was hearing giggles and laughter, I notice two ladies. I introduced myself, I tehn found out that Lynn was teaching Andrea Excel and Word for a potential job application (by the way Andrea never got the job) since I use Excel on a daily basis at work, I volunteered to help. As time went by the conversation changed from Excel to visiting Dipolog City and to drive me to the ferry. Andrea and I did exchange our Yahoo Id We have been chatting ever since. I did purchase the Superior room on the ferry, others slept in bunk beds with probably a few hundred per floor. The room was satisfactory but not Superior, the smell of sewer filled the bathroom. Nevertheless i made it and slept fairly well. Arriving in Cebu, little boats swarmed the ferry boat, the people in the little boats all said the same thing "PESOS,PESOS", just drop pesos from the ferry and they will dive to retrieve it from the waters. Just click on the Cebu Viewer to view the photos.

Ferry Ride

Image on the left The ferry to Camiguin Island was a little over 1 hour, everybody and their brothers are available to carry your bags on to the ferry boat, for a small fee. Finally settling in a seat, I realized that two little boys where over the ferry's railing. They where looking at me and saying pesos, pesos, realizing what they wanted I obliged them and gave them their next meal P10 each. Their photos are in the Viewer. you will notice that the ferry ride was a beautiful scenic one.

First organized trip on the Island

Image on the right The next day, I had to visit this beautiful Island, the van driver from yesterday did offer to bring us around the Island for sightseeing. First stop was the Catarman Volcano, Via Cruces. The driver told me that it was an 1 hour and half to go up the mountain, where he had made his first stop. It took me 3 hours, with the heat and humidity. The walk up the mountain picture perfect, is also used every year for pilgrims, this volcano completely destroyed the village below in the 1700. To mark this pilgrimage, statues of Jesus crucifixion is represented. You may view these photos by clicking the 10 Steps Viewer.

Old Church Via Cruces

The photos of the old church  named Via Cruces, was apparently the first church on this Island. As you will see from the photos this church was built using fossils. A small chapel now resides. You will also notice a few photos of a cross, it is called the Sunken Cemetery. When the volcano erupted, it destroyed the village Catarman below it, and sunk the cemetery, the only thing that is now visible of this cemetery is the Cross. You may view this Church by clicking on Via Cruces.

Falls

Image on the left The water from the Falls do fall from the volcano above. The Falls are surrounded by a lot of vegetation and beautiful flowers, and trees. Seeing all of this beautiful nature was exiting. You may view the Water Falls by clicking on the Falls Viewer.

Colorful Vegetation

Image on the right Most of the flowers and plants here just grow in the wild, they are called exotic plants where i come from. You may view these plants by clicking on the Falls Viewer. You will see a lot of colorful flowers, and different trees, one tree that amazed me was it's trunk last but not least some vegetations.

White Sand Beach

Image on the left Across the hotel there is a little island called White Sand Island. Special boats run all day from different hotels to the Island, again for a fee. It is just a few minute boat ride. We arrived at approximately 10 am, the boat driver asked us, the time we wanted to return to the hotel. I answered 2 pm, we returned at noon. By 2 pm the Island is covered of water, the tide is already coming in. I had a good sun burn on that island. Vendors are all over this island, again for a fee P50 you may have a table under he huts. You may view photos of the White Sand Island by clicking on the White Sand Viewer.

Image on the center

I did arrived in Manila by 11 am on Wednesday, even if I had to arrange a different route to get there. Little and minor incidents did happen during this trip, these incidents did not in way ruined this beautiful vacation for even a minute. For vacation lovers or dreamers the Philippines is the place to go, without spending a fortune. Everything in the Philippines are affordable and reasonable, from hotel rooms to local flights. no wonder you can see a lot of Caucasians. If you wish to read more about the Philippines and the Island and the region of Mindanao click on this link mindanao.com Bob Martin has a web page and a blogs page on the Philippines. Bob lives in Mindanao with his family.