Pilgrim's Progress III

One of the most wonderful things about my Misamis Oriental trekking was that although I didn't know what to expect, I was up for anything. I was travelling alone and I didn't even need to worry about me! Money was tight (I spent the most in Cagayan de Oro with the rafting and the rapelling costing 1500 smackers but it was well worth it) although it was almost a non-issue. I felt like a character in one of those Choose your own adventure books whose only quest was to relax and enjoy the ride--something which I haven't allowed myself to do for the longest time.

Plus, I was travelling with people who I knew I could travel with. Travelling with a big group is bullshit, unless it's work-related. Other than that, going on a trip with people who can't stand to have their hands dirtied, just isn't my bowl of muesli (spelling check!).

Aug 16, 2004
At 4:45 a.m, I took a multicab (an 8-seater tricycle) and headed to Agora terminal where the buses going to Butuan were. We (me plus Joey, and her sis Isabel) missed the aircon bus by a few minutes (but thank God because the non-aircon bus was more fun, plus it only cost 65 pesos for a one and a half hour trip going to Bilingoan-pronounced as "Baling ni Juan"). We landed in a bustling terminal and took another multicab going to the fort which was actually just a five minute walk away.

We were early. It was only 7:15 and the roro would be leaving for the island of Camiguin in another hour. But we boarded the ferry anyway with a noisy rooster keeping the air alive. The waters were choppy but the ride was nice and relaxing, with the occasional sea spray. It was another hour and a half ride away (an hour with calm waters) and I promptly fell asleep. The weather looked hazardous though. I was prayed hard for beach weather.

We took a motorela (a Daihatsu --you know those small van like vehicles with a box type back that a tight squeeze could fit 10) and headed to Enigmata Treehouse--formerly known as Tarzan's nest, this art-meditation sanctuary in the middle of nowhere. We met Ross the goddess/diva/culinary expert who could talk a mile a minute, whou could inject a gazillion visual references, who was as frank as a hotdog.

The treehouse was simply amazing. It was a giant accacia, three stories high with a fabulous view of the ocean framed by tall trees surrounding the camp.

We put on our suits and rode our motorela for a day's tour of the island. And went around the 64 kilometer radius island. Katibawasan falls was fabulous--Water flowing off a 200 foot drop. Joey and I took a dip in the ice-cold pool. I approached the roaring falls (I can't imagine how magnificent Maria Christina Falls must be) and although half-scared, I tried inching closer to it, daring to tread the soft soil beneath me. I got as close as I could, looking up at the falls from up close, and I felt I was home.

Lunch and halohalo at the Camiguin Grille Restaurant/turo turo. Had Calderetang kambing. Their halo halo consisted mostly of beans and ube and it had chocolate syrup on top!!!!

Interesting drive around the road shaping Camiguin. Amazing coastline really and the view, oh my God, the view was just spectacular. We visited the Sunken cemetary, old church ruins (within which, was a tree just asking to be hugged--with a trunk so wide your arms couldn't go even one fourth around it), Mt. Vulcan--where people do Stations of the Cross, Philvocs at the base of an active Mt. Hibok Hibok, and last stop was Ardent Springs.

It wasn't beach weather so we donned our two-pieces at the Hot Springs instead. And it was just lovely.

Do you know that the island has a total of 52 schools? Within a 64 kilometer radius?! Grade schools, High schools and colleges. Interesting.

Dinner consisted of Mama Ross' fabulous burritos, pizza and tinola. YUM YUM YUM. Talk about stuffing our faces. We met Ruth, this hot Austrian Chick (but more about her later!)

Wuss Joey and her sister fell asleep at 9pm. And nerdy me relaxed by the balcony, listening to crickets, and writing and doodling in my journal.

Nice sleep. Except that mosquitoes attacked me. (Hello! Kaya nga may kulambo!!!)

Aug 17, 2004
Woke up to fabulous weather. THE SUN WAS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was up at 6am at writing in my journal and enjoying the sunrise. Last night's leftover pizza was breakfast and Joey and Isabel headed back to go home to Manila at 830am and I was a lone traveller once again.

Ross made me perform the welcome ritual (meditative journey into the self and out back again--nice) and I did "consultation" work for their lanzones festival concert--my technical theater background was somehow put into good use. I bugged her to take me to the beach. Ruth had woken up by then and we grabbed our beach gear, masks and snorkels and fruit and headed out (4 people on a motorcycle!) to MANTIGUE ISLAND!!!

Mantigue island is about 30 minutes away from Camiguin. 40 inhabitants and a smart cell site and they still have to import water from the main island. Mantigue island's shaped according to the tide and current.

And it was paradise.

Snorkling, a hearty lunch of papayas and banana conversations under a tree on an island in the middle of the sea? What more could one ask for? (a reliable camera that's what!!! My camera broke and seriously exposed all my great beach shots of Ruth and Ross and Me and the sea ARGH!! But it was okay.)

Ruth went crazy collecting shells. I was making sand art and doing cartwheels on wonderful white sand and enjoying the aquamarine waters. Ross was texting away doing business from the wonders of mobile technology.

We went to the Cold Springs after the beach. Blue spring water? Imagine that. Ice cold. Maybe as cold as the undergound spring in Sumaging Cave up in Sagada.

Ruth and I went to Market for some fruits. Guava! Finally! Ruth's a fruit nut since there aren't many kinds back in Austria. And dinner was just a grand event of gulay, guava (for me!) and lots of fruit for Ruth.

We turned in early. I left Ross to watch Shrek II and I headed upstairs to enjoy my last night on the island by myself, writing, doodling and listening to Camiguin.

Aug 18, 2004
I Woke up at 5:30 and stationed myself at the balcony again waiting for the sunrise. I was doodling and writing again. And it was nice, silent and cool.

I was packed by 730 am and Ruth was sweet enough to wake up really early (early for her!) and we enjoyed Ross fabulous Muesli together--with each of us getting a second helping. Thanks Ross!!! Wonderful wonderful Muesli. That was a very leisurely breakfast for me, with Ruth and I just talking about films and rituals back home and how I was going back home to smelly, noisy Metro Manila.

830am. I boarded a motorcycle that would bring me to the port. From there, I was going to make my way back. Goodbye lovely island. I'll be seeing you soon.

Interesting ride all the way to the airport. When I got back to Balingoan, I rode a jeep (40php) back to Cagayan de Oro City. Took a quick bath at the Dongallo household and grabbed my stuff and headed to my last stop which--Sibay Creative Space and had a wonderful lunch with a sister's friend--Errol Balcos. (First guy I know who's cooking I enjoyed!) Art appreciation lunch hour. We were dining in an art gallery. It all had to end quickly though. Crazy me actually ended up checking in at 3pm at the airport when my flight was at 3:20!

Don picked me up for the airport. I had a most interesting "welcome back" afternoon. I had arranged to take Toni (new friend from Hamburg) around. We picked her up from Mandarin and gave her a grand (well whatever we could manage) tour around in home sweet home smelly, noisy, congested Metro Manila. We had bibingka for dessert.

End of Journey?

There will be more.

:)


Island Adventure Souveneirs:

1. shells from the beach and cotton blossoms from the mountains
2. Mosquito bites that you can play connect the dots on
3. a huge burn on my right leg (on its way to healing right now)
4. a new hopeful me
5. Knowing that there's another place I can go home to.