Camotes
Island was home to us for four days - which was time enough during
planning, but then of course the real experience could not be
quantified by hours or days.
The
Camotes Four – my boyfriend Ramil, my sister Ana, me and my colleague and
friend Dhang
We
caught an early morning Saturday flight to Cebu, which meant that we
were up at the wee hour of three. This was not a problem, really. We
were excited for this trip. But for Coach, it was an excitement for
the unknown. Poor boy did not have time to do the Google. But then it
was good, too. The moment of truth came and he was the most awed!
At
eight in the morning, we were in Cebu. We were met at the airport by
Mang Javier, who is an extreme sports enthusiast, as we learned from
an hour and a half worth of talkies all the way to Danao Port. People
are so naturally interesting, and we took advantage of Manong's warm
responses. He told us that he enjoyed Motocross and Airsoft. Well,
taob ang hobbies namin!
Danao port was very organized and clean!
We
arrived at Danao Port and learned that we had a couple of hours to
kill before our Camotes-bound ferry leaves. Since it was too hot, too
noisy and too crowded at the terminal, we headed to nearby Gaisano
and chilled at Jollibee – which was very soon packed with fellow
travelers who refused to wait under the heat of the sun.
As
expected, the two-hour boat ride to Camotes Island was not
comfortable. We traveled mid-day and the heat was stifling. We were
seated at a corner where the breeze was blocked by passengers and
parcels. Coach volunteered to mind our stuff and we three girls took
to the deck to refresh in the sea breeze.
It
was a relief to have someone waiting at the port to take us to the
Santiago Bay Resort, where we will stay for the next three nights.
And where late lunch were prepared for us, we were told. It would be
our first real meal of the day!
Before
long, we were entering a tree-lined driveway. We were shown up to an
oriental-inspired reception area, where we checked in. We almost did
not want to get up from the plush sofa, but Kuya Ernest, our porter,
was telling us that our Ocean View room was ready. We followed him
out into a maze of pathways, some leading to villas, another to a
function hall and some further into a series of apartments. He told
us that our room overlooks the ocean, hence the name.
This view will stop your tracks. Literally.
On
our way to the room, we passed by the most ah-may-zing view of the
bay! We stopped in the middle of the path, ooohed and aaaahed
collectively – at which Kuya Ernest smiled in appreciation. I guess
he was used to this kind of reaction.
No
doubt about it, our room had the best view in the house – which was
later confirmed by Ana's new-found Korean friend. Tall palm trees
framing the hotel's infinity pool and the pristine blue ocean,
definitely not your everyday look-to. We forgot about lunch for a
while as we stood in our veranda. Just staring and taking photos.
In
the afternoon, we hit the beach and took a hundred more shots. Dinner
was early and we immediately went to bed. We didn't realize we were
so tired.
We
went around the San Francisco town the next day, courtesy of our
driver-slash-tour-guide-slash-translator Kuya Ramil, who was a
true-blue local. We saw that he really made an effort to speak in
Filipino – it was very endearing as he sometimes sought for the
right word. We encountered the same feat in the other locals, but
they always would try to speak in Filipino when we say we hail from
Manila.
First
stop, we toured the Danao Lake via a “Sakanaw,” a
motorized makeshift ferry made of steel and wood, held together at
the bottom by two big logs. Rattan benches lined the interior and two
tables were at the center. It can carry around twenty passengers. For
P50 per person, we went around the lake, passing by the smallish
Crocodile Island in the middle of the water.
Ang Sakanaw. Bow.
And there's Crocodile Island! (And no, we didn't see any croc)
We
went down Timubo Cave next, where we took in interesting rock
formations and then swam in the cool underground pool. The downward
path was lit with fluorescent bulbs and the steps were concrete, to
our relief.
To
cap off the trip, we had a sumptuous lunch at the Mangodlong Rock
Beach Resort, where we lingered unplanned. We fell in love with the
huge, huge rock formation right smack in the middle of the beach. It
was a gorgeous mix of natural and man-made. We immediately took a
charming corner high up the rugged side and called it our own.
Our very own cove!
The
“rock” housed several huts, viewing decks and nooks at many
different levels. These were connected by stairs and pathways.
Hammocks and odd chairs were also scattered invitingly around. But
there's more – little white sand coves, made more accessible by
concrete steps, were tucked in the most interesting corners. The
“rock” was our own little world for the afternoon. Well, until
the other guests started arriving. But by then, it was time we were
waking up from our wind-lulled hammock-naps to catch the glorious
sunset. Time has a way of slowing down in this town paradise.
We
went back to Santiago Bay refreshed from our afternoon nap – and
just a bit famished.
Mornings are great! We had front rows to the sunrise :)
The
next two days were spent on the beach and at the resort pool, where
we mastered the art of floating. Thanks to Dhang's technique, we were
able to enjoy the water even more – as attested by the varying
shades of tan lines we got.
Ana and Dhang's floating lessons!
We
were loathe to leave, naturally. And the sun was shining so happily
on our last day, that there's nothing more heavenly than to linger in
the sea.
We
said our goodbyes to our four-day-long friends – the ates and
kuyas who cooked and
served our meals and arranged our transportation. These people are
real treasures. More than the great view, cool amenities and winning
ambiance were the locals that made our holiday.
THEY made our holiday! :)
Camotes
Island is beautiful, and the people even more so.
