B and C

I am thankful to God that on this year I was able to go to two  places I’ve been wanting to go to, Bohol and Camiguin. The two islands were similar at first sight but each has a different ace off its sleeve. Both islands boasts of the richest collection of marine species in the world. Yes, in the world. Too bad, I can’t attest to that on this post since I only explored the beauty of these islands above sea level.

I went to Bohol with my mother and siblings in May. Our first trip together as a group bigger than two! Yeeey!

I must say that Bohol, as a province, has one of the most organized tourism machinery in the country. It is so organized and developed that if you want to go in an off-beaten track journey, this is not the way to go.  Bohol is of course, famous for the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River Cruise, tarsier and Panglao Island beaches.

enjoying Loboc River Cruise buffet

I love Panglao beach particularly the beach near Bohol Beach Club (we stayed in a resort beside BBC), away from the crowds. Panglao Island beaches can give Boracay a run for its money. My two days stay in Bohol were not enough to explore what the island has to offer.

I'd like to commend the local government for doing a great job of providing livelihood to its people through their efficient tourism sector.

enjoying Panglao beach

I went to Camiguin, together with Nadine, in July. Camiguin has its own unique charms. In fact, I found this island, second to Batanes in terms of charm level. 

As the ferry nears the Benoni port, I knew my friend Nadine and I made the right choice in choosing it, as our first island destination. Camiguin is a quiet island with gorgeous beaches which are not crowded.

our boatman enjoying White Island

Camiguin is small, about 20km by 15 km. After going around the town for three days, we felt like we know our way around. The motorela is the popular mode of transportation going around the island. It's like a tuk-tuk and jeepney combined.

The island boasts of many volcanoes, seven in fact, with only one active, Hibok-Hibok. The land is so fertile that we were amazed by how huge the leaves and fruits were. We always walked around, so we managed to chat with a lot of schoolchildren and common townsfolk. Nadine even managed to bike around Mambajao, the capital town and up to the  Philvocs Hibok Hibok observatory.

atop the Philvocs Hibok Hibok observatory

Camiguin may be a popular destination but for me it has maintained an aura of mysticism reminiscent of Siquijor and Batanes.

in White Island with Hibok Hibok as backdrop

These two islands again prove that I live in a very beautiful country. I just have to explore it more.

"Tara na, byahe tayo upang ating makita ang ganda ng Pilipinas, ang galing ng Pilipino."