June 4-8, 2015
I almost gave up on this trip because my body had not yet recovered from our exhausting travel from Isla de gigantes 3 days ago. And a friend of mine got sick so he decided not to join us. But these guys did find a way to pursue our summer adventure to Camotes Island. If only you knew how persistent they were that i couldnt say No.
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
Camotes island is located between Cebu and Leyte. Based on the web, the island got it's name when the Spaniards came and asked the locals what the name of the island was. The locals thought they wanted to know what they were planting. And they responded "camotes".
Since we're from Bacolod City, we took a bus via Escalante going to Cebu. Fare is 620 pesos including RORO. We left the North Ceres Terminal at 10pm and finally reached Danao port around 6am. Unfortunately we didnt make it to the first trip to camotes since the ferry (Jomalia Shipping) left at 5:30 am so we waited for the next trip at 8:30 am but the ferry left around 9am already. Travel time from Danao Port to Consuelo is about two hours. Fare is 180 pesos and a terminal fee of 5 pesos. At first we were a bit worried because it was raining when we reached Danao but Mr. Sun showed up while we're on our way to Consuelo. So worry no more! Lol
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| On our way to the island |
If you're from a different city and wants to visit Camotes island, then you can take a bus or a van from Cebu North Terminal in Mandaue going to Danao. Fare is 50 pesos.
Daily Schedule (Jomalia Shipping)
Danao to Consuelo
5:30 am
8:30 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
5:30 pm
9:00 pm
Consuelo to Danao
4:00 am
5:30 am
9:00 am
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
We reached Consuelo port at 11am and manong driver was waiting for us there to bring us to the resort. We rented a van and paid 50 pesos per head.
It was already lunchtime when we reached the resort. We stayed at Payag Beach House in Santiago, Camotes and paid 6,500 pesos for 3 days and 2 nights. The room was just okay. It was air-conditioned and we had our own washroom. They also serve food and beers. But sad to say, i would not recommend this place since they have limited water supply. We initially planned to stay in Santiago Bay Garden and Resort but they had no more rooms available and same thing with the other resorts nearby. So Payag Beach House was the only place that could accommodate us. But you can call them if you want to book a reservation. Their contact number is +63 922 7125542 and (63 32) 2331158.
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Finally! We're here.
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The best wacky pose goes to.....?
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| Finally! We're here |
An hour after we checked in, the receptionist told us that they didnt receive the money that we deposited. So we were kinda "what!!??". My friend, Mr. Montelibano, had been calling the bank for almost the entire day and finally got it squared away after 48 years hahaha. But that didnt stop us from enjoying our staycation. We always approach every experience with a positive outlook.
On our first day, we went to Santiago Bay Garden and Resort as day guests and paid an entrace fee of 100 pesos. We spent the entire afternoon swimming in the pool, enjoying the view from their infinity pool and taking a lot of selfies.
For reservations, you can call them at +6332 2534966, +6332 4107069, +63 922 8525150, +63 919 9913828, +63 917 6262242.
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Enjoying the view from their infinity pool
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Enjoying the view from their infinity pool
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Adventure is always better with friends
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We went back to our beach house at 5pm. We took a quick rest and went directly to the beach to watch the sunset. The house we rented is situated in front of the beach. We had our dinner at Pito's SuToKil in Santiago. SuToKil means Sugba Towa Kilaw. They have a lot of combo meals to choose from especially varieties of seafood and very affordable.
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| Take me to the place i love |
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| #sonofabeach |
2nd Day
We hired a multicab for our whole day island tour. Initially the driver offered us a rate of 1,500 and the destinations are Paraiso Cave, Mangodlong Rock Resort, Lake Danao and Timubo Cave. We also added Buho Rock Resort and Holy Crystal Cave and paid an extra 500 pesos.
We started our island tour at 8am and we first went to Paraiso Cave. Entrance fee is 25 pesos. The cave has a crystal clear undergroud pool. It's not that big but you'll surely enjoy the cold water and take a lot of pictures. It is the best place for those who are afraid to get tanned.
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| Ready to explore the cave |
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| The hole in the ground |
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| The underground pool |
Our next destination was Lake Danao Park. Entrance fee is 10 pesos. There are a lot of water activities that you can enjoy. You can go kayaking and horse back riding. For group activities , you can also try their duck ride, crocodile ride and fish ride. They also have an infinity pool and perfect picnic spots.
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| Lake Danao Park also known as the Lover's Lake |
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| The Lover's Lake |
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#groufie before hittin' the water
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| tried this fun water activity for the first time |
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| tried this fun water activity for the first time |
After Lake Danao Park, we went directly to Holy Cystal Cave and waited for the tour guide to arrive. There is no entrance fee, only donations.
At first, we were afraid because it was too dark inside the cave, no lights installed. The way going there is not easy as you will pass through narrow rocks going up and down and you need to be extra careful because you might bump your head on sharp rocks above. The caving has 8 levels. You will be asked by Mr. Avito, The Tour Guide, if you are brave enough to accept the challenge until level 8 since the way going there was kinda creepy. Most tourists would decline the challenge beacuse they think they might get suffocated.
In every destination, you have to try something new. Only those who are willing to take the risk can enjoy adventure at its finest. Holy crystal cave is a must see attraction in camotes island. The caving takes almost 2 hours and you'll be able to see stalactites, stalagmites and crystals up close. I still cant believe we survived with only a flashlight and a camera.
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| We're excited to see the Holy Crystal Cave |
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| Read first before entering the cave |
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| The hole in the ground |
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| The only photo i took inside the cave |
We also went to Timubo Cave. Entrance fee is 25 pesos. The cave has cold spring water inside. Best place to go swimming as well. Water level is 5 to 6ft. Good thing there are lights installed so tourists wont get scared going down there.
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| We're going down |
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| The underground pool |
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| The Boys of Summer |
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| It's cold in here |
We had our late lunch at 1:30 pm already in San Francisco Bay. It is located near the public market. They serve pork and chicken barbecues. And their rice is called "puso" or hanging rice. (rice wrapped in coconut leaves).
We went to Buho Rock Resort right after our lunch. Entrance fee is 15 pesos. The place is much more of a cliff-diving spot. There are a lot of beautiful rock formations and nice place to take selfies. The view from above is amazing.
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A leap of faith
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| would you jump? |
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| It's more fun under the bridge |
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| Let's go down, but first...... lemme take a selfie.lol |
Our last destination was Mangodlong Rock Beach Resort. Entrance fee is 15 pesos. They have swimming pools. Jet skis, boats and kayaks are also available for rent. Mangodlong for me is one of the best resorts you can stay in Camotes. It was almost 5pm when we got there so it was also the perfect time for sunset watching. For reservations, You can call them at +6332 4203385, +6332 3458599.
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| Mangodlong Rock Resort |
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| Mangodlong Rock Resort |
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| Ready to watch the sunset |
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| Sunset view |
3rd day
We woke up at 7am and had a morning walk on the beach and a quick swim. We went back to Santiago Bay Garden and Resort to buy souvenirs and had our breakfast at Pito's SuToKil.
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| A morning walk on the beach |
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| Someone's still sleepy |
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| Smile Guys! |
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| Til next time, Camotes |
We checked out at 11am and went straight to the port. The ferry left at 1pm. From Danao Port, we took a pedicab going to the terminal. Fare is 15 pesos. From the terminal, we took a van going to north bus terminal in Mandaue. Travel time is 1 hour and fare is 50 pesos. The bus going back to Negros left at 6pm. So we arrived in Bacolod almost 5am.
More photos below
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| Lake Danao Park also known as the Lover's Lake |
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
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| Mangodlong Rock Resort |
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
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| Buho Rock Resort |
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| Santiago Bay Public Beach |
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| Buho Rock Resort |
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
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| Buho Rock Resort |
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| Buho Rock Resort |
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| Santiago Bay Garden and Resort |
