Misadventures in Camiguin

 I got home from my 11-7 shift and I'm about to doze off for my two days rest. My mother, who was already packing up her things, jolted me to join their escapade that day with her workmates going to Camiguin. She told me about this plan a few days ago but I wasn't interested because of my "work schedules." I always got left behind in almost all family vacations! YES. That's a nurse's life. Duty calls... But my mother's excitement, as well as my niece's, carried on to me as to hit the road and unwind! I thought of going somewhere, to drop me in Bukidnon instead of pushing Camiguin, weighing things. I need to be home the next day even if its late at night! I immediately searched the internet, reviewed my bucketlist of places to visit in Bukidnon which include Blue Waters, Nasuli Spring, Lake Apo, Musuan Peak, and finally chose to stop at Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon to visit CEDAR on my own. My younger brother also got stirred by the Camiguin trip so he joined in.  I packed my stuff in just a jiffy and went away to our assembly place. We were the early birds! But no, they're just the late comers. PINOY time it is! While waiting for the others, my mother ask if I can invite another because there's more space in the vehicle. I messaged one who's just available anytime, Bullet. I told her to come very soon and she appeared by then. You see! :)

We left Davao City by noon. It's late for me but I had no right to complain, hehe. Bullet and I were planning our itinerary and where to stay in Bukidnon. We were all set. But the rest wanted us to stay until Camiguin. When we reached Impasug-ong, my mother insisted to hold us because it was already dark and we're not even sure familiar of the place. I kept my bad mood in silence and consider Camiguin. It doesn't mean I don't want to go there, I would love to but I don't have much leisure time as a contractual nurse. It took us 8 hours to arrive at Cagayan de Oro City, there's a house lived by our fellow's daughter, with a delightful dinner that had been waiting for us to be consumed.

The group stayed there for a few hours. My family and Bullet took a power nap inside the van. I haven't slept yet from duty, by the way. The others walked the night in CDO, then we're back to the road again by 3 AM heading to Balingoan Port, a 2-hour drive to the ferry.

Balingoan Port at 5 AM

My family

Port of Benoni, Camiguin Island

From Balingoan to Benoni Port, it will take you an hour to cross the sea. The island of Camiguin looks very near that I almost got bored waiting in the ferry to arrive. When I finally set my foot on the island, a thought came out of my mind "Patay, nakaabot na gyud ko'g Camiguin! Lord, Ikaw na bahala." -Contemplating ABSENT.

I don't want to think about my duty but I still can't help it. My colleagues and seniors might get angry. Yes I think a lot, but God, I don't want to spoil this opportunity! So I managed to enjoy the scenery.

Soda Swimming Pool

STO. NINO COLD SPRING

The Sunken Cemetery

ARDENT HOTSPRING

We only visited a few spots and missed the old church ruins, Mt. Hibok-Hibok peak, and other waterfalls in the island. Because I was reprimanded by my supervisor for informing that I will be absent (also threatened to be fired), Bullet and I decided to go back to Davao, while the rest of the group traveled to the White Island and Divine Mercy Shrine in Misamis Oriental the next day. I was really dismayed by the terror but I thanked God for all though. Bullet and I still enjoyed being on our own, and for having the free access to witness Camiguin and all the roads going there.

P.S. I never regret taking the trip albeit the rebuke from missing my duty!