Finally I got a good
place worth writing for in Cebu and it is the Camotes Island, a secluded site
east off mainland Cebu that offers a laidback experience out of a hectic city
activities. Camotes Island is a classic definition of simplicity and perhaps a
good relief of rather bittersweet weekdays. More often than not my travels are
zests of good vibes but this one is an exact opposite. I have been filled with
so much frowning due to traumatic experience at home. Nonetheless, it was still
a very unforgettable trip and in all honesty it gave me flashes of pessimisms.
The island’s natural
attractions made it one of the more promising side trips in Cebu. The caves
here offer light and easy spelunking adventure different from other cave
destinations in the country. The most attractive to me is Bukilat Cave in the
town of Tudela which is highlighted with a natural pool inside and unspoiled
speleothem. Timubo and Paraiso caves are also worth a visit and a plunge with
its cool waters.
As a tropical island
there are equally interesting beaches in Camotes. Good beach resorts are dotted
around the four municipalities of the island, most notable among them are Buho
Beach, Mangodlong Rock and Santiago Beach. The latter we had a memorable
sundown relaxation of beers and grilled seafoods.
Lake Danao in Pacijan
is an important natural piece of Camotes’ heritage. The lake substantiates the
natural compactness of the island along with its coastline, underground rivers,
caves, waterfalls and mountain ranges. According to local authorities several
notable wildlife exist in Lake Danao such as the Philippine Duck. I have not
seen one during our visit and I still have a lot of solo tripping to do in the
place to explore some of the birds there. Other than some common birds like
flowerpeckers, starlings, swallows, shrikes and few waders in Santiago Beach I
think there are more interesting species which have yet to be fully documented.
Mindanao is for me still a good place for birding.
Camotes Island has
been a must-try outlet for Cebu visitors especially this summer. With the
province maximizing available transport options for its island tours, Cebu is
presently having a good sea transportation mechanism which allowed people to
have access to Camotes daily. In our case we took the Mactan wharf, a
newly-opened docking area on our way there. The ferry operated by Jomalia
Shipping navigates less than two hours through Consuelo Port in Camotes. Another
port in Danao is a good alternative as well with bigger RORO boats travelling
daily from Consuelo.
