CDO – Camiguin – Bukidnon 2012 – Day 3 and Day 4

The cab driver who drove us to the hotel the night we arrived in CDO from Camiguin offered his services to drive us and be the tour guide in Bukidnon. The travel time from Cagayan De Oro to Dahilayan, Bukidnon is like 2 hrs. Call time was 7am, we want to make use of our day in Dahilayan.

As usual, I was the one who woke up early and was the one who woke 'em all! lol. We had a jiffy breakfast and by 7:30am I was already in contact with the driver. We left the hotel at quarter to eight. I tried to get some sleep on the way but the scenery was just so appealing.

Approaching Bukidnon, all vehicles were being stopped by some quarantine staff and requested us to step down and step on foot baths, the driver said this is to protect Bukidnon from foot and mouth disease. Just so you know aside from Pineapples, Bukidnon boasts with a really big cattle industry too.

At Manolo Fortich you will see Camp Phillips, it is where the vast field of pineapples covering around 9,000 hectares of land starts. It turns out the harvesting season has just finished. It was quite disappointing seeing only the rocky and dusty road of Camp Phillips. Though we saw some but they're like on the other side of the mountain already. lol. I heard you can pick a pineapple anytime along the way BUT the plantation has an eat it where you picked it policy, you're not allowed to bring home some Pineapples. Oh not only did we see Pineapples but also BANANAS tons of 'em!!

As the vast field of pineapples elapsed into my sight, colourful blossoms began to feed me.. it was stunning! I love flowers. It was like flowers everywhere - whether along the road or at every house I see. What's more stunning was that the kinds of flower I saw was not just wild flowers. Those are flowers that are so costly in a flower shop. lol.

It was starting to be like Baguio City.. We started to see pine trees. We rolled down the car windows to take pleasure in the cool wind. True enough, Dahilayan is like the Baguio City of Mindanao. The only thing missing are strawberries! lol.

Welcome to Dahilayan Forest Park! Situated at the foot Mt. Kitanglad 4,700ft. above sea level. Forest Park is a popular tourist destination that offers a bunch of amusing activities for all ages, from forest animals and playground to ATV & buggy trail adventure.

If you're the type who only wants to sit, relax and enjoy the nature's beauty you can go at the forest picnic grounds sprawling with pine trees and life size animals. You will definitely enjoy the place.

Reminder: Entrance Fee: Php50 for weekdays ; Php100 for weekends.

But if Forest Park amenities does not satisfy you and wanted a more hard core adventure.. Go to Dahilayan Adventure Park, beside the Forest Park, to experience the longest zip-line in asia, Zipzone. It speeds up to 90kph, 840m long and launches at 4,700ft. above see level.

Zipzone Rates

P600.00 :  ALL RIDES ZIPLINE - 840mt., 320mt. plus 150mt.

P500.00 : BIG-ZIP  -  840mt.

P250.00 : MID-ZIP -  320mt. plus 150mt.

There is no age limit only weight limit. =)

For the BIG-ZIP you must be at least 40kls. and maximum of 120kls..

*** For kids below 40kls., they can only enjoy the MID-ZIP

I didn't get to try the zipline 'coz I didn't qualify on the maximum limit. lol. But it's okay 'coz I will be back in CDO to do rafting and by that time I swear I will get that ride! lol.

Jaydee and Mark tried the zip-line. Val and I took videos and pictures of the ride of their lives... It was nerve racking watching them. lol. But I guess they did enjoy it though.. They we're all smiles after every ride. lol.

So after the ride we decided to have an early lunch. Yup, it wasn't noon yet but then we felt like we did a lot of things that morning. By one o'clock we found our way back to Cagayan de Oro, we asked the driver to drove us to Limketkai Center 'coz that's where the Starbucks is. Val had to buy her city tumblers, she's crazy about it!

So, just for the sake of fun.. We decided to try the mall's cinema. lol. Yeeeeaaahhh... We were amazed to see the price of the movie ticket, it's just Php100! lol. I'm not gonna say that it was a horrible experience.. but then.. what do you expect to get from Php100 ticket? lol. But then again, the movie was funny though, we watched Hotel Transylvania! lol.

Back in the hotel we were discussing the next day activity. We we're planning to do rafting but then we realized we only got one guy and I'm not sure all of us will be able to pull off the paddling thing, you know... lol. So we decided, though half hearted for me, to just stay put at the hotel and relax while we wait for our flight back to Manila. lol. I really wanted to do the rafting though.. I really do. lol.

The following day, we didn't have to wake up early as there ain't no activities for us. But for me who is an early riser, I decided to fix my things while the others are still asleep.

We checked out of the hotel at 1pm. Had a late lunch at Cagayanon Restaurant at Limketkai Center being recommended by our colleague especially their Durian shake. The place is pretty much a popular one in Cagayan de Oro. Just tell the taxi the name of the restaurant and they know where it is.

We had shrimp in garlic-something-sauce, Pork in tamarind soup, Laing and some shake. Val had the Durian shake while I had Coconut. lol. I'm not a big fan of Durian though I do eat the fruit, but the fruit is exotic enough for me.. I don't wanna complicate the taste than it already is.. lol.

And so, after that heavy and I mean HEAVY lunch.. I don't know what we were thinking that we decided to go take a turn at the neighbouring food shop.. it was crazy!

Missy Bon Bon, is not just your average breadshop. They serve healthy, freshly made bread and pastries onsite with unique assortment. They serve all day breakfast board to their wide flavours of their gelato. The place is faddy, cozy and fun. Service is good too! I recommend you to try the place. Please.. please.. please.. You don't want to miss this.

Curiosity killed the cat, that's what the old saying goes.. I was too curious to taste a beer flavoured gelato. lol. So I ordered one mixed with green apple gelato.. The fusion reminded me of San Miguel Beer Green Apple. lol. And not long enough I began to be eloquent, dizzy... tipsy, it was crazy! lol.

We left at 4pm to catch our 6:05pm flight back to Manila which departed on time. It was great! By 9:00pm I was sitting pretty back home reminiscing the incredible vacation. The white beach of Camiguin, the chilly climate of Dahilayan and the food.. oh yes the food, how can I forget that!

We have been gone for 4 days and 3 nights.. but we felt like we've been gone longer than that. We really get to enjoy our time like what we're supposed to.. Aaahhh.. Coz you know why? Nothing beats a well made itinerary with an early flight in and a late flight out. lol.

CDO – Camiguin – Bukidnon 2012 – Day 2

We started the day 2 of our break with a bang! lol. Night before that, we agreed to wake up early so we can enjoy our morning at the white island. After breakfast we gathered our things to bring on the island (towel, sunscreen, camera and shades!) For Php400 we were able to rent a roundtrip boat that would take us to the island which is like 10-15mins away from Paras Beach Resort.

Camiguin's white island is actually just a sand bar lost in the sea which sometimes ALMOST disappears on high tide. Don't worry, it will never completely disappear. People of Mambajo, which is where the island rests, said it is best to visit the island in the morning and that the shape of the island on low tide varies on the current. So sometimes the island could be seen on C-shape, U-shape or zigzag.

When we got there the shape of the island is on C-shape but for me whichever shape it may appear it cannot be denied that the island is really impressive. The sand may not be as powdery as the one in Boracay but it certainly is fine and white! I was really amazed. You better not forget to bring your shades 'coz the sand is so white and with the sun's light it's kind of eye-blinding.

Now since the island is uninhabited you will not see any cottages for rent nor some shade of the trees to rest. Good thing some boatmen have thought of rent for a fee some big parasols for Php100 good for as long as how long you will stay. lol. And some picnic mat for also Php100.

Just like the other beaches in the Philippines you will be swarmed with people selling ocean stuff, like seashells, accessories and whatever delicacies (sea urchins and oysters). We soaked all morning in a tolerable (surprisingly) sea water which made me like the place more. We stayed for like 3 hours in the island.. by 10:00am we saw our boat approaching to fetch us. By 10:30pm we left the so alluring island.

We started packing up our things as we plan to check-out at 1pm. Oh we even had our lunch at the resort. We had chicken adobo and sisig. It was delish! We left the resort at 1:30pm picking us up was our tour guide slash driver from the day before which only cost us Php400, unlike the resort transportation which will cost Php800.

Benoni Port

It kinda took us 30-45 minutes from Mambajo to Benoni port. You will have to purchase your ferry boat ticket outside before you enter the port. When we're finally sitting at the waiting area for our 4:00PM board we found out that the boat was running late and we don't leave until 5:30pm. Instead of waiting in vain we decided to just buy some gifts for people back home. We bought boxes of Pastel, a light and soft bun with yema filled pastry, which you can pair with your morning black coffee and some lanzones which is very abundant during that time of the year.

Photo Credit: visitpinas.com

As we went back to the waiting area I cannot help noticing a group of kids doing some sort of street dancing synchronising with every beat of the drum played by an adult. I kinda grew bored at the waiting area so I went to the basketball court to check out the kids dancing. There was a security guard whom I asked about the jiggling. He said the kids are practicing for the lanzones festival which will be held at the end of the month.

I was really surprised with how hard working the kids were. The choreographer was really strict and could be heard yelling on top of his lungs whenever one would commit a mistake, and they would have to start from the beginning.

The guard I was talking to said that there are 10 schools that will be competing on every municipalities and whoever are the top 2 they will be sent to the capital (Mambajo) to compete with other representatives of the other municipalities. Camiguin is divided into 5 municipalities which will make 10 schools competing for a really grand prize.

The kids I saw practicing was actually last year's champion according to the port security guard and the drivers watching them too who were really kind enough to help me ask permission to take pictures of the kids.

Mark, showed up at the basketball court to check me out coz I have been gone for like 2 hours already. lol. Timely the kids were having their break, I think their teachers brought them some "lugaw" or porridge for snack. That's the time we butt in for some pictures. lol.

The props used were really heavy as I tried to lift some of it. I saw the kids were really exhausted already but they have to be the best to defend their title.

By 5pm our boat has already arrived and we left the island of Camiguin at 5:30pm. The boat was not fully booked which means we can sit anywhere we like. lol. Showing on board was Taken1 which Mark have not seen yet. So you can imagine how serious he was watching in front while I slept and woke up just in time in Cagayan De Oro at 7:30PM.

We checked in at Victoria Suites located at Divisoria. Timely there's a night market every Friday and Saturday. Different bands playing on every other street, booze was overflowing and smoke from grilling was filling the air with its aroma so enticing it was fun.. it was a street party!

We headed back to the hotel so we can retire already as we need to be up early for the next day which is our last day.... Next stop - The pineapple capital, BUKIDNON!

Good Bye and Thank You 2012

Photo Credit: Raj Qsar / Pinterest

Goodbye and thank you 2012.

Before the clock strikes twelve and welcome a new year. Please allow me to thank you.

Thank you 2012 for every bits and pieces of blessings and most of the time challenges (even so) a BIG thank you to you. For I know that these challenges are your ways of preparing me to a bigger and better opportunities.

2012, you have been a witness to all my struggles and triumphs. I thank you for recognising my existence and vulnerability for it has taught me to be humble.

I thank you 2012 for extending the blessings and challenges not just to me but to my mates and family, as well, even frenemies.

You don't know how thankful I am 2012 for a splendid blessing of good health to me, to my family and mates. For every morning that I see myself alive and breathing to every night that I can close my eyes and cannot wait to see the next day, thank you.

Oh 2012, as the clock strikes twelve, I will be here waving goodbye to you. I don't know what the next year has in store for me but I am here ready to embrace it.

Please don't be sad 2012, I will be here watching you as you fade away waving goodbye to you. Our memories together will forevermore be remembered.

Goodbye and thank you, 2012.

Formaggi Verde con Gamberi

I just wanna share another recipe I made this Christmas Day. It's something that I read somewhere. lol. It's called Formaggi Verde con Gamberi. Formaggi because the base sauce is said to be composed of three (3) different cheeses (Parmesan, Cheddar and Mozzarella). Now Verde which means green is because of the green leaves added (Basil and Spinach). Gamberi is Italian for shrimp. Makes sense now? lol.

I may be missing one ingredient, but this is because every groceries I go, they're already out of it. The Parmesan. lol.

Ingredients:

• 500g Spaghetti (or any pasta of your choice: Fettuccine, Penne, Ziti, Farfalline, etc.)
• 400g Pasta sauce (canned)
• 400g Shrimp/Prawns (peeled, de-veined and chopped)
• 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
• 1/2 cup Pitted Black Olives (sliced)
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 3 cloves Garlic (sliced)
• 1 medium Onion (chopped)
• 1/2 cup Tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/2 cup Fresh Basil
• Black Pepper (ground)
• 2 tablespoon Sugar (optional)
• 1/2 Spinach (optional)
• 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano

How To Make:

1. Cook pasta per package instructions (al dente). Drain. Set aside

2. In a sauce pan, sauté garlic, onions and tomatoes in olive oil. Add dried basil and shrimp/prawns. Cook for a few minutes then add the fresh basil or spinach and pasta sauce. Cover cook. Add the olives and black pepper.

3. If you want your sauce to be sweet, you may now add sugar. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Note: You don't want to add salt as the olives are salty enough to balance the sourness of tomatoes.

4. Add the drained pasta. Toss.

5. Serve with Parmigiano-reggiano on top. Partner it with a dry white wine.

Easy! 

Eat!

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!