Manda Island, Mapun

Mapun is one of the municipalities of Tawi-Tawi. Manda Island is part of Mapun municipality which is a Marine Protected Area. It is a perfect place that offers diving spots with numerous coral beds lushing lavishly that is visible to the naked eyes. It is also a nice spot for snorkeling. It was an awesome experience to be in this island. The sights of unexplored white sandy beach and the scene of huge rocks formation are just splendid. However, it was kinda freaky experience getting near the rocks. It was a different feeling because the rocks look ghastly and spine-chilling. Anyhow, going to Manda Island is not easy. You need to hire a pump boat or motor launch to get there. Oh, I can just imagine the big waves we encountered going back to Mapun from Manda Island. Nonetheless, it was a worth it experience! 

Samal Island

Samal Island is part of Metropolitan Davao area. From Davao city, you can ride a ferry/ barge or a passenger boat to reach the place. Once you get there, you can hire or commission  a motorcycle/habal-habal driver to show you around. Samal Island also offers many tourist attractions. You should not miss to visit the Monfort Bat Sanctuary where you can see many creepy bats. It is known to be the home of 1.8 million Geoffroy’s Rousette fruit bats, the largest known colony in the world. What we find amazing during our visit was the fact that despite the nocturnal in nature of these bats, you can still see them very active during daytime. You can see them fighting, flying and some sleeping. Though, it is not allowed to enter the cave, you can still have the chance to glance and peep them through the five openings. Just minimize the noise and loud sound to avoid disturbing the bats. Another attraction that you need to see when you get to Samal Island is the Hagimit falls. It is a cascade of smaller waterfalls that streams down to the water catch basin.It is surely a place where you need to be when you are seeking a lazy break or a moment to sit back and relax. And lastly, there are many resorts that offer different kinds of service to the adventure seeker, tourists and locals. You name it from dull ride to extreme watersports ride. This might be the perfect place for adventure, fun, reunion and romance.

Camiguin Island

Camiguin Island is the smallest province in Northern Mindanao. This place offers a lot of things to  travelers . Those who love to travel will surely love this place. And what I like the most in Camiguin is the hospitality and honesty of the people there. They are so nice and humble. When you go to Camiguin, you will feel like you are in the other country because of the presence of foreigners freely roaming around the place. However, it's not that easy to get there. Our point of origin is in Davao city. From Davao, we took a bus for Cagayan de Oro. It is a 8-9 hour travel. From CDO, we took another shuttle bus for Misamis Oriental to reach Balinguan. It is a 2 hour travel. Then finally, a  Ro-Ro vessel brought us to Benoni port. 

Our first stop was the Katibawasan Falls.

Then, the walkway to the old volcano and station of the cross.

Of course, No. 1 on our list is the sunken cemetery. It is the main tourist attraction in the area. Good thing, the local tourist guides know how to capture picture creatively.

We also got the chance to visit some ruins of old churches.

The highlight of our travel is perhaps, the White Island (I made a separate blog on this). I so love it here!

And finally, a hot spring in Ardent is the best place to go to release tension, aches and pain from a long travel.

Nothing beats a native place like this where we stayed overnight!