Last of Summer

Borromeo Resort, San Francisco, Camotes Island

© 2011-05-21 by Eric

My wife and I, along with four friends, made a final dash to the beach before summer's end and it was one of the best beach vacations I've had in ages. Of course, one knows that to get to at least a good beach nowadays, one has to travel hours in suicidal public land transports and antique water vessels; ours consisted of an hour's ride to the wharf via jeepney and then a 2-hour ferry boat ride to get to our destination -- Camotes Island.

There were side shows during the boat ride where dolphins were gliding along with the boat at a distance. Some dolphins even came very close to the sides of the boat and jumped out of the water to the amusement of those people lucky enough to see them (I wasn't able to witness this).

When we got to the island, we hired a multicab which offered to give us a tour for Php1500 if only within barrio San Francisco or Php1800 if we go further (to the next barrio). The fare to and from the wharf and resort would cost about Php50 per head so it's a bit steep but you actually have no choice.

I am sure that there are a lot of places to go to in San Francisco, Camotes but we were only able to go to a few:

• Santiago Bay Resort - This was where we stayed for the night. It was a really good place and cheap rooms (we took a standard room for 2 which cost Php1800/night but since we had to add 4 more people, we ended up paying about Php2700+ for the room)
• Mangodlong Beach Resort - You see natural rock formations in this beach. These rock formations also have cottages built on top of them. I was told that it was a great sight early mornings when the tide is low as you can go underneath these rock formations. I think you pay Php15 for entrance but since we were staying at the Santiago Bay resort, then entrance was free (I heard the owner of the 2 resorts were one and the same)
• Lake Danao - This is on big lake. Serene. Calm. A great place for a picnic. The entrance is Php5 per person. Too bad the dock they made was quite small; given that a whole lot of people were going there to get pictures taken. We weren't able to ride on that lake boat they had (Php500 per 10 persons for maybe an hour's ride) because we were running out of time
• Timubo Caves - A cave with natural spring waters big enough for swimming in. You pay Php15 per person for entrance fee here. It was disappointing because when we got there, the spring where you can swim in was full of people so it looked like a local bath house more than it resembled a natural spring
• Borromeo Beach - Last stop of the day as we were getting tired. Another white sand beach. Php5 per person for entrance fee (and where I took the photo above)

We were lucky to have splendid weather during this trip. It was sunny and the open sea was calm. The white sanded beaches were great and food was good (we only ate at Pito's Su-to-kil where seafoods were really cheap). All in all, it was a relaxing weekend spent in good summer weather and great company.

Homeward Bound

© 2011-05-22 by Mae (my wife)

I feel one day at Camotes is not enough to explore the beauty of nature. It's a very conducive place for relaxation and lazing about. Whenever I heard the cicadas make the noises they make, my mind was quickly transported back to my childhood in Bukidnon where the soothing sounds of these insects were common. Sadly, I live in the city now so hearing those sounds again at Camotes was a treat.