I’m a kind of traveler that wants to put add the “extra” to extra-ordinary. I always say to myself, “I will not go home until there a story worth telling a thousand time.” This particular trip on Camiguin Island is one of those.
During my Island Tour, I saw what they say as, “the most photographed icon in Camiguin,” the Giant Cross Marker planted on the Sunken Cemetery. So I was thinking, what will this offer aside from the usual sunset shots or jumpshots maybe?
I approached the site with a local’s mindset, I asked if locals can swim to the Cross, they said it is possible. It was just a few meters and a nice morning swim with be perfect as “all waters must be tested” by journeyingjames.
I swam the waters towards the Giant Cross marker (Note: This saved me Php25, because you must take a paddle-boat to cross from the shore to the cross). Immediately I noticed the colorful display of fish and soft corals down low. After a few strokes I reached the marker and I was surprised at the splendid beauty of the Old Vulcan on my east. Not yet satisfied with the adventure, I found my way to the top…
ON TOP: Yes, that’s me, arms raised and rejoicing!
Good thing I left my camera to the locals on the other side and so they were able to capture me.
It was an exhilarating experience to be on the top, at that particular time it was as if all acrophobia was gone. Yes, my knees were shaking but just for a moment, I was enjoying the view, the blue sea below, the clear sky above and the lush vegetation on east. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip, adrenaline is so up! Who said traveling is expensive if I got over the top for free!
But then, if the view for the top was commanding, the view down under was simply astonishing!
This Giant White Cross as I said is grounded on the Sunken Cemetery, feels kinda spooky. At first it was frightening- the thought of seeing white-washed tombs. But a minute below makes you wish you stay forever. Just about 1.5 meters below I saw 3 Nemos (clown fish), steadily moving their fins inside a soft coral. I wish I can ID all the fish I saw but I just doesn’t have the training to do it. But I would say it was one of the best snorkeling activities I did in my entire life.
DOWN UNDER: Snorkeling around the Pamil Reef
I later learned that this is art of the Pamil Reef Sanctuary, fishing is not allowed and you have to ask for permission from the local government before you duplicate what I just did. Good thing, I came there with a local mindset, I experienced it without the redtapes and all.
___ ___ ___
Expenses: n/a
Locals I met during the duration of my visit here:
Locals invited me to join their early lunch of “kilaw na tayum” sea urchins seasoned with vinegar, notice what the kid have in his hands
With Jeffrey Rolin, the boatman who mans the short transport from the shore to the Cross
With Mang Enteng and Mang Tonio, friend of Jeffrey. We had some “chill” time at the eatery near the Cross. We understood each other even with different dialects.
Note: If you happen to visit Camiguin’s Giant Cross Marker, do say my regards to Jeff, Mang Enteng and Mang Tonio. If you can, take a picture of them and upload it to my Facebook page: journeyingjames. Thank you!
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
NORTHERN MINDANAO ESCAPADE. This post is part of a series born out of my adventures in Region X last January 19-25, 2011. I also challenged myself to live within Php500 or less/day budget (food, transportation, accommodation, etc.) as I am preparing for my “The Cheapest 100 Days of Backpacking around the Philippines.”
Bukidnon- What Does a Backpacker Do In A Golf Course? / Zipline Crazy Philippines?
Camiguin- Cheapest Island Tour / Sunken Cemetery: From Top to Bottom Down / In Transit: CDO to Camiguin / Cheap Accommodations
CDO- The Ride of my Year / Divisoria & Night Market
Iligan City- Ma.Cristina Falls: A Dream Fulfilled / Tinago Falls: The Best Waterfalls So Far
‘luv et!!! panu ka umakyat dun? may stairs ba?
Only you could think about climbing up that cross. Wish I’d thought the same hehe…just the thought of a cemetery buried below those water is enough to put some scare into me…It was featured on the Jolens – Juday Movie “Ouija” too haha
hahaha! sabi nga nila konti lang umaakyat dun, medyo mahirap kasi lumipad. 🙂 so i sang “rocketeer” then poof! i was there in less than a second, problem is how to get down, you think i will jump? hahaha
haha asteeg! syet! ako nga d makalad dun s sa stairs sa Lake Mapanuepe eh. kelangan ko na tlga matutong lumangoy. saludo kapatid! 🙂
dapat kang ihagis sa dagat, that way you will learn to swim in no time. parang naglalakad or nagbibikie lang naman kapag nag-swim, relax and try to befriend the waters.
Nice ha, 🙂
Astig ka talaga James forever, Buti na lang di ka tumalon from the top, todo na talaga yun. 🙂
wala na talagang papantay sayo james. Congrats on this post. galing talaga.:-).
Okay James, how the heck did you climb up there? You’re not superman aren’t you? Ahahahaha! And cool abs by the way… must be the result of frequent swimming and diving and all sort of ocean activities…:) Cheers!
the abs? what abs? baka flabs? hahaha
btw, how i wish i am superman with those eyes that have x-ray vision, not to mention the ability to fly.
brad, pano mo inakyat yan sa taas? And if ever meron man stairs, di ko rin naman aakyatin! Good Job! Iba ka talaga! Astig man!
astig ka james, inakyat mo yun! Mukhang scary eh ang taas… Pwede pala mag-snorkel sa paligid nyan, hindi ba mga puntod pa rin na kita sa ilalim?
there is actually a small opening the loob ng cross, its hollow kasi…medyo mahirap lang talaga umakyat pero worth it.
wala na yung mga puntod sa ilalim, it was teeming with life!
you mean natabunan na ng corals at seaweeds?
nope, natabunan ng sands during eruption following the earthquake
Lupit! Speechless ako. 🙂
Kuya james, pano mo naakyat yan? lupet..
galing! also climbed on a couple of structures — lighthouses (nung old one sa Guisin in Guimaras and the one in Capones).
kakatakot nga when you’re on top but very exhilarating!
creepy to be on top, but creepier to do snorkeling! pero nainggit ako ha, nung kinwento mo yung soft corals…
iba ka!! ikaw na!!
creepy to be on top, but creepier to do snorkeling! pero nainggit ako ha, nung kinwento mo yung soft corals…
iba ka!! ikaw na!
Waaah, eto pala yung pinag-uusapan nila marky at claire nung nasa zambales kami,,,grabe!pano mo ginawa yun/pano ka umakyat?…scary yun plus knowing na sementeryo yun…idol talaga kita!
Camiguin is indeed a great destination. Been there on a college field trip and I wanna go back there one day.
Hanlupet mo sir!
galing mo James!, when we were there bumabagyo naman kala ko exciting na yun ..iba ka umakyat ka pa at libre pa… more power and take care always..
nakakatakot naman yung umakyat ka pa talaga sa cross hahaha..pano yun??
you alreday!!!galing galing! sana matuloy kami sa camiguin this year,regards kita kina jeff,mang eting at tonio hihihi
secret! hahah hope you enjoy the trip to camiguin
Namiss ko bigla si kuya jeff.. Last June 29, 2012 ko lang sila nameet.
its nice that you met my friends!
Will be in CDO-Camiguin on October this year. I really envied your photo on top of the cross. xD Really wonder how you made it! I wish you can email me the tips on how to get up there. LOL
Good job! keep on inspiring.I start travelling 2010, I wish I made some documentaries like this xD This is really worth reading 🙂
You’re an awesome traveler James. And you just climbed that big cross. Whoo!