White Island, Camiguin

Camiguin was the last destination for 2011 and with me were my El Nido travel buddies. We’ve come full circle–having met in El Nido, the trip that started it all and then ending the year in Camiguin with the very same people I traveled with. All of us were self confessed beach bums and we were psyched to hit the beach after spending two days in Cagayan de Oro. It was late but we were assured by the resort owner that we still have enough time to check out White Island, a sandbar just 10 minutes away by boat from the coast of Agojo in Mambajao, Camiguin.

10 minutes later and we saw this: a small piece of paradise on this side of the world… white powdery sand and clear blue waters with a clear view of Mt. Mambajao. It’s not exactly the kind of island I’d want to stay forever but for brief afternoons where all you want to do is relax and take a break from the rest of the world white island will do.

There are no huts or stores in white island, just the boatmen and hawkers with beach umbrellas for rent in case you want to be shielded from the blistering heat of the sun. In our case we didn’t need the umbrella–who’s afraid of a little sun? Certainly not us.

Feeling adventurous? Try the sea urchin offered by some fishermen in White Island for only P50. I skipped on the sea urchin, not because I was a scaredy cat but because I’ve tried it several times before. If you like oysters and dayok then you’ll probably like sea urchin too.

Ever heard of the grinch? My friend Arlyn is a big fan of his hairstyle.

The next photo is for our album cover but we didn’t have the chance to launch it, haha! I love the light leak in this photo. Cant wait to see this in print.

Of course we couldn’t leave without doing the obligatory jumpshot.

Meet Zeli, another dabawenya based in Manila. I love her style and yes, she rocks!

This quirky character is Chris, bungisngis and panics like the best of them. I still laugh everytime I remember her in the river screaming for help.