I was starting to get disappointed with places I’ve visited in Camiguin in the last two days. Maybe I was too critical or maybe the island’s famous attractions weren’t really that spectacular. One thing’s for sure, there was a moment when I thought Camiguin was bordering on being an overrated destination.

I’ve read high recommendations and seen amazing photos of different spots in the island prior to the trip. It definitely built-up my expectations of Camiguin. When I finally got to see the usual spots like Katibasan Falls, White Island, Ardent Hot Springs, Walkway to the Old Volcano, and the uber popularized Sunken Cemetery, I guess I just wasn’t WOWed. I also felt that these places were a bit too “touristy” because there were a lot of organized developments already.

After taking a P38 lunch at some random carinderia at the Catarman Public Market, I asked around about how to get to Tuasan Falls. It wasn’t as easy to get to as the ones I previously visited but the effort was indeed worthwhile.

I was very happy I got to visit the Tuasan Falls. Its raw beauty totally turned my experience of Camiguin around.

Tuasan Falls in Catarman, Camiguin

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Finding out about a waterfall unofficially tagged as the “Niagara of the Philippines” made me want to visit the Tinuy-an Falls during my 12-day trip in Northeastern Mindanao.

I was curious to see how it measured up, if its cascades were really comparable to the famed Niagara Falls … at the very least, to see a waterfall in the Philippines that had a more prominent width. I’ve never seen one since most of the waterfalls in the country have like a vertical orientation.

The Tinuy-an Falls was located in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur and since Bislig was majorly out of the way from the rest of my itinerary route, I made it my first stop after arriving in Butuan City.

Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

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Is there really such a thing as a pink sand beach? and does the beaches of the Santa Cruz Islands in Zamboanga really have a characteristic pink sand as popularized?

These were a few questions I wanted to figure out for myself during my first trip to Zamboanga City.

The day before my planned trip to the Santa Cruz Islands, I went to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office located beside Lantaka Hotel (NS Valderosa Street). All tourist visiting the islands are required to coordinate with the DOT since they are the ones arranging transportation and coordinating with the military station in the island.

I checked to see if there were any bookings for the next day. Fortunately, there was one and the DOT Staff told me to be at Paseo del Mar (beside Fort Pilar) early morning the next day.

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The dimming light during our late afternoon arrival in Samal Island set the mood for one unique attraction. We were set to visit the Monfort Bat Colony, known for being home to the largest colony of the Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bats.

Me and Ferdie dropped off at Babak (near the pier) and hailed a motorcycle to take us to the bat colony. The caves were located within a private compound, the owners of which charge an admission fee to see the nocturnal celebrities.

Not a single soul was around to greet us a welcome at the entrance. My head raced when I saw the sign “visiting hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm only.” Emphasis on the until 5:00 pm ONLY. It was already 5:15pm … bummer!

Eerie sight of millions of fruit bats at the Monfort Bat Colony in Babak, Samal Island, Davao del Norte

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An awesome thing about major cities in the Philippines is that excellent island getaways are just a short land/sea trip away. It was my last full day in Davao and I just couldn’t pass off the opportunity to visit Samal Island. The Pearl Farm Resort comes to mind with a mention of Samal but I wasn’t in any mood to splurge … so I fired up google maps and scoured for other potential (cheap) places to visit. I eventually saw an interesting islet located south of mainland Samal called “Talikud.” Saw photos of its beautiful white sand beaches and I inevitably got hooked!

Waiting for the “Talikud Island” ferry to depart from Santa Ana Wharf in Davao City.

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