It’s always a momentous milestone to visit and discover a new place. It certainly was for me, when I first set foot in the island of Mindanao. I knew right then, that I just had to see as much of it as I can. Back then, I’ve heard a lot about Mindanao, like all Filipinos, and I felt like I just had to see and experience the island for myself, which I did. Now, I just can’t get enough of Mindanao!

I joined up with fellow travel bloggers Eric and Sinjin for this particular four day trip. We planned on visiting the provinces and cities in Northern Mindanao particularly Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental), Marawi City (Lanao del Norte), and Ozamis City (Misamis Occidental).

Day 1 – Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental

Cebu City to Cagayan de Oro Flight


Aerial view of construction works at the New Cagayan de Oro – Laguindingan Airport. Taken from the Cebu to Cagayan de Oro Flight (Cebu Pacific Flight 5J207 / Airbus A320 / “F” Window Seat – Right side)


Closer Look at the New Cagayan de Oro – Laguindingan Airport and access road


Aerial view of the western side of Cagayan de Oro City


View of the National Highway to Iligan City


Residential Subdivisions at the Upland Areas of Cagayan de Oro City

Arrival in Cagayan de Oro City


Cagayan de Oro Airport Passenger Terminal


Cagayan de Oro Airport Control Tower


SM City Cagayan de Oro


Cagayan de Oro City Hall


Jamon Sandwhich at Slers Ham and Cafe


One of the new mid-rise buildings at LimKetKai Complex shaping up the Cagayan de Oro Skyline.

A tour of Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village (Cagayan de Oro City)


Great view of the eastern side of Cagayan de Oro from the restaurant of the Gardens of Malasag


Verdant flower gardens sprawled across the 7.2 hectare natural landscape in Malasag


Quaint close-up perspectives of the picturesque bioflora


Themed cultural showcase of Northern Mindanao

Exploring Cagayan de Oro Downtown Area


Interiors of LimKetKai Mall, the prime lifestyle center of this part of Mindanao


Facade of Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol


Monument of the the Philippine Revolutionary Movement at the newly redeveloped Vicente de Lara Park

A Night Out in Cagayan de Oro

St. Augustine Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro at Dusk

Kagay-anon Restaurant at Limket Kai Center

Sumptuous Dinner at Kagay-anon Restaurant (Sweet and Sour Port, Boneless Bangus, Ostrich Salpicao)


Ostrich Meat Salpicao at Cagay-anon Restaurant


Cagayan de Oro’s Plaza Divisoria at Night

Day 2 – Road trip from Cagayan de Oro to Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental


Executive Pension, where we stayed for the night in Cagayan de Oro

Road trip to Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental via Marawi


Bulua (West-bound) Terminal, Cagayan de Oro


Iligan City (West-bound) Transport Terminal

The Reason why I wasn’t able to take photos of Marawi?


Mukas Port, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte enroute to Ozamiz City

Day 3 – Ozamis City and Misamis Occidental

Cota Fort in Ozamis City Sightseeing


Main Portal of Cota Fort, also called Fort Santiago or Fuerza de Senora De Concepcion del Triunfo de Pangsi

 


View of Panguil Bay and the Ozamis City Boulevard from Cota Fort

Soaking up the Sun at Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP) in Sinacaban

 


Bamboo Stilt Bridges at the Misamis Occidental Aquamrarine Park


Arrival at Dolphin Island


Dolphin Island’s man-made walkways and viewing platforms

 

Dolphins Chilling out at MOAP

 


Swimming with the Dolphins


Swimming with the Turtle


Fish Feeding

 

 

 


One of the dolphins showing off


Lunch at Palayan Seafoods outside MOAP (SuTuKil Bangus and Chicken Adobo)

Side trip to Jimenez church


Facade of the Jimenez Church, one of the few remaining Spanish-colonial Churches in Mindanao


Belfry of the Jimenez Church


Remarkable woodwork at the interiors of the Jimenez Church

Day 4

Walking Tour of Ozamiz City Downtown Area

 

 

 


Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Downtown Ozamis City


Ozamis City’s Commericial Buildings in the Downtown Area


Royal Garden Hotel, our place of refuge in Ozamis City

Ozamis City Airport and the Return Flight to Cebu


Ozamis City Airport Terminal building

 

 


Cebu Pacific ATR Plane parked at the Ozamis Airport Runway (Ozamiz to Cebu City Flight 5J870)

Ozamiz to Cebu Flight


Aerial view of the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (Mainland side)


Aerial view of Tagbilaran City and Panglao Island


Aerial view of Cebu City Downtown Area with the Crown Regency Hotel Tower

Detailed travel journals, itinerary tips, and expenses summary to follow.