Short
but sweet. Two adjectives describing my first sojourn to Camotes Islands, one
of the two island groups I’ve visited (the other being Bantayan in 2006) that
belong to the island province of Cebu. Camotes counts among the most charming
small land masses I’ve ever seen so far. And with beauty like that, who
wouldn’t succumb to a sweet surrender?
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Santiago Bay as seen from my hotel's veranda
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Sweet
potatoes. That’s where this island group found in the vastness of the Visayan
waters supposedly got its name from. Made up of three charming islands (Pacijan,
Ponson and Poro) and one islet (Tulang), Camotes is said to have been named
after the lowly but nutritious root crop that’s a staple in many Pinoy
households.
One
folk tale has it that when the Spanish colonizers went there, they chanced upon
some islanders who were harvesting sweet potatoes and asked for the name of the
place. Thinking the strangers were referring to what they were gathering, the
locals replied, “kamote”. The name stuck and the lovely islands off the coast
of Cebu have been called as such since then.
Camotes
has four towns distributed in its three major islands: the lake town of San
Francisco or San Franz (in Pacijan); the port town of Poro and the municipality
of Tudela (in Poro) and the town of Pilar (in Ponson). It also as an islet,
Tulang, which is part of San Franz.
The
islands have three major ports: Poro, where fast ferries (e.g. Ocean Jet) from
Cebu City dock; Consuelo, where ro-ro vessels (e.g. Jomalia) from Danao City
drop anchor; and Pilar, where boats ply the route to and from Ormoc City.
At this time of the year when most people run
away to frequently visited destinations for one last summer hurrah, I opted to
gravitate towards a least known yet most unspoilt hideaway in Cebu, that’s
Camotes, of course. For me, the remote islands in Central Visayas are the
picture-perfect locales for a sweet summer escape.
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A typical white-sand beach in Camotes
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Going
over my choices for possible destinations late last year, I chose Camotes over
Malapascua (another island in Cebu Province) because of their relative nearness
to Cebu City. True enough, I reached the islands in a day’s time after
traveling by air, land, and sea—a trip lasting for about four hours combined,
including brief stopovers, if I’m not mistaken.
Arriving
at the international airport in Mactan, I hailed a cab and instructed the
driver to take me to Cebu City’s Pier 1 where fast ferries (i.e. Ocean Jet)
bound for the islands are docked. Having bought my ticket online, I breezed
through the inspection and security checks, just in time to catch the 10:00 AM
trip to the islands.
To
cut travel time, I opted to take the fast craft bound for Poro, more expensive
at Php550 compared to the express boats (Php200-220) or ro-ro vessels
(Php180-200) bound for the port of Consuelo since I didn’t want to travel for
another hour to Danao City via any of those buses (for Php40) at Cebu’s North
Bus Terminal or vans (for Php50) at SM City Cebu.
Sailing
on a rainy day, the Ocean Jet I boarded relentlessly cut its way through the
rough Visayan waters, passing through the narrow Opon Channel a.k.a. Mactan
Channel and the vast Camotes Sea, reaching the port of Poro around lunch time.
I didn’t make any prior arrangements for my ride to Santiago Bay Garden and
Resort (in San Francisco) where I had earlier booked myself for two nights.
With
my wheeled duffel bag in tow, I negotiated with one of the tricycle drivers I
saw at the port’s exit, a local guy
named Eric, for a reasonable fare to the resort. The pakyaw trip was Php150. Whoa, it was way
below what I had expected! No further questions asked, I quickly gathered my
stuff and hopped into his tricycle.
After
a brief stop for lunch in one of the carenderias at the poblacion of Poro, I
went back to the tricycle and headed for San Franz. En route to the resort,
the vehicle passed through a concrete but cracked stretch that had seen better
days. Lush mangrove trees bordered each side of the road. So this must be the
mangrove-lined causeway that links the islands of Poro and Pacijan, I thought.
The
drive to the resort offered me quick glimpses of life in Camotes: plain,
bucolic, languid, my kind of environment when I want to escape the din and
drudgery of the urban jungle. Nearly an hour later, I reached my home away from
home for the next few days. Tired, I got my keys and headed for my room,
hitting the sack for the next hour or two.
Neatly
tucked between Cebu and Leyte, Camotes is billed as the “Lost Horizon of the
South”. And rightly so. Pristine beaches, emerald waters, nice folks, fresh
seafood—the islands have all the simple things I love! That’s why I was
instantly charmed the moment my beach-hungry feet touched those white, powdery
sands.
So
what made this trip one of the sweetest ones I’ve ever had? Well, there’s
Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, Santiago Beach, Paraiso Cave, Mangodlong
Paradise Resort and, of course, the pristine Lake Danao—all of which happen to
be among the attractions found in San Franz, the so-called “Town by the
Lake”.
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The fabulous white-sand beach at Santiago Bay
|
Santiago Bay Garden
and Resort.
Sitting on top of a rocky hill that provides a spectacular view of the blue
ocean, the resort is definitely a must-see for visitors. Sprawled over a 2.5
hectare expanse, Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, was my home away from home. I
instantly liked the place the moment I saw it. Tall coconut trees, flowers and
other foliage lend an idyllic air to the resort.
It
also boasts of several accommodations that vacationers can choose from
depending on their budget. Rates vary depending on the type of rooms, ranging
from 1,000 (non-aircon room) to Php6,000 (for villas that can accommodate
families). It also boasts of two infinity swimming pools, both of which offer a
breathtaking vista of the bay.
 |
Santiago Bay on a late afternoon
|
Overlooking
the vastness of Santiago Bay, the resto is probably one of the best places to
enjoy one’s brekkies in the resort The fare is quite simple, mostly typical but
delectable Pinoy food, but so reasonably-priced. Aside from this, it was the ambiance that really took my
breath away. Imagine sipping your ice-cold beer while watching the summer sun
go down the horizon. Ah, so simple yet so surreal pleasure!
 |
Turquoise waters of Santiago Bay
|
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Panoramic view of Santiago Bay
|
The
bay also has a lovely beach that’s just a walking distance from the resort,
with a white-sand stretch that’s probably more than a hundred meters away from
the shoreline.
The
waters in that part of Pacijan are quite still, smooth and shallow even at high
tide. Open to the public, the pristine beach attracts throngs of visitors who
go there to bask in the beauty of Camotes’s sun, sea, and sand.
 |
Mangodlong's white-sand stretch provide the perfect contrast to the turquoise waters
|
Dotting the perimeter of the beach are a
number of affordable restaurants and small resorts which would surely appeal to
those taking a vacay on a shoe-string budget.
Mangodlong Rock
Resort.
Found in a fishing village named Mangodlong, the resort is another venue that
offers a spectacular view of the turquoise waters surrounding Camotes. Its
powdery white-sand shoreline is about 200 meters long. Water in those parts is crystal clear, perfect for swimming.
Sprawling
within a cove with a white-sand stretch, the resort boasts of several rock
formations prominently floating above the water just a few meters away from the
beach. On top of these rocks are
tropical huts from where guests can catch the awesome ocean view 360 degrees.
I
didn’t stick around for long in Mangodlong. I just explored the place, albeit briefly, and gulped a couple of my fave light brew. Secluded and serene, I
found the resort the ideal nook for bumming along the beach, reading a
paperback under swaying trees, playing beach volleyball, or just feasting on a
platter of tuna ceviche (that's kinilaw for you!).
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The beach at Mangodlong Rock
|
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Tropical huts at the rock formations
|
Undoubtedly, it would be a waste of time if one doesn’t indulge in activities like
snorkeling, swimming, surfing, sailing, scuba diving and what have you. They’re
a must especially for those staying there. The rates? Depends on the room but
these range between Php2,200 to Php4,000.
 |
Huts on rocks
|
Paraiso Cave. Spelunking,
whenever possible, is part and parcel of my itinerary when I’m in an island.
I’d like to think I’m claustrophobic but there’s something about caves that
takes away my fear for dark chambers. Must be those unique rock formations, I
guess. I wanted to go cave-hopping in Camotes but I didn’t have enough time to
spare given their distances from each other. So, I just settled for Paraiso
Cave.
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Inside Paraiso Cave
|
Seeing
the cave for the first time, I was instantly reminded of another popular
attraction in another fascinating locale—Panglao Island’s Hinagdanan Cave. Like
the one found in Bohol, Paraiso also boasts of an underground stream. To get
inside the cave, I paid a token of an entrance fee (Php20). A guide named Bobby
led me around the not-so-huge dugout. I gave him Php100 for his services.
I thought it was pitch dark down there but to my surprise, lights were
strategically placed in different parts of the cave. And man-made stairs, too.
These, I guess, somewhat diminished the natural state of Paraiso. Well, I just
contented myself with what’s right in front of me because it was my decision to
explore it in the first place.
A
few more steps and I finally saw what I came for—the underground stream. I
didn’t have plans of taking a dip though. I just wanted to see it up close and
personal. A couple of Korean tourists were swimming down there so I didn’t
linger. After taking some pics, I called on my guide and we went back into the
light.
 |
Paraiso Cave's underground stream
|
Lake Danao Park. Said to be the
perfect spot for lovers, Lake Danao, a 680-hectare body of water, is one of the
most awesome sights that never fails to draw people who visit Camotes. Found at
the northern part of Pacijan Island, the guitar-shaped lake had me at hello. I
was instantly swept away the moment I stepped out and saw its vast expanse for
the first time.
 |
Boating is a favorite pastime in Lake Danao
|
Said
to be managed by Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, the lake and its
surroundings provide a relaxing ambiance
that visitors, especially friends and families, will find the perfect venue for
group activities. Around the lake are
some amenities that tourists expect to see in a resort—a snack bar, a swimming
pool, picnic areas, a camping site, to name some.
So
it was with a heavy heart that I bade goodbye to one of my dream destinations,
uncertain about my return. One thing is certain though: I’ll be back! It’s just
a question of when. This early, I’m training my sights towards the towns of
Poro and Pilar (in Ponson).
Camotes,
no doubt, charmed me at first sight and all throughout the brief time I was
there. And if I were to rate them, I’d definitely give the picturesque islands
seven stars for making my last summer hurrah so amazingly sweet!
So,
that’s Camotes for you. Simple. Serene. Sensual. And just as sweet as one of my
favorite stuff for brekkie. For now, the islands may just be one of those tiny
ones found along the seas less sailed but I’m positive that in the
not-so-distant future many weekend warriors will be sweetly surrendering to
their unspoilt beauty. Why not be among the first to do so?
:D
One
folk tale has it that when the Spanish colonizers went there, they chanced upon
some islanders who were harvesting sweet potatoes and asked for the name of the
place. Thinking the strangers were referring to what they were gathering, the
locals replied, “kamote”. The name stuck and the lovely islands off the coast
of Cebu have been called as such since then. 
Camotes
has four towns distributed in its three major islands: the lake town of San
Francisco or San Franz (in Pacijan); the port town of Poro and the municipality
of Tudela (in Poro) and the town of Pilar (in Ponson). It also as an islet,
Tulang, which is part of San Franz.
The
islands have three major ports: Poro, where fast ferries (e.g. Ocean Jet) from
Cebu City dock; Consuelo, where ro-ro vessels (e.g. Jomalia) from Danao City
drop anchor; and Pilar, where boats ply the route to and from Ormoc City.
Going
over my choices for possible destinations late last year, I chose Camotes over
Malapascua (another island in Cebu Province) because of their relative nearness
to Cebu City. True enough, I reached the islands in a day’s time after
traveling by air, land, and sea—a trip lasting for about four hours combined,
including brief stopovers, if I’m not mistaken. 
Arriving
at the international airport in Mactan, I hailed a cab and instructed the
driver to take me to Cebu City’s Pier 1 where fast ferries (i.e. Ocean Jet)
bound for the islands are docked. Having bought my ticket online, I breezed
through the inspection and security checks, just in time to catch the 10:00 AM
trip to the islands. 
To
cut travel time, I opted to take the fast craft bound for Poro, more expensive
at Php550 compared to the express boats (Php200-220) or ro-ro vessels
(Php180-200) bound for the port of Consuelo since I didn’t want to travel for
another hour to Danao City via any of those buses (for Php40) at Cebu’s North
Bus Terminal or vans (for Php50) at SM City Cebu. 
Sailing
on a rainy day, the Ocean Jet I boarded relentlessly cut its way through the
rough Visayan waters, passing through the narrow Opon Channel a.k.a. Mactan
Channel and the vast Camotes Sea, reaching the port of Poro around lunch time.
I didn’t make any prior arrangements for my ride to Santiago Bay Garden and
Resort (in San Francisco) where I had earlier booked myself for two nights.
After
a brief stop for lunch in one of the carenderias at the poblacion of Poro, I
went back to the tricycle and headed for San Franz. En route to the resort,
the vehicle passed through a concrete but cracked stretch that had seen better
days. Lush mangrove trees bordered each side of the road. So this must be the
mangrove-lined causeway that links the islands of Poro and Pacijan, I thought. 
The
drive to the resort offered me quick glimpses of life in Camotes: plain,
bucolic, languid, my kind of environment when I want to escape the din and
drudgery of the urban jungle. Nearly an hour later, I reached my home away from
home for the next few days. Tired, I got my keys and headed for my room,
hitting the sack for the next hour or two. 
Neatly
tucked between Cebu and Leyte, Camotes is billed as the “Lost Horizon of the
South”. And rightly so. Pristine beaches, emerald waters, nice folks, fresh
seafood—the islands have all the simple things I love! That’s why I was
instantly charmed the moment my beach-hungry feet touched those white, powdery
sands. 
So
what made this trip one of the sweetest ones I’ve ever had? Well, there’s
Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, Santiago Beach, Paraiso Cave, Mangodlong
Paradise Resort and, of course, the pristine Lake Danao—all of which happen to
be among the attractions found in San Franz, the so-called “Town by the
Lake”. 
Santiago Bay Garden
and Resort.
Sitting on top of a rocky hill that provides a spectacular view of the blue
ocean, the resort is definitely a must-see for visitors. Sprawled over a 2.5
hectare expanse, Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, was my home away from home. I
instantly liked the place the moment I saw it. Tall coconut trees, flowers and
other foliage lend an idyllic air to the resort. 
It
also boasts of several accommodations that vacationers can choose from
depending on their budget. Rates vary depending on the type of rooms, ranging
from 1,000 (non-aircon room) to Php6,000 (for villas that can accommodate
families). It also boasts of two infinity swimming pools, both of which offer a
breathtaking vista of the bay. 
Overlooking
the vastness of Santiago Bay, the resto is probably one of the best places to
enjoy one’s brekkies in the resort The fare is quite simple, mostly typical but
delectable Pinoy food, but so reasonably-priced. Aside from this, it was the ambiance that really took my
breath away. Imagine sipping your ice-cold beer while watching the summer sun
go down the horizon. Ah, so simple yet so surreal pleasure!
The
bay also has a lovely beach that’s just a walking distance from the resort,
with a white-sand stretch that’s probably more than a hundred meters away from
the shoreline. 
The
waters in that part of Pacijan are quite still, smooth and shallow even at high
tide. Open to the public, the pristine beach attracts throngs of visitors who
go there to bask in the beauty of Camotes’s sun, sea, and sand.
Sprawling
within a cove with a white-sand stretch, the resort boasts of several rock
formations prominently floating above the water just a few meters away from the
beach. On top of these rocks are
tropical huts from where guests can catch the awesome ocean view 360 degrees.
Undoubtedly, it would be a waste of time if one doesn’t indulge in activities like
snorkeling, swimming, surfing, sailing, scuba diving and what have you. They’re
a must especially for those staying there. The rates? Depends on the room but
these range between Php2,200 to Php4,000.
Seeing
the cave for the first time, I was instantly reminded of another popular
attraction in another fascinating locale—Panglao Island’s Hinagdanan Cave. Like
the one found in Bohol, Paraiso also boasts of an underground stream. To get
inside the cave, I paid a token of an entrance fee (Php20). A guide named Bobby
led me around the not-so-huge dugout. I gave him Php100 for his services. 
I thought it was pitch dark down there but to my surprise, lights were
strategically placed in different parts of the cave. And man-made stairs, too.
These, I guess, somewhat diminished the natural state of Paraiso. Well, I just
contented myself with what’s right in front of me because it was my decision to
explore it in the first place. 
A
few more steps and I finally saw what I came for—the underground stream. I
didn’t have plans of taking a dip though. I just wanted to see it up close and
personal. A couple of Korean tourists were swimming down there so I didn’t
linger. After taking some pics, I called on my guide and we went back into the
light.
Lake Danao Park. Said to be the
perfect spot for lovers, Lake Danao, a 680-hectare body of water, is one of the
most awesome sights that never fails to draw people who visit Camotes. Found at
the northern part of Pacijan Island, the guitar-shaped lake had me at hello. I
was instantly swept away the moment I stepped out and saw its vast expanse for
the first time. 
Undoubtedly
the main attraction of Lake Danao Park, the lake is less than 30 minutes away
by car from Santiago Bay Garden and Resort. Motorcycles ply the route from San
Francisco to the lake resort, with fare ranging from Php50-100 depending on
one’s location in Pacijan. 
Said
to be managed by Santiago Bay Garden and Resort, the lake and its
surroundings provide a relaxing ambiance
that visitors, especially friends and families, will find the perfect venue for
group activities. Around the lake are
some amenities that tourists expect to see in a resort—a snack bar, a swimming
pool, picnic areas, a camping site, to name some. 
Home
to fresh tilapia, lush greens and distinctive ducks, it provides the perfect
venue for a variety of individual as well as group activities—fishing, boating,
picnicking, snoozing under the shades and what-have-you. 
All
things, however, come to an end. Just like my sweet escape to Camotes. The 48
hours that I was there ticked rather so fast. So fast, it seemed faster than
the speed of light! Sweetness eventually turned to sorrow as I went through the
motions of wrapping up my last summer hurrah. Time to face the realities of the
urban jungle once again.
Camotes,
no doubt, charmed me at first sight and all throughout the brief time I was
there. And if I were to rate them, I’d definitely give the picturesque islands
seven stars for making my last summer hurrah so amazingly sweet! 
So,
that’s Camotes for you. Simple. Serene. Sensual. And just as sweet as one of my
favorite stuff for brekkie. For now, the islands may just be one of those tiny
ones found along the seas less sailed but I’m positive that in the
not-so-distant future many weekend warriors will be sweetly surrendering to
their unspoilt beauty. Why not be among the first to do so? 
