For the past three summers, I’ve been going back to visit my province in Camiguin with my family and even with friends. Of course, most of my summers as a child growing up were spent with my grandparents and relatives over there as well. So it’s safe to say that Camiguin has always felt like home. It’s a far cry from the place I grew up here in Makati. And though I still believe that it would be incredibly different to part ways with the city lifestyle, I occasionally crave for that form of escapism that only the provincial life can bring. There’s just something about being so close to nature that makes you want to just embrace your surroundings and immerse yourself in the wonders of the simple life.

The island has always been very beautiful, and the fond summer memories growing up with my cousins and relatives will always be an important part of me. It’s a tourist attraction in itself with glorious beaches, pristine waters and all sorts of natural goodness. haha. This time, I skipped all the tourist attractions (mostly because I’ve been to most, if not all) and found solace and comfort in meeting my relatives and cousins, bonding with my little sister (Damn UP for having such a tedious enrollment process! Because of that, my other sister, Rubie couldn’t come.) and finding time to think about my future. Haha. Emo ba? Honestly, it’s really not so much like that. It is more on finding that motivation and inspiration to accomplish my immediate goals. I simply found time to think about what I will take on soon as I embark on my last undergrad year. It was what I needed to face my busiest year yet.

One of the many things I love about Camiguin is that everyone knows everyone (and everyone knows my mom! haha.). There’s just that refreshing atmosphere of family and community. People will go out of their way to prepare something nice just to welcome you, despite the little amount of money they make. It’s all very touching and moving to hear their personal stories sometimes. I guess what affected me the most is how they exude such contentment and satisfaction – happiness even with what they have. I don’t know, but it’s so different from the things I hear here in Manila.

Another wonderful part of my trip in Camiguin was meeting and bonding with my high school teachers from CSA. They also had their summer outing there and we met up with them. It was so nice to see and talk to them after several years. Hanging out with them so casually is a testament to the swiftness of time. I owe a lot to those teachers. My High School years were the absolute best.

We didn’t stay long in Camiguin. We spent two more days in Cagayan de Oro, as well as a visit to Bukidnon. Can I just say that our ferry ride going to Balinguan, Misamis Oriental was so much fun because we all got to see around three dolphins following us (jumping high too!)? I was just so thrilled because dolphins are one of my favorite animals. Sadly, I couldn’t get a decent shot. :(

We have forgone the hotels and stayed in Malasag, Cagayan de Oro (see picture above), a little bit far from the city and quite closer to nature. It also has the most spectacular view. I loved the place just because it’s so cozy and inviting.

Immediately after arriving in Cagayan, we visited the pineapple plantation (the biggest in Southeast Asia) in Camp Phillips, Bukidnon. Pineapple haven. hahaha. I’m a huge pineapple fan so it was a treat to eat really cheap pineapple goodies.

One of the more exciting parts of my trip included trying out White Water Rafting at Macahambus Adventure Park in Cagayan de Oro with 2 of my cousins. It was just so much fun! The rapids were wild! haha. I was also quite thankful that it was not at all sunny or I’d probably end up fried. Instead, it ended up raining, which made some parts of the ride soooo cold. It was a three-hour ride with the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I was majorly bummed by the fact that I left our camera with my mom, so these pictures were taken while we were about to dock at the end already. My cousins and I did ask for pictures from the people at Macahambus, except that my tita has yet to send the CD over here.

The ride was quite exhausting because we had to paddle very hard all throughout. It was funny because I was the only girl in our boat and the men I was with were all muscly and strong. hahaha. But we were all friends after the three-hour ride. :)

Best part of my trip was having that time to bond with my cousins. They occasionally visit Manila, but they study in Cagayan so I barely get to see and talk to them. It was so wonderful to hear them open up about their lives, as I try to get to know them even better. I guess it was another testament to how much we’ve all matured and become wiser through the years. I miss them all very much.

After the consecutive packing and traveling since Singapore, Tagaytay and Mindanao, I’m back here at home and awaiting my upcoming OJT in the Congress, dealing with so much work for COA and trying to lose weight (8 pounds gone since post-Singapore! hahaha!). Oh busy busy me. At least, I still have time to rest today by trying to catch up on my series and reading.