Wave X Mindanao Trip

So.. I am back to blogging. This time, I want to tell you about my recent trip to Northern Mindanao (Region X) together with my workmates of my previous company that happened on June 30 – July 4, 2012. We call ourselves Wave X. This trip was to celebrate our 3rd year of friendship, since we started working on my previous company.

Going inside the ship.

We are all budget travelers but we visited the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental. It was already planned that we would go there by ship and would go back by plane. We already booked a promo flight with Cebu Pacific for Cagayan de Oro – Cebu trip last March 2012. The ticket cost around PhP 500.00. Then with 2GoTravel, the economy ticket was around PhP 1003.00 (Cebu Pier 4 to Ozamiz City) which we booked 2 days before our trip.

While having karaoke, just a short stop to take a picture of ourselves inside the ship.

2GoTravel Ship (the ship was formerly called Cebu Ferries) departed in Cebu City at 7PM on June 30 (Saturday). It had a short stop in Iligan City by 5AM the following day, then left Iligan City for Ozamiz City by 6AM. We arrived in Ozamiz City at around 8AM on July 1.

Just arrived in Ozamiz City pier.

MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL TRIP

Our first stop of the trip was Ozamiz City. We have a wavemate named Jeepee from Misamis Occidental who already resigned and took a teaching job in Ozamiz City. We haven’t seen him for ages since he resigned so we were all excited to meet him when we arrived in Ozamiz. He was our tour guide in the city. He was able to arrange a van with a price of PhP 4800.00 for the whole day tour (price includes van rental, driver’s fee and gasoline fee). As planned, Jeepee prepared us a brunch at their home in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental. It was a festive brunch for me since we were all hungry and ate more than the average diet. lol Thanks to Jeepee’s family for preparing us a wonderful breakfast.

Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel in Tangub City

By 1PM of July 1, we left Jeepee’s residence and went to Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel Adventure Park in Hoyohoy, Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. According to their signage, it is the longest and highest Zip-line in Asia. Then by 3PM on that day, we visited Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park and Mini Zoo (MOAP) in Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban. This is the place where we supposed to encounter and swim with the dolphins. I will blog separately on each spot that we visited.

Cute monkey eating a banana in MOAP’s mini zoo.

Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park Dolphin Rescue Center

LANAO DEL NORTE

By 6PM July 1, we left Ozamiz City and bound for Linamon, Lanao Del Norte. We took a barge that transported us (it is only a 15-20 minutes ride) from Ozamiz City to Mukas, Lanao Del Norte.

Mukas to Linamon took about 2 hours (PhP 90 pesos Rural Bus fare). One of our wavemates Leizel resides in Linamon so we stayed at their house for the night. Her family prepared a dinner for us. We felt already special. lol

Ronald… about to plunge the pool.

Next day July 1. We spent half of the day swimming the abundant waters of Timoga Spring Pool. Then by 1PM we went to National Power Corporation (NPC) Nature Park and Ma. Cristina Falls.

Timoga Spring Pool

The rest of the afternoon was our Iligan City tour. We went to Iligan City’s Gaisano Mall and bought some souvenirs. By 7PM, we gathered ourselves in my uncle’s house in Baraas, Iligan City. We had our dinner and had some karaoke. We stayed in Baraas for the night.

Wave X at NPC Nature Park

At Ma. Christina Falls

Kalesa / Kartanella in Palao, Iligan City

MISAMIS ORIENTAL

Early morning of July 3 at around 5AM, we left Iligan City to bound for Cagayan de Oro City. It is a 2 hour drive by a non stop air conditioned bus. Fare was PhP 80.00.

Two of my wavemates Ronald and DM are from Cagayan de Oro City. We left our bags at Ronald’s place somewhere in Lapasan, near Agora market.

One of the exciting parts of our rafting experience.

Did we have fun? hehe

By 8:30AM we were all ready for our White Water Rafting Adventure. By 10AM, we arrived somewhere in Talakag, Bukidnon which was our start off point of the rafting. The activity lasted for 4 hours. I will of course blog separately about our white water rafting adventure.

Outside Xavier University, a prestige institution in CDO

After the rafting, we planned to visit Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon but it was raining that afternoon and we had a little time to spare so we decided to tour some parts of Cagayan de Oro City instead. We went to Divisoria, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Butcher’s Best and also I visited a family in Bulua.

Limketkai. After we bought our pasalubongs.

The next day July 4, we went to Divine Mercy Shrine in Salvador, Misamis Oriental. The place is sacred for Catholics. By 10AM, we hurried our way to Lumbia Airport from El Salvador. We had to catch our 12:00PM flight.

Divine Mercy Shrine, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental

We were almost late!

Lumbia Airport, CDO

By 1PM. We arrived in Mactan, Cebu City. So that ends our Mindanao Trip. Like I said, I will blog separately on each spots that we visited. This is just a summary of our trip. SO watch out of those entries. lol

Thank you for reading!