Rising 1,332 meters above sea level, Mount Hibok-Hibok – also known as Catarman Volcano – is the most active of at least 14 volcanoes found in the Philippines’ second-smallest province of Camiguin. It is a hiking paradise within Mounts Timpoong–Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument (MTHNM).
After driving up a dark, winding mountain road on a scooter for half an hour from Mambajao town proper, I was relieved to reach our destination safely with fellow travel blogger Elal Lasola on back ride. A day before our Mt. Hibok-Hibok climb, the Camiguin Tourism Office arranged for us to experience birdwatching (ie. birding among serious enthusiasts), the newest eco-tourism activity on the island. We arrived at 5:30 am at the Mounts Timpoong–Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument (MTHNM) – VisitorsRead More→
Now serviced by twice-weekly flights from Manila and Cebu on Cebu Pacific Air, the picturesque island of Camiguin has reopened to fully-vaccinated domestic tourists since October 25. Aside from revisiting its volcanic peaks, white-sand islands and historic ruins, one must check out the newest restaurants, too. Several dining establishments are centered around Barangay Yumbing in Mambajao, where most of the tourist-oriented accommodations are located. But if you venture off the beaten track, you’ll find some memorable eats like fern-topped pizza,Read More→
Finally! After nearly two years of staying home in Cebu due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was thrilled to fly again and enjoy my first vacation outside my home province. With the peace of mind of being fully vaccinated, I was really looking forward to revisit destinations that were reopening to domestic tourists with fellow travel blogger Elal Lasola. Cebu Pacific Air — the largest airline in the Philippines — sponsored our flights to one of my favorite destinations inRead More→
Foggy view of Ilihan Crater at Mt. Hibok-Hibok, an active volcano on Camiguin Island From its coralline isles and boulder beaches, the island rises abruptly to sleeping mountains of fire blanketed in foggy foliage, the last refuge of endemic animals such as the Camiguin forest mouse (Apomys camiguinensis) and Camiguin hanging parrot (Loriculus camiguinensis). With a total land area of roughly 240 square kilometers, Camiguin is the smallest province in the Philippines after Batanes. Despite its small size, the islandRead More→
Snorkeling above the old cross marker of the Sunken Cemetery in Catarman, Camiguin Minacious clouds curled up around the volcanic peaks of Camiguin as our outrigger canoe slid past the three-storey high concrete cross looming over a sunken graveyard. The violent birth of Mt. Vulcan – a volcanic cinder cone of Mt. Hibok-Hibok – caused some areas of the Spanish colonial town of Bonbon, most notably its cemetery, to subside from 1871 to 1875. The earthly upheaval also destroyed theRead More→
Welcome to my website! I’m travel writer, photographer and online influencer Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap from the Philippines. Join me as I hike, dive, fly, eat and do pretty much anything in between across 7,641 islands and beyond. Need to reach me? Please write me an email.
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