Wow! It actually took me two months before I could finally publish our second and last day in Camotes Island. All these happened last March though I only got to blog about the first part last June. Shame on me! Haha

We slept rather early the night before so we'd have enough time to rest and jump off our beds earlier than everyone else. Initially planned to chase the sunrise, but the weather wasn’t really being cooperative. It decided to be all gloomy, but that did not ruin the entire day waiting ahead of us.

It was the baby-ik and I who woke up first. Decided to stroll around the place while everyone’s still sound asleep, including the little bro. After about an hour, we decided to head back to the room to wake my brother up so we could start our last day in the island.

Started off by having breakfast in Pito’s Sutukil. Happened to bump into my childhood friend there who was out on a company outing with his workmates. (Shoutout to Asreele and his girlfriend Abby!) He was kind enough to lend me his charger so we could have the GoPro’s battery charged. (Yep, we left the charger. Face palm) Haha!

Related: Sea La Vie: Camotes Island Vibe - Day 1

First stop was Mangodlong Rock Resort. It’s still under Santiago Bay Resort’s management so we didn’t have to pay for any entrance fees and whatnots. But waves were really huge, thus we couldn’t really enjoy the waters. So we just roamed around the place and took some photos and video clips (see video below). Too bad we didn’t get to enjoy the resort much but better safe than sorry.

Here's my weird crazy self, making a make-shift surfboard out of baby-ik, and apparently enjoying it! HAHAHA!

We headed back to Santiago Bay and to the infinity pool we went once more. I figured it’s better here so we could savour and enjoy the morning view here in Santiago Bay. We played with the little bro. We were apparently enjoying the pool so much that we didn't get to notice the time. We were in the pool for longer than planned. No regrets though!

The three of us then went back to the room for a quick shower. Thankfully, I had all our things packed the night before so everything would go as smoothly as possible for this day. We honestly didn’t want to leave this paradise. Wish we could have stayed longer.

But we still had a few more hours to explore what we could in the island before we go back to Cebu to face the bittersweet taste of real life.

On the way to Lake Danao Park

Our second stop for the day was Lake Danao. It was pretty far away from Santiago but luckily, Waze didn’t fail us this time.

By the entrance, we spotted some kids selling a Camotes Delicacy they call “Salvaro” (Cassava Chips with a sweet syrup on top). It tastes like Camote Cue only it was so thin, and really crispy. I loved it, so did my little brother! This was all new to me, but both the baby-ik and the little brother mentioned they had snacks like this in their elementary school canteen. Why didn’t we have this, though?

In memory of my pink cap who flew off of my head when we were heading to the port. You will be missed!

We rented out a small paddle boat and paddled around the lake. We also sat by the rocks and fed the fish in the lake. Saw a rare bird. There were snakes, too. You could take pictures of and with the animals. I felt bad for them, not sure why. I decided not to pay just for a photo. Although, overall, seeing my little brother smiling and laughing was candy to my eye.

All the while, I had my phone on Airplane mode to save battery. I hadn't noticed our contact's messages saying all trips back to Cebu were cancelled for the day due to the incoming storm, except for this one trip which is in another port -- an hour away from where we were staying. So, this was why the waves were too huge in Mangodlong!

I was panicking as I still have work the next day, the baby-ik remained calm though. We tried to go to the main port to see for ourselves, but waves were too big. The motorcycle owner led us to where the boat for the last trip would be. Once again bumped into my childhood friend there who managed to secure tickets for the trip. (Though they ended up selling their tickets for a much higher price because a lot of people desperately wanted to go home already.)

Luckily, Sir Alvin helped us find a room to stay for the night. We woke up rather early the next morning. At around 4am, we were already in the port. I fell in line to secure tickets for us three. It was chaotic, but we managed to smile through it all. I felt so sorry for my little brother, he seemed tired. But never did I hear any complaints from him.

This, my friends, is how our Camotes Escapade ended! Another birthday tragedy for the baby-ik! Although we were still thankful we got home safe and sound! Oh, and in time for werk!

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As a day-late birthday gift for the beloved baby-ik, I planned for a 2-day, 1-night quick getaway to Camotes Island. The inner wanderlust in me has been screaming for an adventure anyway. I've been wanting to get away from the bitter taste of reality lately. 

This trip has already been well-planned ahead of time! A getaway we’ve been dying to have since the year started. I may not have blogged about the negativities that’s been happening in my life lately, but sure enough, this break was exactly what my soul needed for cleansing! 

Initial plan was just for 2 people — my boyfriend and I, as you probably may have already guessed. But along the planning process, I felt the need to have my little brother tag along. Spontaneously, I had our accommodation altered for 3 people. 

I barely slept the night before as I was planning for a birthday surprise for the baby-ik (I will probably blog about this soon). I have been very hands on in preparing for literally everything we might be needing to bring and of course, something to munch on while on the way. 

We left early at around 2:00AM and got to Danao port at around 4am. The line was insanely long that day. I didn’t expect the port to be crowded with so many people. Thus, we unluckily haven’t gotten the chance to board on the first trip to the island. We waited for a few more hours for the second trip. I rocked my not-so-little brother to sleep so he could squeeze in some time to rest in what little time we have left before boarding the next boat. 

Soon after, we got to board the boat and finally we were off to the island. We had a pretty good view of the island as our boat nears it at around 10AM. Camotes Island was indeed a beauty. 

We were greeted by the motorcycle owner we had rented out for 2 days. He held a card with my name on it, gave us a few tips on how to go about the island and left the rest for us to explore on our own. 

We stayed in Santiago Bay Resort. And although we arrived earlier than the agreed check-in time, it was so generous of the management to have granted us an early check-in so we could start exploring the island. However, my little brother was all tired from the trip and I could sense that all he wanted to do was rest, so we had him sleep as we went to check-out a cave about an hour away from the resort. He was fine with it. Just told us to come back before the sun sets so he can at least enjoy the pool.

To Bukilat cave we went. Waze failed us yet again, and stalled us for so long. So, we trusted our instincts and opted to explore by asking the locals we happen to pass by.

Despite the rain, the cave was pretty swamped with people that day.

At about 4pm, we got back to the resort and found my little brother watching a Filipino horror film on the TV. 😅 Only he wasn’t watching, he was singing to himself in an attempt to distract himself from the jump scares... Haha! I felt bad, but he said he only waited for about 5 minutes. Sorry, baby bro! 

At around 5pm, we decided for an early dinner, so we went to the most raved food place in Camotes to have something for our hungry tummies. It’s called Pito’s Sutukil. The place has been featured on GMA’s show, Biyahe ni Drew. I ordered Tuna Sashimi, the baby-ik opted for their Sisig as always, the brother chose to munch on some Calamares. A platter of rice and a bottle of coke and we were already full! Prices are really affordable!

Later on, we decided to do some kayaking in the sunset and have a quick dip in the water. 

Sunset here was glorious! I mean, I know all sunsets are, but this one’s definitely one of my favorites! The gradient the sky had that time was just picture-perfect! Man, I wish I could stay longer. 

I honestly didn’t want to get off the water. But my little brother and my boyf dragged me out as it's already getting darker.

And so the sun finally decided to set. 

I just seriously, seriously loved the sand! It’s one of the finest sands I’ve ever stepped on my entire life! So white and so pristine! Not even exaggerating. I wish I could have taken a few for souvenir.

We spent the rest of the night swimming in their infinity pool. My little brother loved it here. He swam and swam and swam until it was time for us to rest. He kept asking to give him 5 minutes, and more 5 minutes. I am so genuinely happy to see my little brother enjoying the day. I love him more than anything in this world!

After about a few hours, we finally decided to call it a day. Little brother drifted to sleep pretty quickly, so did my boyf. I, on the other hand had little time to spare to edit some of our photos and pack our stuff... followed them soon after to dreamland.

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