Camiguin has lots of hot and cold springs, and we chose to go this one, out of the many springs in the area to save time. Plus the rumor that the water here tastes like soda, made us want to visit it more. We were anxious to get in and find out for ourselves the taste of this so-called Soda pool.

Upon entering the place, you’d instantly see huge banners of soft drinks in the area, which sort-of made it more believable that this could be a real soda-pool.

But you wont really find an answer what’s the content of this pool. The locals had devised some kind of  script on tourists there, because when you ask what’s in it.. They’d always reply with the cliche ‘just see for yourself’. And we did. Not only did we ‘see it for ourselves‘, we tasted the water, and tasted it more… and more… and more. For some reason, every taste doesn’t taste like soda, it’s just regular water. We thought our taste buds were just missing it.

It was after our trip that we knew we were played, Soda Swimming pool is not called by it’s name because it tastes like soda. It’s the bubbly characteristic of the water that made it the Soda Swimming pool that it is.

This is a great joke if you’re traveling with many people. Keep this secret to your self as well, and have the trip of your life.

Fees and Fares

Entrance Fee :20php/person

*Based on October 2008 trip

More pictures of Camiguin here:

(click on the picture to view the album)

How to go to Camiguin

Mambajao Island, is located near Camiguin. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have regular flights going to Cagayan de oro. Fare ranges from 2000 to 5000 pesos. (One way, non-promo fare)

Check out our Travel Promos category for the latest promo fare from Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines.

For our trip, we took a taxi from Cagayan de Oro Airport to take us to Balingoan, were the ferries bound to Camiguin can be found. The ferry trip is about 1 to 1.5 hours long, where it will dock at the port of Benoni. Ferry fare to Camiguin is P135.00. (October 2008)

How to go to Mantigue

From Mantigue, we stayed at Enigmata Tree House, where in the receptionist at the area arranged us with a boat going to Mambajao. Alternatively, you can find boat men in the ports of Benoni, or at Mantigue to take you there.

What to See – Tourist Spot in Camiguin

Mantigue has  a very rich aquatic life. Upon going there through boat, we can already see the sea grounds near the island. There were lots of corals, fishes, and star fishes you can see from that point.

Mantigue is perfect for diving and snorkeling, though we werent able to do that because we came there late. What we did is just stroll around the island, where in we were still able to take a look at Mantigue’s aquatic life.

From Mantigue, you can still view the beautiful island of Camiguin, including Mt. Timpoong.

Camiguin, as seen from Mantigue

Fares and Fees

Ferry fare to Camiguin : P135.00

Boat Fare going to Mantigue : about P1100.00

More pictures of Mantigue and Camiguin here:

(Click on the picture to view the album)

Gecko sculpture at Enigmata

How to go to Camiguin

Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines have regular flights going to Cagayan de oro. Fare ranges from 2000 to 5000 pesos. (One way, non-promo fare)

For our trip, we took a taxi from Cagayan de Oro Airport to take us to Balingoan, were the ferries bound to Camiguin can be found. The ferry trip is about 1 to 1.5 hours long, where it will dock at the port of Benoni. Ferry fare to Camiguin is P135.00. (October 2008)

How to go to Enigmata Tree House

From the port of Benoni, take a jeep going to Mambajao. Tell the driver to drop you off at Enigmata Tree House. Most jeepney drivers and passengers knows where it is. But in case they don’t, just watch out for a 10-foot igorot statue on the road. That’s where the tree house is.

The tree house of Enigmata

What to See – Tourist Spots in Camiguin

Enigmata Tree house is a nature-inspired hotel or lodge. It is built in a tree, and has four rooms available for rent.

Here are the room types available at Enigmata: (source:enigmatatreehouse.com)

• Bartender’s Backpackers Room
  at the bar with rooftop for moon gazingPhp200 per pax four persons shared toilet and bath
• Swing Garden Backpackers
  right beside the mother acacia treePhp250 per pax8 persons private toilet and bath
• Shell Garden Suite
  Php950 per 2 paxplus Php200 per extra pax4 persons private toilet and bath
• Eagles Nest Suite
  P950 per 2 pax plus 200 for each additional personprivate toilet and bath

The tree house is environment-friendly. Most of the items located in the house are recycled.

Recycled bottles makes up the walls of the mini-library in Enigmata

The reception area can be found at the ground floor of the tree house. In there are different hand-crafted souvenirs which visitors can buy. There’s also a class room (for arts and crafts), a library, and a music room in the reception.

Reception area

Outside the grounds of the tree house are different statues made by Kublai (resident artist of Enigmata Tree House) and other artists can be found.

One of Kublai's sculture in Enigmata

The room we availed at Enigmata was the 3rd floor room (Eagles Nest) where a star gazing area is available, at the very top of the tree.

There are two beds, and two extra ones available in the our room. Best feature of the room is that we have a private bathroom

One of the beds at our tree house room

On our last day at the tree house, we were treated to a hearty breakfast for free since it was the owner’s birthday that time. Our breakfast included organic brown rice from Bohol, bacon, egg, ham and coffee.

Visitors can also log on their guest book after a nice visit to the tree house. Here is the lame one I did:

Enigmata's guestbook

(Other post on Enigmata’s Tree House can be found HERE)

Fares and Fees in Camiguin

Fare from Balingoan to Benoni – P135.00

Jeep from Benoni to Enigmata – about P15.00

Enigmata Room Tree House: P900(base rate) + 400(2 additional pax) = P1300.00

Tips and Traps

• The tree house has limited rooms, reserve a room prior to your visit at Enigmata.
• The lights in the tree house are dim, and the electricity is turned off at night, so bring a flashlight.
• Don’t forget to bring your insect repelant. The tree house is open area and different insects visit you at night.
• The comfort room (in the room we availed) is open area, there are little holes in the bathroom, in case you are conscious with that, you can bring your sarong to cover up the bathroom.
• The path going to the tree house is not asphalted. Bring your most comfortable shoes/slippers for walking.

Sources

Enigmata Tree House website: http://www.enigmatatreehouse.com

More pictures of Enigmata Tree House in Camiguin

(click on the picture to view album)

Enigmata is a Visayan term meaning ‘the wakening’. Travel buffs and nature lovers will understand why. Living in the Enigmata tree house is like living in an ancient yet modern
world, minus the hassle or technologies like pc, TV, and radio.

Enigmata Tree House

3D1Q headed off to Camiguin last October. As we heard good reviews with Enigmata, we booked 1 day. It should’ve been 2 days. But it was fully booked during our first day in Camiguin. The owner gave us the rooftop (3rd floor) for just P900. Amount is good for 2 people only. Additional person costs P200 each. As I’ve seen the place in pictures only, I was up for a big surprise. When we entered Enigmata, we were amazed at the decorations. One of the artists is Mindanao’s Kublai Khan (forgot the name really). For both artists and the non-artists alike, you’ll find the place enigmatic and mesmerizing.

One of the staff was very accommodating. She told us the prices/fares of the tourist spots, as well as how to get there. She even gave the contact number of a boatman in the Mantigue island so that we could avoid paying more than the usual price. We really appreciate her gesture and hospitality.

After talking to our drivers, she finally accompanied us to our room. As I’ve said, we are up for a big surprise. The rooftop (room) was huge. It’s like a hotel suite without the aircon, tv and refrigerator. The room contains a living room, kitchen, CR, attic and a 2-storey bedroom. One bed for each ‘mini’ floor. Aside from the 2 bedrooms, there’re also 2 ‘duyan’s in the living room. Another magnificent thing was the bed itself. When did you last sleep inside a “kulambo”? In Enigmata, the bed was designed to keep you safe from crawling animals during sleep. Though you’d hear the birds chirping, insects walking(according to T) and geckos “gecko-ing”, you’re sure that you’re in for a good night sleep. It even has a dream catcher on top of the kulambo for an added effect.

Another great thing about it is the food. There was a slight confusion when I booked the place and ask for breakfast at that time. But since it was the owner’s birthday when we came, she treated us with breakfast composed of Organic brown rice, bacon, egg, ham and coffee.

Aside from the food and amenities, the view was also fantastic. When you’re in the attic, you have the full view of the mountain at the back (probably Mt. Hibok-Hibok) and the sea in front. When you’re in the living room, you can see the entire place. If you want to enjoy nature at the same time stay in a nice place, Enigmata’s just around the corner (of Camiguin of course).

It seems like I’m advertising Enigmata. All I can say is, a good place/service deserves a good review. I’ll recommend it to anyone, anytime, anywhere. =)