A very different family trip from way back that will test my memory as I piece it all together. Fortunately, I took a large amount of photos, so there is plenty of reference material with which to jog my memory. We were living in Cebu at the time and I planned this trip in the middle of a three-week visit by my parents. Looking back, we took some risks here, but made some wonderful memories.

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There is no longer a direct flight from Cebu to Camiguin, but back then, and for a short time only, there was a direct flight on 'South East Asian' Airlines. I don't know what the plane we flew in was, but I can see the photos now - it was a one cabin propeller plane where we sat just behind the pilots. Honestly speaking, I don't think I'd take such a flight now.

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It was around an hours flight taking us over Bohol and towards Mindanao and we landed safe and sound and got ourselves through the airport easily enough. I had booked at the Camiguin Highlands Resort and they picked us up for the shortish drive there. Not sure where I found the resort, or how I booked it, but the resort was lovely, it had a nice grounds and a decent pool and we enjoyed some lovely family breakfasts and dinners together.

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I think we stayed for four nights, and during the days, we arranged a transport to take us around the island. I don't remember any set itineraries, but the photos show that we stopped off at some nice beach-side restaurants for seafood lunches. In terms of sightseeing, there were hot springs and waterfalls, the visits to which must have taken up much of each day, there and back. 

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One day trip was more memorable though, and that was to White Island. Looking it up now, it seems like quite a tourist spot, but back then I think we were the only ones there and the photos seem to prove it. White Island is a sand bar of sorts, nothing there aside from a collection of basic huts in the centre of the island where you have lunch. The local fishermen stop by with their fresh catch and it's cooked right there and then. By rights this was a bucket-list level experience, though living in Asia, you tend to take it for granted.

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The last memorable sight was when we stopped off at a sign showing a path to the Stations of The Cross. I wasn't familiar with these, but I think Dad, myself and Thalia headed out to see them, while the others stayed in the car. As I said, I wasn't familiar with the stations so didn't know how many there were. It was a hot day and after getting to three, I sent Dad back down with Thalia, while I just kept going up, and up. As I now realize, there are fourteen of them, so it took me a while, but when at the top, I had a lovely view over Camiguin, with the sunken cemetery which we had seen up close earlier, in the distance. Quite an idyllic moment of quite a memorable trip.

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