Oh, so long Camotes! I've attempted to blog about Camotes Island last year but things got pretty mixed up and here I am about to pick up where I left off. In case you are still interested in my previous post, here goes the link.
Today's post is under Lulinghayaw sa Cebu with Patsitivity, a Travel Series highlighting the must-see attractions in Cebu. Now, where were we? 😏
Waste not a single moment
I think I've mentioned this before but because I was too focused on exploring other Provinces I failed to explore my own beloved, Cebu. Not until the pandemic broke out and I was left with no choice but to travel within the Province for the meantime. But that day, even before our boat could reach the port of Camotes Island, I was blown away.
I pictured Camotes to be just a small island off the northeastern coast of Cebu. Nothing new, nothing fancy just the regular kind of island you'll see in Cebu. But when I laid my eyes unto her, all my preconceived impression of Camotes melted in the morning sun.
We booked a room via Airbnb; it's cheaper and the best option as we tried to get away from crowded places. After settling down and having a quick and serious conversation by the beachfront. Yes, the place we got has a private beachfront! Will share about it some other time. 😁
We also rented a motorcyle to easily navigate through the island's destination. This time (and I love to say this haha) I'm finally not hiring a personal driver or tour guide as my boyfriend can drive and is pretty familiar with the island. He's been here a couple of times with friends and colleagues and he once visited the island alone.
Our first destination is Mangodlong Rock Resort. It's about 8 minutes away from the place we rented. We paid all fees and explored the place. My boyfriend said something like the place looked different, that it looked more inviting that day. Well, I have nothing to compare it with. From what I saw it's just stunning!
It was high tide and the mixed turquoise and cerulean blue water coupled with the sun's unstoppable vibrant rays made the entire place look reinvigorating. I've seen a ton of photos of the place but not a single one of them gave justice to the place's charm. But as much as I would love to highlight the beach, the rock formation (Mangodlong) from which the place has been named after, I find it a redundant topic to share. New perspective won't hurt from time to time.
Lunchtime by the beach
I love how uncrowded the place was when we arrived. Or maybe we're just early. We wanted to explore the place more but couldn't possibly do so with an empty stomach. We ordered from the restaurant in the resort. A friendly tip: If you are really looking for great food, you might want to consider eating outside. It's great to eat lunch by the beach tho, that's their edge I guess.
Explore more, discover more
Right after lunch, we kept the ball rolling!
First, we explored the part of the rock formation where open nipa cottages abound. There's a mini wooden bridge connecting the main rock formation to a smaller rock which seemed to have been isolated from the rest. The resort wittingly built a cottage on top of it, too! It's a spot one should never miss taking great photographs.
As we moved around, I was totally amazed with how they were able to design the place with much consideration to the natural terrain of the huge mass of rock. But I guess whatever the resort's management decides to erect here, it'll be effortlessly shinning as the rock formation's surrounded by water in all corners and curves.
A giant octopus in land
We've come to the most exciting and the highlight of this trip! Brace yourselves!
I know it's difficult to build something in such a limited space but this resort knew nothing but continually offering something out of the box. I've seen a couple of water slides and water amusement activities but it was my first time seeing an octupos, a huge one I must say, in land.
From the beach front, I never truly appreciated this infrastructure. It looked hidden from the bushes and trees and consequently, appeared unattractive at all. But when I went near it and explored its tentacles, that's when I realized the peculiarity to be gem.
The Octopus was built to add fun to the already adventure-filled destination. It featured water slides that will take you right into the ocean. Unfortunately, operating it is costly and with only a limited number of guests, they couldn't recover all expenses. Nonetheless, guest who'd want to experience the feeling of falling from the slides should check if the water's deep enough. Else, one might end up with broken bones! 😂
We reached the top through the stairs built in one of the tentacles and from the top's most accessible portion of the structure, you'd be grace with the view of the resort,the cottages and the entirety of the Camotes Sea.
We exited in another tentacle that brought us to the back end of the rock formation. By this time, I couldn't stop thinking who was behind this idea and how the heck did they manage to built such an enormous infra.
Here are other views from the top overlooking Camotes Sea, some of the cottages in the resort and the beachfront. Seeing how shallow the water was below, it's wise not to take risk in experincing the slides! But it would have been nice right? I'd be the first one to try it!
The rest of our stay here was spent either staring at the unearthly scenery or taking lots of photos or just chilling by the cottages. We even saw a few jet skis passing by; it was inviting but it's pricey and we haven't set aside a budget for it. For our eyes only this time!
View from the back
Indeed we left no stone unturned and by this time, I had a great feeling about this Camotes trip contrary to how I felt when it started. Before leaving, I further explored the last spot, a cottage in the farthest end of the rock formation. It's the only one in that area.
A few workers were doing minor construction works. I didn't stay long as to not bother them further.
And from that spot, I saw the octopus slide in all its beauty and glory. All its intricacies and the job well done by the architect/engineer and the workers themselves. Moreover, it shined like gold as the weather tried to cooperate with scattered clouds and clear, blue skies. What a sight to behold!
It would've been nice to stay here longer; well until the day ends, just listening to great old music or reading or dozing off while listening to the sound of waves crashing in the shore. But we had a long list of destinations to visit and we were only staying for 3 days. Might as well do it quick than miss any spot, right?
I'm afraid that's it for Mangodlong Rock Resort, but I do guarantee my return in Camotes with another brandnew destinationw with endless stories to tell. Stay tuned until my return! 😎
Appreciate you reading until the end! Love lots! 😍
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