4D/3N of fun and adventure in Northern Mindanao!

Sinjin, Marc and I recently had an awesome Northern Mindanao Adventure for 4D/3N! It was trip that’s one year in the making, but wait is all worth the experience, save for some misadventures along the way.

The adventure actually started last week of October in 2009, when the three of us bought plane tickets bound for Ozamis. It was a Cebu Pacific promo fare. And would you believe, my round trip ticket from Manila to Ozamis is only PHP97? Yes, Ninety Seven Pesos!

So off I went last September 7. I flew from Manila to Ozamis City Misamis Occidental. Upon arrival at around 7:20AM, Sinjin was already waiting for me at the airport terminal, his flight from Cebu arrived 30 minutes ahead of mine. Marc was scheduled to arrive at around noontime in Cagayan de Oro. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to beat the check in deadline, so he rebooked his ticket and was scheduled to arrive at 2PM in Cagayan de Oro.

Ozamis Port

Upon arrival in Ozamis, Sinjin and I had a quick breakfast, then headed towards Agora Terminal and took a bus that’s bound for Cagayan de Oro City.

From Ozamis Terminal, the bus went straight to the Ozamis port, were it will be loaded to a Roll on Roll off (RORO) barge. Crossing the Panguil Bay is approximately 20 minutes. The barge would then dock at the Mukas Port in the province of Lanao del Norte. From Mukas, our bus traveled straight towards Iligan City bus terminal for a quick lunch stop. Sinjin and I opted not to take lunch in Iligan, because we have a grander plan aghead of us. Instead, he just bought a Dunkin donuts Bunwich, while I had some donuts.

Ozamis Port

From Mukas Port, it around 1 hour travel to Iligan, and another 2 hours to cagayan de Oro city. So more or less it’s going to be a three ours of comfortable A/C bus ride. But the problem is, our bus is traveling at a very slow pace. We were originally scheduled to arrive at around 1:30PM, but actually arrived at the City of Golden Friendship at 3:30PM.

Sler’s Ham and Cafe

Our plan to have a steak lunch at the Del Monte Golf Club in Camp Philips, manolo Fortich Bukidnon is ruined. Blah. So instead, we just had our late lunch at Sler’s Ham and Cafe. As usual, the sandwiches of Sler’s ham never fails me. Masarap pa rin!

From Sler’s Ham, we decided to go to the Gardens of Malasag. We took a cab from Sler’s leading to Malasag. since there’s not public transport in the area, we asked the driver to wait for us.

Gardens of Malasag

this is the second that I have been to Malasag, but its only now that I totally love the place. I love the colors of the flowers. And I can’t help but asked the caretakers if I can get some dried flowers and bring it home. Many flowers bear seeds at the end of its dried petals.

From Malasag we went to Limketkai shopping Mall to buy some personal items. From Limketkai, we decided to go to the Misamis Occidental Provincial Capitol, and the Cagayan de Oro Cathedral. After sunset, we decided to go back to LimKetKai for unquiely Cagayan de Oro dinner: Ostrich Salpicao at Kagay-anon Restaurant. Kagay-anon is known for serving ostrich meat. The food is great and the price is very reasonable too!

After dinner we went to Divisoria to buy our “must-buy-now-or-never” dessert: Vjandep Pastel. These soft breads stuffed with yema is originally from Mambajao Camiguin, but is also available in Cagayan de Oro and in nearby cities. (It’s actually available in Market! Market! in Taguig too!)

We stayed for a night in Cagayan de Oro, before we head out for our next adventure. While in Cagayan de Oro, we stayed at the Excutive Pension along Velez-Mabini Streets, CDOC. Budget friendly, and has WiFi signal even inside the room!

Ostrich salpicao

First part of the Northern Mindanao Series