Getting to Camotes Island one early morning gave me and my colleagues a pain in the butt (literally!), for we were helplessly squatting on a pumpboat’s floor en route to the mystical island. But as soon as our arrival was welcomed by our hotel’s staff and crew all the agony from the travel had vanished in a jiffy.

For once, it’s hard to believe that we were going to stay for the weekend in the posh and cozy Mediterranean inspired My Little Island Hotel nestled on a Poro hilltop, which provides a panoramic view of the land below and the bay off the greenery’s.

Camotes ISland

A nature lover like me wouldn’t have second thoughts about taking advantage of the swimming pool’s perfect location, where one could enjoy swimming or simply splashing down—whilst feasting one’s eyes on the green foliage and the quiet, crystal clear waters of the Camotes sea in the background.

I marveled at the picturesque beauty of it all, tearfully thanking the Lord up above for giving me that opportunity to be in My Little Island. Being there is like seeing all of the islands at once because that part which the hotel looks over is enough epitome of all that is pure and mystic—which is Camotes. But, of course, one has to touch it—not to mention explore—if one wants to maximize the time to be in this Eden.

Lake Danao

Camotes is known to many as “The Lost Horizon in the South” because of its unspoiled beauty. It’s called “Camotes” because when they first arrived here, the Spaniards met some natives digging potatoes and they asked for the name of the place. Thinking that the foreigners asked what they were digging, the natives resplied “Camotes”—meaning “sweet potatoes.”

Consisting of four exciting, exotic isles—Pajican, Poro, Ponson, Tulang—Camotes is situated off the waters of Danao City in the northeastern side of Cebu Province. The people in its four capital towns—Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Tudela—can enjoy the benefits of relaxing in its pastoral setting, with only the narrow trails providing access to most places. Valleys of coconut grove, corn and potato abound. After swimming at the Bakhaw Beach Resort in San Francisco, we were treated with refreshing buko juice (coconut juice) at a nearby plantation. Another one in Poro—the Buho Beach Resort—is a potential attraction for tourists who love to dive, or to simply appreciate the serenity of the beachfront recesses.

Camotes Resort My Little Island Hotel

Buho is a local term for “a hole in the earth.” The resort opens opportunities for spelunking in Pag-sa Cave, where I was able to see and admire stalactites and stalagmites up close.

Fresh and naturally pure, Camotes’s picturesque lakes—like the Lake Danao in San Francisco—won an award for being the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines. Never had I been to such a lake in all of my past trekkings. It was just a pity we were running out of time so that we could not go paddling around the 700-hectare area. What makes Lake Danao more magnificent is that when you are up there at The Quarry in (Alta Vista) San Francisco, you will experience a melodramatic display of the sunset’s last enticing rays splaying on its still waters.

As the rays of light had faded out in the waters of Lake Danao, I found myself at the poolside of My Little Island Hotel, still overwhelmed with the raw charm of Camotes Island. And as I splashed down in the pool, I realized that my two days of fun and excitement hadn’t sunk in yet. No, it will never be. The memory is too beautiful to forget.

This article was sent to us and contributed by ARIEL ALLOSADA ALLERA

As we have taken up the Philippines Travel Guide of Ilocos Norte a week ago we now fly to the Visayas Region from the center point Manila. So please fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the trip via Cebu Pacific.

The Province of Cebu is one of the most exciting places to visit in the Philippines. Many tourist and local folks don’t miss the opportunity on not seeing this wonderful island. Cebu’s history has a very rich profile since its early days. The Province of Cebu and the City of Cebu are both popular words that most visitors knows the word by heart and would even goes to the extent of telling you a story of their travel experience. Arriving at Mactan International Airport you can already feel the warm pleasant welcome and the excitement of a vacation that awaits you. A trip from the airport to one of the Cebu Hotels would give you a snapshot of the beautiful city. The next move is to unload your luggages and after checking in is to view that travel plan and itinerary of your vacation. This way you can have that planned trip to be exactly in order. There would be some additional or pop-up plan that would be inserted but the best thing is enjoy the stay with the friendly and beautiful people of Cebu. View some of our wonderful photo collection that we chose especially for our readers.