How Camiguin intensified the yearner in me

Résumé détaillé

One day is not enough to learn about the beauty of this volcanic island

Clear, turquoise waters, clouds drifting over Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan, and a clownfish looking up as I swam above it – vivid scenes flash before me when I think of my recent trip to Camiguin, the “island born of fire.” Yet beyond these vivid memories, I was filled with questions, wondering what else I might have discovered had I stayed just a little longer.

I am still struck by a strange longing for places on the island I didn’t get to see. I searched up what I was feeling and found that there are a few words for it: Anemoia, a nostalgia for a time or place never lived through; and Sehnsucht, a German concept of aching yearning for a place or experience that feels out of reach.

The trip was a blur of plane rides, ferry runs, and long drives. Getting to and from Camiguin Island took up nearly half of our four-day stay, and with a full day dedicated to learning about the local government’s preservation efforts, we were left with one day to explore.

It was around 7 am on a Friday when we set foot on White Island. Although bare and straightforward, the C-shaped sandbar was captivating as it was wrapped in calm, impossibly vibrant turquoise waters. Despite the grey clouds that blanketed the skies, a cold, gentle breeze swept across the islet. Early as we were, the islet was already dotted with tourists.

Where most people hope for blue skies to capture the peaks of Mt. Hibok-Hibok and Mt. Vulcan in the backdrop, the gloomy September morning veiled them in soft clouds instead. Staring at those hidden peaks, I found myself hooked and caught in the mystery of what was out of sight.

As our boat docked on Mantigue Island, the wide stretch of beach opened up before us. It was only a short walk to the cottages, but every step made my eyes wander, basking in every detail of the beauty surrounding me.

Snorkeling was entirely new territory for me. Slipping on that mask was like unlocking an unseen world.

Yet, my newfound boldness had its limits.

Seeking a different kind of comfort…

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