So I was bound for home. I had duty waiting for me at the end of the day, and I was beating against time to not miss it for the roads. But before heading back to Benoni Port, I sweetly reminded my host of a promise she said that they would show me a sanctuary for Giant Clams along the way.
There were two spots of which I wanted to stop by before calling this trip goodbye. So we went off the roads and sailed on a motorcyle down a very steep 2 lane road to the secluded side of the island. And by steep I meant, 35-40 degree winding road.
KIBILA GIANT CLAM CONSERVATION AND OCEAN NURSERY | Cantaan, Guinsiliban, Camiguin
Entrance Fee: 25 Php
Table Rental: 50Php (Small), 100Php (Large)
Snorkeling Fee: 150Php Pax
Mask & Snorkel: 100Php; Flippers: 100Php; Life Vest: 50Php; Goggles: 50Php

The Kabila Giant Clam Conservation and Ocean Nursery is home to 2, 700 clams in the area, and about 400 of them within 1 meter from shoreline. It has been a protected area since 1994. Of the 9 species of clams found in the Philippines, 7 of it can be found here. Ofcourse, I was excited! In a little span of  few meters of salt water lies 7 of 9 species and amounting to over a thousand of them around for the whole area. At a cheap entrance fee, one can get an information and educational tour, sight-seeing, picture taking and some rest and relaxation. What a way to waste your hours on.

You can come in groups and have lunch or lazy afternoon with your family. There are available tables that can be rented. And oh! They even offer fresh fish to to be cooked however you like them.

The beach has a coarse white sand, and the long stretch of it is kinda like a wide open cove. I say it’s “kinda like” because there’s no such thing as a wide open cove. =P LOL There. I stand corrected — by myself. =P Moving on. This place would be perfect for coffee stories, and just letting time pass by while you stay shaded under some Talisay trees or Shade trees with anything to say, and just let comfortable silence sit there with you.
With my bathing swim buried beneath the contents of my pack, I settled to not push the tempting idea for a swim before I set for home. One corner framing this sanctuary are large volcanic rocks that made me want to check them out — and divert my attention from the sea that was calling me. Chos! 

PROVINCIAL FISHERY OFFICE | Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin

A shallow coastal body of water, partly separated from a larger body of water by depositional feature is the Tanguines Lagoon of Camiguin. A long stretch of road passes by the land enclosed lagoon and the sea on the other side. Known for a lined of seafood restaurants, this lagoon is a blend of clean body of water and lush vegetation with walkways and restaurants on stilts for a one seafood coma you’ll find yourself in.

We were just passing by when I asked if it’s okay to take the longer route around the lagoon. And here we passed by the Provincial Fishery Office with it’s doors open. It was a midmorning Sunday and I was not expecting people around but we were lucky to have Sir Michael Marimon to show us around.

The fishery is home to different species, it has a main plank walkway with large empty cans to keep it afloat. At the edge are then enclosed large pens for different kinds of fish and some submerge tires for the clams to propagate on. 
It was nice of Sir Michael to feed the fish for us. Like little school girls on a field trip, Shy and I was excited and all-inquisitive. Sir Michael even encourage us to cross the bridge of the pen to better view the large Bangus or Milkfish in it. The largest one they have would reach to 10-15 kilos a piece. And since the pen is covered with fish net, we have to take a peek in between the planks to check them out.

I can never get enough of Camiguin and I know that will keep coming back for more. Maybe because it is laid-back, uninterrupted “towny” feel to it, and that mostly because people come here incognito — and respect each other for that. With a last glimpse and an over exposed shot, Camiguin will always be my comfort island. 

TRAVEL NOTES
+Always pack your slippers at an external pocket/compartment of your bag. It will come in handy when you just need-to-get-your-slippers-on moment.
+Tag the family along. Tables can be rented depending on how big your company is.

+Fresh fish can be bought and cooked depending on availability of kind, goes for 200 – 400Php/kilo inclusive of service fee for having it cooked.
+Snorkeling fee is at 150Php/with guide. You can rent, if you don’t have your gears with you.
+The Provincial Fishery Office is open during office hours, luck was on our sides when we passed by it. If you can, visit it and ask to be allowed to witness them harvesting fish eggs at the stroke of midnight. They usually harvest it 15mins after the fishes lays their egg before bringing them to the hatchery. 

____________________________________________________

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel
is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, 
to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”
~ Bill Bryson

____________________________________________________
Check out the rest of the CAMIGUIN SERIES post: