Camotes Island Escapade: Cebu Team's 9th Anniversary

Summer may have already come to an end, but I can’t help reminiscing about it—especially since I still have a few more summer trips I would love to share here on the blog. I’ve been meaning to write about them, but things took an unexpected turn right after summer, including my resignation from my last job. This is why this post is very meaningful to me, as it commemorates our last trip together as colleagues. I spent the past two years with the company, and it breaks my heart to think this will be our last trip together, but it’s definitely not the end of our friendship.

It was around mid-April when the Cebu Team celebrated its ninth anniversary. To mark the occasion, two members of our senior management flew all the way to Cebu from Australia to join us. Since it was our senior management's first visit to the Philippines, our planning committee put together a number of suggestions for where we could celebrate, aiming to highlight the beauty of our island. Last year, we went to Moalboal for its white sand beaches, whale shark diving, and the sardine run.

This year, as unanimously decided by the team, we chose to go to Camotes Island, which is about an hour away by ferry from Danao Port. We were all excited about the trip, especially since it would be a first-time experience for many of us. Since we would only be there for the weekend, we took the earliest ferry to the island on Saturday. Fortunately, we had booked ahead of time, as tickets sell out quickly, especially during the summer.

As we approached the island, we were entranced by its clear blue waters. After docking at the port, we headed straight to our rented jeepneys, which took us to our accommodation to drop off our belongings. Once everyone had settled in and freshened up for the day’s adventures, we set out for our first activity.

Our first destination was Lake Danao. There are a few activities you can try, but since we had limited time, we only got to experience the zipline. The climb to the top was a workout, but it was definitely worth it. The other end of the zipline lands on a small island, so to get back, you’ll need to take a boat.

After everyone had a chance to try the zipline, we headed to our next destination. Since Camotes Island is also known for its caverns and caves, we, of course, had to explore the island’s famous caves.

For our second destination, we headed to Heaven Cave, a captivating underground haven with cool, clear waters and impressive rock formations. It’s accessible through a narrow entrance, and the cave opens up to a peaceful pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. You can also spot a rock formation that has naturally taken the shape of a human heart over time. Unfortunately, the guide told us that, long ago, a visitor stole a rock formation that resembled the Virgin Mary.

For our third stop, we visited Lizzie's Cavern, which wasn’t originally on our itinerary but came highly recommended by the locals. If I remember correctly, it’s one of the newly opened caves for public access. Like Heaven Cave, it features fascinating rock formations and clear waters. Visitors are required to wear head protection inside due to the sharp and pointy rock formations.

A fun fact from our guide is that locals once attempted to explore the entire cavern, which took them more than a day. When they finally reached the end, they discovered breathtaking beach-like scenery.

For our fourth stop, we made our way to Boho Rock Resort, where the brave souls took a leap off the cliff. However, for those of us who couldn’t swim, we took the stairs down before finally enjoying a dive into the crystal-clear waters.

We still had some extra time before our last destination, so we decided to visit Timubo Cave for our fifth stop. My phone was almost dead at this point, so I didn’t get many photos, but this was definitely my favorite of all the caves we visited. Even though I had to stay on the edge because I couldn’t tiptoe in the deep water (hahaha, I really should learn how to swim), they offered life jackets for free use, so it all worked out for us non-swimmers.

After our visit to Timubo Cave, we took another long ride to our final activity. This time, we could finally soak in the island’s crystal-clear waters without any worries for us non-swimmers. We headed to a resort—whose name I’ve unfortunately forgotten—and from there, we took a short boat ride to a nearby island called Tulang Diot.

This is where we spent the rest of our time before heading back to our accommodation for dinner and the party. The senior team enjoyed snorkeling, while we stayed near the shore, chatting, enjoying the waves, and practicing a little swimming. The fun ended for us when one of my colleagues spotted a sea snake. So, guess who came running back to shore? Hahaha! Others also enjoyed their alcoholic drinks, and of course, we savored the beautiful sunset.

Once we headed back to our accommodation, everyone was exhausted from the day’s activities but still full of energy and excitement. We gathered for a salu-salo, a feast where we shared a wide variety of Filipino cuisine, including our famous lechon, which was, of course, the highlight of the meal. It was a great opportunity to introduce our foreign visitors to the flavors of the Philippines, and they seemed to enjoy every bite.

After finishing our meal, the team decided to rent a karaoke machine to keep the fun going, along with a few drinks for everyone. While some enjoyed singing and drinking, a few of us decided to head back to the beach for another round of swimming. Luckily, our accommodation had an amazing beachfront, so a night swim was a must-try—and it didn’t disappoint!

The next morning, despite staying up late, I woke up early feeling refreshed. Most of the team was still asleep, so I decided to head to the beach, hoping to catch the sunrise. Unfortunately, it was on the opposite side, so instead, I enjoyed watching the small fish and other marine life visible due to the low tide.

When I returned to the accommodation, I saw a few of my colleagues preparing breakfast, so I decided to lend a hand. After we ate, with some time left before our afternoon trip back to Cebu, the team decided to enjoy another round of karaoke and have some more fun at the beach.

Although our stay in Camotes Island was brief, it was the perfect way for us to unwind and recharge. This trip was filled with new experiences, from my first cave adventure to my first swim under the stars. I’m deeply thankful to the Cebu Team, not only for being incredible travel companions on this trip, but for the support and friendship we’ve built over the past two years. The laughter, shared experiences, and memories we created made this getaway unforgettable. I’m also grateful to the company for the opportunities that allowed me to grow professionally and gain valuable knowledge. Camotes Island may have been a quick retreat, but the memories and connections I’ve made will stay with me for a long time.

Oh, I’ll probably still see them around, and thanks to social media, I won’t miss them too much. Just kidding—I already miss them!