Let me tell you about two beautiful islands that I have been to, CAMIGUIN and BORACAY. Both islands offer some breathtaking scenery and their beaches are probably the best in the country. And the residents there are so warm and friendly.

I visited CAMIGUIN island sometime in the early ‘90s. CAMIGUIN is an island in the Mindanao area known for its delicious "Lanzones". It can be reached directly by ferry from Cagayan de Oro city or you can drive up to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental and then board a ferry to the island. Accommodation in CAMIGIUN varies from the pension houses to beach resorts which are all pretty clean and very cheap. Aside from the native fruit "Lanzones", which is seasonal, seafood are always fresh and abundant.

It is a volcanic island with 7 volcanic mountains around the island (2 active and 5 extinct). Mt. Hibok-Hiibok is the more famous of these volcanoes since it last eruption in 1951 killed 2000 people. One of the traces of these violent eruptions are the submerged church ruins and the cemetery of its old capital town, Bonbon, in the sea which is visible only during low tide.

CAMIGUIN has two resorts that offer hot and cold springs; the Ardent Hot Spring Resort and the Sto Nino Cold Spirngs (where I dipped in its very cold pool). From the capital town of Mambajao, one can go on a picnic to the scenic Katabawasan falls, a 50 meter high waterfall surrounded by ferns and orchids. But the probably the most famous destination is the White Island, a white sand bar accessible by a short boat ride from any of the beach resort. The coarse white corals of the sand bar was a contrast from the fine gray sand of the beach resorts. From the white sand bar (no trees!) I watched the beauty of CAMIGUIN, the contour of its volcanic mountains covered with green coconut trees against the backdrop of the blue sky. Its natural beauty seemed to cover its violent past.

One can tour the whole island for a half day by hiring a jeepeny (which me and my companions did for $20). We checked at a beach resort, far from the noise of the town. A stay in this island for a day or two is quite sufficient to enjoy this paradise. The place is so peaceful and the people so hospitable.

BORACAY has probably the finest white sand beach in the country. All the stories that I have heard before about its pristine white sand was very much true. From the moment I set foot on its beach, I felt that I would enjoy every minute of my stay in this island. The white sand was really as fine as sugar and very warm.

BORACAY is an island on the Northernmost tip of Panay (Western Visayas island), accessible via a short boat ride from Caticlan. One can fly to Kalibo, Aklan via one of the regular PAL flights from Manila to Kalibo and then drive 2 hours to Caticlan. Or you can take a smaller Asian Spirit plane directly to Caticlan . But I would suggest to take the Kalibo route and then enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way to Caticlan.

The 3.5 km long White Beach is the most famous of all its beaches since this is where most of the resorts are located. Lines of resorts and restaurants fill up its shore. Boracay used to be a fishing village but is now very much dependent on its tourism industry. The Boracaynons are a warm and friendly people. That is why this is one of the top tourist destination of the country, evident by the numerous tourists of varied nationalities we saw on the island.

BORACAY has everything to offer to a tourist; plenty of accommodations fitting your budget, restaurants serving varied delicacies of every nationality, golf course, scuba diving and other water sport activities. If you want a real beach party, they have it here or if you prefer peace and tranquility, there are secluded resorts that fulfills your needs. Nightlife in the island is also very active since there are discos and bars along the beach.

Aside from swimming and sunbathing, me and my friends hired a banca to tour the other parts of the islands such as the bat cave. We also rented bicycles to tour the interior of the islands. But my favorite scenery of the island was during sunset when things starts to settle in tranquility; the boats neatly parked on the beach, the locals sweeping the fallen leaves and other dirt off the beach and the children walking back from school along the beach.

BORACAY is indeed a paradise.