SHORT-TIME IN BISLIG CITY :-)

I can’t believe that I was able to visit 2 prime destinations in Bislig City for just 3hours. These are the Ocean View Park and Tinuy-an Falls.

Ocean View Park is 5-minutes away from Mangagoy Terminal. It is where the famous International Doll House located. While Tinuy-an Falls is 40minutes from Ocean Viewpark.

HOW TO GET THERE?

From Butuan Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Mangagoy. Fare is less than Php 300. From Mangagoy Terminal, find a for hire single motorcycle. Be cautious, some motorcycle driver will charge you more than expected! I only stayed less than 2 hours in Tinuy-an falls and I paid Php300 for the roundtrip fare.

Entrance fee in Tinuy-an is Php50.00.  

After enjoying the ala-Nagiara Falls, feed your tummy with the delicious yet affordable foods in Viewpoint Park. You may ask the driver to drop you there. Fare from Ocean View Park to Bus Terminal is less than Php10.00.

Viewpoint Park entrance fee is Php20.00. 

BUCAS GRANDE, I shall return!

Bucas Grande, Socorro Island- situated in the eastern part of Surigao del Norte and  Southern part of Siargao Island, approximately 2 hours away from General Luna (the place where annual surfing festival takes place.) Socorro is 1 hour pump boat travel from HAVODA Terminal, Hayanggabon, Claver, Surigao del Norte. Furthermore, it is prevalently known for its Sohoton Cave.

Another piece of history is being listed in my journey. This is honestly my first time in seeing and holding a real and alive jelly fish. I was apprehensive at first because I didn’t believe that it’s stingless. But I still got a nerve to hold it with all my senses for the sake of memorabilia. FYI, jellyfishes are really sensitive, thus, no one is allowed to swim with them.

After our meet and greet with the jellyfishes, we moved to our next itinerary which is caving.  We have seen the horseshoe-shape rock formation along the way. We are also feeding our eyes with the lavishness of isolated green undisturbed forests while inhaling the extraordinary freshness of air as we hopped from one island to another.

horseshoe-shape

In an instant my dream of having a fairer skin came true as I drenched myself in the luminous cold water trapped in a huge cave. Yeah, you've read it correctly...it is indeed luminous! My skin goes back to its normal color as I moved out from water. It thought me a lesson somehow and learned a lot of things such as worldly things that comes easily will surely goes easily and it goes the same with “love”. Charr…  

Knees trembling, hands are cold and hair ruffled…I’ve surprisingly defeated my acrophobia by virtue of no choice. We have explored one cave tourist destination where you need to jump into the water for memorable exit compliance. But then again, life is a matter of choice and with this experience, you have a choice; either you waste your time and go back to its proper entrance with no one to guide you or just bravely jump about 15 feet above water level for you to move on to your next destination. Which is which?? I bet you’ll jump. 

Bolitas Cave, if your physique is beyond the normal size, I suggest don’t bother going to this cave. The entrance which also happens to be the exit is too small that everyone is required to crawl just to reach its dead end just to have a short glimpse of those marble-shape stones (locally known as bolitas). Getting there is not easy, but it is worthy! The cave is really unique. Stalactites look like pointed boobies while stalagmites' formations are quite similar to man’s private organ. Hahaha     

“I SHALL RETURN” is the only phrase I could remember from my friend the moment we depart this place. And I seconded the motion.To some (especially the cave enthusiasts), they said Sohoton cave offers more enjoyment compared to other caves in the country. Some even rated Bucas Grande higher compared to other tourists spots. With that, Socorro only proves that it is simply the paradise where you will find peace, serenity of the mind, simplicity of the heart and tranquility of the soul. My P1,100.00 budget for 1 day Socorro Island  trip is truly awesome. 

CAGWAIT SPACEBAR RESORT: MDI'S CHOICE-SUMMER OUTING '13

I am fortunate enough to be part of “Motorjoy Depot, Inc.” team where extravagant summer outing is annually celebrated. 2013 summer outing falls on the 11^th day of May in Cagwait Spacebar Resort.  Cagwait is one of the municipalities of Surigao del Sur and it is where the C-shaped off white sand beach nestled.
Since it’s my passion documenting what our country has to offer, I knew exactly how much time will it take to be in Cagwait Spacebar Resort. As per my stopwatch, it took 3:28:30 hours to be there from Cabadbaran City using van as our mode of transportation. 

2 months before the outing took place, I and my Surigaonon friends were actually planning to visit that resort right after knowing that it is prevalently identified as Caraga’s little boracay. Imagine?? Caraga’s little boracay?? This poor lakwatchera’s soul rejoices as she’s notified that the outing will be held there, given that it’s company’s expense.
Entrance fee is P10.00 as of May 2013. Pool fee is P 100.00 and the unlimited usage of the long slide costs P100.00. One unique thing about this slide is that it will land you directly to the sea!

long slide

 

We arrived around 6pm. We were told to drop our bags in our designated room. Then we took a little rest before roaming around. After few minutes we all gathered in the function hall where dinner was prepared. I didn't feel famished at all until I tasted the bountiful seafoods. Love it J. Foods that are free of charge really taste great!

function hall

function hall

inside the function hall

I woke up early in the morning and changed my clothes then went outside to see how this “little boracay” looks like. I am a bit frustrated. I was expecting a pearl white sand beach as what I’ve seen in google pictures.  If I am to rate Cagwait beach from 1 to 10, I’d rate it 7. Atleast it is 3 steps closer to 10.

Here are the actual pictures of the resort. 

displayed furniture

swimming pool

seashore

rooms for rent

The resort is quite small in a way that you can just roam around in less than 10 minutes. Rest assured that it can accommodate hundreds of guests.

my first converse travel :-)

ENCHANTING ENCHANTED RIVER

#8 of 2013 wish list was partly granted unpredictably.oh yeah!

After 3 years of social media discovery of the Enchanted River (according to staff there), we’ve finally set foot on the said pristine river. Perfect weather even permitted us to explore what Hinatuan place has to offer.  Hinatuan is situated in the eastern part of Mindanao, about 133km which can be traveled roughly 3 hrs and 20min from Butuan City via van. The place is best known for its enchanting Enchanted River which nestled in Brgy. Talisay.

I never believed in the saying that goes “the road of life is full of ups and downs” until I traveled the 12-km bumpy roadway from the junction for about 20minutes. Just kidding! Literally, it’s true but when you reach the place, you’ll probably say “it’s worth the long adrenaline-rush travel!” 
You are 8mins closer to Enchanted River when you see or pass this wooden bridge. Habal-habal is primarily the mode of transportation among the local dwellers there. But for me, I do not advice everyone to use it because it’s too risky. 4-wheeled vehicle is still preferable. 

entrance gate

At the entrance, we paid 30 pesos per head (as of February 2013). 

  It’s Sunday and we are lucky enough to arrived at earlier time, thus, we had the chance to rent a convenient cottage. Many tourists both foreign and local visit this place on weekend so it is suggested to book the cottage ahead of time.

100 pesos rental

150 pesos rental

Cottage rent ranges from P100-150.00. Right side cottage costs 150 which can accommodate more than 10persons while those rows of nipa huts in umbrella style cost 100.00 which ideally can accommodate up to 8 persons.

        All people who visit this place never failed to take picture in this signpost and I am not an exemption to that of course. 

       Just like other beaches or resorts, everyone is also allowed to cook their food there. It’s a zero waste place so everyone is reminded to clean their mess. In fact, we are also advised to bring our biodegradable waste material to our home. 

      As seen in picture below, the bluish color of the water is not equally distributed. Some part is really blue and some part is bluish green in color. As I’ve noticed, the color varies from the deepness of the river. The darker, the deeper. No one on earth has ever discovered how the dead end of the tunnel looks like and even until now, it remains mysterious. Many have tried (foreign & domestic professional divers) but none succeeded. Do you have the nerves to break the record? Go….die exploring! hehehe

At 12 o’clock noon, bell rings. Everyone gets out of the water. Diverse fish from tunnel (?)show up to amuse people. Then staffs feed them. 

     To keep the place tidy, no one is allowed to drink/eat within the river. So I am here quenching my thirst with emperador light outside the fence while watching those people enjoying the superb water.

        We spent our last hour discovering the other side of Hinatuan. Island hopping as what they called it. We rented a boat which costs 160/hr for 5persons. We had a short glimpse of the fish cage then the boat took its u-turn then finally docked at Pangasinan White Island. 

This bluer than blue lagoon unsurprisingly turned my complexion to darker than black.. awwss..

         Before calling it a day, I profusely thank Sir Benson and Sir Jun for allowing me to join with them.

MEMORIES OF MAINIT, SURIGAO DEL NORTE

MAINIT WELLNESS RESORT 

 HOT SPRING

My friends and I planned this escapade weeks ago and was postponed due to some circumstances. Time has finally arrived for us to witness another God’s superb creation. So why choose the place Mainit? The very first reason why we have chosen this place was the “budget”. Mainit is just an hour away from Surigao City having a fare of 49php for an ordinary bus from Surigao City terminal to Magpayang bus stop.So fewer expenses will surely follow. Second, Mainit is popularly known for its therapeutic hot spring, thus it convinced our sole callus to wander the place.

habal habal motor

It seems like the weather forbade us from having enjoyment. It’s raining. But rain or shine the adventure must go on. 

When we arrived in Magpayang, we hurriedly bought foods at the Magpayang public market. To my silliness, I bought egg because I heard that there is a certain part of the hot spring where the temperature is really hot and has the capacity to boil egg. 
  

From Magpayang triangle, we ride habal2x (single motor) going to Mapaso hot spring. The fare is 50/head. We chose that habal2x because it can accommodate 4 passengers. Since the weather was not that good, my roommates (Joy and Alma) requested the driver to take it slow. I even cracked a joke to the driver “make it 80kph”. But since I am getting used to riding habal2x in some of my several nature trip, I wasn’t that scared. 

The inclement condition puts us in danger; the undeveloped road became wet and soft.  On our halfway to the hot spring, the habal2x lost its steering control and we all toppled in the middle of the road. Just a piece of advice, do not go to Mapaso hot spring if it is raining unless if you have other mode of transportation like SUV or any four-wheeled vehicle. That's what I got in an accident.

At the entrance, we paid 25php/head then we rent a cottage worth 250php. That’s the cheapest cottage inside the resort, nevertheless it’s good. We swiftly changed our clothes there for us to sense the hotness of the spring. 

While my colleagues enjoyed the pool, I went back to the entrance booth and asked some information on where I could boil my egg. Alas, the in-charge told me that I could no longer cook my egg since the hotness in a certain part of the spring fluctuated. According to her, boiling of eggs was done many many years ago. I went back of the cottage and just took some pictures to the place.

In a few minutes, we ate our lunch and we altogether went to the pool. Sadly, I could not entirely immerse myself in the hot spring because of my fresh open wound. Joy and Alma had to hold my back and head as I lay my half body to the pool while I’m keeping my right leg from getting in touch with the warm water. Geeehh…lukewarm water is really good. It could’ve been better if I was able to jump into it. Poor me! I envied them seeing that they stayed in the pool for way too long.

 

Even if we didn’t have water proof camera, we still found a way to take pictures of the place. Around 1pm after taking several snaps we texted the driver to pick us up and suggested to transport us to other venue, the Songkoy cold spring.

SONGKOY COLD SPRING

Songkoy cold spring is located in Brgy. San Pablo, Tubod, Surigao del Norte, just 30 minutes away from Mapaso Hot Spring. From national highway, it is only 15minutes to travel via habal2x. The road is better having approximately 15% rough pavement compared to Mapaso hot spring.

When we reach the cold spring, I, with no hesitation asked my roommate “where is the cold spring?” not knowing that I am already in the cold spring. Cold spring is located just a few steps from the road. I was thinking that it was an irrigation dam. hahah! There were few cottages there. But we just used the one and only table beside the spring.

Then I slowly go down to the water to feel if it will hurt me (since I have an open wound). After a long wait, I can now submerge into the water! Whew! I did floating. I usually do it whenever I’m in a beach or pool. For me, the water did not chill me…however, the water chilled Alma to the bones. She even shivered due to its coldness. hahahah

We just stayed there for an hour because the rain started to fall heavily. It would be difficult for us to travel if we still wish to stay. By the way, we did not find comfort room or wash room there for us to change clothes. As a result, we traveled with our wet clothes on. Glad that we found a waiting shed as we took our trip, we asked the driver to stop, then we changed our clothes there using a piece of towel covering us as we took our clothes off. Girl scout! Lastly, we paid the habal2x driver 150 each for the entire trip.