AMBUSH SURIGAO ISLAND HOPPING

we used this pump boat

It’s 3am and we’re all up. It took 3hrs to travel by bus from Butuan to the city of island adventure, Surigao. It was such an ambush island hopping for me considering that I didn’t have money for it. It also turned out to be memorable not because I have atlast conquered the country’s longest wooden foot bridge but simply because that was the last trip where my father supported my leisure financially. :-)

We arrived in Surigao at 7am in the morning. To lessen our expenses, without apprehension we had our breakfast in our newly-found friend. Then we immediately went to wet market and bought foods for our lunch such as rice,litson manok, grilled fish, coke, emperador light, and assorted junk foods.

Around 8:30AM, I called the DSWD employee named Jose whom I negotiated about the boat. I have contacted him already 2 days before the trip took place. By the way, Jose is not the owner of the boat but he could help anyone who wishes to tour the nearby islands. With all the haggling, we closed the deal....we agreed to pay P2,000.00 (maximum 10 persons) for the boat in our whole day island activities.

BASUL ISLAND

We arrived in Basul Island around 10 AM and as expected, it took 40 minutes to travel.. We paid boat docking fee worth 100 and then entrance fee is 50.00 per head. Glad to know that the caretaker who asked for the fees in Basul is my colleague’s uncle, we were able to ask for discount. All in all we paid 250 for 10persons including the docking fee.

This is what the entire Basul Island looks like. Nothing much especial in the said island even if it was featured in GMA before. White sand? Yes. It is just an ordinary virgin island. Virgin in a way that it is not yet disturbed. 

This is the actual color of the water there, clear bluish green and quite ordinary for me. Sea urchin is ubiquitous so BEWARE! I was once a victim of the sea urchins’ stings there.

The place was actually 4 hectares and can be roamed in less than an hour but the group decided not to stay there that longer, we found the place quite boring since we were expecting too much from it. 

The place is partly sandy and partly rocky

BUENAVISTA ISLAND / BUENAVISTA CAVE

It took 40 minutes to travel from Basul Island to Buenavista Island. We still had a chance to eat junk foods while on our way to aforesaid island. Buenavista island is popularly known for its huge caves. It was also featured in GMA together with Basul island. 

while holding the starfish :-)

This place doesn’t have cottages. We just sat along the Bermuda grasses and laid our foods and then ate our lunch. After eating lunch, we took pictures, swam and look for starfishes. Unfortunately none of us brought swimming goggles. It could’ve been better if we have our swimming goggles on as we dive and hold starfishes. At first, I was hesitant to touch or hold it, but the moment I saw my colleagues holding it with their bare hands, it eventually gave me the courage to give it a shot. And the picture says it all. Right after knowing that the coconut owner wasn’t around, I joked to the pumpboat operator to get us coconut fruit. And guess what? He quenched our thirst with fresh buko juice. He granted our favor.  

After swimming and picture takings, we went to cave which is just a few walks away from our wharfing area. I knew already that caving was part of our itinerary and as a Girl Scout member, I brought flashlight. But my flashlight was useless because it’s too small for the huge caves and the battery was nearly dying. 

   

After caving, we went to the other side of Buenavista Island so we could completely enjoy the white beach without disturbing the diverse starfish. Nobody can resist in taking pictures of the solemn white beach. Pictures here, pictures there and pictures everywhere as if that was our first time to step on white sand.

Then we were planning if we’re going to pursue our plan to next island which the country’s longest wooden footbridge is located. The boatman warned us about the frequent whirlwind there. Some of the girls were anxious about it. Few insisted to go on to the next target and I’m one of the few. We're already there, so what’s the point in backing out? 

HIKDOP ISLAND / CANTIASAY LONGEST WOODEN FOOT BRIDGE

This is the Cantiasay longest wooden foot bridge, the country’s wooden foot bridge, more or less 30minutes to travel from Buenavista Island. The said bridge connects two Barangays in Hikdop Island. Wondrin’ if the two Barangays are separated by bodies of water? Yes, it might be weird but it’s true according to the boatman! Barangay Cantiasay and I forgot the other one.  I just don’t know if he’s saying the truth…anywayss im a foreigner to that place. Hehehe

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.

2013

2013 - Year of the Snake. It's definitely a year of crawling and wandering from place to place for me.   Oh yeah!!  It's another year of roving and exploring the exemplary beauty of my beloved country. What’s in my wish lists??

1.       Camiguin Island 

2.       Marawi City – Golf course and Ayala Resort

3.       Bohol - Panglao

4.       Cebu - skywalk

5.       Dinagat Island

6.       Siargao Island

7.       Davao / Samal

8.       Surigao del Sur – Tinuy-an falls, enchanted river

9.       Surigao del Norte – 7-stage Falls and other Islands

10.     Cagayan de Oro – Macahambus Cave

11.     Agusan del Sur - Lolong

12.     Agusan del Norte – Delta park

I am fortunate enough to be here in Surigao City, the gateway of Mindanao, where I can have my ultimate freedom of exploration.  Sadly, the allotted 10 days vacation leaves and 10 days sick leaves (company benefits) have been consumed already. And I am only available every Sunday since I am working in a private firm.  I wish I could travel each place for just a day but it’s too impossible especially in 1-7 desired destination lists, plus traveling requires ample amount of money.

But before going somewhere else, I have to buy new camera first for documentation. My 1 month old Sony W530 was stolen during Cabadbaran City Dagkot Festival.  In addition to that, I hate traveling alone. I need to have a travel buddy so I can have someone to talk to wherever I go. Wanna be my travel buddy? hehehe

That’s all for now. I’m looking forward to visit those aforementioned places. Wish me luck then :-)

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. 

CABADBARAN WITH LOVE :-)

CABADBARAN CITY- Who says that this newly proclaimed city of Agusan del Norte has nothing to boast? This little city might not be as progressive as Cagayan de Oro or Butuan City, but mind you, this city is on the road to the so called “improvement”. We may not have lots of bars to hit on during “fly nights”, we may not have malls for holiday shopping, not even 3-star hotels to accommodate foreign visitors, nevertheless, this city does not settle to “below adequacy” ratings. 

As time flies, scenic view also changes.This is our new Luneta Park with its attention-grabbing dancing fountain.This is indeed a total transformation from good to a better sight. Another sign of progress. :-)

A well-built hanging bridge that connects 2 barangays, specifically Brgy.6 and Brgy. Kauswagan.

J

Mount Pongkay is also known as Prayer Mountain. Many locals visit this mountain during holy week. Stations of the Cross are also performed here during that season. The picture was taken at the peak of Mt.Pongkay where a giant "Holy Cross" and undeveloped chapel are located.

Gazebo resort, a famous resort in our place located in Brgy. 9. Many people from neighboring cities celebrated their outdoor conventions in the said resort.  

There are 4 swimming pools here and one of it was constructed for children. The resort is huge enough to accommodate many visitors. Cottages are even cheaper ranges from P250.00-P2000.00.

 

TO BE CONTINUED....