the traveller & her thoughts: Surigao del Norte

A GAZEBO OF JOURNEYS AND RANDOM THOUGHTS OF AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER AND WRITER. Life is a series of pictures. Some blurred, others vivid and sharp; some are panoramic while others are close-up views with tiny little flaws. You may be taken by a luxurious DSLR camera or a plain Point and Shoot Cam, but in the end, when all of the films are used up and all batteries empty, people all have one thing in common: what we leave are footprints in the sand, pictures in the album, and flashes of memories.

Showing posts with label Surigao del Norte. Show all posts

Saturday, June 14, 2014

4-DAY BACKPACKING TRIP IN SURIGAO (itinerary)

*this is the ACTUAL itinerary with total cost per person in a group of 6

Guyam Island

Magpupungko Lagoon

Boardwalk at Cloud Nine

Bucas Grande

Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

Tinuy-an Falls, Bislig, Surigao del Sur

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Day 0 MAASIN-SURIGAO-SIARGAO BOAT RIDE

2pm departure bus to Liloan, So.Leyte

6pm arrival at Liloan port, buy boat ticket then quick dinner at the port

8pm departure to Lipata, Surigao City

2am arrival at Lipata pier

2:15 tricycle ride to McDonalds at the 'poblacion' (city center), dined in

3:55 on the way to pier 2

4am arrival at pier 2

6am departure

Total for Day 0: Php841 (772.6 student)

php120 (100 for student) - Bus ticket

php 300 (255 for student) -Boat ticket

php 16 (12.60 for student)- Terminal fee

php 30 for cup noodles - Dinner

php 30 per person (but if you ride late in the evening or early in the morning, you have to pay the 7-seater tricycle = php210)Tricycle

php 87 for chicken and rice, french fries - McDonald's Breakfast
php 8 - Tricycle to Pier

php 250 - LQP-1 boat fare

Tips:

1. Don't sit in economy class right side. So hoooot!

2. Bring your valid ID to avail of student's discount! :)

3. First trip to Dapa, Siargao is at 6am at pier 2. Drop by earlier espe during peak season coz you might run out of tickets. The RoRo boat is cheaper but slower (arrives at dapa port at 10am). Check the boat schedules here.

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DAY 1 SIARGAO, Surigao del Norte

9am arrival in Dapa port, welcomed by our contact (van) "Kuya Lito"

9:15am arrival at Jadestar Lodge, freshen up, change outfit

10:30am start of ISLAND HOPPING

11:15am Lunch at Dako Island

1:15pm arrive at the port, transfer to van for Magpupungko

2:30pm arrival at MAGPUPUNGKO LAGOON

4pm on the way to Cloud 9

5:10pm arrival at CLOUD 9 - meet kuya lino and kuya joel, our surfing trainers

5:30pm teaching basics

5:45pm SURFING <3

6:45pm otw to jadestar lodge wash up
7pm arrival at the lodge

9pm dinner at General Luna boulevard

Total for day 1: Php1,651.50

php 126.5 - (759/6) - Lunch: 7 Cups rice, 7 pcs pork steak, pancit, 4Lwater, 1L coke, 2 C2, juice

php 283.33 - (1700/6) 1500 island hopping + 200 tip

php 616.66 - (3700/6) 3500 kuya ariel van + 200 tip

php 10 entrance fee for Guyom Island

php 50 entrance fee for Magpupungko

php 500 surfing with board and trainer for an hour

php 65 Dinner: 50 chicken 15 rice

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DAY 2 BUCAS GRANDE, Surigao del Norte

6am wake-up call

7am otw to dapa port

7:30am arrival at dapa port

8:20am departure for socorro port

9:30am arrival in socorro, pick-up boat by "Kuya Tate"

10:15am arrival at Balanghay Kanlunes, leave things

10:40am on the way to CRYSTAL, BOLITAS, TUNDAN CAVES

11:15am otw to sohoton

12:05am SOHOTON COVE TOUR

1:50pm otw to Balanghay Kanlunes

2:10 pm LUNCH at BALANGHAI KANLUNES

3:50pm otw to Hayanggabon via bachelor bus

3:55pm arrival at Hayanggabon port, wait for bus

4:30pm otw to Tandag City

7:30pm arrival at Tandag terminal

8:30pm otw to Mangagoy, Bislig City

11:30pm arrival in Mangagoy

12mn late dinner at Yoyo's Barbecue

1am early check in at Pensionne La Salle

Total cost for DAY 2: Php1,884.64

php 100 (95 for student) - boat fare dapa to socorro

php 40 - (20 flashlight + 20 headgear) - Crystal, Bolitas, Tundan caves

php 16.66 - (100/6) tourguide

php 238.33 - (1470/6) Sohoton tour

php 166.66 - (1000/6) Lunch at Balanghai Kanlunes

php 150 (120 student) - bus fare, hayanggabon to tandag

php 616.66 - (3700/6) 3500 tour + 200 tip

php 533.33 - (3200/6) van

php 15 dinner (10 per chicken stick 5 per puso)

php 8 fare from barbecue house to Pensionne

SOHOTON TOUR PAYMENT
Environmental Fee: 50 locals, 150 foreigners
Rental (vest and helmet): 40
Docking fee: 100
Pumpboat: 500
Boat guides: 165 each x 2 (for our trip)
Paddlers: 100 (but we didn't go to the Jellyfish Sanctuary)

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DAY 3 BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur

7am wake up call

9:30am otw to Hinatuan
11am ENCHANTED RIVER

3:30pm travel from highway to tinuy-an falls

4:10pm TINUY-AN FALLS

5:30pm otw to Pension house

6:30pm arrival, freshen up

7:30pm Dinner sponsored by Jakosalem Family

9:30pm rest

TOTAL FOR DAY 3: Php411.99

php 4 - for hotwater (brought oatmeal for breakfast)
php 50 - Entrance at Enchanted River

php 50 - (300/6) - Rafting in Tinuy-an falls (only 150, but we did it 2 times)

php 75 (450/6) - waterproof camera at Tinuy-an falls

php 8.33 (50/6) - tip at Tinuy-an Falls

php 8 - fare from Pension house to Jakosalem residence

php 216.66 - (1300/6) one night at Pensionne la salle

* Lunch and Dinner were sponsored by Jakosalem Family (A BIG THANKS to RJ and his parents!)
Thank you for introducing this unique dish:

Mutya ng Bislig

and letting me eat Durian for the first time (yes, milestone! Haha)

Durian

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DAY 4 Surigao City

6am wake up call

7:30am otw to Butuan via van

10:30am arrival at crossing, van transfer to Surigao City

1pm arrival at surigao city terminal, lunch at Jollibee
6pm arrival at Surigao port

TOTAL FOR DAY 4: Php733

php 8 fare from pension to Bislig van terminal

php 220 van fare from Bislig city to butuan

php 110 van fare from Butuan to surigao city

php 50 Lunch at Jollibee

php 325 Boat ticket Maasin to Surigao

php 20 - Terminal fee
* Dinner was sponsored by my friend's aunt

TOTAL EXPENSES (4 DAYS): PHP5,522.13

Travels that satisfy the heart

and fill the brain with cherished memories.

This is TRAVEL-licious.

BALANGHAI KANLUNES

A very budget friendly place for honeymooners and silent retreaters. The surroundings are very peaceful with a fascinating white beachfront. One could only reach this resort through boat..

Not really this one..but you can find this "shipwreck" on the east side of their beach. This is perfect for photoshoots. =))

the "shipwreck"-themed photo

another photo op at their beach front. So pretty!

We just left our stuff, went to our Sohoton Cove Tour, and went back to eat and wash up. We didn't check in this wonderful place due to lack of time (we still have to travel to Bislig) but here is a picture of their open cabanas that costs only 200php/head overnight (inclusive of pillows, mattress, mosquito net and tarp incase of rain). I think it would be exciting to stay here. (Reminds me of those cabanas in Indonesia I saw on TV)

They also have rooms for overnight use for those allergic to mosquitoes (haha!)

Balanghai Kanlunes also has a little restaurant (with a homey feel) that offers cooking of seafood according to the type of cooking you prefer. You just have to instruct well and of course, pay the dues.

For us (group of six), we payed 1000 for 2 platters of rice, 1/2 kilo squid (stuffed and grilled), 1 kilo of fish (half grilled, 1/4 made into a soup and 1/4 into "kinilaw" or eaten raw with spices and vinegar) and 1 liter of coke. So affordable! :)

Grilled Stuffed Squid

"Tinolang Isda" Soup with fish

Grilled Fish

because a satiated stomach is essential to have an amazing adventure!

=) #happytummy #seafood

Monday, June 9, 2014

BUCAS GRANDE ISLAND

HOW TO GET THERE (Siargao --> Bucas Grande) travel time from General Luna to Socorro Port approx. 2 hrs.

From your hotel/accommodation take a tricycle/motorcab from General Luna to Dapa Port (200php/person) then board a boat to Socorro, Bucas Grande (100php/person) then from Socorro port, hire a cab or a boat to take you to Sohoton (in our case, we contacted Kuya Fredie weeks before our adventure, saving time and energy. see contact number below)

A two-hour boat ride to the south of Siargao, lies Bucas Grande island, known for its lagoons, caves luscious trees and serene resorts.

We were picked up at the Socorro port by Kuya Fredie's boat, stopped over Balanghai Kanlunes Resort to leave our bags and off we went to our journey..

we were welcomed by little stingless jellyfish along the way..

finding jellyfish

Our first stop was the station where 3 caves are situated.

Here is a very nice view from the station:

BOLITAS CAVE, bolitas in Bisaya means "small balls", and this was named so because of small pebbles seemingly embedded in the rock formations. The exciting part of the journey to the cave is the narrow opening -- yes, you have to squeeze yourself into it!

CRYSTAL CAVE, the twin of Bolitas cave because of their proximity, was so named because the stalactites and stalagmites shimmer as if they were crystals. Unlike the Bolitas cave, Crystal Cave was huge making it very effortless to be navigated.

Crystal Cave stalactites

TUNDAN CAVE, named by ancestors because it lies at the foot of a Tundan, a variety of a banana shrub. Unfortunately, we didn't enter this much further due to time constraints. And we were excited to our next stop...

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Then off we go to our next stop, the highlight of our adventure...

SOHOTON COVE

This is the station where we have to register, pay bills and transfer to a smaller pumpboat.

Why a smaller pumpboat? Because you have to navigate all the way to the nature park through a small cave opening. This is where the beautiful cove got its name as "sohoton", which in Bisaya means to stoop or get down. See a glimpse of our experience here.

HAGUKAN CAVE

Hagukan comes from the root word "Haguk" which in Bisaya means snore. The underwater cave on an islet is named so because as the sea level falls down below the cave's entrance creating a "mouth", the cave produces a snoring sound as the breeze enters and goes out the cave.

Entering the cave depends on the tide. That time, it just started to get low so the guide just let us float as we sailed through the cave's entrance. (Caution: be wary of the rough surface of the entrance due to oyster shells embedded on it).

Once inside, be dazzled by the rock formations high above, that look like clouds as you tirelessly just let yourself float on the cool water. We stayed there for about 20 minutes to enjoy the cool water (because we never had to worry about being sunburned!)

MAGKUKUOB CAVE

What's unique of this cave? You swim, rock climb and then jump to get out.

Once you decide to enter and climb, you have no other option but to let yourself fall 15m from sea level. Sometimes in life, there is really no turning back --- you just let yourself fall. :)

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This is the HORSE SHOE ROCK or "Horse Foot", a very cool rock formation that serves as landmark to the exit.

For an ease in travel, contact:

Kuya Fredie Rosillo (caretaker of Balanghai Kanlunes)

09354183244

For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart

and fill the brain with cherished memories.

This is TRAVEL-licious.

SURFING AT SIARGAO

the famous boardwalk in Cloud Nine

Cloud Nine in Siargao Island is the 9th BEST SURF SPOT IN THE WORLD, according to CNN

-Rappler

What you "should've done, must be done, will do" that I did at the SURFING CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES...

For a novice like me, one could rent a surf board and a trainer for only Php500/hr.

You also have an option to rent the surf board at Php300 for an hour or at Php500 for a day .

But if you're a surfer at heart, bring your own surf board and test your skills against the waves brought by the Pacific.

The swells were at the lowest (around 2-3 feet) when we arrived there (month of June). Our trainers said that it can swell as high as 8 feet on the months of September or October.

There are many surfing spots in Siargao, but the famous of which is in Cloud 9 in General Luna.

It has the trickiest waves known to mankind, which is why tourists, surfers and non-surfers alike gather in Siargao where International Surfing Competitions are held, most especially on the months of September and October.

as For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart

and fill the brain with cherished memories.

This is TRAVEL-licious.

MAGPUPUNGKO LAGOON

Surrounded by limestone and granite sculptures facing the Pacific Ocean, its pockmarked limestone floor reveals pools of assorted shapes and sizes resembling basins, barrels, tubs and ponds during low tide. - Amazing Siargao Website

Located in Pilar, Siargao, about one hour or more by car, Magpupungko is truly a natural beauty that's worth seeing. That super long jittery ride along the uncemented road from General Luna becomes certainly worth it once the rock formations and the tidal pools loom into view.

Magpupungko from the root word "pungko" which in Bisaya means "sit", is named so, as a huge rock has been sitting on a smaller one since it was discovered. I wonder, when will it ever fall?

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The Magpupungko tidal pool in front and the Pacific behind us.

We got the van for the 6 of us at a rate of 3,500php inclusive of pick-up at Dapa port, and hotel transfer, to and from Magpupungko Lagoon, and pick-up and transfer to Dapa port on the following day. (Kuya Lito - 09073103333)

For breakdown of expenses and more attractions, see full itinerary.

Travels that satisfy the heart

and fill the brain with cherished memories.

This is TRAVEL-licious.

SIARGAO ISLAND HOPPING

Siargao Island does not only take pride in being the surfing capital of the Phillippines --- for tiny little islands with white sand lie amidst the Pacific ocean. Surfers and non-surfers alike would never say "no" to Siargao's Island Hopping adventure.

For only php1,500 for the whole trip, we couldn't say 'NO' too!

so we hopped in with Kuya Lito (our very welcoming tour guide) and headed off to these 3 islets...

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NAKED ISLAND

as the name implies, the islet is "naked" --- no trees, grass, cottages or anything! Just the island amidst the clear blue sea.

Naked Island, Siargao, Surigao del Norte

GUYAM ISLAND

I don't actually know what "guyam" means, but this 150-meter islet is unique for its rocky formations encapsulating the white-sand and trees at the center.

This privately owned islet has an entrance fee of Php10 and has cottages that you could rent at Php 100 to stay for the whole day or overnight.

Guyam Island, Siargao, Surigao del Norte

the rock formations at Guyam Island

DAKU ISLAND

"Daku" in Bisaya means huge or big since this is the biggest among the 3 islets. This inhabited island has lots of cottages that can be rented for php100-250 for the day. If you opt for having lunch there, don't forget to drop by the market on the mainland before heading off to island hopping as cooking services for Php200 are offered by the inhabitants of Daku Island.