This is a part of my 10-day family trip to Manila, Cebu City Dinagat Island Province and Surigao City
The Surigao City marker at the Port of Lipata
This was my second travel to Surigao City the first one was on July 7 - 9, 2011 when I traveled to Siargao Island. On that trip we were able to visit the following: Surigao City, Sohoton National Ecopark (Bucas Grande Island ), Jelly Fish Sanctuary (Bucas Grande Island) and Siargao Island. This only shows that Surigao City is the gateway to Siargao and Dinagat Islands.
Surigao City is a component city and capital of the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines. This city is is located at the north-easternmost tip of Mindanao with a total land area of 245.34 square kilometers which is roughly 1.4% of the Caraga region.
Arriving at the Port of Lipata of Surigao City coming from Dinagat Island
When we arrived in Surigao City, we already had a booked accommodation just one ride from the port at Pier La Casa Homestay. Since we have a lot of luggage, we hired a porter a rate of P100.
Our beds at Pier La Casa Homestay
The dining table at the Pier La Casa Homestay
Going around the city, tourists can use the tricycle with a minimum fare of P11. While our accommodation costs P2,630 for an overnight stay. As we would like to take advantage of the fresh tuna in the market, we just decided to cook for our meals and tuna costs P400 a kilo. We bought vegetables and their Lakatan banana is only P50. Their suso sea shells is only P50 per kilo. We really had healthy and delightful meals then. And yes, laundry hubs were also present in the city and we had our used clothes on laundry for P300.
The San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City
The following day, we attended a Holy Mass at San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral. This church is commonly known as Surigao Cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral and is the seat of the Diocese of Surigao. Tricycle fare going there from our accommodation is at minimum fare of P11 per head.
Surigao City Hall foreground
Almost opposite the cathedral is the Surigao City Hal. I can also see a park opposite the church which is quite green. So, after attending the mass, we just crossed the street to have this picture.
Surigao City Gymnasium
Matthew ran fast to the nearby Surigao City Gymnasium after having pictures from the city hall foreground. This is just adjacent to the city hall and opposite to the cathedral.
Breakfast at the Greenwich with my family
The fastfood I have seen in Surigao City were just Greenwich and Jollibee. They are adjacent with each other. They are located just two blocks away from the cathedral.
After our breakfast, we headed back to our accommodation to prepare for our flight back to Manila via Cebu City. We had our sumptuous lunch at our accommodation.
While at Surigao Airport
After our lunch, we headed to the airport for our Cebu Pacific flight to Mactan International Airport where we arrived there at 1:00 P.M. We had a tricycle trip from the Pier La Casa Homestay to the airport for P150.
Boarding for our Cebu Pacific Surigao-Cebu flight
We were actually too early at the Surigao Airport since it was only at 4:11 P.M. that we boarded in our flight for Cebu City.
While we are on board our Surigao - Cebu City flight
Our Cebu Pacific Surigao - Cebu Flight No. DG6902 must have been at 4:00 P.M. However, it was usual for flight trips to be delayed and with this we were late 30 minutes. We must have been landing at Mactan International Airport at 4:50 P.M. for a 50-minute flight.
While on board with our Surigao - Cebu flight
We were supposed to be in Cebu City at 4:50 P.M. but because we were delayed by 30 minutes, we arrived there at 5:20 P.M. Fortunately, it was such a perfect weather late afternoon.
Boarded airport bus to the airport terminal
We decided to stay at the airport terminal since our connecting Cebu Pacific flight for Manila was still at 10:00 P.M. Besides, going to Cebu City proper is 10 kilometers and in the evening traffic is heavier.
Strolling around the airport
Part of the airport stroll
We were supposed to go to Cebu's House of Lechon in Cebu City proper but I find it not practical to go there considering the traffic condition. So, my family agreed to just buy a half a kilo of lechon at Ayers Lechon at the airport or P325, just to satisfy our craving. And really, we cannot wait for dinner, we have eaten it all just before our Kenny Rogers dinner at the airport.
Dinner at the airport's Kenny Rogers branch
At exactly 6:45 P.M., we had our dinner at the Kenny Rogers. This fast food is our family's favorite. We love their classic roasted chicken along with its side dishes like muffins, cupful of fruit salad, mashed potato with sour cream and chives and the best coleslaw.
They offer this salad too and dessert Kenny's Treat "The Leches Cup"
Unlike SM Legazpi Kenny Roger branch where our family dine, the outlet at Mactan International Airport has these menu of salad and dessert. And yes, they do not run out of muffins, my favorite in Kenny Rogers. When I smell their aroma, I can't stop but to be salivating.
How can I resist with this combo meal at Kenny Rogers
Whenever, our family look for a dining place, Kenny Rogers always comes first to our choice. Using two senior citizen discount card of Ate Rose and mine, our total order of P1,610 was reduced to P1,318.57 after deducting the discount of P291.43.
Check-in for our Cebu Pacific flight Mactan - Manila
We checked in at 8:16 P.M. despite the fact that our flight for Manila is at 10:00 P.M. Matthew was unstoppable then. He made the airport a huge and massive playground running here and there.
Matthew while on board our flight
Matthew is so playful while boarding a plane. This is so far his 6th domestic flight since he was 2 years old, the first of which was when we had vacation to Antique and Boracay in April 2022.
Claiming our luggage at NAIA Terminal III
We arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III at 11:50 P.M. but was able to finally claimed our luggage at 12:12 midnight.
Strutting along Runway Manila
As we had difficulty in booking for a grab despite that it was already midnight, we used Runway Manila for an exit as we can easily take a taxi down there. Honestly, if you book for Grab within NAIA Terminal III, it takes long. When we booked for a Grab taxi down the Runway Manila, it was so fast.
Had hotel booking at Eurotel Vivaldi Residences
It was already 1:04 A.M (dawn) when we arrived at Eurotel in Cubao of Quezon City. Our advanced online booking here for overnight was P2,019.38. It is advisable to book online here thru Agoda since it is cheaper than having it over-the-counter. It will cost P3,800 for the same room accommodation if we did it.
Our Eurotel room accommodation
At 1:10 A.M., we already rested in our hotel room accommodation. I left them at the hotel at 2:00 A.M. trying to catch my flight for Bicol International Airport since I have to report for work. While the rest of them took a bus at 6:00 P.M. to our Bicol residence.
Overlooking Manila from my 6:02 A.M. flight for Bicol International Airport
Travel suggestions:
Since you are already in Surigao City, you can either travel by road to Cagayan de Oro City or Bislig and Hinatuan as broken down as follows:
1. From Surigao City to Cagayan de Oro City, you need to take Bachelor Bus Liner for 290 kilometers
to a travel duration of 7.5 hours with the fare ranging from P750 to P1,100. By doing so, you will
pass thru Butuan City with a distance of 121 kilometers for 2.5 hours with a fare range of P400 to
P750.
2. From Surigao City to Hinatuan, there is no direct bus going there. You need to take a bus from
Surigao City (Surigao del Norte) to Tandag City (Surigao del Sur) is 211 kilometers for 9 hours
with a fare range of P900 to P1,500. You can take Bachelor Bus Liner. From Tandag City to
Hinatuan is 124 kilometers for 2.5 hours where there are local buses and vans that operate for a
fare range of P600 to P1,100. What to see in Hinatuan anyway? There is the Enchanted River,
3. From Hinatuan to Bislig (both part of Surigao del Sur) , is just 40 kilometers for 48 minutes thru
local buses or vans with fare estimates of P100 to P160. What to see there? You can visit there
the following: Tinuy-an Water Falls, International Doll House and Mangagoy.
With those long road travels, it is better to take plane travels.
Thanks for reading!
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