Showing posts with label Siargao Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Siargao Island. Show all posts

Monday, October 14, 2013

OTHER JEWELS OF BUCAS GRANDE ISLAND

Location: Bucas Grande Island, Siargao Island Group
Province: Surigao del Norte, Philippines

As my trip to Siargao Island concluded, I realized that there's a lot of things to see and do in Bucas Grande Island than in Siargao Island just to see the famous Cloud 9 Surfing Paradise. In Bucas Grande, you can find the Sohoton Ecopark with the Jellyfish Sanctuary and the other jewels of the island are: Club Tara Resort, Hidden Island Resort, Bubon Islets and many other nameless white beaches. For me, a visit to the fishing village of Barangay Bay-ang is plus factor. Bucas Grande is one of the 48 islands of Siargao Islands group. It belongs to the municipality of Socorro, one of the six municipalities of Siargao Islands group.


View Bucas Islands in a larger map


The pristine and tranquil Club Tara Resort


Going to Socorro Port from Sohoton National Ecopark, one will pass thru a state-of-the-art resort in the name of Club Tara Resort which offers every luxury a guest would wish to have.

Club Tara Resort is equipped with swimming pool with a bar along its sides


Club Tara Resort is equipped with a docking port and physical sports facilities as well as aqua sports facilities to complete the fun of guests who wanted to stay for long vacation.

Still a part of Club Tara Resort


Indeed, Club Tara Resort is a haven where guests will love to stay as they are pampered with all the luxuries they need.

Truly a hidden paradise with lots of fun to offer


Our next stop was the Hidden Island Resort where it offers a complete fun for individuals and families who wanted to enjoy their vacation in a very secluded but paradise location.

One of the islets in Bubon


Bubon group of islets are picturesque and each islet has its unique charm to entice the visitors to stay for a swim, a picnic or an overnight camping.

An entry to the fishing village of Barangay Bay-ang


We were suppose to head to Socorro Port which is still more than an hour boat ride to catch the 1:00 P.M. boat trip to Dapa of Siargao Island but we almost ran out of gasoline and so we were forced to drop by at Barangay Bay-ang to buy fuel for our boat.

A house in the middle of the sea?


This house may seem odd in terms of location but I find it picturesque and unique. After all, we can't see this in a metropolitan city.

Simple joys in simple dwellings


Kids around their simple shanties enjoy their playful moments satisfied with what they have in a completely surrounded environment by seascape.

A time for playing, a time for bonding


Unmindful of where they live, these kids still have the enthusiasm to play and bond with each other. If you live here, will you do the same?
A real picture of sadness


While we were still at a distance, I saw the girl in the picture to be too busy with something. As we approached near, she sat down and stared towards our boat with gloomy facial projection. Why the sudden change of emotion?

Resting after a tiring swim


After enjoying a round of swimming race, this kid rested at the back of their house to regain his energy.

Kids are having a swim without the presence of their parents


I can still recall when I grew up in our coastal town. We are not allowed to swim in any body of water like beach or river without the presence of our parents no matter how shallow they are. While these kids are given the liberty to do their swimming stuff unguarded.

They are not the typical camera-shy kids


As these kids saw us, they posed for posterity sake. They are not those typical kids in the remote areas where they will shy away with the click of a camera.

The kids have there ever-ready smile every click of my camera


As long as they knew that the camera is grinding, they are ever-ready to flash their smile. They even became more acrobatic on the water just get our attention.

He must have a problem since he did not join the other kids


I noticed this kid in the picture to have been sad and did not even bother to glance to other kids who were enjoying their swimming. He must be sick.

An improvised swimming pool in the middle of their houses


Maybe for safety reasons, the kids were told by their parents to swim unguarded near their house rather than at the open beach. At least, it is safe.

Part of the fishing village is grown with mangroves


Curious of what life is in that fishing village, I had a stroll there and chat with a few residents.

The coastline leading to Socorro Port


After having three picturesque stopovers, we headed to Socorro Port with a travel duration of more than one hour to catch for our trip to Dapa Port of Siargao Island.

SURIGAO CITY

Location: Northeast Mindanao, Philippines
Province: Surigao del Norte
Region: XIII (CARAGA)
Coordinates: 09°47′N 125°29′E
Total Land Area: 245.30 km2(94.71 sq mi.)
City’s Nickname: City of Island Adventures
Founded: June 29, 1655
Cityhood: August 31, 1970
Barangays: 54
Districts: 1 (2nd District of Surigao del Norte)
Time Zone: PHT (UTC+8)
Zip Code: 8400
Dialing Code: 86

Surigao City is the capital of the province of Surigao del Norte. Its three main islands indeed can boast a lot of adventures, namely: Siargao, Dinagat and Bucas Grande.


View Surigao City in a larger map


Taken as our ferry was approaching the Port of the City of Surigao coming from Siargao


When I decided to book for my Siargao Trip, I was thinking that Surigao City is just simply a jump-off point to reach my desired and long-dreamed destination. I was only excited for Siargao though I read some information about Surigao del Norte. It was my first time to be in this place. Together with my couple friend, we boarded Air Philippines flight from Manila to Surigao City.

Upon arrival at Surigao City Airport in Barangay Luna


Based on my series of research, I learned the following: "That the City of Surigao was formerly known, according to Fray San Juan Francisco de San Antonio as Banahao, San Antonio, in his “Chronicles” written in 1738, described Banahao as located at the northern head of Mindanao within there is a good port for ships called Bilan-bilan. Banahao was part of the old district of Caraga which became the Politico-Military District of Surigao with Tandag (presently, the capital of Surigao del Sur) as its capital. In its original size during the Spanish era, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte up to Gingoog River in Misamis Oriental according to the Philippine Commission Report of 1901, Surigao was ten times bigger than Rhodes Island and three times bigger than Connecticut. Because of repeated attacks by Moro pirates, the provincial capital was within the defensive perimeter of the Spanish Naval Squadron in Cebu and Ozamis.

Surigao officially became a town when it became the permanent residence of the Recollects on February 1, 1751 when all the canonical books were moved from Siargao to Surigao. “The first canonical books bore the signature of Fr. Lucas dela Cruz.” Previously, the place was Justa “Vista” of the Parish in Caolo (Siargao).

Surigao is named after the old province (district) of the same name (Surigao). There are many versions regarding the meaning of Surigao: how this was derived. Like Sulo which names current (Sulog). Surigao probably came from Spanish word Surgir, meaning swift water or current. With the division of Surigao into two province, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, the municipality of Surigao became the capital of Surigao del Norte. It became a chartered City on August 31, 1970.

A busy street in Surigao City


Going back, as our flight was early in the afternoon, we decided to have an overnight in the city. It is a typical provincial city and its vibrance is due to the presence of schools and universities in the area, namely: Saint Paul University, Philippine Women University, San Sebastian College, STI College, St. Jude Thaddeus Institute of Technology and a few others. It also has several banks and the common fastfood chains in Manila like Jollibee, McDonalds, Chowking and a few others. We checked in at an affordable hotel and unwind in their famous Luneta Park the whole afternoon. We also visited its Tourism Office and went to souvenir stores for pasalubong.



The city itself has no attractions but I find Surigao City's beauty when I returned back to it coming from Siargao Island boarding Fortune Angels Ferry with its departure at 6:00 A.M. and arrived Eva M. Macapagal Passenger Terminal Port of Surigao City at 8:45 A.M., so early for our flight back to Manila at 2:40 P.M.

The pictures below were taken while we were on board the ferry boat. They reveal much of the beauty of Surigao.

A common sight of mangrove forest along seashores


An island with white beach strip and a lighthouse


Fishermen in action


A fisherman with his son in action


A cruising yatch


A container vessel


Another beach strip in an isolated island


Bright skies brightens my day. Such a beauty to behold.


The scenery of skies and the sea continue to fascinate me


More closer to the destination port


The last of a fisherman's show


Finally!!!! I am at Eva M. Macapagal Passenger SeaportTerminal of Surigao City. Ready to fly back to Manila.


HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR: Airphilippines flies daily from Surigao to Manila and vice-versa, and Surigao to Cebu and vice-versa every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Cebu Pacific likewise flies every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Surigao to Cebu and vice-versa. Cebu Pacific flies every Monday and Friday at 10:40 A.M. from Cebu and returning from Siargao (Sayak Airport) at 11:50 A.M. and vice versa.

BY LAND: Buses from Pasay City have trips going to Surigao several times a week via Lipata Ferry Terminal. Daily bus trips from Surigao City to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City or Davao City are also available at regular intervals only up to Surigao City. Roro and ferry are available for Surigao City – Siargao Tirp.

BY SEA: Passenger boats direct from Manila and Cebu City are also available daily. And from Surigao City, passenger boats and Roro are available daily at 6:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon via PPA Port for Roro at Boulevard Port.

CONTACTS

Provincial Governor’s Office
Provincial Capitol, Surigao City
Tel. Nos. (086) 826-7778 Telefax (086) 826-0462

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office
Provincial Capitol, Surigao City
Tel. Nos. (086) 232-6962 local 410; +639088963975
Email address: surigaodelnortetourism@yahoo.com
Website: www.surigaodelnorteph.com

Sunday, October 13, 2013

SIARGAO ESCAPADE

Location: Municipalities of Dapa and General Luna
Province: Surigao del Norte, Philippines
Coordinates: 9°52′N 126°03′E Total No. of Islands: 48
Municipalities: Dapa (Island’s capital), General Luna, Pilar, Del Carmen, San Isidro, San Benito, Santa Monica and Burgos while Buscas Island has the lone municipality of Socorro
Land Area: The combined total land area of Siargao and Buscas Grande Islands is 62,796 hectares

Siargo is known for being the Surfing Capital of the Philippines where it hosts annually domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte.


View Siargao Island in a larger map


Trying to learn surfing at Cloud 9


Siargao Island is a much publicized destination compared to Surigao del Norte, the province where it belongs. And this fact has stirred more my excitement to visit the place. My curiosity lies with the question of what really the island has to make it a highly must-see destination.

Teresita Sea Star Express boat which I boarded from Socorro port of Bucas Island coming from Sohoton National Ecopark at 1:00 P.M. and arrived in the Port of Dapa at 2:15 P.M


Mangrove forest reserves while approaching the port of Dapa


Siargao Island contains the largest mangrove forest reserves in Mindanao, at Del Carmen. Long stretches of wetlands indicate a potential for commercial seaweed propagation. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.

This is habal-habal, the only alternative transport if a tourist has no chartered car


Arriving in Dapa, our group decided to check in at MEM's Pension House – a clean, modern and the best accommodation in Dapa. Since it was still early, we contracted a habal-habal to travel to General Luna - the municipality where the famous Cloud 9 Surfing area is located.

Cloud 9 Entrance


Curious of what surfing can offer, we hired a local boy to train us with surfing, a young, tall but slim teener who charged us with P500 for an hour. it was really exciting but I was hesitant to have it seriously as I have ear infection.

The long boardwalk leading to the surfing site


It was refreshing to walk along the boardwalk in one pleasant and windy afternoon. There were few surfers around which include the local surf trainors and some surfing enthusiasts both Filipinos and foreigners.

Surfers in action


An Australian national (left) just about to start his surfing routine


The waves of Siargo are noted to have combined the best quality features of the top-rated waves of Hawaii’s fabled “pipeline” and the top-billed waves of Indonesia. Its huge, powerful rollers have been ranked the top five breaks in the world, including the “Cloud Nine” which is considered as one of the world’s top surfing waves.

As they said, September to October the best months for surfing in Siargao where waves are like that of Hawaii’s best surfing waves.

One real picture of surfing


Done with our 3-hour surfing training at Cloud 9 of Barangay Catangnan of General Luna, we headed to Poblacion of General Luna along their refreshing Boulevard where its inviting boardwalk enticed us to have an afternoon walk.

The scenic boardwalk along the Boulevard as they call it in General Luna town proper of Poblacion


Along the Boulevard, is a row of Grill and Restaurants where guests can have their fresh seafood cooked bought from wet market in a very minimal charge of P30 in our part where we had four kilos of tuna and two kilos of blue marlin grilled and sinigang-cooked for just the four of us including our habal-habal driver.

Trees lined along the Boulevard giving more beauty to the beach scape and blue skies


It was not really boring to wait for our food cooked since the amazing scenery around was quite rewarding. We had chance to chat with some Filipino and foreign tourists. We learned that two of those who were drinking next to our table were Australians who opted to reside in the Siargao after they retired from their public post in their country.

The picturesque Guyam scenery as seen from the Grill house where we had our sumptuous dinner


Morning scenery while on board with a ferry for Surigao City


After dinner, the three of us, boarded again in the same habal-habal going back to Dapa where it took us 35-minute drive along concrete roads early evening at around 7pm. While on board the vehicle, I smelled the countryside from the vast riceland and rolling hills we passed by. We rested in our accommodation at MEM's Pension House for an overnight and left for Surigao City early in the morning the following day.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY AIR: Airphilippines flies daily from Surigao to Manila and vice-versa, and Surigao to Cebu and vice-versa every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Cebu Pacific likewise flies every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Surigao to Cebu and vice-versa. Cebu Pacific flies every Monday and Friday at 10:40 A.M. from Cebu and returning from Siargao (Sayak Airport) at 11:50 A.M. and vice versa.

BY LAND: Buses from Pasay City have trips going to Surigao several times a week via Lipata Ferry Terminal. Daily bus trips from Surigao City to Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City or Davao City are also available at regular intervals only up to Surigao City. Roro and ferry are available for Surigao City – Siargao Tirp.

BY SEA: Passenger boats direct from Manila and Cebu City are also available daily. And from Surigao City, passenger boats and Roro are available daily at 6:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon via PPA Port for Roro at Boulevard Port.

CONTACTS

Provincial Governor’s Office
Provincial Capitol, Surigao City
Tel. Nos. (086) 826-7778 Telefax (086) 826-0462

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office
Provincial Capitol, Surigao City
Tel. Nos. (086) 232-6962 local 410; +639088963975
Email address: surigaodelnortetourism@yahoo.com
Website: www.surigaodelnorteph.com