Have you already heard or read something about the country’s longest wooden bridge? Yes, longest wooden bridge!:) As in long wooden footbridge connecting two island Barangays of Surigao City.
Tagged as Surigao’s version of the famed San Juanico Bridge of Samar-Leyte Province, The Cantiasay-San Pedro wooden bridge connects villages of San Pedro in Hanigad Island and Cantiasay in Nonoc Island. On a wider view, if only given proper exposure and promotion this is the Philippine EcoTourism's next BIG Thing considering its classicality, uniqueness, and being "the longest wooden bridge" in the country. Just imagine the experience of walking and crossing the two islands by wooden footbridge at the same time breathing the freshest air, and witnessing the majestic blue and green view surrounding you plus the excitement every-time the waves strike below your feet- Sarap!:)
Travel Notes|
Tambay mode in a coffee shop in Manila updating this blog when a photograph of an old, long and lovely wooden bridge catches my attention. Then I remember a fellow travel blogger talking about the longest wooden bridge in the country which is located in Surigao City. I’ve said“hindi pwedeng hindi ko mapuntahan yang longest wooden bridge na yan, sayang ang moment na nasa Surigao na rin lang naman ako:)”. Two days ahead at that time I am scheduled to go back in Mindanao for the usual work itineraries and of course I must also have weekend get-away plan for relaxation after whole weekdays of working- as it fuels me to stay active mentally and physically para ready ulet sa Monday (me ganun talaga hehehe) or in short word dapat may sidetrip hehehe. So I've posted in my blog’s FB Fan Page wall that I am planning to explore the said wooden bridge on the second Saturday of November.Got some THUMBS UP and of course comments including from my fellow PTB travel bloggers Nathalie of Wandering Soles (the Lady in long gown with zwarovsky crystals- tama ba spelling?:) and Dennis of Love Mindanao (the CONFI) hahaha PEACE PEACE. So wala na tong urungan:) as the “kaladkaring" Love Mindanao- his new tag :) already confirmed while Nathalie can’t make it because of her travel in Davao scheduled prior to this. Sir Nick Amores of Surigao City Tourism Council also commented and gave us some info./ guide on how to go to Barangay Cantiasay and suggested other places of interest in Surigao City.
So this is it!Saturday Morning, Love Mindanao and I meet in Surigao City Integrated Terminal Passengers' Area. He’s from long bus trip as his base is currently in Surigao del Sur. Have our breakfast in a famed food chain with cute, hug-gable jolly mascot:) and then proceed to the boulevard area. Unfortunately, the scheduled passenger boat going to Cantiasay will be leaving by 12:00 noon pa according to one of the boat's crews. We also asked if there are also scheduled trip going back to Surigao City from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. "Wala na, kinabukasan pa ng maaga" he said. So it is not possible for us to go back to Surigao City in the afternoon if we will take the public transport. Considering my early morning activities on Sunday we decided to look for motorized banka (for hire) that will take us to the said island earlier and will also wait for us until we go back to Surigao City. One local advised us to go to Barangay Taft's Wharf Area. Rode in a tricycle, we reached the wharf and after the long search and negotiation for the cheapest motorized banka "for hire", Manong Eddie "the boatman" agreed for 1200 pesos (back and forth).
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| View from Bo. San Pedro in Hanigad Island. Love Mindanao taking photographs |
The adventure started!
We arrived in Bo. San Pedro Wharf around 10:00 am. Meet the locals. Special mention to a 50 golden ager lady whose business is buying and selling aquarium fishes. Is this legal/allowed or not? Do photowalk. It took us almost 1 hour crossing the 391 meters wooden bridge as we enjoyed taking shots of never-ending subjects and scenery. The clouds are perfect, the backdrop mountains and greens, the blue-clear sea OMG this place is truly amazing! Perfect for pre-nuptial, music videos or any kind of photo or film/video shootings J
PHOTOWALK|
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| "The Local Business" |
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| The Sweetest Smiles in the Bridge |
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| In between two Barangays. |
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| Fish Cages. Raising Lapu-lapu for export and local consumption |
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| Going home. Worker of a mining company kilometers away from Bo. Cantiasay. |
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| View from Bo. Cantiasay in Nonoc Island |
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| Edible Seaweed- "Lato". Still Abundant in the area.In fact just swim and harvest anywhere - walang bayad!:) |
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| "Connecting Lives." |
Plan your trip now going to “The City of Island Adventures” - Surigao City! Don’t forget to include Cantiasay-San Pedro Wooden Footbridge in your Itinerary.
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From Manila.
By Plane (Direct flight) : Airphil Express - Daily
: Cebu Pacific Air- Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
By Boat : 2Go Travel - Tuesday
From Cebu
By Plane(Direct flight) : Airphil Express - Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
: Cebu Pacific - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
By Boat : Cokaliong - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
: Cebu Ferries- Monday, Wednesday and Friday
From Butuan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and other parts of Mindanao
By Bus or Van - daily
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Take a tricycle/multicab going to the Boulevard Area of Surigao City. Fare costs 9-11 pesos. Scheduled passenger-boat leaves Surigao Boulevard going to San Pedro Wharf of Hanigad Island around 12:00 noon. Going Back? The boat leaves San Pedro Wharf around 7:00-8:00 am going to Surigao Boulevard. But if your plan is a day tour ( just like what we've done) go to the Wharf in Barangay Taft and look for motorized boat and do the usual "tawaran to the lowest price" with the boatman. Cost for back and forth travel is around 1200-1500 pesos. From Surigao Boulevard travel time going to Nonoc Island is less than an hour.
P.S.If you want to hire a motorized banka/boat- I highly recommend Kuya Eddie. Call or text him ahead in this number: 09302667895. Sad to say there are no Inns, pension houses or hotels in the area. Camping/tent and home stay are the only possible way to stay overnight in the islands. You can call or text the ever hospitable Ate Elena at least 2 days ahead. She’s very much willing to accommodate travelers and visitors. Her cellular phone number is 09127445635. Also, don’t forget to pay courtesy call to the Barangay Captain. He is willing also to accommodate and give guide to island visitors and travelers.
Inquire Now| Surigao City Tourism Office
Boromeo St., Luneta Park, Surigao City
(086) 826-8064
tourism_surigaocity@yahoo.com
Surigao City Airport Tel. Nos. (086) 826-1772/826-3898
Surigao City Port Tel Nos. (086) 826-5233/826-2015
City Integrated Land Transportation Terminal (086) 365-1252/2316650
For Package Tours|
Surigao Travel Activity Recreation Shop (STARS)
"your travel pal in Surigao"
Bay 8 City Arcade Borromeo Street, Surigao City
For Package Tours|
Surigao Travel Activity Recreation Shop (STARS)
"your travel pal in Surigao"
(086)8261425 look for Sir Richard Amores
surigaotravelshop@yahoo.com.phBay 8 City Arcade Borromeo Street, Surigao City
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