April 13,2013. I am presently here in Siargao Island of Surigao del Norte for usual NGO and Social Development works. I arrived here on Tuesday and planning to stay up to Sunday morning. If only I don't have scheduled commitments in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro next week I will choose to just stay and do my works here. Got addicted and truly deeply in-love with Siargao’s charm and beauty. No other place in the Philippines can replace Siargao in my heart. I consider this beautiful island as one of my comfort zones. White-sand beaches, amazing rock formations, vast green mangrove forests, turquoise water, enchanting lagoons, surprisingly full of adventure caves, beautiful places and people equals Siargao Island!
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I woke-up this Saturday morning with ringing of my mobile phone (alarm). 8:30 AM na pala :)- we’re going to Pacifico Beach and will try surfing for the second time. I almost got late as the call time was set @ 8:00 AM. Thanks to my colleagues’ patience in waiting. Got the best massage last night- healing my back pain because of more than 2 hours long Habal-Habal ride (on Wednesday) from Del Carmen to San Isidro (via Sta. Monica-Burgos Road) then another 1 hour travel back to Dapa. No regrets! Back pains can be healed but the experience and still moments in my P and S Cam are priceless!
TRAVEL DIARY NOTES|
FIRST DAY April 09: Bataan Day- HOLIDAY. As soon as we arrived in Dapa Port around 8:00AM from Surigao City my excitement meter never goes down. A day before, Ace (a colleague in Siargao) confirmed our Sohoton Tour. From Dapa Port of Siargao Island we took almost 2 hours boat ride going to Sohoton National Park of Bucas Grande Groups of Islands - covered by Municipality of Socorro, Surigao del Norte. Since Bucas Grande is not part of Siargao Island, I decided to write a separate post about our BUCAS GRANDE Adventures. SOON HERE.
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| The famed "Horse Foot" Rock Formation in Sohoton Cove |
SECOND DAY April 10: My second time to see/visit Sta. Monica’s Taktak Falls while on travel from Del Carmen to San isidro.
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| Taktak Falls of Sta. Monica |
THIRD DAY April 11: On our way back to Dapa around 5:30 PM we've got the chance to witness the opening of Pilar’s Game Fishing Competition joined by both local and international hook fishing participants and do quick visit and photowalk in Caridad Public Beach. Late in the afternoon we traveled San isidro – Pilar road going back to Dapa- made our Round Siargao Island Tour close to 80%. News about release of 36 Philippine freshwater crocodiles in a lagoon in Barangay Jaboy of Pilar adds in my interest to do side trip on the actual location of the country's newest crocodile sanctuary- sayang ang moment madadaanan na rin naman :)
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| Powder White Sand Beach of Caridad Public Beach in Municipality of Pilar |
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| Thirty-six Philippine freshwater crocodiles were released in this Lagoon in Barangay Jaboy, Pilar-Siargao Islands |
Fourth Day April 12: After doing the usual community/members’ visits we then managed to do a quick tour in the Surfing Capital of the Country- Cloud 9 in General Luna that completes our Round Siargao Island Tour.
TODAY: So I just washed my face and ate breakfast (rice +sautéed Ampalaya with eggs+ daing) then find our way going to Pacifico Beach of San Isidro. Pacifico Beach is actually a public beach and one of the best surfing spots in Siargao. Waves are huge and perfect for surfing equally same in Cloud 9 of General Luna. WORLDLESS! Just see the photographs and imagine me swimming, surfing, breathing, jumping, diving, anything… to BEAT the SUMMER HEAT in Siargao!
PHOTOWALK in Pacifico Beach|
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| Welcome to Pacifico Beach and Surfing Area |
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| powdery sands of Pacifico Beach |
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| Pacifico Beach during Low Tide |
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| Hook Fishing| "Kawil at Alon" |
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| "Baywatch Shot" @ Pacifico :) |
What to do to #beatthesummerheat?
GO out and visit these interesting SPOTS in Siargao Island:
- Taktak Falls of Sta. Monica
- Caridad Public Beach in Barangay Caridad, Pilar
- Game Fishing Spot in Poblacion Pilar
- Crocodile Lagoon in Jaboy, Pilar
- Surfing Area and Beaches/Islands in General Luna
- Surfing Area and Beach of Pacifico, San Isidro
If you are interested to do/learn surfing, I highly recommend our trainer - Wemar Bonono. He owns a surfing board and available anytime @ 09094146762- for negotiable amount of training fee- Almost FREE I Assure!
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HOW TO GET THERE
Airphil Express and Cebu pacific flies directly from Manila to Surigao City daily.
From Surigao City. Passenger Boats or Lantsa departs in Surigao Boulevard Port as early as 5:30 am (fare 250 pesos) while Montenegro RORO vessel is scheduled to depart in Surigao Port @ 12:00 noon (fare is 173 for ordinary and around 200-250 for air-conditioned room).
****ALL ARE BOUND TO DAPA PORT OF SIARGAO ISLAND.
There is also a passenger boat from Surigao Port going to the town of Del Carmen (other entry point to Siargao Island) - departs around 10:00-10:15 in the morning (fare is 250 pesos).
Cebu Pacific directly flies from Cebu to Siargao and if your from Manila take Manila-Cebu-Siargao connecting flight. Visit CebuPac's website www.cebupacificair.com for further details.
From Butuan, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and other parts of Mindanao
Ride a Bus or Van bound to Surigao City (Integrated Land Transportation Terminal). From the Terminal ride in a tricycle or multicab bound to Pier/Port Area (RORO) or Boulevard (Passenger Boats/Lantsa)
Habal-Habal(motorcycles with timber flat wings) and tricycles are the common inland transportation in the Island. From Siargao Airport (by plane)/ Dapa Port (by passenger boat/RORO/fastcraft) you can hire Habal-Habal or Tricycle that will bring you to your destination in Siargao Island.
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Let's #explore7107islands
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