Siargao Island: A Guide To A Piece Of Paradise

November 3, 2014May 14, 20221 Comment

The perks of having a boyfriend(now my husband..ayee!) who’s from one of the most visited places here in the Philippines is you get to enjoy the place for free! No hotel booked since we stayed at their house and no transpo (just gasoline for the motorcycle) incurred. What’s best is you can visit the place not just once or twice but for a lifetime! I’m talking about Siargao- the surfing capital of the Philippines. Not just a haven for surfers, the island is home to elaborate sceneries, fine white sand beaches and stunning lagoons.

Would you believe I actually rode those waves? I wish. Haha

GETTING THERE

Siargao is a teardrop shaped island located at the Northeastern tip of Mindanao facing the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the province of Surigao del Norte. The fastest and most convenient way to the island is by plane. Cebu Pacific offers direct flights to Siargao from Cebu. Flights from Manila are connected via Cebu.

Another option, which we always do is traveling by boat from Cebu to Surigao City then from Surigao to Siargao thru a fastcraft. Cokaliong Shipping has boat schedules to Surigao City everyday except Mondays. Fare is around 800 php. The boat leaves at 7 pm and arrives at around 8 am in Surigao Port.

A very common scene as the boat approaches the port is the influx of badjoas (sea people). Boat passengers drop several coins to the sea and the badjaos, with their intricate swimming skills dive these coins.

Welcome to Surigao City

There are 4 shipping companies catering passengers from Surigao to Siargao. The rates and schedule are as follows:

1. Dapa Express (big pumpboat)- 6 am and 11 am ; 250 php/person + 10php for the terminal fee; 2 hours travel time

2. Fortune Angel- 11:45 am; fee is 250 php/person + 10 php for the terminal fee; 2 hours travel time

3. Montenegro Shipping- 12 noon; fee is 250 php/person + 10 php for the terminal fee; 2 hours travel time

4. Roro- 6 am and 12 noon; fee is 250 for aircon; 100 php for non air; this option is kinda slow- 4 hours travel time

We boarded the Fortune Angel at 11:45 am to Dapa, Siargao Island. All passenger boats from Surigao dock in the town of Dapa. It is also my hubby’s hometown as well as the financial hub of the island. And by the way, for those of you who are wondering, Cloud 9- the world- renowned surfing site is located in General Luna, a town 20 minutes away from Dapa.

On board

The trip was smooth and fairly comfortable. I was expecting to be seared by waves of the Pacific Ocean but lucky for me, the worst waves only come during the rainy months that is from July to December.

We arrived by 2:30 pm. For those planning to take this route,make sure your time is not limited since it will take you almost a day to reach the island.

Port of Dapa, Siarga Island.

And I’m here!

We were welcomed by his friends.

And a sumptuous feast at their house!

The main mode of transportation in the island is by motorcycle. Almost all families have private motorcycles. In Dapa, they have “potpot”, a bicycle with a side car which can accommodate 2 persons, fare within the town is 5 pesos. For inter-town trips, tricycles and habal-habal are available for charter. There are no fixed rates hence you have to haggle with the driver.

I was set to discover the beauty of Siargao. Not only is this place a mecca for surfing but it is also a refuge of natural wonders. I fell so in love with the place. That is why we decided to have our wedding in one of its white sand beaches! (I’ll be posting about it on a separate blog) Here are the places we visited and things we did during my first time there:

1. Cloud 9 in General Luna

2. Island Hopping in Daku, Guyam and Naked Island

3. Magpupungko Rock Formation

Chaolong: A Taste of Vietnam in Puerto Princesa

October 17, 2014May 14, 2022Leave a comment

As I was plotting our itinerary for Palawan,travel blogs from the internet would usually mention a must try in Puerto Princesa- Chaolong!

Chaolong, a noodle dish handed to locals by Vietnamese settlers in Palawan has been an affordable form of snacks and rainy day food for the locals in Palawan. There are several Vietnamese restaurants scattered all over Puerto Princesa which got me confused as to where to eat this must try. So I asked a local (since they know best) where to find the best chaolong and he pointed me to the direction of Bona’s Chaolong

Chaolong or Beef Stew with Noodles tastes sweet. Unlike the salty instant noodles that I usually eat, the noodles are firm and the broth- even with its orangey color is warm and filling. The beef is tenderized and fitting to a Filipino’s taste. I admit, though I’m really not a fan of needles, the Chaolong is a must try in Puerto Princesa.

EL Nido Island Hopping Package Tour A

October 16, 2014May 14, 20221 Comment

Good morning El Nido!

Just like the day before, we started the day early since our call time for the island hopping was 6 am. As early as 5:30 am, we went outside the hotel to look for a place where we can have breakfast.

El Nido Skyline Grill and Restaurant.

It was drizzling when we set forth. Supposedly, tourists who will engage in island hopping activities will be asked to pay 200php each for the environmental fee. Good thing, since we started early, the people in charge of collecting is not yet around (sleeping maybe..hehe) hence we were exempted.haha

They say your vacation in El Nido wouldn’t be complete without trying these island hopping tours:

Tour Package A- Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Island

Tour Package B- Pangalusian Island, Pinagbuyatan Island, Vigan and Snake Island, Cadugnon Point and Cave, Pinasil Island and Cathedral Cave

Tour Package C- Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Talisay Island, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island

We chose tour package A for 1000php/each.

And they were absolutely right! We were all in awe!

SMALL LAGOON

Seeing the outside of the lagoon was exhilarating! I never thought we had this in the Philippines!

To enter the lagoon, one has too get inside a small opening (a crack on a rock) and has to swim underwater for a few meters. The package tours include snorkeling gears and a life vest so you don’t have to worry swimming underwater.

The lagoon was a beauty. Its pristine waters are enclosed by towering limestone karst. Very few marine life can be found including a territorial fish which bit my mom.hehe

BIG LAGOON

The Big Lagoon is literally bigger and deeper than the small lagoon. Snorkeling and kayaking activities are available but we gave it a pass.

SNORKELING AND FISH FEEDING

Our next stop was supposed to be the Secret Lagoon but unfortunately it was a high tide (the lagoon can be accessed by creeping thru a small hole on a low tide and swimming thru the hole on a high tide), we took a pass for I didn’t know how to swim.hehe. Instead, we did snorkeling and fish feeding off the torquise waters of El Nido.

On a feeding frenzy

LUNCH AT SHIMIZU ISLAND

Lunch is included on the tour packages which are usually in this island. It boasts of towering limestone cliffs scattered throughout. The guides prepared our meals while we enjoy swimming and taking pictures.

SEVEN COMMANDOS ISLAND

Named after the seven Japanese soldiers who took refuge in this island during the war, the island is the last stop for Package Tour A. Here, tourists can have some rest and relaxation. Reclining chairs and cottages are located just along the shore. A small store is also available in the island.

I really enjoyed my time in the island bumming at the beach.

And it was time for us to head back.

One day isn’t enough to exhaust the beauty of El Nido. If given the chance, I would definitely come back and stay here for like a week or two and explore everything it has to offer.

Marvelling The Puerto Princesa Underground River

June 24, 2014May 14, 2022Leave a comment

Located 80 kilometers north of the city proper, the Puerto Princesa Underground River is part of the 3901- hectare wide Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park providing home to thousands of flora and fauna in the Philippines. Located on a limestone karst landscape, the Underground River boasts of stalactites and stalagmites navigable up to 4.3 km long.

My journey to the river was both magical and sublime. It felt like slowly moving toward a delicate piece of beauty, to a different world only a few can fathom. Truly a wonder of nature!

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Wondering About Palawan

June 24, 2014May 14, 2022Leave a comment

It took me almost a year to finally share my 4 day exploit in the island province of Palawan. Aside from being a bit busy with my personal life, there is more to Palawan than just blogging about it. I’m afraid my words might be too understated if I do a write-up about this ethereal piece of wonder. Experiencing it would be my best advice.

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doreen the explorer

PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD.

Tag: Philippines