April 13, 2013. I am presently here in Siargao Island of Surigao del Norte for usual social development works. I arrived here on Tuesday and planning to stay until Sunday morning. If only I don't have scheduled commitments in Butuan and Cagayan de Oro next week, I will 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 could 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. I've experienced 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. CLICK 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%. We also made a short stop-over in the country's newest crocodile sanctuary- a large swamp in Barangay Jaboy of Pilar, where releasing of 36 Philippine freshwater crocodiles initiated by Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) happened just this month.
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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 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 Sanctuary 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!
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
This is my entry to Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival for May 2013, with the theme: “Summer 2013” hosted by Jona of Backpacking with a Book
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Honestly!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to visit Siargao this year..
Im praying Icould find some time
I really want to go back here!
ReplyDeleteReally This Place Looks Super Awesome & The Photos are Too Cool :)
ReplyDeleteWhao! What a Superb Heart Touching Place & Awesome Photos :)
ReplyDeleteSiargao looks like a really cool place
ReplyDeleteI am sure that you enjoyed the Nature's beauty there far from the hustle & bustle of the city.
very beautiful place with beautiful pictures. interesting
ReplyDeletei love siargao. marami pang kailangang ma cover sa susunod. kulang ang 1 week sa isla na to :)
ReplyDeleteIm really aiming na ma visit ang siargao this year! Yaaaay :D So beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteAng ganda! parang ang sarap puntahan...safe kaya pumunta arounf July? I'm planning to go there is ever.. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteThe more I read about Siargao, the more excited I am to visit! Kahit hindi ako makapag-surf, ok lang :D
ReplyDeleteI've read other itineraries and activities done in Siargo but by far this is the best! You've encapsulated the real experience with words and pictures, making me feel like I'm there as well. :)
ReplyDelete@Alice- the best month ang May at July specially if you're also planning to go also to Sohoton's Jelly Fish Sanctuary of bucas grande Island na very close to Siargao.
ReplyDeleteThanks Guys for dropping here!
ReplyDelete@Rochkirstin @MicaMyx @Alice @shugah, @blissfulguru @Daayur, @Prayag @yogesh @thesoulexplorer @Bro Francis and @Manong Unyol.
Let's #explore7107islands
#beatthesummerheat
awesome place, i likes to be there.... & nice photos
ReplyDeleteSiargao is one of the place I really want to visit and explore.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and captures, great job :) I have never been to Siargao though I heard it before and even my sister and her family went their few days ago :) The beach looks so inviting :) We only have lake here and not as clean as Siargao but will take it :)
ReplyDeleteSiargao is one of my dream vacations. I hoe to squeeze time for it.
ReplyDeletewow the place is so beautiful :D ive never been to a lot of places in the philippines and your blog has taken me to one good one :)
ReplyDeletemy high school friend's province is Siargao and she let me see her pics, and given to your testimony, i agree with you that it is a beautiful place!
ReplyDeletelove the place even if i still have not been there... heard a lot of good things, sana mapuntahan ko na... la pa lang talagang tamang opportunity. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeleteOh my, such a beautiful place! And the photos are stunning! Your blog inspires me a lot! :)
ReplyDeleteSiargao is one of those hidden gems of the Philippines along with Surigao, I'd also like to visit this ethereal place.
ReplyDeleteLoving the photos, Jeffrey! I also love the fact that you've chosen Siargao as one of your favorite places in the Philippines. It truly shows in this travel story of yours. Tour mo naman ako dito pagpunta ko, if ever you do get the chance to go back. :)
ReplyDeleteYou can really beat the heat with this itinerary. It's also gonna be fun to beat the heat.
ReplyDeleteStunning place! You are just so lucky to be able to mix a lot of leisure and adventure with work :) Super ganda ng beach!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had so much fun! The beach looks perfect! I would love to try surfing there too :)
ReplyDeleteSir, nasa Paraiso ka ba? sama mo naman ako next time. Cool photos bro.
ReplyDeleteshock ! i missed this year's fishing competition ... want to see those giant dorado fish again.
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking, I should book my ticket now. hahaha! Anatayin ko nalang ang sahod time, cant wait toride the surf here.. I cant listen to any more stories when I havent been to Siargao.
My bet, iitim ako ng sobra dito.
I have a friend who has a beach in Siargao and she invited us to visit. Buy looking at that powdery white sand prang ang sarap to roll over.
ReplyDeleteAng ganda daw sa Siargao sabi ng mga friends ko, lagi akong nag pa plano na magpunta pero di natutuloy. Sana this year makapunta nako. :)
ReplyDeleteNice Pics!. :)
You guys are so lucky to witness and photograph such jaw dropping place personally. How I wish travel is my passion :)
ReplyDeleteWow just by seeing the beautiful shots of siargao and the way you describe it, makes me wanna visit that place soon!
ReplyDeletehopefully maka visit na din ako ng siargao. hay!
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures and truly amazing place. Siargao is a wonderful haven to explore.
ReplyDeleteWhite sand shores, crystal clear waters, big waves.. only some of reasons why I would love to visit Siargao soon.. awesome photos here!
ReplyDeletewho can say to that beautiful water... crystal clear. and the white sand shoreline... sarap ng summer. Yahweh bless.
ReplyDeleteI wish it was nearer because I really want to go there. But the distance and the travel time discourages me. I will just live out my dream by looking at your really great pictures!
ReplyDeletewow andami mong naexplore! galing! ganda talaga ng siargao. i love how it's not that accessible hehe. konti lang tao.
ReplyDeletenakakatuwa dahil
ReplyDelete1. ang ganda ng siargao
2. ang ganda ng mga pix mo
3. namiss ko ang development work ko 9 years ago kung saan sagana rin sa byahe.
Ang ganda naman diyan... and because of this post, I'll include Siargao on my list :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! From Surigao here! Yes, born and raised there. Anyway I've been to Siargao when I was still a child and until now I can still remember how beautiful the place is! Even the waters are so deep and blue - I even swam for the first time on the deep waters of the Pacific! You should go and have your vacation their! It's worth it!
ReplyDeleteSuper ganda ng place. Hope I'll be able to go there one of these days. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been to siargao, from the moment you step in at the warf you could see the clear clean water and lush green mountain. I have seen the GL surfing area too. Truly the place is a gift from nature.
ReplyDeleteWow ganda rin pala ng Siargao. Definitely something we will visit pagbalik ng Pinas. Siargao, Coron, and Bohol.
ReplyDeleteRegards from Singapore
Your summer is simply awesome. Love Siargao and hope to be there in the near future.
ReplyDelete