Siargao itinerary

Siargao is far different from the usual beach destinations in the Philippines. It still has its raw but simple ambience that is quite different from that of Boracay or Puerto Galera. Like Palawan, it has its off the beaten track places that are more known to the locals than the usual tourists. Personally, I would want Siargao to remain unchanged by development (except for the roads that could really hurt one's tail) as I don't want to happen to Siargao what happened to places like Boracay--overexposed and overused plus displaced locals all for the name of tourism development that are mostly unregulated and undisciplined. But am digressing…

Travelling to Surigao City from Davao will take about 7-8 hours which is quite an improvement from 10 hours. of travel about 4 or so years ago. Thanks a lot to the improved roads. We took the night bus to save time (you know, do the zzzzzzzzzz while the bus zooms away). Somebody suggested to rent a van but we deemed it dangerous to travel at night in a van, and of course, since we were traveling with 9 guys in a group with only 3 gals, the van would make us tight sardines inside it compared to a more comfortable airconditioned bus.
Hereunder is our itinerary:
03/19/2008 (Wednesday)
730pm-8:00pm – assembly at Mister Donut (beside gate of Ecoland terminal)
9:00pm–330am Davao - Butuan (Bachelor Bus aircon bus)
4am-620am(03/20/0 – Butuan – Surigao Bus terminal (Bachelor Bus de luxe)
aircon bus: P448(Davao-Butuan),deluxe bus: P119 (Butuan-Surigao)
Note: Jeepney ride from Surigao city terminal to downtown or Surigao port is P7.50 per person

03/20/08 (Thursday)
8am-11am Luneta Park, San Nicolas Church and Jollibee (for lunch)
12nn-410pm – Surigao City – Dapa, Siargao Is. (Roro-Montenegro Shipping Lines) P151.00 economy/P259 aircon
415pm-440pm – Dapa-General Luna(Jadestar Beach Resort) –
P500 per van or P150 per habal2
Jadestar Beach Resort rate:
P1,500 per cottage with aircon and bath (6-8pax)

03/21/08 (Friday)
Whole day island tour –P3,500 per van
Magpopongko Natural lagoon, Taktak falls, Pansukian Resort and mangrove forest, and Tuason Pt. (Cloud 9)

03/22/08 (Saturday)
Island hopping (3 islands + Sohoton cave) – P3,500(negotiable), (3 islands only) – P1,500

03/23/08 (Sunday)
5am-545am – GL-Dapa
6am-930am – Dapa-Surigao City
(Roro-Montenegro Shipping Lines) P151.00 economy/P259 aircon
brunch at Chowking upon arrival in Surigao City
1130am-2pm-Surigao-Butuan (Bachelor aircon bus. Aircon bus for Surigao-Davao will leave at 230pm)
230pm-800pm Butuan-Davao (Bachelor aircon bus)
aircon bus: P148 (Surigao-Butuan), P485 (Butuan-Davao)
Home sweet home!

Litratong Pinoy #1 Tubig (Water)

Ang pinakapaborito kong oras ng araw ay ang bukang liwayway at takipsilim. Sa bukang liwayway nakikita ko ang pagbabadya ng bagong araw at bagong pag-asa sa buhay. Sa bukang liwayway makikita ang pag-aagaw ng liwanag sa dilim. Ang litratong ito ay ang pantalan ng bayan ng Dapa, Siargao. Kinuha ito habang kami ay nakasakay na sa barkong pauwi papuntang siyudad ng Surigao galing sa isla ng Siargao. Makikitang ang tubig ay parang salamin ng lahat ng nasa ating kapaligiran. Kung sira ang kapaligiran, masisira din ang tubig na nagbibigay-tulong sa ating buhay at kabuhayan.

Translation: My favorite hour or time of day is sunrise and sunset. In sunrise, I can see the coming of a new day and a new hope in life. In sunrise, one can see that light overcomes darkness. This picture is of the port of Dapa, Siargao. This was taken while we were on board the ship on our way to Surigao City from Siargao Island. It can be seen that water is like a mirror of everything around us. If our surroundings get destroyed, water which helped us in our lives and livelihood will get destroyed too.