Lakbay Norte de Mindanao: Taming the waves of Siargao — Surfing for Beginners

 My travel to Siargao is not complete without surfing. But how can I surf with these 10 foot waves? Good thing that at Cloud 9, there is a part where beginners and also NON SWIMMERS like me can try out surfing without the fear of drowning or being caught by the strong current of the Pacific

. 

For P500, you can learn the basics of surfing with my local surfing instructor. Surfing looks so easy on land, lol. He taught me how to paddle and how to stand on the surfboard, yeah it looks so easy but we’ll find out in the waters.  

 This is the area for beginners and even non-swimmers because when I fell from the board, the water level is just above my waist so its perfectly safe and the waves here can get as high as 4 feet only. 

Finally after so many tries, I was able to stand on the board, success! Hahah. Now, I can say that Im a surfer. Hahah. 

(more…)

Lakbay Norte De Mindanao: Second Day in Siargao

After spending overnight at Pesangan Hotel, I transferred to CLOUD 9 where the surfers go. Around Siargao, there are different levels of waves and at Cloud 9, it receives a moderate to high waves depending on the weather. Hopefully, I can surf this time for real.

I checked my wallet and seems I run short of cash, before I went to Cloud 9 I rushed to Dapa town to withdraw  money from an ATM but only to find out that the whole island was brownout and power supply will be back at 6pm. I had only P800 left and my room at Cloud 9 costs P500. Each way, trike drivers charge P30 and additional P30 to Cloud 9. Based on my calculations, I still have money enough to go back to Dapa the following day to withdraw money. 

THE BOARDWALK 

I transferred at THE BOARDWALK at Cloud 9. Mostly hotels around Cloud 9 are owned by foreigners with Filipina wife when I interviewed the owner, he said that he has lots of properties around the Philippines but he chosed Siargao because of his love for surfing.

 The Boardwalk’s cheapest room is P500 single room, common Toilet and Bath and they provide the best views of the waves. Meals here are from P170 to P250, a bit pricey but the food is very delicious. Try their Aussie burger at P250 and they are WIFI connected. 

(more…)

Lakbay Norte de Mindanao: Siargao, The Surfing Capital of the Philippines

Siargao Island is located in the Northeastern tip of Mindanao and is the first stop of my Lakbay Norte de Mindanao tour. The island faced the mighty Pacific Ocean and boasts to be the surfing capital of the Philippines. Filipino’s dont have to go to Hawaii to learn surfing because Siargao Island is considered to be a haven for surfers competing locally and internationally.

Immediately after I work from 11pm-7am shift, I rushed to my boarding house in Davao to take a bath and pack my things because I have to catch my 8am flight to Cebu then to Siargao. This is one of my Amazing race moments but thank heavens because I live near the airport. 

When I arrived at Siargao National Airport, tourists must sign in the sheet of paper with their information then after that I went outside the airport hopefully find a cheap transportation that would take me to Dapa, the town capital.

Gloomy weather in siargao island

Here I find unique habal-habal thats on the island, it has a cover on it to protect passengers from sunlight or rains. Unfortunately, rainshowers began to pour again, during this time, weather in Mindanao was wet. I feared this could ruin again my trip to the island. 

I forgot that I have to pass an incident report to my supervisor and thats where LBC Express Courier is located. My plan was to complete my report first so I can have peace of mind and enjoy the rest of my trip to Siargao. Every tourists target is the town of General Luna or locally known as GL where the famed CLOUD 9 is located. 

Right after I mailed my report, I walked around town and I was happy to see 2 ATM sites but for locally issued cards only. Despite its name, Siargao Island maintains a simple countryside lifestyple. So right after, I went to Dapa Public Market to catch a tricycle that would take me to General Luna (GL). Many habal-habal drivers will offer direct rides to GL but I opted to ride the tricycle because its the cheapest at P30 one way. 

GENERAL LUNA, SIARGAO

After 45 minutes, I arrived at General Luna, a very sleepy town nowadays because of the low season. It took me quite some time to find a cheap room accommodation here however my driver gladly toured me around to look for a bargain rooms. I found PESANGAN to be cheapest at P400 a night. Its supposed to be P500 but I begged and got a P100 discount.

GENERAL LUNA BEACH LINE

I love the long stretch of beach at General Luna, the water here is calm but I can see waves forming from afar from what seems to be sandbar. Locals say that during lowtide, I can go to the sandbar where the waves are really strong. 

 What seems to be a very beautiful beach, here lies the public cemetery infront of the sea, just walking distance from my room. When I stayed at Pesangan, there seems to be something going on which I cant explain, maybe the place was too far from the town, there’s a sense of loneliness in the accommodation. There, I find the answer, the place was located near a cemetery haha. 

Fishing remains to be the primary source of income for locals, here a fisherman carefully fixed his net for a big catch tonight.

I was so hungry and thristy from all this walking, here is a footbridge going to GL town and hopefully I can find something to eat. 

(more…)

Island Hopping in El Nido Part 3 [a paradise]

 ll this swimming, walking, picture taking makes me so hungry. Good thing our tour has prepared us food- picnic by the beach which is composed of rice, grilled fish, grilled pork, fruits etc which was prepared by our boatman.  

(more…)

Island Hopping in El Nido Part 2 [Magic behind El Nido]

On our next island, we went snorkling and I was amazed to see the beautiful fishes but the corals are a bit disappointing, the sea was lively but the corals seems to be unhealthy. 

(more…)

Island Hopping around El Nido, Palawan

The view from Bacquit Bay reveals limestone rock islands that calls every traveler to El Nido to explore and experience the magic behind it. I learned that the writer of the motion picture “The Beach” with Leonardo De Caprio wrote his novel here in El Nido, he was inspired by the beauty of the place, however the film was set in Thailand. So what must have moved the writer to create his masterpiece?

Island Hopping tours in El Nido is divided into 4 tours depending on the distance of the islands and all travel agencies that offers tours have the same rates because it is regulated by the government, so wherever agencies you go, you will be given the same rates. 

(more…)

Falling ln love with El Nido, Palawan

Dreaming of a romantic getaway post Valentines day, El Nido, Palawan is the place to be.

picture above taken from web

El Nido is located in the northerntip of Palawan, it is considered to be one of the Philippines best tourist destination. It is popular for its magestic limestone karsts, white sandy beaches, world-class diving sites and diverse marine ecosystems  andraveling to the Philippines without El Nido is incomplete. 

The trip from Puerto Princesa to El Nido was a gruesome 6 hours trip but everything was worth it because El Nido is just breathtaking destination. The first time I saw the beach from afar, I was already palpitating and I could no longer contain my excitement– I fell inlove with El Nido immediately as if I dont want to go home anymore. 

(more…)

Starfish Island, Honda Bay, Palawan

Right after Snake Island, we headed to our next island, STARFISH ISLAND. This island is not shaped like a star but it was derived because of the number of starfishes found here.

(more…)

Snake Island, Honda Bay, Palawan

Dont be afraid, there are no snakes here. It is called Snake Island because it is just shaped like a snake when viewed from the sky. Many people love this island from all other islands in the bay because of the variety of fishes found here. 

(more…)

Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour, Palawan

Honda Bay is not related to the Honda cars we know. Honda Bay came from the Spanish word, “Hondu Agua” means deep water. It is a popular destination famous for its pristine beaches, snorkling and other water activities. 

Honda Bay is located few kilometers north of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. There are many agencies that offers group tours around the bay for P1000 per person that includes lunch, airconditioned transport and all fees but you can also do DIY or Do It Yourself because the place is so accessible to public transportations. For me this time, I decided to join a group tour. 

 During the tour, we had our first stop where we had to snorkle to view the different kinds of corals and fishes. Unfortunately, I failed to bring my underwater camera although in the pier we can rent cameras which is a bit costly. After 20 minutes, we went to Snake Island. 

(more…)