"People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves." - The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho
This must be true. Often times we were told of how wonderful Surigao del Sur is but seeing it with our naked eyes is something to be grateful for and craved for more. Our 2nd day Mindanao Adventure started as we arrived at Barobo Terminal 6am and wait for our Guide and Transportation (kuya Don Don) Again, we just rely on their agreed conversation with our supposed to be Contact Person. Upon Arrival of Kuya Dondon, We discussed our Itinerary for the day and let Him know that we have to catch the last trip going to Cateel before the day ends. Knowing our concern He told us to be aware of every minute we will spend in each destination and so we all agree. Before anything else here's his contact number for you to get in touch with him. 09083825809. Our mode of transportation is what they so-called "tuk-tuk". Sounds familiar? Tricycle version of Thailand and India right? Yes! their Tuk-tuk came from India with horsepower much better than our local tricycles; its engine also much stronger than ours too. Also, it is more convenient with steep and rough road travels.
For about 2 hours of long and winding road with photogenic landscapes we reached the Brittania for our Island Hopping Activity. Met our boatman and immediately He asked us to leave our big backpacks in their house, just bring those important things and we start with our first Island. Before I forgot, I just love the ambiance of this Municipality. So pure, laidback and humble. We got off first with Hagonoy Island. We were amazed by how beautiful the place was. Fine sand, resounding joy of waves, coconut trees and no establishments at all; A summer vibe to say it but not enough description to one. We just can't control ourselves to soak in the water and of course took a good photo on the Island. Another good thing for natural happiness might be because it was too early for a SEAscape that we experience the beach without too much heat from the sun.
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| Hagonoy Island |
Next Island is another great escape. None other than Naked Island. It is called Naked Island because of its emptiness; no trees, store, or anything. Simply a sand bar in the middle of the vast blue water. The sand is similar to Hagonoy Island, as fine as polvoron but with stronger waves. We still had the chance to swim and play in the crashing waves even for a short while. Our guide kuya Dondon has been too kind to always took our group photos and patiently wait for us every time we ask for another few minutes.
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| Naked Island |
So, for our next Island would be a bit of disappointment but still manageable. No less than the Boslon Island. The Sand might be comparable to the one in Calaguas Island but hell! It was like a party island; Sports activity here and there, souvenir vendors, fresh seafoods vendor and other things you might see in a famous beach destination. I think it is a local strategy to just place everything on one island. Sounds good, for them not to destroy what's good to other nearby island, but for a small island that filled with so much of activities would be an eye sore. If it's not that busy, there could be a good spot for swimming that's already occupied by the boats, Rock formation on the island might be more appealing and walking on the shore might be the most relaxing part. My friend attempt to see what's in the rock formation but He came back disappointed because of the foul smell. Seems like a smell of Urine. I hope there will be strict rules one day. It was actually a good island if visitors would be responsible.
Last Island for the day is a hard name to pronounce but a sleepy island to describe it. Hiyor-Hiyoran Island. A picture of tropical island with a quiet atmosphere. This Island may not have a fine sand like the first two islands but it can give a feeling of laidback environment with additional coconut trees lined in the background. Oh! did I mention, they are selling fresh buko juice? Yes, and it is a great feeling relaxation. Not long enough we bid goodbye and ended our Brittania Island Hopping experience to give more time on travel going to Enchanted River and Tinuy-an falls which a bit far to our destination.
Travelling to Hinatuan seem to be a long and winding road. A beautiful terrain with paved road and fresh breeze of air touching our skin. We were sleeping all along for about 2 hours and when we arrived at Enchanted river it was almost lunch time. Registered first and we were asked by kuya Don don if we want to wait for the shuttle or just take the eco-trail and walk going to the river. We choose the eco trail and walk for 10 min. It is not actually a trekking activity, but a paved road in the middle of the forest. And Once we get to the entrance, we noticed a big crowd. We were disappointed by how it was flocked by visitors and some of them leaving trashes around the place. We were told to just wait until the Cultural show ended. It was a routine/tradition of fish feeding by 12pm which draws crowd. They only watch for 10-15min fish feeding with history telling being played. After 15 min People dispersed as if nothing has happened. We almost got the place to ourselves. Swimming is allowed but there were prohibited areas. To be honest we were not fascinated when we arrived. We would've have been if only we were not welcomed by the disappointing crowd and to be fair, the river itself is something to look forward to. I love how the cold water refreshes us when we swim. The school of fish was also a good sight and enthralling but the crowd should be in control. They might destroy the natural ambiance of being enchanted when irresponsible visitors continuously get there. Don't get me wrong. We were disappointed by the crowd and management of the crowd, not the sight itself. We had lunch within the area too. There were stalls in site where we can order seafood and cooked right away.
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| talking of the crowd? |
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| Fish feeding time |
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| after fish feeding we almost got it to ourselves |
Last Destination for the day is Tinuy-an falls. 1.5 hour away from enchanted river we make our way to the Great Tinuy-an falls. At first we thought of trekking a kilometer or more before seeing the majestic falls but to our surprise, It was right before our very eyes when we set our foot on site. A little walk to a closer look on the grandeur falls. Rain is about to fall when we arrived so didn't take a swim and we're also running after the last trip of bus going to Cateel, Davao Oriental. I personally wanted to see higher level of the falls but time wasn't enough to do so. We just soak a little of our feet then prepare to leave. With the little time that we had in this site, it has redeemed all our disappointment from previous destination. Maybe a little bias since I am a fan of mountains and falls but I swear. The feeling of being there with lesser crowd and clean surroundings brought dignity to the place. It doesn't need to be established and commercialized. It only needs to be clean and be naturally beautiful as it is.
Now, We have to board a bus bound to Cateel for our third province to tick off on our list. That was 3-4 hrs of rough and bumpy ride. They said it was the coastal road but haven't seen it, actually felt the breeze and sound of surroundings. We couldn't get a sleep comfortable enough because of the bumpy road thank God it would only last for certain hours, not whole day of travel. Upon arriving at the Bus terminal we were fetch by Kuya Alvin. He's the cousin of our supposed to be guide and driver. Again with his Tuktuk, We head immediately go to Economy Inn where it will our resting place for the night and get some dinner nearby. I just can't remember the name of the Eatery but it has good and affordable food and we also order some beer for a chill night. So much for the second day and we call it a day.
Many times when hearing the name Surigao, it always come with the next question of "are you going Siargao?" Little did they know, Siargao belongs to Surigao del norte and there were plenty of other attractions not just in Surigao del Norte. There's Surigao del Sur, making a name for a one good adventure with the offer of less crowded spots unlike what is happening to Siargao nowadays. Del Sur is almost complete package of adventure. There's Beach for Island Hopping which is a must in one's itinerary; there's Enchanted River which draw flocks and, there's Tinuy-an Falls with its majestic grand features. Haven't included Sibadan Fish cage on our list since it will take another time for us and might not catch the trip going to Cateel. Locals were accommodating and you can confidently trust them your day to be memorable. I, Myself is a beach and falls lover and there's no other surprise I could have than having both on the same day. I am looking forward to more light travel like this. I have achieved the goal of escaping the realities of life for a moment and free spirited wandering as if there's no other thing to do but being on the road and get tanned. Underrated places mostly comes with a price of smooth sailing adventure and worth taking a risk for less basic amenities. But nothing compares to what joy it can bring when peace of mind starts to sink in. There's nothing grand in this travel, but its lazy slow ambiance gives the feeling of Placidity and sometimes that's what all we need.
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