The Hidden Treasures: Britania Group of Islands

Aug 22, 2013 - 11:00AM

I wished I could stay longer in Cagwait beach.  I mean I didn't travel that long just to stay for one night.  But we had to keep going.  We needed to reach Davao city by Monday for our flight back to Cebu. Yeah, it felt like we signed up for amazing race.  So we packed our bags, said our goodbyes and took a motorcycle (habalhabal) back to the main road and waited for the next bus going south.

We took the Bachelor for 40 pesos to Salvacion, San Agustin. Actually, I noticed bus ride costs 40 pesos for an hour drive. From the town proper we took another motorcycle to Mac Arthur's Place where we rented banca for 1000 pesos that took us to the 4 islets; Hagonoy Island, Naked Island, Boslon Island and Hiyorhiyoran Island.  It normally cost 1500 for the banca and thanks to the friendly owner of Spacebar in Cagwait beach we got discounts.

So I geared up and left our back packs in the counter.  We had all the afternoon to do our island hopping. We needed to wrapped by 4pm to be on the bus again.  The town that we planned to stay for the night was still 2 hours from where we were.

It's another paradise.  clear water, white sand beaches, blue sky.  We were lucky to have some of the islands to ourselves, good for photo shoots.

Welcome to Britania Group of Islands.

The Pacific Ocean Encounter At Cagwait Beach

Sometimes, we wanted to be lost to be found.

For six days, I went to a strange land with my back pack.  I was hoping to find a blue eyed monster but I realized later I was in a wrong place for my search. But I discovered something else. In one of our lunch dates with my partner-in-crime she talked about her next travel, Surigao del Sur.  I was never been to that part of Mindanao and I read some good places to go, so I asked if I could go with her, besides, I needed some time off from work. Plus, it was August and we had 6 holidays (who has 6 holidays in a month? yeah only in the Philippines).

Aug 21, 2013 @ 8:30AM - Mactan International Airport. The terminal was full packed. Some eager to go home while some excited as we were. I was surprised to see how small the plane was. There were only 20 rows.  We were on schedule.  I'm sorry Cebu Pacific but you are known for your delayed flights.

We just took off then the pilot announced the final descend and we arrived 15 mins ahead of schedule. Wow that was the fastest airplane ride I had.  Surigao City's airport was small. I wish I had time to explore Surigao City but we needed to catch the first van so we would be in Cagwait beach in the afternoon. We couldn't afford to be delayed because we didn't have a place to stay yet.  Here's the summary.

Aug 21, 2013 @ 3:30PM - A total of long 6.5 hours drive to reach our first destination.  We needed to change van in Cantilan because the first van decided not to go to Tandag City. From Tandag City, we took a jeepney to Cagwait and a motor cycle ride (habalhabal) from the town proper to the beach resorts.  Surigao City to Cantilan was not a smooth ride. We passed several mining areas.  Plus it rained the day before, so the road was muddy. Then we learned a bus fell because of the rough terrain.

After a long commute and this is what you will see, I was healed.  Definitely a hidden paradise waiting to be discovered. 

  

It was as calm a lake to think that's the pacific ocean already.  According to a local, there's a natural waive breaker somewhere that's why the water is so calm. So without hesitation I took a dip.

So I guess no surfing for me.  The following morning was a good time for meditation just sitting on the beach, let your mind wander, listening to the leaves, the birds, some splashes, music produced by nature. A good healing process of your mind and your soul.  One way of recharging you batteries to keep going in this crazy troubled life. After my meditation I took some walk.

Now that I have healed my mind, my soul and my body, it's time to fix my stomach.

Prepared by the owner of the resort himself. The resort that we stayed in is called Spacebar.  He was so accommodating. He even found a way to give us discount on our next destination.  He happened to know the owner of a resort we planned to go the next day.  So we are cousins he said.

Are you familiar with Baz Luhrmann Sunscreen lyrics "Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft."  I must have lived in the city for a long time where people don't mind what you are doing it makes you care less.  But the people I've met in Surigao del Sur we so friendly.  It seems like they know everyone.  They care.  From the people in the Jeepney, to the locals at the resort.  The people we asked directions, we thank you for the warm welcome.

   

P.S.

Thank khon for the great photos.

The Bohol Experience

“Find what you are afraid of, face it, and then you won't be afraid of it anymore.” - Marilyn Manson

When you reach 30-ish something, when club crawling gets low and coffee shop visits get frequent, you start recalling what you've done in your life and if it made sense.  I've asked some and i think it's just a healthy pause. Most interesting people I know have gone this stage.  So don't freak out when this phase surprise you! You are still normal and you are not losing your mind.

Bohol.  The first island I set outside my hometown, Cebu City, aside from Mactan island which is connected by a bridge.  I have visited the island several times already yet it has always something new to offer. It is accessibility, you can go there in the morning and come back home in the evening.  Ferries are available every hour (I can be wrong).

Everyone knows it is only in Bohol we can find the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier. Before this photo gets controversial, this was taken long time ago and yes we were allowed to touch it until recently. Part of wild life conservation, these little creatures are for your eyes only now to keep them since they have became endangered.

I've tried cruising the Loboc River, nothing much really except for the greens and the small waterfalls. Some bigger banca while lunch is served, you are serenaded by the locals with string instrument called ukelele.

On our way to the famous Chocolate hills, you get to experience their man made forest.  Kudos to the Boholanos for their environment awareness.

The breeze gets chilly.  The wind produces a relaxing sound with the leaves. Truly a good way to pamper your lungs.  It's like spa for your lungs.

While most postcard features chocolate hills in Carmen. The photo above was taken in Sagbayan peak and it is equally breath taking.  Bohol is also proud of their white sand beaches.

I remember what I said, "if this is their public beach, i wonder how Bohol Beach Club looks like".  and I was right, it was simply amazing.

The Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon

The Sandugo or Blood Compact Shrine monument

Part of the tour is history class.  I'm bad with dates, an actual tour can be a good lesson. Bohol Tropics, Metro Centre and Bohol plaza are some famous place to stay in.  You can get the things you need in Bohol Quality, Plaza Marcela and Island City Mall.  I love their sweets too, peanut kisses and calamay. (drooling for Calamay!)

Like I said, every time I visit Bohol, it has something new to offer.  Maybe this is the craziest thing I've done. I am always scared of heights.  After a long habalhabal ride (motorcycle) going to Danao, I can't just chicken out.  It was the only reason why we went there and I don't know when I'm coming back.  My friend bravely tried it first and she was okay.  Some tourists tried it and they were okay. For 3 seconds I died, then I heard myself screamed when I was swayed to the other side of the cliff.  I felt gravity. My feet were desperately searching for solid ground. I never felt so alive after.  "Yes, I can face any challenge now!" that's how I felt after.  The feeling made me push to do things I was so scared of doing.  Life is so beautiful. No reason not to go on.  "What wont kill you will only make you stronger" as the song goes.  Good thing I didnt turn my back, it gives me the courage to go on.  Yes we may encounter problems along the way, but you've got to pause and ask yourself, is it your battle to fight? if not leave it, if yes, clearing your mind is a good start to sort things.

There's more to explore: blue whales.  Thank you Bohol for these great experience.