It was my birth month when i decided to file a leave for a Ten days solotravel In the beautiful places collectively known as the CARAGA region namely Surigao Del Norte (Siargao island, Socorro islands), Surigao city, Dinagat islands, Surigao Del Sur).
Actually this was my first major solo travel so i told myself "hope for the best but expect the worst" of course before the actual take off i made a solid itinerary and concrete plan of activities as well, I did some research and checked out "Biyahe ni Drew" episodes featuring the above mentioned places.
WHERE IS CARAGA REGION LOCATED?
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| Photo courtesy: Google Map |
Caraga, officially known as the Caraga Administrative Region or simply Caraga Region and designated as Region XIII, is an administrative region in the Philippines occupying the northeastern section of the island of Mindanao. (courtesy of: Wikipedia)
TRANSPORATION DETAILS:
Point of Origin: General Santos City
Gensan Bus to Davao City Bus Terminal (Ecoland): 3 hrs bus ride fare: 220 Php
Davao Bus Terminal to Butuan Bus terminal: 6 hrs bus ride (bus departed at 10pm) fare: 500 Php
Butuan to Surigao City Bus terminal: 4 hrs bus ride (bus departed at 4am) fare: 205 Php
Surigao City Bus terminal to City ferry Port: 30 mins. Jeepney ride fare: 10 Php
Surigao City ferry port to DAPA port, Siargao island: 2.5 hrs ferry boat ride fare: 250 Php
Dapa port to General Luna (surfing spot) : 45 mins. Habal2 ride fare: 200 Php
My first destination is the beautiul island of Siargao (surfing capital of the Philippines), I stayed there for 5 days and i loved it, no wonder a lot of tourist and travelers would love to go there. From beach bumming, surfing, island tour, eating fresh seafood, chilly vibe of the entire island and night parties all these in Siargao.
ACCOMODATION IN SIARGAO:
check this out: Paglaom Hostel (budget hostel for budgetarian travellers, my home away from home)
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| Chillin at Paglaom's social hall |
WHAT TO DO IN SIARGAO:
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| General Luna's Viewdeck |
⇨ SURFING (for a newbie like me you can surf in the beginners surfing site called the jogging horse) surfboard rental and instructor fee per hour: 500 Php
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| stand and surf |
⇨ Swimming in Magpupungko tidal flats & lagoon and Tayangban cave pool in Pilar;
a 45 mins. Habal-habal ride from General Luna fare:700 Php tour (good for 2 pax)
Entrance fee: Magpupungko resort: 50 Php / cave pool: 20 Php and cave tour with guide : 50 Php
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| Magpupungko tidal flats |
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| Magpupungko Natural Pool |
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| Entrance to Tayangban Cave pool |
⇨ Island hopping in Guyam, Naked and Daku island, boat rental: 1500 Php
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Cruisin with @celeendavid and @riccimonfero
(travelers from Manila) |
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| Guyam Island |
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| Daku Island |
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| Naked Island |
⇨ Island hopping in Socorro Island's Sohoton, Bucas Grande; 3 hrs. from Siargao Island, boat rental: 3000 Php/ entrance and tour guide fee: 1600 Php (divided by no. of persons)
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| Sohoton, Bucas Grande Islands |
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| Bucas Grande Islets |
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encounter with stingless jelly fish
in Sohoton Jellyfish Sanctuary |
Travel tip: you can do the entire island hopping by paying a cheaper price for the boat rental instead of separate tour for all the Islands (for our tour we paid 3500 3 islands + Sohoton Island)
After 5 nights and 6 days in the beautiful island of Siargao, I went back to Surigao city and had a daytour around the city central and a side trip to Pebbles beach in Mabua, a 30 mins. Tricycle or habal-habal ride from Surigao city 150 Php.
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| Surigao City |
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| Labamba Pebbles beach, Looc Surigao City |
6th day: At 11am i went back to Surigao City port to catch up the 12 noon ferry bound to Dinagat Islands; 1.5 hrs ferry ride from Surigao City ferry port, fare: 100 Php
PLACES TO VISIT IN DINAGAT ISLANDS: A quick afternoon tour at:
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| White Castle (Islanders castle) |
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| view from White Castle |
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| San Jose beach, Dinagat Islands |
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| Dinagat Islands Open Stadium |
7th and 8th day: i went back to Surigao city from Dinagat islands, from surigao city I travelled down to Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur, which is a 7 hrs bus ride; fare: 600 Php
since I arrived in Hinatuan at around 2 pm, i just stayed in one of the Inn in town and decided to have my tour on the following day.
PLACES TO VISIT IN HINATUAN:
enchanted river which is a 45 minutes habal-habal ride from hinatuan proper,
Expenses: habal fee: 300 Php, Entrance fee: 30 Php, Enchanted river island hopping fee: 150/hr banca cruise (divided by no. of persons)
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| Enchanted River |
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| Stingless Manta Ray feeding at C Fish cage Sandbar Resort |
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| Pacific View Resort |
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| Rock Island Resort |
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swimming with BRENDA (stingless Manta ray)
in Sibadan Fish cage |
9th day: Bislig tour (Tinuy-an Falls), it is a 1 hour habal-habal ride from Hinatuan
fare: 500 php
entrance fee: 50php
habal-habal ride from tinuy-an falls to phoenix bus station at Mangagoy bound for Davao city; fare: 200 Php ( tell the driver to pass by at the "I love Bislig" site for a photo op)
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| Tinuy-an falls (2nd tier) |
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| Tinuy-an falls (3rd tier) |
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| Sariling Sikap Jumpshot |
10th day: i traveled back to Gensan from Davao city.
My overall Edgecapade in the region is truly a memorable one and I really had a good time despite the long rides and fear of the unknown but once you get there,all the struggle, the worries will be gone.
Moreover, I proved to myself that solo traveling is fun and exciting as long as you are diverse and knows how to interact with other people then you can survive, always have a brave heart and be hungry for wandering, enjoy life and seize the moment. YOLO lang!
Thank you for reading, til next blog!
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