Surigao 4: Britania Group of Islands ♥

The last stop in our Surigao adventure is the Britania Group of Islands and this place is LOVE!

Located in San Agustin in Surigao del Sur, Britania boasts of 24 islets all with oh-so-fine white sandy shores and pristine blue-green waters. Don't worry if you visit Britania without any reservations set up (like us) cause there are a lot of tour boats lined up that you can rent on the spot.

As our boat was coasting along the waves, I adore how water alternates from deep blue to a very clear blue green tone then light blue - I've been through a fair share of beaches but its my first time seeing such an array of color.

True that during the whole trip I've seen such breathtaking, oh-so-remote sceneries for the first time like the majestic Tinuy-an falls or the awe inspiring color and depth of Echanted river whereas Britania just showcases its islands and beaches that are rather "commonplace" (as compared to the other two) in the country - but I do so looooove beaches and its sandy shores!! 

I think that my friends and the Capilitan family also have the same thoughts as I have because as we landed on our first island, the expression - "felt like a kid left in candy shop" became the perfect description to everyone there. Though we were already a bit trip from traipsing all over Surigao, we were energize upon seeing the vista. We came bounding off the boat then came running along the shoreline while some rushed and dived headlong to the water. Ahhhhh.. refreshing! :)

Some islets don't really have shores and some are private so one can't really stop by all 24 islets but seeing them from afar is enough to make me happy because they remind me of cupcakes. We've only been through 4 islets.. the last one was really my favorite because two islands were connected by a narrow strip of sand that one can walk through if the tide was low.  ~weeeee

/

I just love Britania and Surigao its really worth that 8 hours of travel and now that the sun is setting we have to start our drive back home *another 8 hours there whew*. Its more fun in the Philippines indeed.

Read More

Surigao 3: International DollHouse & Ocean View Park

Next on our itinerary is the International Doll House & Ocean View Park Restaurant. Located in Purok 6, Barangay Cumawas, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur - it boasts of great affordable dining with a view of the ocean and a collections of dolls of varying types and origin. 

At first, I wasn't really keen in stopping there because am not that fond of dolls with their beady lil eyes and the thought of seeing my mortal enemy - stairs (200+ steps) - that I need to "conquer" wasn't really a good welcoming experience in my mind.

Reluctant I may be but my curiosity in seeing why it has become such a tourist attraction burns higher than my earlier qualms. The stairs design is unique and even if it seems to eat my energy away I did enjoy alternating from one path to another. 

One of the staff welcomed us at the top of the steps, and I am very sorry to have forgotten his name because he was such a warm and welcoming person. Visiting places is amazing but if people who welcome you in those places are kind and happy it makes the place a whole lot more awesome. The staff were kind and very enthusiastic  you can really see they find a great pride in the place. 

Upon going inside the Dollhouse, thousands of dolls come into view but one can also immediately notice how clean, cold and well kept the place is with. From famous Disney characters, to Barbies, to Matryoshka dolls  and other dolls of varying origins and materials can be found there, it really is a great sight. My friend's nieces who were with us at that time looked as if Christmas came early, their eyes were big as saucers while taking in the display. ~hahaha

According to the staff.. the most expensive item there is the gold Matryoshka dolls while the most expensive Barbie - is the ceramic yellow gowned Barbie. 

The staff are knowledgeable about it too and they gave us a info about how the dolls are kept in pristine shape and what country it came from and what are those made of. They asked if they can take our cameras and encourage us to do several poses while showcasing the dolls and that's an offer we couldn't refuse so after knowing about the dolls we spent the time there do pose from point A to point B. ~hahaha

We moved onto the Oceanview Park Resto however we didn't dine there though because we just ate before leaving Tinuy-an falls but the ambiance is nice. Its something nice to visit with family or while in a date and one can have a view of the ocean.

For more info and their contact details you can visit their FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/OceanViewParkPhilippines

ENTRANCE FEE (for the view park only)

Adult - P20.00

Youth - P12.00

Child - P5.00

Kindergarten - FREE

Read More

Surigao 2: Hinatuan's Enchanted River

In continuation to my 24 hour Surigao adventure, after a fun dip and quick breakfast at the magnificent Tinuy-an Falls, we went to our next stop (the one I am most excited about) - the Enchanted River.

According to the locals, the river was named as such because it was believed that "engkantos" are responsible for the mystical beauty and depth. Its really a sight to see for me since its the first time I've seen a water as blue and clear as that in Enchanted River. There's a very deep hole in the river and it kinda freaks me out to look into it, it feels as if I will see something staring me back up to me from the void.. ~kekeke..

Several pro divers tried to but was unsuccessful to reach the bottom of the river - thus it really is DEEP! But don't let that scare you into enjoy swimming in the river because the staff provides life jackets for anyone and for any age and there are also about two to three (that I noticed during my visit) lifeguards patrolling around the length of the river. 

For those who would like to visit this haven better make sure that you arrive before or stay until the fish feeding time. Fishes of different sizes and colors that reside deep inside the crater comes out once the feeding music is played and a staff carries diced squid to feed the fishes. Its a fun sight because on regular hours you can't see any fishes while swimming and once the music plays they just come swimming up to the surface. Its really a must see.

The place is beautifully maintained - its very clean, the life jackets all look like new, everything looks like newly painted. It might be far to go to but once your there it water and the place itself totally soothes the soul with its full grown trees, white sand and deep azure waters. Its definitely nature at its finest.

Read More

Surigao I : Magnificent Tinuy-an Falls ( Lil Niagara of Pinas)

FINALLY! After several failed attempts and 5-6 hours of driving from Tagum City, the Powerpuff girls (my friends and I .. our silly lil nickname) stepped on Surigao del Sur soil. We have been planning this trip for more than a year now and the earlier plans to go to Surigao has been cancelled due to different reasons like weather problems, or the road being non accessible (- complications to the weather problems) or our own schedule changing etc. , that later on it made us all the more excited to be there but at the same time skeptic if we will ever be able to. It was just funny that Taynee, Fox and I were really skeptic about it and we finally believed it until the last moment that we started to begin the journey to Surigao at 12:30 am. 

It was gonna be a full day tour of the best places Surigao del Sur has to offer. We arrived in Surigao around 6am then have another hour or two travel to Bislig City (Booming City of the Bay) to reach our first stop of the day, the amazing Tinuy-an Falls. Also known as the "Niagra Falls of the Philippines", which it undoubtedly deserves being the widest waterfall in the country - measuring 95 meters (311 feet) in width and in a towering 55 meters (180 feet) in height -  Tinuy-an Falls is truly a magnificent sight. 

I was in awe. First word came to my mind to describe it was power - with its great towering height, its wide berth and the rushing flowing water - its all very imposing but beautiful. My friend, the Capilitan family (who were the ones who invited us on this trip as Taynee's mother was celebrating her birthday) and I wasted no time to wade in the waters and rent the bamboo raft to bring us to deeper part of the waters. It was really fun because while we were swimming and jumping from the raft, the falling water felt like rain and we can see the rainbow so close enough to touch.

Tinuy-an Falls is a four tiered waterfall however  we weren't able to go up to the 3rd and 4th tier because of  stairs to go up to that place was covered with mud due to the recent storm. It was a bit of a let down since that's really a place where you can play with the small falls but it was a truly magnificent experience overall. 

I was busy having fun when we arrived so hopefully these rates I found online are updated.. ~kekeke XD

Rates:
Entrance Fee – Php 20
Cottage Small – Php 200
Cottage Big - Php 300
Function Hall - Php 500
Life Jacket – Php 30 per hour
Table with Chair (4 chair) – Php 100
Chair - Php 10
Umbrella shed- Php 150
Gaket/Raft- Php 100
Parking Fee - Php 20
Boat- Php 50
Room Rental – Php 150 per Person

Special thanks to the Capilitan Clan.. who made our Powerpuff journey not only possible but they assured it would be a safe,fun and super "busog" trip!

Rates source: http://www.wayph.com" http://www.wayph.com 

Photo courtesy: Thalia Hernandez & Mommy Capz

Read More

Hagimit Nature Falls & Monfort Bat Cave

Island Garden City of Samal seems to have it all - from white sand beaches to clear blue sea water and from cascades of flowing water to deep and dark bat caves. IGaCoS has a variety of beach resorts but only Hagimit Nature Park has waterfalls of varying lengths & depths and only one recording breaking bat cave to boast of, that is a must visit for anyone who goes to the island.

My friends and  I had this small get together in a beach resort, and even though we have access to the beach and to a pool, we were rather busy eating, drinking, playing and catching up with each other that we didn't notice that we overstayed our welcome at the resort without really having fun with water. So we decided to continue our small reunion in Hagimit Falls and Nature Park.

Travel details:

You can go to Hagimit Nature Park by riding a ferry boat from Sasa Wharf in Davao City and then riding a motorcycle in the Babak Ferry Terminal which is 11 km away from this spot or riding  a bus from Magsaysay Davao City and stopping at the Central Warehouse in Peñaplata and riding a motorcycle - which is just 4 km away from this place. 

photo credits: James Malibiran

photo credits: James Malibiran

 Hagimit Falls is small but has a multi-tiered cascades of cold water and upon arriving, one can immediately see a long stretch of turquoise water flowing from varying sizes of cascades.  The place is just brimming with a number of falls and natural water pools that we were like kids in a candy store - running here and there, climbing some rocks to get to another set of falls hidden from view and jumping off from one edge to another and if you look at the pic below, bracing ourselves against the strong water current.

There was still so much to see in the place but we weren't able to do so because of the time. The only thing I didn't like is the "hundred" flight of stairs (my mortal enemy ~kekeke ) that you have go through to get to and out of this place but its was a very fun experience overall.

As for the Monfort Bat Cave, I honestly haven't been here but I would really love to - seeing that number of bats would be so awesome and did I mention that this place is a Guiness record holder?  Yes, it is a Guiness World Record holder for the place that houses the largest colony / most number of fruit bats, Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat to be specific. But the best thing in going to this place is I get to say "to the bat cavvveee!!" - kekeke. XD

Photo courtesy to: National Geographic and
to Monfort Bat Sanctuary

Travel Details:

Monfort Bat cave is located in Barangay Tambo of Babak District. You You can go to  by riding a ferry boat from Sasa Wharf in Davao City or riding a bus from Magsaysay in Davao City and stop at Babak Ferry Terminal and just ride a motorcycle to go to this place. Both Hagimit and Monfort BatCave is famous in Samal so rest assured any driver can lead you to this place.

Read More