While waiting to be boarded, passengers (me included!) stood around, sat anywhere they could, excitedly chatting, posing for groupfies and selfies, to while time away. Aside from snacks and coffee, good that these eco-tourism grounds are instagrammable enough!
Just a hand signal from the boatman and everyone queued-in to board!
In just about 4 minutes, all of us passengers were on board. That quick! Excited eh!
By the way, that lady at their desk? Yep, si Ms. Bawal Reservation? Remember her? When boarding started, she really looked around for me, just to tell me that it was boarding! Whatever she meant with that, I did not anymore care. I was just excited to go!
I boarded last, so I would be seated at the very front of the boat... I planned this!
I did not just plan, I schemed for this hehe, to be at front-most position! For the views - and to avoid catching other passengers in my shots! Why? Because this was such a small boat - once seated, you are shoulder-to-shoulder and butt-to-butt with passengers on your either side. Thus, you cannot move around or even just turn around to take photos!
All expected passengers were aboard and raring to go, but we were not moving yet. Then came an employee of the eco-tourism office who did some briefing about trash and safety on the island. Then it was a go for us! Hooray! As in Hurry Up, excited na ako!
That's her (I call her Miss Briefer), going back to dry land, after reminding us on safety rules and rubbish - I mean 'trash' on the island to be brought back here (mainland) on two kinds of color-coded trash bags. If you don't listen... hmm... lagot ka!
I even caught the last portion of her 'spiel' on video. Will post that here 'pag luto na'!
Okay, pushback!
No don't ever push him hehe! He is lifeline here...
He is one of the boatmen, pulling the rope in, as our boat backed away from dock. Yey!
Generally calm waters! That's why I love early morning sea rides. They are usually calm, and becomes mesmerizing with the sun rising, starting to fill earth with light and color.
Oh, there's an island just nearby... That white structure is probably a lighthouse...
A boatman told me it is called Tabuk Islet. Tabuk or Tabok in Bisaya means "across" - and obviously so. This islet, or island (I think it is big enough) is just across the town center.
Off we went on our 'nearly an hour' ride to Kalanggaman Island! And...
That's Kalanggaman! Drum roll, let the trumpets blow! My Royal Highness is arriving!
Virtually everyone in Surigao City is related to this boulevard directly or indirectly! It's such a big thing , they even have a Surigao City Boulevard Development Program and a Surigao City Development Authority . I'm not joking. Those are for real. As in! Involved in it are not only their local politicians but also the chambers of commerce. What is it anyway? Foremost it's a 1.8 kilometer stretch of a highway along the seafront. The concrete pavement tells me it is still new. That is it! Walang basagan ng trip! It is an emulation (kumbaga sa Tagalog pa: gaya-gaya ) of Roxas Boulevard in Manila, or pwede rin Dumaguete’s Rizal Boulevard - and many other seafront boulevards. Aside from being a “park” for the residents, it is supposed to be an attraction in the city, showcasing whatever bla-blah-blah to attract tourists from everywhere on earth. While I was inclined to raise my eyebrows, it did attract me. I was a tourist, right?! So okay, without a speck of d
I haven't heard about this waterfall until I was already moments away from being there! And I have no regrets whatsoever. Ah, sometimes, beautiful surprises do happen to my itchy feet. Sometimes haha! For me who had seen many a waterfall, this one would seem nothing to shout to the world about. But being there was mesmerizingly refreshing enough. How tall is it? I'm not sure, but see my habal-habal driver on lower ground and compare his height to that of the waterfall. You should get a hint, at least! Discovering Balantak Falls How I found-out about Balantak Falls ! I was in Brgy. Guirang (pronounced gi-rung) in Basey Samar, for another round of "work-related work"! While walking-around by the entrance to the barangay's main residential area, I happened to see this: A fairly new hut and open on all sides, so I asked them what it is. They said it's a waiting shed. I asked further 'who would wait here' since I knew there are no commuter jeeps in t
Alrightee folks! I traveled from Tuguegarao to the northern-most town of Cagayan Valley, that is, Sta. Ana. And, Oh My Gee! I never expected this "mode" of transportation! It was a van, yes. The type and style that we call "UV Express" all over the country. But not the usual that I have seen, even in the more remote areas of the Visayas and Mindanao. This ride was on a piece of "flying junk" hahaha! It started like this... the night before I check-out at Hotel Roma, I asked the friendly front desk staff if there was a better way to go to Sta. Ana. than riding the bus. The very helpful suggestion was, I ride the vans instead of the bus, because, they are purportedly faster and more comfortable. Okay, I thought I would do just that. Staff even told me to remind them during check-out that I'm taking a UV Express commute to Sta. Ana. I did just that. The eager staff went out with me to front of the hotel. He hailed a trike for me and gave instructions t
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