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!
Oras is a pacific-facing town up the northern portion of Eastern Samar. This town's name is not pronounced like the Tagalog word for time. No, not like that! It is [o'ras] where the stress is in the second syllable. The speed and tone is like how you say the English words "alight", "chorale", "amass" or "awash". Okay, that's good enough, I know you got it! Uu da, oke na da it! Asya it! Yesterday, I was in the area checking on some work-related matters. Stayed overnight in this town as I haven't yet heard if accommodation facilities are available in San Policarpo or Arteche (these are the 3 northern-most towns of Eastern Samar). This morning, I was on my way to other nearby places, but.. I got trapped (happily) by a parade! That long white bridge behind them is the only way out south... A youngish set of town officials, I must say. Oh, the girl in the middle is not a muse. She is THE Mayor! But by the looks of it, she migh...
Happy (and thankful) to have seen the center of this town, even if I did not at all dream of being in the place yet! I only wanted to see Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River which I thought were both in Bislig ! Only to find out that Enchanted River is even farther away than Hinatuan, from Bislig or Tinuy-an Falls! This place is out of the way if you come from anywhere in Bislig to the Enchanted River or vice-versa! So, how did I find myself here? Nag-detour? Well, I would like to think of this as some kind of a gift! An addition to my itinerary (at no extra cost), for lack of anything else to do and/or any place else to see! Why? Because we were moving too fast from place to place, because: I did not stay long at Tinuy-an Falls or Enchanted River.., because: there were just too many visitors that I did not enjoy it any longer! Whose fault? Mine! Lesson learned: DO NOT VISIT SURIGAO DEL SUR ON A HOLY WEEK! So.., because we were already done with Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted Ri...
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...
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