Canigao Island: The Inside Story
Now that we have rounded the periphery of Canigao Island, let us go "inside", to see and talk of things not usually mentioned by many visitors to the island - since they took only selfies or groupfies - haha!
Let us start with this.., an example of the many cottages that dot the beachfront..,
If you noticed, aside from the rental prices, each cottage bears the name of a fish or seafood - even translated or described in English! I liked it. Educational! Example: Talakitok = Longfin Trevally. Oh ha?!
Here here.., a clearer view of the name of that cottage above. Sosyal da englis name of danggit ha?!
Your chat could go like this: "What did you have for breakfast? Ah, just fried "white-spotted spinefoot"!
Hey, I didn't know you just add P200 and the thing is yours overnight. I didn't know too, people actually sleep on those benches overnight! A boatman whispered to me "it is a practice all over this country".
Ah the bad part, as everywhere, this is "just" Leyte. Nagkalat pa rin ang mga mal-educado mga gago!
What kick do they get out of vandalizing places? Ba-a kon ha ESamar pa in, "isang dagum ka la otoy"!
A little bit inwards than the above newer cottages are these older ones (but fine nonetheless).
I'm even tempted to say these are better versions in terms of privacy, since they're not too wide open.
Cooler and breezier too, since there are more trees surrounding these older version cottages.
Hey look to the right, it's a solar energy post! There's a lamp up the post, aside form the solar panels!
If you don't want or need a cottage, there are tables 'al fresco', and even the tree branches to sit on!
Hmm, 'wag na pagdeskitahan 'yang nakasulat na yan.., at least we know what it is trying to say, di ba?!
Further inwards (just a few steps actually, since this is a small island), there's a bigger structure..,
It looks like (therefore it can be) a conference center, a function hall or 'private party' place - for bigger more formal, secluded, exclusive gatherings and the likes, whateverrr!. As you can see, there are many tables (most of them folded) and monobloc chairs. But there are also tents pitched inside! Aw, bakit?
Hayaan nyo na, maybe toddlers and tykes are in those tents. Walang basagan ng trip!.
By the way, some of the officers/officials who man this island (they're from the local government) told me, they're about to "improve" all cottages into 2-storey houses (one-at-a-time daw). I don't know how those will look like in the end hehe. Ano dawla? I don't know too if that includes that big function hall!
Anyway..,
Don't laugh at me.., I said "aha, there's water on this island"! And my driver said "dapat lang, isla eh"!
Hehe I meant potable water, but I was wrong anyway. Officers told me that water from underground is salty (notice they have an electric pump too)! They harvest rainwater but not for drinking nor cooking.
Ah, speaking of "electric".., further inwards, I saw a generator set! Wow ha, must be noisy at night 'no?
But who knows, this area might already be far enough from the cottages or function areas. Though I am now doubting if this is a good place to spend your "wonderful tonight". Why? Because anywhere in this country, once there is electricity, I know, first to be powered is your walang kamatayang VIDEOKE!
Ah well, maybe it's just me hehe!
But I have no proof there is videoke on the island ha? Am not even sure if there's electric power at all - even for charging gadgets. I didn't stay overnight. Who knows, those things I saw might just be props!
Anyway, I saw this, and yes, my eyes grew wider in surprised awe! Definitely an old (vintage) house!
But the lighthouse (white tower behind the house), even its fence is new. I wonder how it looked like.
I wonder too, why they have abandoned this beautiful old house... (it must be circa Amercan era)
I'm imagining, from how it looks (design and build), if that house was not erected during the American occupation, at least the design has those influences. Probably the 'office' or even temporary abode of those who took care of the old lighthouse? I even wonder if anyone has a photo of the old lighthouse.
I went to its left side, and this is how the same house looks..,
I took a bit of time looking at that round thing on top of the roof. I couldn't make out what it's made of or what it's for. Is it made of glass? Why? What for? Cement? Ano yan mausoleum?! Hmm, ano kaya?
Here's another view.., from the right side of the building.., the roof's gutter has already fallen off!
But my curiosity fell from the house to that water well. Yes, the deep-well, atabay, balon, bubon! Why is the concrete platform in the form of an old "keyhole"? Why are there two wells at just a meter apart?
Hey, did you notice that left edge of the picture above? There are more structures, let's go there!
Eto yun! There are stores, many of them! They sell everything to eat; drinks, even shirts and souvenirs!
This was my favorite stall - not because I wanted what she offered, but I was curious what they were! Those were all still alive, and I was allowed to take pics of them, she even named each for me! But, I forgot them hahaha! Oh dear old tigurang/tigulang/lagas/tanders me! I remember "sa-ang" (at least)!
Note that there are many kinds of these shells being sold at many stalls (there's a whole row of them)! I only took pics of those that intrigued me - either I found them cute, amazing, eerie or weird looking!
Note too that all of them were really BIG. Like that last one is I think 10x the size of a normal tahong. I think that is "sarad"? Those countless shells hanging from the ceilings of Oriental Hotel in Palo? Yun!
And another note: I did not anymore take photos of the myriad kinds of fresh fish at other stalls. From the colorful to the ugly-looking, but just the same delectable (daw) hahaha! Not to mention that there were all kinds of meat for whatever kind of cooking you may so desire. You just tell them, they grill or whip it up with veggies and condiments that you like. OMG even pancit noodles (not the instant cups), meron! Purefoods Hotdog, Purefoods Corned Beef, even Doritos meron! Marlboro Lights, present din!
Now here's a notable note for solo travelers like me, or the clingy couples like you, hehe!
We (me and my driver) already chose what we thought as the best cottage for us (we got off the boat first, remember?) and paid for it. As suggested by the tanod in-charge, we went to the stalls described above, to buy food and drinks (we didn't bring any). Madam Tanod marked our cottage 'reserved'. She even sat and 'held office' there to ensure no one else grabbed our dear prime location cottage hehehe!
However, while haggling, bantering with the vendors at those many stalls (they're such fun, promise!), they came to know there were only two of us on this trip, and all eyes grew wide when I requested the food be delivered to 'danggit' cottage, when cooked. A shrewd but sensible manang (maru/maro ba!), shook her head in disbelief and sort of half-sarcastic and half-pleading told us to give that cottage up and just stay beside her stall instead (as she propped a folded table and placed 2 monobloc chairs)!
Driver reasoned that we have already paid for the cottage. She said no problem and hollered some bla bla blah to a young man (her son?). In no time, the Madam Tanod came to give us a refund and asked for the receipt which I promptly returned. I was surprised she thanked us as if we did her a big favor!
As I started on my SanMigLight, Manang Tindera told us that they (island management) always have problems with cottage space during summer and especially weekends where many families with kids or seniors just sit on the sand without any roof. So, they thanked us for giving our cottage up. Ganun!
Look where we finally settled, instead of our danggit cottage! Beside Manang Tindera, and it was fun!
Look at this table on the lower left of the pic, those bottles are ALL mine haha! Driver sat on the other end of the table and I think he only had water (baon namin yan) and 1 bottle of a yellow drink (Sting?).
Fun talking and telling jokes to the vendors in this row of stalls. We even got free bananas!
Manag Tindera gave those cooked bananas to me, gratis! I swear it goes well with SanMigLight. Yey!
Lunch caught up with us on this table. Just a big 1.5kg pusit - it was still alive when we bought it!
We asked manang to grill half of it, while the remainder became this adobo! Lamisyoso! Marrrasarap! Oh, there is (btw) a nominal cooking charge if you ask vendors to cook for you. The way to go, for me!
This big thing was also grilled.., isn't this Nemo's friend? Well, yes I think it is, and it's yummy hehe!
Ah, a dining tip btw: never tell kids the fish you ate was "Dory" or you will never hear the end of it. Ever!
Lest I forget.., we even had rice. You can buy them by the cup, or, you can ask vendors to cook for you by the kilo! So, if you're not a battalion coming to this island, don't worry about food - just your wallet!
Finally, don't ever think that because you're in the inner parts, the beach might be far.., it's just there!
In fact, as we stayed by those vendor-stalls, I kept darting in and out of the water, the bonus of which was, there are not many swimmers (even none at all) at this equally fantastic white sandy beach area!
If at all you see people on the beach at this northern portion (steps away from the stores), they're just generally passing by, strolling the perimeter of the island, as I did earlier immediately when we arrived!
Why is that so? Well, first, this area is a bit distant from rental cottages where the visitors usually stay. If you are a "people person", you won't "see and be seen" in this place - walang tao other than vendors!
Eh sa tinuod lang.., di ba most people want to "see and be seen", indi ba la?! Like that! Hahaha!
Second, and most important of all.., let this even be a warning.., the water current in this area is very very dangerously strong. Not good for even us adults who like swimming farther out of the shallows!
Fantastically amazing to look at, but that's about it. To swim in this northern area is asking for trouble as the water rushes through to this corner. It is even difficult to sit still as you'll easily be swept away.
I have video clips of the strong current. Will put that up here soon.
Oh, okay, I see we are not anymore talking about the 'insides' of the island. Let's do more of that in my next story, as I prepared and eventually got out of Canigao. Its equally intriguingly makabuang! Gayud!
That's next!
Let us start with this.., an example of the many cottages that dot the beachfront..,
Here here.., a clearer view of the name of that cottage above. Sosyal da englis name of danggit ha?!
Hey, I didn't know you just add P200 and the thing is yours overnight. I didn't know too, people actually sleep on those benches overnight! A boatman whispered to me "it is a practice all over this country".
Ah the bad part, as everywhere, this is "just" Leyte. Nagkalat pa rin ang mga mal-educado mga gago!
A little bit inwards than the above newer cottages are these older ones (but fine nonetheless).
Cooler and breezier too, since there are more trees surrounding these older version cottages.
If you don't want or need a cottage, there are tables 'al fresco', and even the tree branches to sit on!
Further inwards (just a few steps actually, since this is a small island), there's a bigger structure..,
Hayaan nyo na, maybe toddlers and tykes are in those tents. Walang basagan ng trip!.
By the way, some of the officers/officials who man this island (they're from the local government) told me, they're about to "improve" all cottages into 2-storey houses (one-at-a-time daw). I don't know how those will look like in the end hehe. Ano dawla? I don't know too if that includes that big function hall!
Anyway..,
Don't laugh at me.., I said "aha, there's water on this island"! And my driver said "dapat lang, isla eh"!
Ah, speaking of "electric".., further inwards, I saw a generator set! Wow ha, must be noisy at night 'no?
Ah well, maybe it's just me hehe!
But I have no proof there is videoke on the island ha? Am not even sure if there's electric power at all - even for charging gadgets. I didn't stay overnight. Who knows, those things I saw might just be props!
Anyway, I saw this, and yes, my eyes grew wider in surprised awe! Definitely an old (vintage) house!
I wonder too, why they have abandoned this beautiful old house... (it must be circa Amercan era)
I went to its left side, and this is how the same house looks..,
Here's another view.., from the right side of the building.., the roof's gutter has already fallen off!
Hey, did you notice that left edge of the picture above? There are more structures, let's go there!
Eto yun! There are stores, many of them! They sell everything to eat; drinks, even shirts and souvenirs!
Note too that all of them were really BIG. Like that last one is I think 10x the size of a normal tahong. I think that is "sarad"? Those countless shells hanging from the ceilings of Oriental Hotel in Palo? Yun!
And another note: I did not anymore take photos of the myriad kinds of fresh fish at other stalls. From the colorful to the ugly-looking, but just the same delectable (daw) hahaha! Not to mention that there were all kinds of meat for whatever kind of cooking you may so desire. You just tell them, they grill or whip it up with veggies and condiments that you like. OMG even pancit noodles (not the instant cups), meron! Purefoods Hotdog, Purefoods Corned Beef, even Doritos meron! Marlboro Lights, present din!
Now here's a notable note for solo travelers like me, or the clingy couples like you, hehe!
We (me and my driver) already chose what we thought as the best cottage for us (we got off the boat first, remember?) and paid for it. As suggested by the tanod in-charge, we went to the stalls described above, to buy food and drinks (we didn't bring any). Madam Tanod marked our cottage 'reserved'. She even sat and 'held office' there to ensure no one else grabbed our dear prime location cottage hehehe!
However, while haggling, bantering with the vendors at those many stalls (they're such fun, promise!), they came to know there were only two of us on this trip, and all eyes grew wide when I requested the food be delivered to 'danggit' cottage, when cooked. A shrewd but sensible manang (maru/maro ba!), shook her head in disbelief and sort of half-sarcastic and half-pleading told us to give that cottage up and just stay beside her stall instead (as she propped a folded table and placed 2 monobloc chairs)!
Driver reasoned that we have already paid for the cottage. She said no problem and hollered some bla bla blah to a young man (her son?). In no time, the Madam Tanod came to give us a refund and asked for the receipt which I promptly returned. I was surprised she thanked us as if we did her a big favor!
As I started on my SanMigLight, Manang Tindera told us that they (island management) always have problems with cottage space during summer and especially weekends where many families with kids or seniors just sit on the sand without any roof. So, they thanked us for giving our cottage up. Ganun!
Look where we finally settled, instead of our danggit cottage! Beside Manang Tindera, and it was fun!
Fun talking and telling jokes to the vendors in this row of stalls. We even got free bananas!
Lunch caught up with us on this table. Just a big 1.5kg pusit - it was still alive when we bought it!
This big thing was also grilled.., isn't this Nemo's friend? Well, yes I think it is, and it's yummy hehe!
Lest I forget.., we even had rice. You can buy them by the cup, or, you can ask vendors to cook for you by the kilo! So, if you're not a battalion coming to this island, don't worry about food - just your wallet!
Finally, don't ever think that because you're in the inner parts, the beach might be far.., it's just there!
If at all you see people on the beach at this northern portion (steps away from the stores), they're just generally passing by, strolling the perimeter of the island, as I did earlier immediately when we arrived!
Eh sa tinuod lang.., di ba most people want to "see and be seen", indi ba la?! Like that! Hahaha!
Second, and most important of all.., let this even be a warning.., the water current in this area is very very dangerously strong. Not good for even us adults who like swimming farther out of the shallows!
I have video clips of the strong current. Will put that up here soon.
Oh, okay, I see we are not anymore talking about the 'insides' of the island. Let's do more of that in my next story, as I prepared and eventually got out of Canigao. Its equally intriguingly makabuang! Gayud!
That's next!
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