Philippine Travel Notes

Okay folksiefolks, I thought we passed by two towns after Iligan City, as I said in the previous article . It turns out, there was only one, the town of Linamon Lanao Del Norte, the next town south of Iligan City. Meaning, from the city center, our jeep ride went to a corner in Linamon, which my guide said 'is a well known jump-off point (all jeep drivers know it) goin' up the mountains (of Iligan) where Tinago Falls is. For those not used to riding on motorcycles without sidecars (habal-habal), that ride takes only about 10 minutes - on probably 5 to 6 kilometers of good concrete barangay roads, narrower than the hiway! I'll be honest, I am adventurous, but when riding habal-habal, I use both my hands to cling to anything - that's why you don't see many photos along the way when I take that mode of transportation, hahaha! This is the main entrance. My guide call this place the Linamon Entrance (there's another entrance). This place is already like a fo...

Sian Falls, Brgy. Kahayag, Bislig City, Surigao Del Sur We were nearing Bislig City proper. I thought that was it for a day tour. I was already happy! But hmm and alas, we veered left from the national highway! I surmised (and secretly smiled), this meant I was going to see another "somewhere in Bislig"! Before I could ask, driver said we were going to Sian Falls. Go ra! Ah, if you are in any 3 or 4-wheeled vehicle, there will be some amount of walking (but not far).., See the cute wooden bridge up ahead? Only habal-habal or skylab can pass thru it. Van or Car, sori po! But don't worry, it is not that far. It's just that a "single" motorbike can carry you forward for a bit more! Even so, on whatever kind of vehicle you came in with, there will still be a need for that leisurely walk! Leisurely walk yes, and much like going to Hinayagan, you also walk a bit on the side of a little stream! See my habal-habal driver approaching the one and only struct...

Tinuy-an Falls. Borboanan, Bislig, Surigao del Sur So okay.., as I constantly reminded my self last night and early at dawn , I had to go see this waterfall as early in the morning as I could. Not that it was what I wanted to do. That was the expert advise of Casa De Babano staff, the folks at Barobo Bus Terminal.., and a friend who recently visited this place! As soon as I arrived from the baywalk, I had to quickly chomp down on my free corned beef silog that hotel staff already prepared (there's a funny twist to their version - see it in my Casa De Babano story). Since I kept bantering with them even as I ate, they told me "no need to take a bath" - as I'm supposed to get wet or even willingly go swimming at places I am visiting. One bright bayot even told me (mixed Bisaya and English) "if you want, pag-change lang og shirt sir, para lahi ang outfit sa baywalk, lahi pud sa Tinuy-an"! I was already laughing out loud when he continued with "di ma...