What's in a (Business) Name? Veintisiete

Bikes for this digital age

Spotted along ML Quezon St., Mandaue City, Cebu

For more amusing business names, please visit Go Random.

Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Butt–rosying route equals wallet–draining trip.

As with all my travels, I share with you the expenses.

Hope this helps you plan your own eastern Mindanao trip.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals... (you're here!)

Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island

Samal Island is part of the province of Davao del Norte but is easily reached from Davao City (Davao del Sur). There are two exit points in Davao City for Samal Island:
♦ Sta. Ana Wharf — motorboats here take passengers to Kaputian in the southern part of Samal Island
♦ Sasa Wharf — the ferry here leaves for Babak in the northern part of Samal Island

There are many beaches in Samal Island but we only visited one: Sunset Beach Park, a short tricycle ride (Php 10) from Babak wharf. There are half a dozen or so resorts in Sunset Beach Park, but whether staying overnight or for just the day, an entrance fee of Php 30 per person is collected.

When we visited most of the resorts in Sunset Beach Park were full and the only one we could find that had a room available was at Jetwave [0942 980 9756 / 0908 229 6574]. We took their 800-peso room. Pricey for a very simple room that had no toilet and bath (only a common toilet and shower), but we were too tired to look for another place.

Other options in Jetwave:

Cottages Php 1200

Open Cabanas Php 600-800

Camping Php 200/tent (bring your own tent)

On the upside, Jetwave keeps their place clean and the staff were friendly.

Left photo: The room is on the right, beside their reception. / Right photo: Open cabanas.

It was crowded and loud in Sunset Beach Park the day we visited. Videoke singers were competing against each other from different resorts. Loud music was playing from two or three bars. Sunset Beach Park is not the place for those who prefer peace and quiet.

Quiet the morning after

Laziness was in our bones those last two days of our trip and we just sat around Sunset Beach Park, only taking a break for an hour or two to visit Monfort Bat Colony, said to be the world's largest bat colony of Rousette Fruit Bats (as of 2006, bat population at Monfort was estimated to be 1.8 million).

From Sunset Beach Park, we hired a tricycle to take us to Monfort Bat Colony/Sanctuary (Php150 roundtrip) and paid Php100 to see them bats. Before going to the cave (no, we don't get to go into the cave, just to the four openings of the same cave where one can already see the bats), a briefing was held. The briefing area also has an exhibit with lots of information about the Rousette fruit bats and the sanctuary.

The bat cave
 

How many bats are there?

Hello bats! Wakey wakey!

Why would I want to pay a hundred to see a million bats? Why? Just fascinated with the thought of seeing the walls of a cave all black because of bats. And fascinate me it did. What I did not expect though was to be overwhelmed...overwhelmed by the smell of them. Boy, do they stink.

There's a special night viewing around 6PM, when they all fly away to hunt for food, for twice the regular price. Would I pay Php200 to see them fly away at night? Half of me wants to, but the other half is afraid that a big cloud of black hairy wings might swoop at my poor lightweight self and take me with them into the night.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island (you're here!)
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna

Two suggestions I took from a Davaoeña: Museo Dabawenyo (for the brain) and Marina Tuna (for the stomach).

Marina Tuna

2nd Floor Sky Garden, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City

(082) 285 1783 / 0906 411 6422

Km 8, Pampanga, Sasa, Davao City
(082) 233 2666

 

"Home of the Best Tuna and Seafood"

Clockwise from top left: California maki, sinugbang manok in malunggay sauce combo, tuna sisig, chicken teriyaki

Marina Tuna is supposed to be the "Home of the Best Tuna and Seafood," but we still opted to get some chicken, and the only seafood on our table was the tuna sisig. Of the four, the standout was the tuna sisig. (As it should be because Marina Tuna is the "Home of the Best Tuna" not the "Home of the Best Chicken!") The tuna sisig wasn't anything I have had before (and I have had a ton of sisig in my life: from pork to chicken to squid to tofu to tuna). I think I could eat the whole platter of tuna sisig.

My friend, who has been with me throughout this butt-rosying trip, felt so generous that he decided to pay for lunch. Or maybe he was just tired of all the cheap food we had throughout the trip (with the exception of the finger lickin' good crabs in Cagwait). Whatever the case, thank you, mi amigo! I know this meal cost you a lot. Marina Tuna isn't cheap. Dishes go from Php130 up to Php450, with most of it priced Php200 above.

How a friend's generosity cost him:

California maki Php220

Sinugbang manok in malunggay sauce combo Php148

Tuna sisig Php230

Chicken teriyaki Php220

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna (you're here!)
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo

The long bus ride through the mountains of Compostela Valley left me pooped and longing for a bed to sleep in. The bed I found was at the fourth floor of:

Aveflor Inn

108-3 CM Recto Avenue, Davao City

(082) 227 8152 / 0932 466 2802

Room rates: Php 600 to Php 1150

Let's go over the pros and con:
☺ Accessible location. Jeepneys pass the area.
☺ Clean room and toilet and bath.
☺ WiFi available...
☹ ...but only at the third floor, at the stairwell. (This is the only con I can think of.)

Museo Dabawenyo

I didn't plan anything for Davao, and when there is no plan, I send an SOS (Seeking fOr Suggestions) to local friends. Of the long list of suggestions, I only picked two: Museo Dabawenyo, because I like museums, and Marina Tuna, because I like food.

Museo Dabawenyo is a small museum with six galleries full of photos and words! This museum tells about Davao, its history, and its people (the ten ethno-linguistic groups).

If you're too lazy to read (there's a mountain of information to absorb), then skip this place. If not, put your nerd glasses on and go!

Museo Dabawenyo
Corner A Pichon and CM Recto Streets, Davao City
(082) 222 6011
Monday to Fridays 9AM–6PM
Free admission

No cameras allowed in the museum. Bags, too, are not allowed inside, and should be left at the package counter.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo (you're here!)
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Choose Choux Cream Puffs

In a local forum, there are mixed reviews of Choux (pronounced as "shoe") cream puffs. Some absolutely love it. Some totally hate it. I, myself, totally hated it. At first. That was a month or two ago.

On second try (I have no idea why I tried it again), I absolutely loved it. Maybe because this time it was fresh from the oven and the cream was smooth, just a tad sweet, and oozing at first bite (and second bite, and third. They were very generous with the cream.)

Shou cream Php 38 (1 box/5 pcs, Php 170)
Small Shou cream (1 pack/9 pcs, Php 100)
Fruit shou Php 40 (1 box/5 pcs, Php 180)
Swan shou, which is the same as the Shou cream, just shaped like a swan Php 50 (4 pcs, Php 180)

Creams puffs from Choux are entirely different from Chewy Junior's. I choose Choux for the simplicity and Chewy Junior for the chocolate flavors.

Choux
Gaisano Country Mall, Banilad, Cebu City
(Outside the supermarket)
0915 875 3073

Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls

This mustache went a long, long way just to see a huge, huge stone staircase for a short, short time.

Long, long way

We could have gone straight to Davao City from Mangagoy in Surigao del Sur and it would have taken six hours. But we included Cateel, Davao Oriental as a stop and added two hours of road time. (Bachelor Express bus schedule from Mangagoy, Surigao del Sur to Cateel, Davao Oriental: 7AM / 1230PM / 230PM / 6PM; Fare: Php120)

In the small and quiet town of Cateel, we looked for a habalhabal/motorcycle (Php150/2 pax/roundtrip) to take us to Aliwagwag Falls (about 40 minutes from town), but not before having breakfast. I am grateful that the ladies at the eatery allowed us to leave our bags (oh, the kindness of strangers) for a few hours while we went to see Aliwagwag Falls, a giant stairway with cascading waters.

Huge, huge stone staircase

Wiki says Aliwagwag is...

"...a towering waterfall considered by hydraulic engineers as the highest in the country and regarded as one of the most beautiful falls in Mindanao. It is a series of 84 falls appearing like stairway to heaven with various heights among the steps ranging from 6 to 110 feet (34 m). One step is measured 72 feet (22 m) and another is 67 feet (20 m). Overall Aliwagwag Falls is 1,110 feet (340 m) of cascading energy and 20 meters in width. All these in the midst of virgin forest. River at the foot of the falls. 13 rapids to cross."

I agree, this huge stone staircase carpeted by rushing water is a wonder. If I wasn't too lazy, I would have wanted to see all 84 levels. In truth, even if I wasn't feeling lazy, I think I can only cover five levels. If this were a real staircase, one step would take a dozen human steps to reach the next, and some steps would most likely require both hands and feet. Aliwagwag Falls made (and still makes) me feel like an ant.

Short, short time

Ah, but we had to say goodbye to Aliwagwag Falls and Cateel after a few hours. Soon we were back in town to have lunch and to catch the 3PM Mallen Express bus to Davao City (Mallen bus schedule: 5AM and 3PM. Fare is Php250). It's going to be a long six–hour bus ride through the mountains of Compostela Valley.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls (you're here!)
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Hairy Bungot and the Chamber of Chocolates

It was Hermione Go-ranger who spotted this on the walls of the corridors of Pigwarts School of Pigging Out and Chowing Down (where Hermione Go-ranger is top in her class; she is not nicknamed Babe for Food for nothing!):

The Chamber of Chocolates has opened. Wallet of the Hair...beware.

Of course Hermione Go-ranger had to tell Hairy Bungot whom she was sure the message was for. Upon hearing this, brave Hairy Bungot convinced his best friend, Ron Beastly, to go with him to the Chamber of Chocolates, aka The Chocolate Chamber.

When Hairy Bungot and Ron Beastly entered The Chocolate Chamber, the interiors gave them a feeling of apprehension. Not because it looked scary. It looked expensive.

 

The Chocolate Chamber is  filled with jars of chocolate peanut butter, jars of cookie butter, packets and canisters of powdered chocolate drinks, and chocolates by box or by weight.

The menu confirmed that feeling. It was indeed expensive. A cup of hot chocolate for Php150 up to Php185. A slice of cake for Php100 up to Php150. High tea for Php550. Hairy Bungot had to check his trembling wallet.

Click to enlarge menu

The best friends, Hairy Bungot and Ron Beastly, scared of the guardian of the chamber (the manager) and not wanting to be embarrassed,  swallowed the lump in their throat and ordered:

 Hot strawberry chocolate

 

Tablea Old Fashioned cake (top) and Blueberry with cream cheese (bottom)

The guardian of the chamber threw in two pieces of truffles (those two lumps on the center plate in the above photo) and some tidbits about the number on their logo: 1521.

Why 1521? It was the year 1521 when cacao was introduced by Magellan. (Go back to the previous sentence. This time sing it to the tune of the Magellan song.) I made that up, but, fact is, it was a Spaniard who brought cacao to the Philippines.

Count the hot chocolate options on the menu. Is it 21? The Chocolate Chamber offers 21 flavors of hot chocolate. Why 21 flavors? 1521 theme.

Praline buffet

High tea is served at 1521 hours (3:21 PM up to 5:21PM). Why at such an odd time? Yes, still on the 1521 theme.

Hairy and Ron were wanting to try the chocolate drink and cakes they had in front of them, but before they could dig in, the guardian gave one last tidbit: The Chocolate Chamber serves tepid water. For if one drinks cold water with their chocolates it will coagulate in one's mouth.

The best friends thanked the guardian for the pieces of The Chocolate Chamber facts and commenced their eating. Hairy found the Tablea Old Fashioned cake too dry. The blueberry with cream cheese too strong (Hairy is not a fan of cream cheese). And the hot strawberry chocolate delicious. But the free truffles were the best.

The cakes they chose made Hairy Bungot regret that he did not go for the praline buffet instead. The praline buffet was on that day. Sure, it would have cost him Php250 to stuff himself with pralines, but he was sure it would have been better than those cakes. (The praline buffet is not a regular occurrence at the Chamber. One must call ahead and inquire when the next buffet is.)

Hairy Bungot and Ron Beastly left The Chocolate Chamber with a rich chocolate feeling filling in the stomach. The Chamber of Chocolates wasn't so scary, but true to the warning on the wall, it was a threat to the wallet.

The Chocolate Chamber
Quirino St. corner Magsaysay St.,
Mabolo, Cebu City
(0917) 628 7661
Mondays to Saturdays 8AM-12NN and 2PM-8PM



How the Chamber of Chocolates scared the money off Hairy and Ron:
Hot strawberry chocolate Php 150
Tablea old fashioned cake Php 150
Blueberry with cream cheese Php 150

Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall

The beach, the sea surrounding the islands of Britania, the river. If you run me through the wringer, I'd probably fill a barrel. But that's not enough. Off to find another body of water!

Stop #4

Tinuy-an Falls

Brgy. Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

From Hinatuan, it's just a one-hour bus ride (Php55) to Barangay Mangagoy in Bislig City where one can hire a motorcycle to get to the waterfall. Of the many habalhabal (motorcycle) drivers who flocked at the bus terminal in Mangagoy, we picked Dondon [0908 382 5809] who agreed to take us to Tinuy-an and back for Php400 (2 pax, roundtrip). From Mangagoy to Tinuy-an Falls, it's 16 kilometers of mostly rough road.

As seen from the parking area... this is not the grand waterfall. Nope, not yet.

This is the bottom level.

Entrance fee is Php50 per head. Tables and chairs (Php100-200) and cottages (Php300-500) for day use are available. There are also rooms (Php600, 2 persons) for overnight stay. Camping (bring your own tent) is also allowed for Php100 per person (on top of the entrance fee).

The grand waterfall

A little bit about Tinuy-an Falls:

♦ Tinuy-an Falls is a three-tiered waterfall: bottom level is 3 meters high, second level (the grand waterfall) is 37 meters, and the topmost level is 5 meters.

♦ It is 95 meters wide and is said to be one of the widest waterfalls in the Philippines.

♦ Tinuy-an is Visayan for "intentional". According to the Bislig Government website, legend has it that "the Magdiwata Mountain settlers were enslaved by cruel tribesmen coming from hinterlands of Agusan. The settlers were forced to hunt with their masters, construct barotos (small boats) and perform forced manual labor. Tired of being slaves, one day, while rowing the barotos boarded by their cruel masters, they intentionally shoved the barotos towards the waterfalls killing all their cruel masters." But this got me thinking...how could they have shoved the barotos without endangering themselves? Did they jump off at the last second? Possible. It is shallow (see left photo below).

At the topmost level

Pay Php100 to get a beating

Activities at Tinuy-an Falls:
♦ swimming - if you don't trust your swimming skills, life jackets and salbabida (life buoy) can be rented for Php30 per hour. Changing rooms are available.
♦ picnicking - as mentioned, there are tables and chairs or cottages for rent.
♦ camping - they have a camp site, but bring your own tent.
♦ hiking - to the upper levels. Guides are there to lead the way; no guide fees but donations are most welcome.
♦ rafting - if you want to get pummeled by the strong waterfall, it's Php100 per raft ride.
♦ gaping - yes, I gaped at its awesomeness.

I thought that guy was the raft master...no, he was just enjoying the mist.

If staying overnight in the city, stay in Brgy. Mangagoy, not Bislig. Mangagoy is livelier—there are more accommodation options and eateries here—than Bislig. Before going to Tinuy-an Falls, we dropped our bags at Tfanny's Inn, where we will be staying a night. Tfanny's Inn is just a 5-minute walk from the bus terminal.

Tfanny's Inn

P Castillo St. Mangagoy, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur

(086) 853 6304 / 0919 470 8998 / 0912 200 8159 / 0930 795 8703

Rooms go from Php 650 (for 2 pax, two single beds or one double bed) up to Php 1200 (3 beds for 5 pax). All rooms are air-conditioned and have its own toilet and bath. Towels, toilet paper, and soap are provided. Some of the rooms have TV (cable). Breakfast is free and is served from 630AM to 10AM. I can't tell you what they serve for breakfast—we were not able to avail of it because we had to leave very early the next day in order to catch the bus to Cateel, Davao Oriental.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall (you're here!)
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo 
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Hinatuan's Enchanted River

A motorcycle (from MacArthur's Place to the highway, 10 mins, Php20), a bus (San Agustin highway to Barobo terminal, 1 hour, Php40), a van (Barobo terminal to Hinatuan, 50 mins, Php40), and a total of 71 kilometers, we arrived in Hinatuan in the dark (it would grow darker after an hour when the electricity in the town goes out—brownout).

We were to visit the Enchanted River, about 15 kilometers from Hinatuan town proper, on the morrow. Arnel [0909 931 8570] would pick us up at 7AM on his motorcycle (Php 300/2 pax/roundtrip).

Day 3. Arriving just before 8AM, we were the first guests at Enchanted River (open from 6AM to 5PM; entrance fee of Php 30). I am glad we got there early; I do not like crowds. But I am not glad we got there early; the water wasn't as clear as I had seen it in pictures. One of the workers said when the tides go out (it was high tide that morning), that's when the river becomes very clear.

Le Rivière Enchanté. An attempt to make it sound captivating.

In my mind, I was expecting the river to be huge, but it wasn't. It was very deep though. I am a very bad swimmer, and a life jacket is in order (rented at Php15 an hour).

Activities at Enchanted River:

♦ swimming — changing rooms are available.

♦ boating — outrigger boats (up to 4 pax) can be rented for Php160 an hour. The boatman can take you to Sibadan fish cage, a cave, and one or two resorts. Each of those places would charge an entrance fee.

♦ diving — if you wanna check how deep this river is. I remember seeing a tarp about diving but I don't remember how much it costs.

♦ picnicking — tables and chairs or cottages can be rented for Php100 to Php200. They also have an area for grilling.

♦ observing the fish frenzy — all humans must be out of the water from noon to 1PM for the fish feeding. Fish have lunch too.

The night before we visited Enchanted River, we stayed at James Pensionne in Hinatuan proper. It was one of the pension houses the lady I was sitting beside in the van suggested. The other one she suggested was full and we took whatever was available at James Pensionne: single fan rooms for Php250 a night (other room types were already booked). These single rooms share a common toilet and bath (separate for men and women) at the end of the hall. I am not certain if the bigger rooms have its own toilet and bath.

James Pensionne

Sullano Compound, Brgy Aquino, Hinatuan

0910 619 5112

A warning: I am not sure if the bed bugs attacked in this pension house or somewhere else, but I can tell you I got 12 nasty bites at the end of this 6–day trip.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River (you're here!)
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo 
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

The Quickest Island Hopping Ever

Since I took too much of your time when I rambled on about the beginning of the trip, I apologize. This time I will be quick. Quicker than my quickest island hopping ever: Britania Group of Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur.

To get to this group of islands from Cagwait White Beach:
Cagwait White Beach to highway, habalhabal (motorcycle), 5 mins, Php10
Cagwait to Brgy Salvacion, San Agustin, bus, 1 hr, Php40
Brgy Salvacion to MacArthur's Place, habalhabal (motorcycle), 10 mins, Php20
Britania Island government fee Php25
Pumpboat rental at MacArthur's Place for island hopping Php 1000

Hagonoy Island

 

The other side of Hagonoy

Naked Island

Just like Siargao's Naked Island, this is a big mound of sand. Not a tree, a hut, nor a naked person in sight.

Sand all around


Buslon Island

Buslon Island (right) and two islets (left, only one islet visible in this photo) that can be reached by foot during low tide.

Hiyor-hiyoran Island

Any one of the islands (except for Naked Island) would have made a good place for camping but staying overnight and cooking in the islands are prohibited. If one must stay overnight, one can do so at the mainland, where the jump off for island hopping is. There are a couple accommodations to choose from.

We did not stay overnight but we chose to rent a boat at MacArthur's Place [0999 991 0845 / 0932 882 3460 / 0939 916 3745]. Actually, Mr Pacheco, the owner of Spacebar Beach Resort in Cagwait knows the owner and was able to negotiate the island hopping fee to Php1000 for me and my friend (it is normally Php1500 for up to 10 persons). The staff let us leave our bags in their sari–sari store while we went to the islands. Coming back, we were able to shower and change—MacArthur's Place has shower rooms and toilets.

We took only two hours to visit these four islands. There's no time limit for island hopping, but we were in a hurry. Time check: 4PM. We were still two hours (plus an hour or so of waiting for bus/van transfers) away from our next stop and we did not want to arrive in the cover of night in an unfamiliar town where we have yet to look for a place to stay in.

Butt–rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait White Beach, Surigao del Sur
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever (you're here!)
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

In the Beginning: Cagwait White Beach, Surigao del Sur

It all began with scoring a cheap ticket (like how most of my trips begin) to Butuan ten months before the travel date. One way. Morning flight to Butuan from Cebu and I can be in Enchanted River, a place whose blueness I have been drooling over hopping from one to blog to another, in Hinatuan by lunch.

Or not.

Sometime between purchasing the ticket and the actual date of travel, the airline changed their flight schedule (like they annoyingly often do). From five in the morning, it was now at two in the afternoon. A nine–hour difference from the original schedule. This means I can either get a refund or have it rerouted. (Did you know that if Cebu Pacific changes the schedule with more than an hour difference, you can do this—refund or reroute without any fees—even if it's a promo ticket?)

Round hard head that I have, I had the ticket rerouted to Surigao (Surigao del Norte) even if everyone I had asked recommended going via Butuan when going to the southern part of Surigao del Sur. Even my friend from Surigao del Sur. Why? Because the road from Surigao del Norte to Surigao del Sur is in pretty bad shape.

True. For all their good intentions, my friend, the tourism officer, and everybody else who gave advice, I still took that discouraged route. Brave? Practical? Or plain stupid?

On good days, practical. It's not so bad. Just red and dusty unpaved mining–town roads, especially around Carrascal, about 100 km from Surigao City. On rainy days, practically stupid. This route has to be avoided. Landslides are sure to happen. On any day, whether dry or rainy, stupid reckless drivers need not navigate this road. Many have gone over cliffs, so the locals say.

Long story short, Hinatuan out of the picture for day one. Cagwait, in. This way we would not have to go back and forth (Hinatuan is still about 100 km farther). Cagwait keeps a little C–shaped secret and this is stop number one. Cagwait White Beach.

It was a long way to Cagwait White Beach from Surigao City:
Surigao Airport to Surigao Bus and Jeepney Terminal, on foot, 5 mins
Surigao City to Cantilan, van,  2.5 hrs, Php170
Cantilan to Tandag City, van, 2 hrs, Php150
Tandag City to Cagwait, jeepney, 1 hr 20 mins, Php35
Cagwait to Cagwait White Beach, habalhabal (motorcycle), 5 mins, Php10

Tips:
♦ There are vans going straight to Tandag City from Surigao City, take that if you chance upon one.
♦ From Tandag City to Cagwait, take the bus, not the jeepney. It will be faster.

Cagwait White Beach was deserted when we got there. The water was calm and clean. The sand not white but fine.

There are a few resorts along the shore. We checked only about four places and decided to dump our bags at Spacebar Beach Resort [0920 343 9000]. It's the only place with a pool (how ever weirdly constructed their pool looked). And a slide. Not that any of those matter to me. After six hours and five modes of transportation, nothing mattered but a place to dump my things in. And to jump in the sea.

Spacebar Beach Resort

Clockwise from top left: Double room (Php850); Dining area; Slide; Pool

The rooms in Spacebar Beach Resort range from Php690 (single) to Php3500 (for a room of up to five persons). Use of their weirdly put together pool would entail Php100 per head for adults and Php80 for kids. To use the slide would also mean to pay some amount.

There are no carenderias around Cagwait, so that left us with two choices: the resort restaurant (expensive fresh seafood) and the sari-sari store next door (noodles, canned goods, junk food). We decided to splurge a bit for lunch the next day and had crabs at the resort's restaurant. Expensive (we had to shell out Php365 each) but the food was fresh and delicious. Finger lickin' good crabs.

Would I go back to Cagwait White Beach? Yes. I like peaceful deserted beaches. (But it's probably not as deserted during weekends.) Next time I would probably stay at least two nights. To make up for the loooonnggg travel.

Would I stay at Spacebar Beach Resort again? Yes, because the owner, Joedic Pacheco, was friendly and kind to us. But if I were with a bunch of friends and budget for accommodation was limited, I'd stay at the municipality–owned Cagwait White Beach Resort [0949 848 6178]. They have rooms for as low as Php 700 (aircon) for 3 persons, Php750 (non aircon) for 10 persons, and Php 1700 (aircon) for 10 persons.

Would I eat at Spacebar's restaurant again? Yes, for the crabs cooked by Mr. Pacheco! That's if I remember to increase my budget for food. If not, it's drool and suffer for me.

Butt-Rosying Route:
A Beauty T(r)ip
In the Beginning: Cagwait White Beach, Surigao del Sur (you're here!)
The Quickest Island Hopping Ever
Hinatuan's Enchanted River
Bislig's Marvelous Waterfall
Cateel Just for Aliwagwag Falls
Pit Stop: Aveflor Inn and Museo Dabawenyo
Suggested by a Davaoeña: Marina Tuna
Sunset Beach Park and Monfort Bat Colony in Samal Island
Butt–rosying Route Equals...

Wisdom from the Road #12

On lending a hand

Offer to take somebody's photo...

and you just might win a friend!

When I visited Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in Vancouver many moons ago, I took with me a camera and a tripod, but no companion(s). When I exited the park, I had one new friend, all because I offered to take her photo (using her camera of course) and she took my photo (with my camera) and we had somebody take a photo of us. Seven years running and halfway around the world, we still keep in touch, thanks to facebook. It was a fantastic surprise when she posted that photo of us on her facebook page last year :-)


For more lessons from the road, please visit Go Learn.