Cagwait White Beach Resort, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur

Early morning at 5 sitting down in a quiet corner of the room after waking up from the alarm clock that set me up, reminded me of going to Cagwait White Beach Resort located in Cagwait town of Surigao del Sur province. It has been in the fourth day in Tandag City and the plan must push through before I bid goodbye Tandag City in the sixth day.

Tandag which was declared recently as one component city of Surigao del Sur was lucky enough to become a city which hounded some questionable eligibility from Supreme Court decisions. Until last February the decision was final with other new cities of Caraga Region, Bayugan City and Cabadbaran City.

I have to take the advantage because Tandag is much closer to Cagwait White Beach which will take half hour of travel compare to my origin place Butuan City which has almost three hours.

I have been dreaming Cagwait White Beach known as Boracay of Caraga. In my first post I was just a passerby witnessing a billboard for Kaliguan Festival for a quick moment of time then gone, then go back to my birthplace Butuan City, the center of Caraga Region.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

The windy morning greeted me as I move out from the door looking some chair at the center of the cafeteria I live. The morning was just quiet and no one else in sight making a move, not anything from the lighted streets leveled before my eyes.

Looking passed the street constructed in a mountain top while I am sitting at the rooftop of a three-story building. A unique parallel position between me and the street is enough like a closer world in the outside.

Sitting the chair in a quiet and still atmosphere, giving me some cool reminiscent after doing my job yesterday from those professional head teachers who want to learn more of computer programs. Some of them find it hard to communicate since they are getting old and hate the technical word of computer language. They spar the mouse in their hand like holding tight causing tired muscles clicking left and pressing hard. And maybe hearing the word mouse is not a joke because they believe it is a pest running in the corner of the house or ruining the crops in the backyards.

The cold wind started drifting my skin layer as I opened the glass in a table top to get a sachet of coffee. If someone witness something strange going at the top then it might kill me since a thief mission started before dawn. But they believe visitor started pulling up everything for his own mission.

Zipping a cup of coffee to fight against the cold wind is just a moment to get energize early morning before moving to bus terminal en route to Cagwait White Beach.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

Bus Terminal to Cagwait White Beach

Leaving the building I find my way of hundred stairs in climbing up to the street of Tandag. Walking through a terminal bus in a near distance never mind the dawn started to emerge in a cool and quiet morning. Meeting few structures along the streets with few people moving till up myself in terminal. Seems Tandag was just a baby hungry for development as the state of city hood begin for years.

Sitting in a rural bus was just typical setting where few passengers coming from different locations in going to some rural areas of the province. I notice young man carrying 30 brand new laptops sealed in package to be distributed in remote areas the farthest from Tandag with no fear of apprehension from would-be robbers along the way when sky still dark. When asked where to deliver he answered to Tagbina.

Deal business in a far-flung town that is surpassing seven more towns I guess before reaching Tagbina. Business is part of struggle from day to day when strangers coming in and out in the bus. He talks anyone he meet in the bus and telling them could be the cheapest laptops you can acquire if you have me but keeping an eye to his valuable assets.

This young man is set to become an entrepreneur for life if anything goes alright in his travel for the rest of his life.

Technology has gone so far that started in the Western World, and now the demands of thirty laptops went through in no time in the remote rural town of the province. Peoples seems addicted to the technology and they can acquire easily through cash on delivery or installment process.

The price of laptops nowadays goes in a downward trend since oversupply and competitive market becomes apparent, added measure was the invasion of mobile computing world like the rise of smartphones and tablets.

This young man promised everyone of having the advantage, and business became his recipe in life. I almost forgot where I have to go then someone shouting for Cagwait, till that moment I consumed 30 minutes or more, when I move out from the bus I am already in the center town of Cagwait.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

Embracing Boracay Of Caraga

Along the highway, there was an adjacent road in going to Cagwait White Beach Resort and you have to wait for single motor called ‘habal habal’ in local community to carry you to the beach. Since still 6 in the morning, wrap up myself alone do the walking for hundreds of meters till I drop in a distance and my forehead badly sweating.

I think I have a bad estimate when someone told me you can reach Cagwait White Beach Resort by walking. I guess it was just kilometers away.

Single motor or ‘habal-habal’ at last came to the rescue and drop me at the entrance of Cagwait White Beach. Of course, seeing a vast land of white sands was an exciting tone and lifting the spirit for those first timers wants to make historic visit in the ‘Unseen Paradise’. The white line curving in a distance paints a warm impression. Sunrise began spreading its rays that merge in the ocean and sands putting glowing effects in Mother Nature.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

Skies were clear and the weather was perfect for just visitor and incoming visitors of the day. Exploring the scene of natures it is captivating to say what others telling when witness a horseshoe shape paradise resort facing the Pacific Ocean with clear blue water mixed of blinking crystal when rays started to elope with water that bounces the large waves in the shorelines.

High tide started to diminish as large waves contains the white sand beach like sometimes an angry mob in a friendly gestures. The sounds of the bouncing waves sometimes like a bomb, but if someone asked me how it did to my ears they are sweet like a gong of music spreading healthy tone inside the auditory nerve. They played like magic as the bluish clear water mixed in fine white sand leveled each other fighting in the shoreline.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

I walked a straight line tried to investigate how Cagwait White Beach became famous in the minds of the local. I have not seen anyone in the beachline except on the base of the curve in the far where three peoples never end their revelry embracing the white sand beach for life. In this moment I owned the beach alone drifting in a quiet pristine paradise.

This place became Boracay of Caraga but in an opposite rivalry since Boracay already a populous shorelines bumping each other shoulders either foreign or local tourists along the way. But here in Cagwait White Beach is like walking in a no man’s land, at least I met two fishermen along the way busy untangling the net with their few catches.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

It seems walking alone with my bare feet as I used to be, touching in the wilderness the cotton like sands which formed my feet across for miles. I have never felt exhausted and drained. Energy is continuing and soul is alive when heart engaging the distance of the sands. When looking back of what I accomplished I can’t believe of what I have done. Those falling sweats in the skin started influencing the healthy lifestyle in the sea.

At the end portion of the beach find my way of small rocks littered the sea. Sitting in one of the rocks find a resting place while looking back the baseline of the horseshoe shape paradise which becoming far away in the naked eyes. The white lines draw back the coastlines witnessing one end to the other end.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

The waves of the sea started splashing my feet, my mind striking back how many miles it takes in reaching the opposite end of the white curve. The paradise is too long to explore and losing the time embracing the whole beach.

I was impressed when mountains and coconut trees forming alliance of Mother Natures behind a pristine white beaches. But if you know how mountains behave when it has its own threatening formations like when giant crocodile submerge in the sea waiting for a victim in a moments of fun and adventures. In a tropical place like Caraga, mountains and landscapes forming like wild animals added attraction before the eyes.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

Digging More of Cagwait White Beach

Cagwait White Beach Resort became known before as Waikiki Beach in the Philippines when famous American pilot Charles Lindbergh witness the horseshoe formation while on plane likened in his hometown resort in Hawaii islands.

The discovery was just an accident when the purpose of coming in Caraga Region is for the wildlife campaign when the land in Cagwait mountainous area under concessions of logging industry turns out a sanctuary of Philippine eagles. Since then history became the tagline when Cagwait White Beach having a twin resort located in Hawaii Islands.

Peoples from different location of Caraga and Philippines started flocking to witness the celebrations of Kaliguan Festivals every June 24th of the year. Tribal dance takes pride wearing colourful ethnic dress in the middle of the celebrations with the beauties entrance vying for Perlas ng Kaliguan.

Kaliguan Festival started in 1996 that brought the tagline of Cagwait White Beach as the ‘Unseen Paradise’ but not anymore as far as neighboring towns of Surigao del Sur and the entire Caraga Region. In addition of road project completion from Butuan City in going to Tandag City, Cagwait White Beach pose a perfect conditions when escape from urban life.

cagwait white beach, cagwait, surigao del sur

Believing what you have seen the wonder of natures what to do is capture the sights and sounds that is lacking before the young years of life.

Hinatuan Enchanted River – magical Caraga Destination

photos and words by Guest Blogger Mary Grace Monton on May 22nd, 2011

Out of a busy life, pampering oneself is a luxurious choice. My option? Nature trekking.

Together with my school pals we headed off to Hinatuan Enchanted River at Talisay, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. We departed Butuan City at exactly 4 : 00 o’clock in the morning making sure to witness sunrise on our way.

We rented van services to maximize our savings but we have travel companies for bus routes operators in going to Hinatuan Enchanted River. Unless if you are a celebrity and famous you can have your own suv or a limousine bus for maximum comfort.

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

The trek amazed us of the picturesque view of green bushes, towering trees and wide rice paddies along the way. Adding to our excitement is the smell of the morning breeze. This is how we engrossed Caraga Destination in meeting natures along the way.

It took us three hours to reach the place that started from Butuan City. But never mind we enjoyed it anyway.

Welcoming you to Hinatuan Enchanted River as I make my entrance with this famed marker for visitors to pose for a moment.
hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

My way down to the most awaited scene while taking my hotshot for a while.
hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

This is what makes enchanted! The river is deep blue like an ocean. This is where the mouth of the river comes out and the source of water. The birth of the river started naturally the flow of water from the mountains. But here it is not. Water comes out in a magical way below the earth surface. And it’s amazingly deep.
hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

Hinatuan Enchanted River turned out to be far beyond our expectations. Wow! The site is such enchanting. The blue water with fishes of different colors is truly a gift of nature. The jade-blue water is so inviting that one could wade off to water instinctly. Thank God for the life vest for rent in the area for only P10.00/hour.

We had our picture galore to the max posing at all angles with our best smiles. Say, cheese…!

I totally forgot my city life for I was so engrossed with the place seeing the divers as they splash in to the water with cheers from the people around them. Echoes of laughter are everywhere. I went up and down the stairs to get the best view of the place. There were also boats for rent so people could better explore the Hinatuan Enchanted River.

People gathered in tents savoring their food sold around. Some enjoyed eating their ‘baon’. Everyone is mesmerized by the place as shown in their happy faces.

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

hinatuan enchanted river, hinatuan, surigao del sur

Time flew so fast that we have to go back home at 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon. It felt nostalgic to bid goodbye to Hinatuan Enchanted River that in many ways delighted our hearts of its true beauty. A truly gift of nature… A gift from God Almighty.

Wait! Memory full displayed on my cam. Never mind we brought home wonderful memories saved not only in our minds but in our hearts as well.

Britania Islands of Surigao del Sur

photos and words by Guest Blogger Clark Jayoma on March 17th, 2011

This is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been in our province. I admit I love to go places but asked myself also why go to far places when in fact we have such nice destinations close to our city like the now known Britania Islands located in the province of Surigao del Sur. It is a three-hour ride from my beloved hometown Butuan City. Of course, this will makes Caraga Region famous when precious white coral islands discovered facing the Pacific Ocean.

And when I saw the place for the first time, I can’t believe that we have a very, very awesome spot! These pictures simply show how amazing the place is. It is really breath-taking to see those small islands with white sands, because we did island hopping, and witnessed one island to another. The clear blue water was so tempting for anyone would like to go swimming and snorkelling. I could smell the sea breeze and hear the slashing waves hitting the shoreline while walking different islands. This makes Caraga Travel so full of fun and excitement.

Siargao Related: awesome Coral White Island that you should not skip in summer

britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

Britania Islands Clusters Of 25 Islands And Islets

Britania Islands was composed of unspoiled 25 white coral islands and islets of sugary white sand and clusters of limestones hills. It will lured me and my friends as we take our journey using rented pump boat seeing different islands, mangroves, and rock formations. You can also do bird watching and caving if you wish because you can do a lot of things here enjoying yourself with nature.

britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

I’m not into caving but this one…romantic place for lovers and would-be lovers.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur
One majestic shot of one coral island.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

White sands were luscious white and powdery. It seems a real threat to Boracay.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

On our way to different coral islands.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

Two rock islands started pressing against me. But the scene turns out beautiful.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

Throwing myself live and energetic against rocks and white sands.
britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

I feel so lucky that once in my life I witnessed the beauty of God’s creation that I have never been. So rewarding because in the prime of my life I was able see the beauty of nature with the help of my friends of course. It is really a cool, serene place with such a nice view. Every island is unique. There is even a white island with nothing on it but white crystal like sand. And it is really amazing to be there realizing that it’s only a few hours from our city.

We bought fresh fishes and the local residents from there cooked for our lunch. We rented pump boats because it is the mode of transportation going from one island to another. By the way, I spent less than a thousand Philippine pesos for this wonderful, priceless experience.

We were planning to come back there soon.

See you Britania Islands!

britania islands, san agustin, surigao del sur

Cagwait White Beach Resort – boracay of caraga

cagwait pictureCagwait White Beach Resort also known before as “Waikiki Beach” of the Philippines as called by famous pilot Charles Lindberg, located in the town of Cagwait, province of Surigao del Sur.

In modern times, this beach, was credited as “Boracay of Caraga” where the annual “Kaliguan Festival” was held in every 24th of June.

When you takes a visit there, your first impression was the scenic horseshoe shape coastline with powdery white sand and crystal clear bright water facing the pacific ocean. And you, will really appreciate its beach pristine beauty. This could be, in the future, another hot spot destination in Caraga for local and international tourists.

It is a 4-hour ride by a bus from Butuan City to Cagwait, Surigao del Sur (Butuan City is the entry point of all destinations in my blog).

Ready to go!!!

pix from bobby timonera