caraga — Page 11 — Caraga rising paradise

Mabua Pebble Beach – absence of sands; presence of stones

July 11, 2008 15 Comments

Mabua Pebble Beach was found in Mabua, Surigao City in the province of Surigao del Norte. Surigao City known as city of island adventures because of the presence of different islands and islets. But Mabua is not an island. Mabua is found along the coastlines of Surigao City’s mainland proper.

when we were in Mabua, all we have to do is SMILES…

For the first time when I set foot in Mabua Peeble Beach, I thought the place the same as when you were in Siargao and Boracay. But it is not. Sands are prohibited in the beach because natures by the way put the place into a magic circles of stones and not by sands. Wondering where the stones came from and became endemic in a place where beach usually ruled by sands and not by stones. Mabua Peeble Beach is a unique beach in Caraga as well as in the Philippines.

The Best Part And The Healthy Way

We stayed in Mt. Bagarabon Beach where stones piling up from one level to the next level maybe it were formed during the process of high tide and low tide. Sea waves form unique sounds when smashing with pebbles in the shoreline. It was sweet to your ears. The crystal clear blue water was tempting because stones clear the seashore unlike sands. You can climb the highest stone at the right side and take a glance of the world below. Different possibilities are coming in when you are in Mabua. The main thing you are closer to nature.

Looking at the stones were smooth and well-formed with different shapes but mostly oval. I tried to walk in the distance, and these stones were harmless enough when walking with your barefoot. It will give you some feelings of strength afterwards as you take back to the cottages. Intimate reflexes between your feet and the stones have the impact in your body. As we know that our feet has some reflex points that is connected to our internal organs (inviting those reflexologists to come and witness the best Mabua Peeble Beach reflex zones hehehe…). This is the way how we blend ourselves with natures.

Beautiful sunset and islands cross your eyes while relaxing in cottages that are built indigenously in a parallel setting. Horizon were so sweet especially lovers tend to be sweeter each day in this hidden paradise in the eastern part of Caraga. I remember my friend telling me that when it’s already 4:00 in the afternoon, they have to skip any routine activities from their class and jump to Mabua Pebble Beach to catch live – the beautiful sunset. It is one of the best at Mabua. Park yourself at the top of the stone hill, or just go at the mountain top and be a tough adventurer catching up how the sunset began to fade in the horizon. At this moment of our visit though clouds sneaking up the horizon, still you have to hurry-up catching the beautiful scenery of hidden sunset.

I used to take my time at the stone hill. There I refreshed myself for an hour. Taking glance of the world below you – the sea, the curve Mabua beach, peoples, islands and islets, sunset, fresh winds, and mountains…and what else. This is the world I live. Before I retire and going back to Butuan City all what is left is a memory of a hidden paradise that I treasured so much.

You can reach Surigao City for 2 hours from Butuan City by bus.

Holiday Break – pick the best guesthouse

June 26, 2008 1 Comment

Yesterday, I walked the streets in the busiest hour of Butuan City. People started to move after office hours, and prepare themselves to go home. Or else wanted some cool place to pass themselves from the rigorous work of the day, or take a night life with them and forget the bad taste of the day. Peoples coming in and out from the streets, going to stores to buy something, and have some sweet food with them before going back home. Streets filled with lights, the plaza was full of visitors and honeymooners, and of course in front was the best and coolest hotel in the city to feed up your mind like a Holidays in Devon.

Well, visitors coming to the city and find a home for them from the other side of the globe. That is they got the best services and hospitality of the staff, and the best amenities. Hotels are the best retreat when you are far away. You’ll feel comfortable like Devon accommodation. Anything you’ve got was the best, and the least among others.

When my family went to other cities in Caraga, I find myself in a crossroads where to patch my things up and put everything in its place. The best way is to find a guesthouse with cool ambience, and there, make peace with your mind. It feels like home. Drawing to a place that is far away is so uncomfortable. You have to excel yourself in this field, and be the one to know what is best for you and your family. After all, going home with your family is the best gift you have, while savoring the best amenities that equaled the excellence of Devon cottages and guesthouses. This is one of memorable moments in your life when picking the best holidays with your family and love ones.

Siargao Escape – the series continue at Cloud 9

June 25, 2008 2 Comments

You can not ignore the waves, and have a second look when the surfers began to smash in the perfect waves that began to form in the beach of General Luna, where Cloud 9 located. This is one of the best of Siargao!

General Luna not only gifted of being white sanders, beautiful Guyam, Dako, Bikini, La Januza, and Corrigedor Islands, but was a home to professional surfers of the world. Cloud 9 is just one of the surfing sites to make it big and became a hit in the international scene.

Witness different surfers coming from the different parts of the globe gathered in one place, and have some fun in the sea. A contest of who will be the best surfers in the world takes place in the last week of September, dubbed as Siargao International Surfing Competition. Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines.

When I set foot in front of Cloud 9, along the white sand beach of General Luna, of course, it is still a long way to go. You have to take a walk the stairway to heaven before reaching Cloud 9. Of course, heaven is far away…but this time clouds will become your heaven when seeing the waves of Cloud 9. A ticket of your dream in reaching the tip of your soul which is peace and happiness within yourself as you take a look between surfers and the waves, waves and the horizon, islands and white sands, and friendly peoples along the way. These are the way we belong to Caraga.

The Magic of Cloud 9

Reaching the end of the stairs, you can grip yourselves, relax, and see surfers in action. You forgot something in this world before you seeing those waves began to form in giants. Fantastic things began to emerge in one unique setting between surfers and the waves flying and smashing. I remember my friend saying that when you are a starter to this field you have to give time to play with the waves…later you will become addicted to it. Even you’ve got a hard fall and devastated with pain and bruises, you still manage to go and become a surfer. The best part of being a surfer, you enjoy of what you are doing. You have to take your time and pass it on to the world you belong, and forget everything in this world. And done the best of your life.

But for spectator like me, yes, I’m still part of Cloud 9. Even though you are not a surfer but you enjoy seeing them – the waves and the surfers – and me, became the third party which completes the scenery. Showing us the innate beauty of this unique place, all you have to do is look and navigate every angle of the waves, and you can say (wow!) as time passes by. The intimate feelings you’ve got when looking at Cloud 9 is so different. It will make you healthy and powerful person to live with as you go with nature like this. Do not miss single seconds of the day as the show began in its place.

pix from freida of butuanon dot org

You can reach Siargao by MV RORO for 4 hours or by super cat for 2 hours from Surigao City, and from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus.

Red Sea Turtles – how sweet they are!

June 16, 2008 6 Comments

Coming in to the place called Bagacay in Siargao Islands, you can reminiscent how sweet your encounter with all these cute red sea turtles as I watched them live in a marine sanctuary. Taking a look with them remind us how important the relationships between man and natures. They are here to tell us that this is how nature works with them as time goes by. Clean environment and normal living is a harmonious way of creating a wonderful place to live with.

Opening all my senses and peace within your mind and your soul as I journeyed back to where they are. As I sit back and take a look, you will never miss single seconds of the day taking a look as I remind myself of what’s happening when I face them live. The joy in your heart cannot be taken away by anything in this world when you are with them, or something that you will forget and makes peace with yourself.

Experience likes this will never forget, that was your priceless possession in life!

This video became my taste of the day. Find out why is it stress-free…

Siargao Escape – at bagacay making peace with natures!

June 1, 2008 8 Comments

Caraga was a home to a different islets and islands that is untouched and unexploited by local and international tourists. One name I will never forget was the place called Bagacay. Bagacay is a barangay that is found in an island separated from the mainland Dapa, Siargao Island, province of Surigao del Norte.

After reaching Siargao with MV Sweet RORO in the town of Dapa for 4 hours from Surigao City, I proceeded with my friends to Bagacay, a 15 minutes ride using pumpboat. When I first heard the word bagacay I thought boracay which is not. I misheard it, maybe, due to some excitement on my part.

When the pumpboat began to cross the island, you will see corals below with white sands. The way I see it, it would be best for diving and fishing activities. As you get near the island, a lot of mangroves standing on the side in another island. A unique blend of nature that I have not seen before. Reaching Bagacay was a sweet experience for a trying hard traveler like me (hehehe!).

Stepping Into A Residential Paradise

When I jump out from the pumpboat, I am stepping into the place that is surrounded with large body of seawater. You can view different mountain ranges, mangroves on the neighboring island, never ending horizon in the east and in the west. You can feel the fresh winds mixed from seas and mountains embraces your being, and take a long, long breath to rejuvenate your lungs that have grown from the city.

The place located separately from the mainland Bagacay, and isolated like an island –only mangroves on the other side that is linking to the mainland Bagacay. This is the home of Mayor Peter Ruaya. The simplicity of living takes you back to the older times when man and nature blend each other in a simple and harmonious way. I have discovered a paradise that is right into the home of Ruaya’s family. Hopefully, they can transform the area into a resort for local and international tourists in the near future. You cannot only appreciate the location, but the place was a sanctuary of some marine life in the ocean. While you are here, one of the most interesting attractions in Bagacay was hopping from one island to another island, fishing, and diving coral sites. Atmosphere in Bagacay is a very calm and peaceful place to live endowed with a gift that natures possess.

Vicinity And Delicacies

The foundation of this future resort was made of mixed concrete sands and stones from the deep of the sea to the surface – a solid ground against rising sea waves. Family house was standing at the edge facing another island. Outside of the house were lots of big cages that will serve as marine sanctuary to some animals living in the ocean. This will create attraction that can draw so much attention to the visitors coming to the place. In your best time, you can go to the cages, seeing them not only refresh your body, but refreshes your mind as well.

Coming inside the house mostly made of hardwoods. Some furniture were created out of bamboo that I’ve noticed one unique swinging chair on the left side of the house that is best for resting and sleeping. Winds coming in and out the whole day. A quiet place to live with. A healthful way of living, and if God’s well, it will make your life longer.

Foods were already served in the kitchen table. Grilled liplipan and kinilaw (fresh fish) became my food of the day. I have tasted the sweetness of banagan (lobster) that is freshly picked at the bottom of the house. Also became a fan of eating tajom and saang (sea urchins). These could be the healthiest food I’ve ever swallowed. Seafoods were the best delicacies of Bagacay. You will never forget the temptation and mouthwatering sensation of the foods that is rightfully fit into your stomach (hehehe!). The best of the island!

Hospitality

Stepping the residential paradise likes a second home to me. I have never expected the extra warm accommodation that is afforded to us by Mayor Peter, and his beautiful and smiling wife, Madam Yolly. Welcoming us like their own family coming from a distant land – from the time we landed, put us to sleep, until we say goodbye the next day. This reflects the homegrown hospitality of peoples in Bagacay. Hospitality that cannot be compared – a true Filipino value.

Capturing Rare Moments

In this episode of life, Bagacay shows the best part of me. But here comes the location, early morning, when the moon still shining in the west, sunrise began to show in the east. Absolutely, almost meeting each other in one unique panorama. The place turned dramatic and romantic in a clear blue sky. What a show on earth before your eyes!

In this place were so many cages in which different marine life exist. In those cages were my scenes of the day. I’ve spent many hours watching those cute red sea turtles. For the first time I’ve watched them live, and not on TV! Along with them were different colorful fishes, big and small, even Nemo and his friends coming out in the open. Other cages were filled with crabs and big sea clams, and show to us how clams got angry when closing its mouth as it picked outside from the cage. Lobsters were unique and exotic creatures seeing them crawling the net at the bottom of the house. Outside the house, of course, body of seawater where you can see lot’s of different fishes coming, and became visitors too of Ruaya’s family (I hope no sharks here…hehehe!).

Seeing these marine creatures will make your day live and fruitful. You will never miss single seconds of the day when you are in these cages. The joy in your heart cannot be taken away as you sit back and take wild look of these cute and wild creatures from the sea.

I have told you the best in Bagacay. Experiences in life cannot be bought or steal. Simple pleasures will linger forever, and remain part of you memory as the days passed by. Bagacay takes a piece of me, and it will be part of my memory…forever.

Bagacay can be reached from Butuan City to Surigao City for 2 hours by bus, then Surigao City to Siargao for 4 hours by RORO or 2 hours by super cat, then at Dapa port to Bagacay for 15 minutes using pumpboat.