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What Makes Siargao Adventurous, Without The Surf Board?

January 4, 2011 2 Comments

photos and words by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on January 4th, 2011

A surfer’s dream destination, famous as the world’s great frontiers for surf exploration, visiting Siargao is a whole new experience for so many local and foreign tourists.

Some 5 years ago, only a few resorts mostly owned by foreigners who married locals and dwellings can be seen.

Now, resorts are sprouting everywhere to accommodate the increasing tourists, alongside with this comes with the also steadily increasing of inhabitants around the area.

What were truly worth coming back to Siargao are the beautiful white sand beaches with tempting crystal clear waters and Siargao Island prides itself with friendly people.

Siargao offers solace and tranquility perfect for those who want to escape the hassle and busy life from the metropolis.

Siargao Related: see launching the 1st Cloud 9 Night Surfing

Going to Siargao may take several hours but setting foot to the so called gem of Mindanao, everything is worthwhile.

From Manila it will take 1 and a half hour flight to reach Butuan City and three hours bus ride to Surigao City.

From Surigao City, one can choose between taking the two-hour fast craft ride to Dapa (Siargao’s main port) or by 4 hour ferry travel (RORO) from the port of Lipata to Dapa.

Once in Dapa, you’ll have a 45-minute tricycle ride to reach Siargao, General Luna for only 30 pesos per person during off season.

Surfing competition usually held in September, having a vacation during off season would be very enjoyable because there’s still plenty to do like island hopping, diving, kayaking, biking and sun bathing.

Siargao Related: see different spectacular surfing sites

It is best to experience the “three-island boat tour,” for those who prefer swimming and leisure walk by the beach.

Our first stop is the farthest island called “Naked Island” because it is a dome of sand in the middle of the lagoon, it has no vegetation, no coconut trees, no inhabitants, and one can walk around the island with so many washed up shells of different shapes and types. The local name of this sandbar is Pansukian.

Next stop would be a 15 minute boat ride towards “Daku Island”, in Visayan dialect it means ‘big’, it is ideal for picnic with fresh buko juice on the side for only 15 pesos from the locals. In December, the island is not recommended for swimming because of its big waves and deep waters. It still has a powdery-white sand and teeming with coconut trees that provides good shades.

Perfect for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling is the beautiful “Guyam Islet” a typical uninhabited tropical island with white sandy beach and coconut trees around it. Locals also called the isle: “chill and grill”. The Guyam Island is just across the General Luna beach, that offers a vantage view of Siargao and it can be reached by pumpboat in less than 10 minutes.

Luckily, one will truly enjoy a sumptuous dinner of fresh fish from local fishermen at a very cheap price. One has to wait for them near the shore adjacent to the local market.

I was told, aside from surfing, deep-sea fishing is gaining popularity amongst tourists where one can get a chance to join local fisherman for a day fishing adventure and catch bill fish, barilis (yellow fin tuna), tanguigue (Spanish mackerel) and morang (dolphin fish).

The fresh catch brought by fishermen which is in abundance all year round are the bolis (skipjack) and blue marlin.

Travel time will take you long to reach Siargao, but with its natural beauty and enticing white sand beaches, it’s worth the experience.

Indeed, Siargao, General Luna in Surigao del Norte now publicized as an alternative tourist destination to the world famous Boracay Island.

Caraga Review More On SEO

October 28, 2010 Leave a Comment

For almost four years of blogging, this site amazed me of increasing traffic that started from scratch. Caraga started as a blogspot, a free publishing tool owned by Google. A year later, I purchase domain name from Godaddy. The site still hosted free by Google using the simple and in-demand Blogger platform.

The site focused on beautiful Caraga destinations or Caraga tourist spots. I am calling the site as Caraga Rising Paradise because people keep asking about the place. The name somewhat unknown to them. But when they scan the pages of the site, some are saying they want to jump right away.

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A place is climbing towards the famed spot, still climbing. A beautiful place started to rise because of tourism. But there is just one concern that I want to shout against it, and that is mining. Topping the news that Caraga is now mining capital in Asia because of its rich in mineral resources, I’m afraid that my dream will break into pieces as mining will lash back tourism. At the end, Caraga rising paradise will turn into nightmare.

I hope not.

Anyway, I have to leave everything of what will happen in the next decade. But now, I am enjoying steadily the increasing traffics coming to my site. As of this moment, I have an average fifty unique visitors per day. Seventy percent of my visitors were come from organic search engine while twenty percent from direct traffics, and ten percent from referring sites. Well, that was a great accomplishment for Caraga.

Google The Net For Traffics

I have been an Entrecard lover. But one year making debut and never stop blog hopping I put in my mind how to put this thing out in my hand and discontinue clicking the button. Although Entrecard increases my traffic in Alexa Rank but progressively slowly down when you became inactive. I believe it was just giving you temporary traffic but helps a lot for those who are not dying in clicking the button. But believe me the button still exists for anyone would like to advertise. Entrecard lovers are welcome.

I have been actively involve to different bloggers group and added my site to them particularly Mybloglog and Blogcatalog but it seems traffics are expected low. But in the first place when you are new to blogging you have to take advantage and registered your site to them. You will not regret in putting these sites in your bucket list. You will be connected to different owners of blogsites.

I registered my site to different forums from Caraga to Internationally known blogger forums. I have been actively commenting blogsites too. Although commenting can makes some drastic changes to traffic in your site but turns out to be seasonal. This makes me a freak human being in the making. Traffics showing in the blogs are the most exciting moments for bloggers. Blogs are alive and competing in the highway.

How I Love SEO

In the world of blogging, you must be consistent in publishing articles in your blog site. More articles mean more traffics coming to your site. In the year 2010, there are months as you can see it in my Blog Archive, no posting of articles at all, and for the months I have posted, I have done it only once in a month. I became a lazy blogger. What makes this site amazing was the less posting of articles but in effect traffics are increasing.

A lot of bloggers have posted articles thrice a week to increase traffic in their site. And if you are a dedicated and persistent bloggers you can post an article once in a day, and you became an exceptional bloggers at the end.

Because bloggers believed that Content is King.

In my case, there is just one important factor that makes me a lazy blogger and that is discovering SEO. You have to understand that keywords are important in your site. Right keywords are the magic words streaming in your articles. The most awesome activity is when traffics coming in by just sleeping around the corner or go to bed at night. The next day when you open your stats traffics are flowing in. This is the juiciest part in SEO, and I became a fan and like SEO forever.

No effort on the part of the publisher or website owners. You just imagine that peoples around the globe discovered Caraga in one, two or three words in their minds with just a click of their mouse.

Visitors from organic search are fruitful peoples and real ones. The value of their presence in your site affects your site credibility and ranking. This is why the reason why I fight for SEO in Caraga. In other aspect, I continue being a lazy blogger for not posting articles frequently as needed. If I have done this as an excellent bloggers like others have done, then this site moves in the ranking with flying colors.

Rich Keywords Are Goldmine

Another juicy part in SEO is pitting the right keyword the presence of Google Ads in your site. Using the keywords will match the presence of Google Ads in your site. Peoples searching for topics are endless. When your site was lucky for a visit as someone reach the topics, the end of the visit was probably the exit link of Google Ads due to matching topics or keywords. This in turn will put your site in money making online.

Rich keywords will put your site in a mountain of gold. Yes, rich keywords are money. Google Ads will paste your site the most precious and money-valued ads. I will not anymore explain how it will be done because Google has the right things to do. Anyway, I hate putting this site into money making online machine as promised. But if the demands pour, why not grab the opportunity? I have to break the promise.

This is what makes blogging inspiring.

Amontay Beach Resort – caraga has almost paradise

July 13, 2010 58 Comments

Travel in a place that is located at the tip of the world and feel the sights and sounds of nature. That was the theme when you are in unique places you have never been. Feel the smashing of the waves and the wind blows embrace your body while tripping the horizon beyond your eyes can see. Amontay Beach Resort found in the town of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte has the impact in which Caraga has discovered – they called this place almost paradise.

Almost paradise is not just a phrase of beauty. But the thing is just closer to the world when Adam and Eve became the first couple to live in the planet. Sound quiet and peace within closer to the art of God. I believe when you live in a paradise the healing process is part of it. Get out from the stress of life and move forward to a place that will gave us strength and happiness.

First Class Amenities

At the entrance, the resort has hotel-like amenities one-storey bungalow type stretching across the distance. On the other side, another facilities sprouting as it expands opposite the shoreline. When years go by, management growth of the resort will predicts drawing international tourists, and will be having fierce competitions with its neighbour – the Duka Bay Resort.

I thought the beach was just scenery I have always seen from different beaches in Caraga but it has a beauty of its own way. Those Bali-inspired cottages piled up in one straight lane were made of indigenous materials wide enough to fall yourself in a slumber of sleep. Or take a glance in a horizon when sky and deep blue sea meet in a distance. Chat your friend while sitting the chairs and see the shoreline as the sun began to set down. There were lots of Talisay trees in the background to shade us from scorching heat of the sun even though summer started to bid goodbye.

Sprawling Paradise

Amontay Beach Resort was part of the Butuan Bay in which the bay expanding from the tip of Carmen town of Agusan del Norte up to the western part of Surigao del Norte. The coastal areas along the bay have many unique places to discover. And this specific area has been an exciting place to travel when coming in from a busy city life. In the near distance from the beach while moving forward walking the shoreline I smell paradise – not anymore almost paradise.

When low tide started to come in my adventure to Amontay started in crossing a small river. Exploring the other side of the beach that was unfamiliar, like exploring the other side of the world with your senses. In front as I draw nearer were green mountains. Down the mountains were different rocks formation unfolds across the shoreline stretching for miles. Walking in a strange place but this turns out an exciting place for soul searching activities. You can make your resting place under the shade of the coconut trees while snatching the natures surrounds you.

In having a trip for almost a miles, you can see trees growing up in the salt seas. You have marvelled how these trees survive when its roots and trunks submerge for years. They have grown like mature trees in the upland. Chirping birds make their resting place. I believe these trees can make shelter for fishes below against from too much sun’s heat.

Endless Shoreline

Another mile in the distance, another rock formations, and trees under water with foot in the mountain side by side with the shorelines, never ending blue horizon with clouds formation, smashing of the waves, and calm sea breeze are all yours like a never ending journey in a place called Amontay Beach Resort.

I journeyed like in a no man’s land. The place was so quiet, and even you can meditate immediately. This is how natures make the healing process. You have found yourself envelope by natures and natures renewed yourself like a mighty one.

At Sunset In The Beach

Witness how the sun started to fade in the distance as it sheltered in the mountains. The endless fun begins because another world started to unfold and that is the mellow dramatic background of the sun. The sun rays mirrored in the ocean and embraced the ground like a sweet eternity for lovers. How romantic for them to grab this opportunity. Not just for lovers but for a poet who humbly express his feelings, friends talking each other for business or personal matter, or just simply lure you for an exciting world of sunsets.

You can reach Amontay Beach Resort for 1 hour from Butuan City by bus.

Backpacking Caraga – tips and techniques

April 27, 2010 14 Comments

Backpacking is a great way to enjoy nature up close and is a very affordable way to engage physical activities and see unique places. We all know that the word backpacking of course comes from its root word backpack. When you are out in the wild and are going for an adventure it is always a good feeling when you know that you have the new backpacking gear attach to your body. It is crucial for having an ultra lightweight backpacking as much as possible because you are taking the course of different places you have not seen.

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Backpacking in Caraga is such a wonderful experience that I would urge all you backpackers out there to visit and do a bit of traveling in a motherly nature of Caraga. Backpacking Caraga: destinations that should be on your next itinerary.

Backpacking Tools

In modern times, the trend of hiking and trekking is increasing. Nothing can ruin a hiking, camping, or backpacking trip as being unprepared. So the next time you take a backpacking trip, make sure you have these ten essentials:

1. Map – assists one in not getting lost in the ground.
2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS receiver) – the same idea of no.1 essentials.
3. Sunglasses and sunscreen – prevent any probable eye injury inflicted by sun light, tree branches and flying debris.
4. Extra food and water – prevent or cure hypothermia and dehydration.
5. Extra clothes – protect from hypothermia and the elements, including thorns, insects, sun, wind, and often cold.
6. Headlamp (outdoor)/ flashlight – protect from physical injury when traveling in the dark.
7. First aid kit – commonly contains items to treat cuts, abrasions, punctures and burns.
8. Fire starter – to light a campfire is helpful for preventing hypothermia and to signal for aid. In a disaster, a fire increases one’s psychological will to survive.
9. Matches – the same idea of no. 8 essentials.
10. Knife – useful for opening kits, building shelter, shaving wood for tinder, eating, ground surgery (after sterilization), cutting rope and clothing, etc.

Other Paraphernalia

Additional thing is to have a whistle signaling for any danger that might come in your way. As I mentioned before when having a backpacking trip, it is important to have an ultra lightweight backpacking in which the backpack itself speaks the weight. Like getting in a rogue mountain of splendid Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is very easy. It will carry you in an endless way like your best friend attaching each other.

If you have been using a traditional backpacking tent, it is a smart idea to verify up on a tarp that can serve as a suitable shelter. Then pick a backpacking tent to handle the worst conditions you are probably to face with. A couple of tents offer also an amazing weight saving design. This is notably important aspect in getting shelter to the unknown exciting place like trekking in Mt. Hilonghilong of Agusan del Norte and the majestic Mt. Mayapay of Butuan City.

How about replacing those heavy, hot hiking boots and walk in comfort on your next backpacking trip? Yes, you can. With sixteen pounds on your back, and running shoes in preference to hiking boots, you are backpacking farther, higher, and more enjoyable.

Backpacking could be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend with your friends and family.

Butuan City – Kahimunan Festival, a Success Despite Heavy Downpour

January 20, 2010 8 Comments

written by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on January 20th, 2010

Heavy rains blanketed Caraga Region since January 10 until the day Butuanons celebrated Kahimunan Festival on January 17, nevertheless JC Aquino Avenue was full of spectators lining up sides along JC Aquino Avenue to witness the street dancing parade.

Spectators lined along the street wet and unmindful of the cold to watch and took some pictures every time contingents from Agusan National High School, Libertad National High School, Caraga State University (NORMISIST) Cabadbaran, Libertad Women’s Organization and Butuan City Hall passes by.

The Kahimunan Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January in celebration of Barangay Libertad fiesta with its patron Señor Sto.Niño – the counterpart of Sinulog Festival in Cebu City.

Kahimunan is a Lumad term which means “gathering”. One of the most prestigious gatherings in Caraga and Butuan City.

The main theme of the ceremonies in the Kahimunan Festival is a combination of the pre-colonial culture and its affiliation with Christianity that reflects Butuan colourful past.

During the street parade participants’ line up the streets to present exotic dances and ceremonies where dancers are all dressed up in colourful costumes as they dance to an indigenous music.

Theatrical performances of ceremonies and dances are highlighted as they decorate the streets with their exotic costumes and native ornaments such as baskets, native wide brim of hats and other accessories.

The City Sports Complex in Libertad was likewise jam packed with people, devotees, local and foreign spectators to witness each contingents dance performance.

Agusan National High School was adjudged this years’ Champion receiving 200 thousand pesos cash prize.

Declared 2nd winner is Butuan City Hall contingents with 150 thousand pesos cash prize while Caraga State University (formerly NORMISIST) in Cabadbaran won 3rd prize with 120 thousand pesos cash prize.

Contingents from Libertad National High School and Libertad Women’s Organization were also accorded 10,000 pesos as consolation prize.

The city government supported Kahimunan Festival in its effort to boost tourist potentials of Butuan City.

photos courtesy from Jocelyn E. Morano