surigao del sur — Page 2 — Caraga rising paradise

Britania Islands of Surigao del Sur

March 17, 2011 225 Comments

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.

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 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.

I’m not into caving but this one…romantic place for lovers and would-be lovers.

One majestic shot of one coral island.

White sands were luscious white and powdery. It seems a real threat to Boracay.

On our way to different coral islands.

Two rock islands started pressing against me. But the scene turns out beautiful.

Throwing myself live and energetic against rocks and white sands.

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!

Bislig City – a city by the bay

July 1, 2009 40 Comments

This is one of my most exciting visit since this is the place where the famous Tinuy-an Falls located. Bislig City is the opposite end of Butuan City that is end to end to each other in Caraga. If you want to look at the map, Bislig City was 158 kilometers away southeast of Butuan City, and is heading at the last part of Caraga in going to the South to Davao Oriental.

Bislig City was located in the province of Surigao del Sur. It is known as – a city by the bay – because most its land mass occupying the scenic bay facing the great Pacific Ocean. Bislig City owns the whole part of the bay. No more, no less. Both Butuan and Bislig have a bay in honor to its name. Bislig City got its name from a forest vine of the rattan family that grew in abundance along the banks of its rivers.

In 1990, the then Bislig town was converted into a city. Other cities that comprise Caraga aside from Bislig are Butuan and Surigao.

A Portal of Virgin Forest

It is just about 5 hours ride from Butuan City. While as we move closer to Bislig City, the rough road has started to bump my seat but there were lots of entry point in order to get through to the city. There you experience big trees along the side of the road as you have never seen before like a trip to a never ending forest. You are heading the road as if you are passing the cradle of giant trees and wild plants but it seems they are just the leftover of boom logging in the 70’s.

If you think of it, Bislig City before the boom of logging industries was part of a cradle of virgin forest, or else a frontal image of a nude forest in the Pacific. This is where the defunct PICOP Resources discovered the best location of it. PICOP was formerly the largest paper mill in Asia.

PICOP, Mangagoy, or Mangagoy, PICOP

It can not be deny that word PICOP and Mangagoy – are famous name compare to the name Bislig. When you say PICOP refer to Mangagoy, and Mangagoy known where PICOP Resources located. It is just simply both name overshadowed the name Bislig. When I was young I always hear the name Mangagoy and PICOP until then in high school, I have a research on it and discovered that they are all came from Bislig town.

Someone is telling me, to that effect that comparing Mangagoy is like a city and Bislig was just a plain rural area. Later I learned that Mangagoy was just a downtown barangay envelope by not famed Bislig town. PICOP became a household name because most of its inhabitants were connected to PICOP as human resources and the source of livelihood. In short, most bisliganon survives due to PICOP existence.

Tourist Attraction

I have already discovered the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls which is known as “Niagara of Caraga.” It is a 3-layered falls with a height of 55 meters and a width of 95 meters, and possibly the widest falls in the Philippines. When I went there, it will cost 45 minutes to jump from the city proper. It is one of the best waterfalls in the entire Philippines because of its majestic and unique natural formation. Its colorful picture was once appeared in the International Travel Magazine.

Another hotspot is Hagonoy Island is a pearl shape island with clear blue water and white sand suitable for tropical getaway. It is 45 minutes pumpboat ride within the Bislig Bay.

The Lawigan Beach which faces and considers a part of the Pacific Ocean is a host of white sand beaches in the coastal area with fresh ocean breeze and sun bathing.

The enchanted underground river of the Hinayagan Cave. Famous for its unique features and has an atrium at the center reflecting sun rays. Experience a thrill while riding a banca or bamboo raft with bats hovering over your head.

The Togonan Cold Spring which is a 30-minute ride a far from the city proper.

Forester Park where amazing rock formation carved by nature through time which includes century old trees amidst mahogany tree plantation.

Bislig also hosts an annual festival called “The Karawasan Festival” during the charter day of the city which features an inter-school ethnic dance competition. Karawasan came from a local dialect which means “movement of the crabs”.

Never-ending Nature Parks and Resorts

• Ocean View Park – found at Gangas Drive 300 step up in a forest. You can see the panoramic view of Bislig Bay, Pacific Ocean, and Bislig City Skyline
• Baywalk Boulevard
• Mone River – offers a boat ride tour and witness the tropical getaways
• Florland Resort
• Restiseta Farm Resort
• Villa Salud Resort
• Villa Maximilla Resort
• Sian Resort
• Highland Function Farm

some photos and info from bislig city government website, other pics from bislig tambayan, and friendster from bislig karawasan photo

You can reach Bislig City for 5 hours from Butuan City by bus.

Traveling Around Caraga – a damn fine thing to happen

May 13, 2009 5 Comments

When you go to the most exciting adventures into your life just prepare with you and your luggage, of course, I will never forget the trip that almost ended my life in Caraga (not for sure it will happen) – a small islet in Marihatag, a town in a province of Surigao del Sur. Going into unknown place that you have never been before is as just exciting and enjoying but taking a lot of risk. Just exciting when you have bought the hartmann luggage, and feel free about it, and even the best of briggs and riley luggage. Taking a lot of risk became your memorable moments that you will never forget for the entire days of your life.

Early morning, when we taking in with our pump boat, only 10 people can fill the boat for sailing, to monitor the mangroves nearby the coastal area facing the great Pacific Ocean. As we move forward, the fresh air from the ocean so much there to toughen your breathe. It is just like replacing your old lungs from the new ones. This is just the rare moments savoring the fresh air as the healthiest gestures you have against the atmosphere from the city where you live. Like the fresh scent of a tumi luggage underway.

The shallow water turned into emerald as we go forward. I noticed it was coral infested area mixed with white sand that makes it as the underground water haven. Since it is April, this place turned out to be a blue marlin season. Unlucky enough, I was not able to witness them swimming above the seawater.

A White Line Shoreline

The shoreline was neat white line. Yes, as we reached it was full white sand. Mangroves line up penetrating inside the shoreline as we walked forward to the area. Mangroves were natural born citizens here as it parts of the ecosystem. By the way, you can not ignore the fact that mangroves and marine life entwined as one environment. The same way I see it in other place of Caraga where you can see corals, white sands, mangroves, and emerald waters makes it one as parts of the system. This is a perfect place for snorkeling and diving, and explores the world under.

Beyond the shoreline was deep blue water. You can tell to the whole world that this is where Philippine Deep located. It is one of the deepest in the ocean and the whole world. Don’t forget in this place you are facing the largest ocean – the Pacific Ocean.

The Islet and the Wild Adventures I’ve Got

As we left the shoreline, we spotted a small islet, and one of our comrades telling us to make a turn around to see the beauty of this cute white sander. The adventure has started unanimously.

We started circling the islet slowly, then as we move forward while facing the Pacific Ocean, gigantic waves started to emerge like the size of bungalow house, then bigger and became bigger. I was horrified as I see them coming over. It looks that we can not anymore see the white island. Our pump boat turning into a pea size against the giant waves. We started clearing the water getting inside our boat to prevent us from going down. While my comrades singing alleluia to the Lord, I pray for myself that we are going to the shore safe.

It is just a 30-minute ordeal in the sea against the backdrop of a giant waves coming from the ocean. It is just a good thing for us that we have a good captain in our boat as we spin slowly and slowly, not to go against the waves but instead be carried by the waves to prevent the boat from capsize. Although, we able to circled the island successfully and go back to shore, there was no fun in our face but fear…hehehe.

When I asked the captain about the dangers, he told me that it is a normal thing to happen, and he experienced it many times. This is just a normal toned of an ordinary fisherman who put his life in the sea to make a living. He knows how to play with those giant waves and going to the shore safe. Certainly a certified adventurist in his own niche.

Part of Adventures

You can not make adventures of a lifetime without an ordeal. Instead, you missed the things that happened in your life. You must have to face the hardship before naming yourself an adventurist. At the end, a fruitful thing indeed that you can say to your children a story about your adventures in Caraga.

Tinuy-an Falls – niagara of caraga II

February 28, 2009 37 Comments

It’s been sometime that I’ve been for a while gazing memories back when I conquered this falls a year ago that started from the first lane of layers then climbed at the top of it. The memories are worth nothing but real treasure. Now I’m back to the amazing place which is called Tinuy-an Falls. Possibly, the widest falls in the Philippines.

It’s My Second Post

I remember my first post about Tinuy-an Falls full of wonder how it was discovered when a story came out. When you enter the center of a thick covered virgin forest, falls were nowhere else but when cleared everything magnificent falls started to emerge before your naked eyes. That was the logging boom in the 60s and 70s when the story started. Well a story started easily from the scratch but it turned out to be an added fascination and attraction for curious individuals out there who don’t know about Tinuy-an Falls. For those who do not know the story of Caraga, well it will add color to your curiosity about the land of the brave, and became a frequent visitor here.

I have gone to different falls in Agusan del Norte with its beautiful mountain ranges. Even the dominated flat lands of the historic Butuan and the Shangri-La adventures of Surigao del Sur, I can tell you simply amazing, but you can not resist the beauty of Tinuy-an Falls. It makes me a crazy person, and easily lost all my 2 gigs of digicam for wild shots of different angles.

On The Road To Redemption

It started with a bumpy ride for almost an hour from the heart of Bislig City. I was stuck with my friends in an old jeepney ride that turns out to be over crowded that some of us became a sandwich. The backache, headache, butt ache and some kind of ache turned out to be so vulnerable whenever the vehicle jumps from the rocky and hollow portion of the road. Well, I will tell you its part of adventure to an unknown place beyond.

But when we reached Tinuy-an Falls all of the ache vanished. Tiredness and weariness lost when you saw the scattered glistening white falling like crystal that crushed into the rocks, so big and wide as mountains. The sound of the falls is more than a music, you will never get tired of listening. The place was surrounded with thick green trees that refresh your eyes that were strained too much from the exposure of computer screen. And here, you will forget everything. It makes you a renewed person: body and soul.

I remember Siargao escapade. You can see the beauty of nature between seas and mountains, the escape route was the beaches. But here, it is not, you must be at the center of the forest, and find the magnificent view of nature that captures your eyes so much – the gigantic flow of water from the top of the mountains.

A Three-Layered Falls

You can see the first batch of water that falls from the top of the mountain. The first layer…

The second layer is the most gorgeous because of its highest fall. Wanna know where my friends are….let’s move closer…

Get closer…follow the red marking…

Gotcha!

The third layer is the first you can see after moving out from the vehicle I am in.

To sum up all in all, here’s the whole world of Tinuy-an Falls.

I find it very interesting when Tinuy-an Falls of Caraga turns out to be the Niagara of Caraga. Someday, Tinuy-an Falls will be remembered as Tinuy-an of Niagara. Err, I think, they are both the best of natures.

You can reach Tinuy-an Falls for almost 1 hour from the heart of Bislig City and from Butuan City to Bislig City for 5 hours by bus.

Caraga – a place of never-ending adventures

April 20, 2008 42 Comments

CARAGAcan be traced back to the 15th century when explorers discovered the existence of Kalagans, believed to be of Visayan Origin in one of the three districts in Mindanao. The word Caraga originated from the Visayan word “Kalagan”: “Kalag” meaning soul or people and “An” meaning land. The “Kalagans” have a long history of being brave and fearless. Thus, the region was called by early chroniclers as the “Land of the Brave and Fierce People.”

The “Kalagans”, called “Caragans” by the Spaniards occupied the district composed of the two provinces of Surigao, northern part of Davao Oriental and Eastern Misamis Oriental. The two Agusan Provinces were later organized under the administrative jurisdiction of Surigao and became the independent Agusan province in 1914. In 1960, Surigao was divided as Norte and Sur, and in June 1967, Agusan followed suit. While Butuan then was just a town of Agusan, the logging boom in 1950’s drew business and businessmen to the area. On August 2, 1950. by virtue of Republic Act 523, the City Charter of Butuan was approved.

CARAGA is an Administrative Region of the Philippines, on the northeastern portion of the island of Mindanao. It is the newest region in the Philippines, and is also called Region XIII. The Caraga Region was created through Republic Act Number 7901 on February 25, 1995. The region is composed of five (5) provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and the newly created province, Dinagat Islands (from Surigao del Norte); six (6) cities: Butuan, Surigao and Bislig, and recently, the newly created component cities: Cabadbaran, Bayugan, and Tandag; seventy (70) municipalities and 1,346 barangays. Butuan City is the regional center.It’s haven for tourists and adventurers. The region hosts two of the Philippines’ 10 National Integrated Protected Areas – the Siargao Seascape, and the 100,000-hectare Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary – as well as world class dive, surfing, and sport fishing sites, mountains trekking and biking, white sand beaches, hot and cold springs, caves, rivers, forests, and waterfalls.If you are seeking a challenging experience or simply an escapade from the humdrum of urban life, venture no more… Come and experience adventure one can find south of the Philippines islands that simply lures visitors to frolic in its pristine beauty.