Siargao (December 2018)
All the rave about Siargao this year has made us very excited to see this island. This would be my family's first vacation in nearly two years! We bought our tickets via PAL and decided to visit Siargao in December. It was really apt since my parents were about to retire and we would start on another entrepreneurial venture. This was a great way to end our 2018. :)
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| Sohoton Cove |
Anyway, this will be a long post since we stayed on the island for three nights. So, please bear with me. :)
Day 1:
It was an early start for us. The plane left Manila around 5:00AM and landed in Cebu about an hour later. It wasn't ideal to go to Cebu City from the airport as the locals said the traffic would be bad. Cebu City traffic is like Manila traffic now. That was a let down. With nothing to do in the airport, we ended up going to some Korean Spa a few minutes away from the airport. It was very relaxing as we didn't get any sleep at all. We must have dozed off for a good 30 minutes or an hour. After waking up from a relaxing massage, we were famished. So we bought lechon from Rico's Lechon which was a short walk from the spa.
The restaurant was not open since it was only 9am. We decided to go back to the airport to eat brunch instead. At least when we were at the airport we didn't need to fuss over if we would be late for our flight. There was really nothing to do at the airport but to eat or nap a little or walk around a little bit. Thankfully, our flight to Del Carmen (Siargao) was on time.
11:30AM we were on the plane but due to air traffic we left after 15 or 20 minutes. We landed on time 12:30PM. Baggage claiming was a breeze. We met our driver Roger/Sardo outside. He was recommended to us by Villa Solaria (resort we would be spending our three nights). It was a smooth van ride of about 45 minutes. It was P300 per person. Expensive? Yeah, so when we arrived we haggled with him and he gave us a discount if we would be getting him as our ride back to the airport on our last day. P250 per person for the airport transfer. Not bad. Little did we know that everything on the island was expensive. :(
After checking in and putting down our bags we were still hungry. Tricycle drivers recommended Mama's Grill since we were looking for good old fashioned probinsiya food.
Very late lunch or early dinner was a little over P1000 (including senior citizen discount). I know right? Yeah, expensive. We had three fruit shakes which was P90 each. The squid, the itty bitty tiny one was a good P250 and the fish was P300. For the price it was really a rip off. I recommend you guys order the chicken barbeque or the pork barbeque instead plus it was affordable instead of ordering sea food.
Dinner was a bust. It was too early to go to sleep since it was around 5-6PM that time. We headed to the famous Cloud 9. Walked around the beach and didn't manage to get to see the sunset. At least now we know where I would be surfing. We didn't walk on the board walk since it was a bit dark plus the entrance was P50 per person. Just being practical not frugal, ok?
So, back to our bungalow room to get some good night's rest for an early start tomorrow's island hopping.
Day 2:
Before going to Siargao, I already contact a tour operator on IG. They were also recommended by the resort. Little did we know that it would be a hassle of two days of tour. Will not be recommending this tour group ever.
We woke up very early about 5AM as they said they would pick us up by 6AM. Due to misunderstanding by the tour operator and their tricycle driver, they managed to pick us up 6:30AM. At least they brought us to the meeting place to have breakfast. Meeting place was at Cavy's Guesthouse by the way. We left past 7AM and arrived 7:30AM at the beach where our boat was waiting for us.
Sure we know that the boat ride would be long like 2 hours or more. We just didn't expect that it would be wavy. A long, wavy, bumpy ride...
Upon arriving at Sohoton Cove, mom threw up. So, yeah, if you don't have the guts to endure this long boat ride you better think twice taking this tour. No need to pay for the registration fees since it was covered by the tour. You just need to sign your name and signature for their record.
First activity was caving. We took a smaller boat to see the underground caves.
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| The way to the Caves, so need to pass one cave to get to the next one |
To enter the first cave, you need to dive and hold your breath about 6 seconds. The guide will drag you underwater to enter the cave. We didn't stay long inside. It was dark and nothing to really see except for the splashing of the waters. Once inside the cave, if you splashed the water it was like the water was glowing because of the bit of sunlight entering the cave. Sorry, no pictures. :(
Next cave was easier to enter. No need to dive. Water was waist deep so you could just walk. But do be careful sine the ground was rocky, sharp rocks and corals.
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| Family pic!!! |
You can climb up inside the cave and go cliff diving, which was also another way out of the cave. Cliff diving seemed scary at first. But, wasn't easy to go back down so cliff diving it is.
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| Cliff diving!!! |
Now that was over, next activity: Jellyfish sighting/viewing
Our boat headed back to the main pier where we registered. This time, we rode a smaller boat that can only take two passengers and one boatman. The ride to the Jellyfish sanctuary was smoother since the boatman was the one paddling our boat. He said that it's not the season to see jellyfishes. Summer was the season. Tourist arrivals can get very hectic.
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| Smaller boat, fits up to 3 persons |
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| Jellyfish Sanctuary |
Only saw about 3 or 4 jellyfishes. It's not scary to touch them as they do not sting. There are different kinds of jellyfishes and more if it was during the summer. That's when they breed and make lots of baby jellyfishes.
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| Be gentle with them :) |
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| This one looks like it got 4 hearts! |
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| Very soft to touch.... |
On our way back we saw some big corals. Water was very clear and hope that it would be maintained the way it is.
It was around 11:30AM when we got back. Lunch was ready. We rested for a little while before eating. The long boat ride really took a toll on us. Our guide said on the way back to visit the three islands will take another two hours. Lord, help us....
Left around 1:00PM to journey to Naked Island, one of the three islands we would be visiting.
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| Rock Formation @ Sohoton Cove/Sanctuary |
It was around 3:30PM I think when we arrived at Naked Island. Yeah, naked, nothing on the island but sand.
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| Someone must have brought their canopy before |
Quick photo ops since nothing to see and get the island hopping over with.
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| Took this by myself...timer and some small bamboo stick |
Next up was Daku (big in Bisaya) Island. We had coconuts. We rested and just took in the sight. Honestly, it was underwhelming. Hate to break it but...Coron and El Nido are by far the best places to visit.
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| At least the waters are clear... |
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| Small island indeed against the backdrop of cloudiness... |
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| You can even see the I love Guyam sign |
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| Coconuts are so abundant... |
The tour joiners we were with recommended Isla De Gigantes instead. Will visit that next time.
A short 20 minute boat ride then we were back in Siargao main island. The tricycle took us back to our resort. Freshened up and then walked to Harana Resort for dinner.
The place was homey, lots of lighting.
Each meal was around P300. Go figure.
This is end of Day 2. Tiring, so tiring....
Day 3.
Morning of Day 3 was just disappointing. The tour operator picked us up just past 6am. Which was not cool. They were not on time. And then they told us to get off the van because of some mix up. Not cool, so this is why we won't be recommending them to anyone at all. We were passed on to another tour operator, En Route. It was a good 20-30 minute of negotiating and fixing the mistake and misunderstanding of our original tour operator. My parents were able to have a dismal breakfast at a nearby carinderia. I just had a sweet pancake for take out. It was sweet like a dose of sugar, a dose not a dash or a pinch of sugar.
After that was over, En Route took us to our first destination of the two part land tour, Magpupungko (nakaupon in Tagalog) Rock Formations. No Comment. The joiners during Day 2 kept saying the Rock Formations were okay. If only they had been honest. Really, pictures on the internet are wow. Another Expectations vs. Reality.
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| Way to Magpupngko Rock Formations |
After being washed by this big wave, a bunch of us got scratches and then left the place after that.
I probably slept on the way to the jump-off point for the Sugba Lagoon. It was still mid-morning but my parents were a bit hungry so we ate brunch. Registered at the tourism office then a good 20 minute boat ride to Sugba Lagoon.
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| Lighting sucks I know...Here's the diving board |
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| Panorama Shot! |
This is my favorite place in all of Siargao, Sugba Lagoon. Water was clear, not rocky at all. Of course it wasn't wavy. Jumped off the famous diving board which one girl said was not bikini friendly. Once you land in the water make sure you still have your top on. Do not forget this advice ladies. Trust me, I know.
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| Make sure after you land in the water you still have your top on! |
Aside from picture taking, snorkeling, pretty much kayaking or paddle boarding are just the activities you can do in Sugba Lagoon. Thankfully, it wasn't raining. Well it was mostly cloudy at least.
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| Standing shot |
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| Kneeling shot |
While paddle boarding, you take in the scenery, the deep waters....basically take in nature. Honestly, Coron and El Nido are still the best places to visit. Seriously, this is an honest opinion.
Back at the jump-off point, another round of lunch then headed back to Gen. Luna (Cloud 9 and the town where our resort was located).
I'm thankful that En Route was able to accommodate us even if we were just passed on to them. They said that this happens of tour operators can't accommodate their guests especially if there are changes in a tour group. Wow, lucky us.
We had dinner again at Harana Resort. Met some cute fatty doggos.
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| Obviously well fed :) |
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| Chubby little pug |
End of Day 3.
Day 4:
This day was better. No more tour groups. Just a day for ourselves. It was an easy 10 minute walk from Villa Solaria to Cloud 9. We were very early as there was no one manning the booth entrance to the boardwalk. So if you're really early, you get free entrance!
More photo ops...
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| Solo shot of me with Mom in the background |
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| Length of the boardwalk |
We had breakfast at Shaka which was what the locals recommended. Expensive fruit bowls/fruit shake mixed fruits in a bowl. P250 per order and no senior discount. Ok...I mean they do have the BIR tax thing on their wall so....errr...
Instagrammable, I know.
The powerbowls were tasty but if you are the sort of person who would want a heavy and complete breakfast then this might not be enough for you.
Short walk back to the surfing area and then had my surfing lessons. Fell down a few times but had some long rides. Surfing lessons and techniques differ in each places. Honestly, the technique taught while I was in Baler was easier.
At least I was able to surf at the world famous Cloud 9. Another advice I could give you folks reading this blog is to have aqua shoes. I wasn't able to read anything from the internet that the floor underneath would be rocky as hell. Not sandy, but rocky. So if you fell down better be careful or you might just scratch your feet against the rocks like I did.
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| This board was not meant for me :( |
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| Sweet lovers |
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| The whole boardwalk |
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| Cloud 9 |
Surfing lessons are P500 per hour and includes the board rental and lessons.
More photo ops by the parents and then headed to Mama's grill. Unfortunately, they open 11:30AM so back to the resort to shower and pack up our stuff. Left the resort again to have lunch at Mama's Grill. This time no more fruit shakes and just had the basic barbeque to keep our cost at P400 for lunch.
The driver picked us up 1:30PM. Little did we know that there would be other people joining us for the airport transfer. Two girls were late but we still came back for them. It was 2:00PM we left Gen. Luna. Our driver was hustling and driving so fast since he was very concerned that we might not make our flight or the check-in time. 30 minutes later we were at the airport. Airport to Gen. Luna can be done in 30 minutes after all.
For Airport Transfers you can contact Roger Lerio at 09124442568.
He charges P250 per way per person. Jusr haggle if ever.
Our plane left earlier than the ETD of 3:50PM since all of the passengers had checked-in already. Arrived in Cebu past 4:00PM. Unfortunately, flight to Manila was delayed because of Manila air traffic. Left Cebu 9:15PM and arrived 10:30PM in Manila.
White taxis at the NAIA are vampires. This guy was charging us P300. No contracting please! Dad threw out some profanities at the driver. Driver then left. Such vampires. So again, walked to the Yellow Taxi terminal. Smooth metered ride. No contracting whatsoever and cheaper!
So yep that's it! End of Siargao vacation!
One thing I could say about Siargao is that the people are very friendly. Stay in Siargao for the people. The place feels right at home. Unfortunately, due to tourism as well, locals are finding it harder to buy affordable food. One ulam or viand is at P80-P90. It's as if food in Manila is cheaper than in Siargao. We've talked to the tour operators and locals while we were in Siargao. Their food supply from meat and fruits come all the way from Surigao City. So yeah, that's also another reason why food is expensive. The boom of the tourism gave the island people their livelihood but also have taken the chance away from them to buy their land. Foreigners are the ones that can afford to buy land. One tricycle driver said that land in Siargao is now pegged at P25,000-P35,000 per square meter.
There are really pros and cons when a place becomes a tourism spot. Talking to the locals gives you another perspective.
This has been Ivy...looking forward to more travels in the future...hope you enjoyed this blog as I enjoyed writing it.
Expenses on the island:
Airfare RT via PAL - P8000+ per person
Airport Van Transfer - P1050 per person
Island Hopping with Sohoton Cove - P1800 per person (includes Breakfast and Lunch)
*Discount of P100 for senior
Land Tour - P1800 per person (includes Lunch Only)
*Discount of P200 for senior
Accommodation - P9000 for three nights
Tricycle rides - P20 per person per way
Surfing Lessons - P500 per person
Food for three people - P3500-P4000
