TRAVELS of The Chinita Lakwatsera: 2017

OVER LOOKING MABUA PEBBLE BEACH

SURIGAO CITY,
.....is the capital of Surigao Del Norte is where my husband Hometown, Barangay Zaragoza in the Island of Sibale located in the province of Surigao Del Norte, Caraga Region, Philippines. Is the second northern most of the Mindanao Provinces and the most important transportation hub between Visayas and Mindanao.

HOW TO GET THERE :

.....SURIGAO CITY was hit by an earthquake February 2017 but before that they have a direct flight from Manila to Surigao City. As of now Cebgo (Cebu Pacific) and PAL Express cater Daily flights from Cebu (Mactan International Airport) vice versa. The easiest way to reach Surigao is fly to Cebu City or Butuan City (Bancasi Airport)

or you can board a Ferry from Cebu City going to Surigao City, Monday to Saturday, and Surigao City to Cebu City, Tuesday to Sunday check scheduled to their website for more info. http://www.surigaoislands.com/news-and-updates/item/85-surigao-city-to-cebu-city-boat-schedule.html.

or you can fly to Butuan City (Bancasi Airport) then ride a bus going to Surigao City. Or fly from Cagayan De Oro or Davao City then travel by land boarded a Bus or Van going to Surigao City. Surigao City has many access point if going by boat or by plane or by bus. Connected provinces via Boat from Leyte Samar or if you want some excitement you can travel by land on Bus then Boat from Manila and that's the longest and hardest way to reach Surigao City. But i wouldn't advice you to do this long travel I haven't tried it, if you wanted Sakit ng Katawan or adventure you can try this.

docking site of Lantsa

Zaragosa Rock Formation

ZARAGOSA ROCK FORMATION is one of the local attraction of the island if you see this, these means you are near your destination Barangay Zaragosa in Sibale Island. On reaching the barangay at the docking site of Surigao City ride a pump boat (Lantsa) going to the Island it will takes a quick ride in about 30 mins to 45 mins to reach the barangay. The pump boat leaves once a Day at noon time about 12 noon or rent a boat if you didn't catch the pump boat going to the island but I advice you to be at the dock site on time for the cheapest fare.

WELCOME BARANGAY ZARAGOSA

They say that's Philippines has 7,107 Island and this include the small islet of Sibale Island in Barangay Zaragosa with their very owned powdery white sand and crystal clear water. If your a natures lover as me and you are yearns from the blend of sun, sand, beach and an urban lifestyle of the countryside this is the perfect spot to be lazy and watch the sunset.

THINGS TO DO IN SURIGAO :

BITAOG BEACH

ISLAND HOPPING:

Since we have limited days in Surigao the next day is an Island Hopping Day and spend the rest of our day here in this beautiful paradise of BITAOG BEACH, located in Dinagat Islands municipality of Basilisa Dinagat Islands. An unspoiled and tranquil white beach that is worthy to visit for.

The powdery white sand of Bitaog Beach offers more than just its beautiful shoreline. The crystal clear blue water is perfect for snorkeling or just be lazy on the water and swim. The rock formations and limestone is just like in Palawan. The fined white sand is just like your stepping on the shoreline of Boracay.

We rented a cottage for the price of P800/20pax ...this little laid back beach is a few minutes from Barangay Zaragosa, we brought our own food and do not forget to bring ice since this place is a little islet, expect that there is No electricity in the vicinity of the island.

It was a nice day spending here at Bitaog Beach so at around 3pm we headed back home to rest because the next day is our returned in Surigao City.

POMELO FRUITS

It was a short visit but it was sweet .... a fun time bonding with my hubby's siblings and relatives. The following day is an early wake up call because pump boat leaves at 6:00 am Once a Day trip to the City so we hurriedly packed our bags and headed in the City. We booked our accommodation in Tavern HoTel for an overnight stay and because we still have One Day to Spend in Surigao City. Our next agenda on our bucket list IS?....

MABUA PEBBLE BEACH

....is reachable thirty minutes by land westward from Surigao City center Surigao Del Norte in Barangay Mabua in Ipil. Rent a tricycle in the town proper of Surigao City in our case the wife of my husband nephew has vehicle and willingly offered for us to drove it. Luckly for us hehehe.

The shoreline of this beach is mostly smooth white pebbles a very unique beach that Surigao has ever had. The countless white pebbles is varying from different sizes and shapes covered the entire shoreline of the beach. It was mostly likely formed by strong swashing waves that forced the stone to be driven onshore.

Then if you want to see the entire Surigao City or the Shoreline of Mabua Pebble Beach there is a carved step of the side of the small hill. Climb the step to see the overlooking Mabua Pebbles Beach. Get off at the Mt. Bagarabon Beach Hotel and Mountain Resort and make a way past their Hajahay Suites towards the pebbles shore.

Thanks for reading.....will have a trip to Surigao City and Siargao by next year and i will be happy to share it with you for more updates.

The City of the LIVING GOD, is a coastal city on Palawan Island in the Western Philippines Mimaropa Region IV-B. It's a boat trips through massive limestone caves and underground river of the biodiverse Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Dive sites are dotted around Puerto Princesa Bay, home to long-nosed dolphins, turtles and rays.

A 1 (one) hour and 20 mins air travel from Manila via Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines or Philippines Air Asia. And via Ferry 2Go Travels ferry scheduled is every Tuesday and Friday at 1:30pm Manila and arrived the following day in Puerto Princesa at 9:00 pm. on the way back to Manila from Puerto Princesa is every Wednesday and Saturday 11:59pm arrived the following day Monday and Friday at 7:30 am check their website for more updates of schedule.

This is the continuation of our El Nido Tour .... PUERTO PRINCESA, our 3rd day in Palawan is mostly a half day travelling from El Nido to Puerto Princesa 5 to 6 hours travel by Van.

Upon arrival in Puerto Princesa Airport a Folk Dance is a way of welcoming us, nice!

this is our first day in Puerto Princesa

And so the first thing to do is looked something to eat for late Lunch and find some Exotic Food to try too.......so here we go!.....Puerto Princesa Boulevard. What's in stored for us lets find out (lol)

Sunset after the Rain

It's their Exotic Food and our first time to try out eating their famous Crocodile Sisig in Puerto Princesa Boulevard.... I must say its good! They say that the crocodile meat is originated from Davao.

After having our Dinner which is the Crocodile Sisig we then headed in our Hotel to take a rest for tomorrow activities which included in our El Nido and Puerto Princesa Tour Package.

The following morning at exactly 6:00 am a Van picked up at us to go for our Puerto Princesa Day Tour. Our Itinerary in Puerto Princesa is Underground River and Ugong Rock Adventures.

PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected area of the Philippines about 80 kilometers north of the city centre of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The river is also called Puerto Princesa Underground River.

the Entry point of Underground River

UGONG ROCK ADVENTURES

This hillside is a tourist attraction offers a zip line rides and underground cave exploration tours

Ended the Day so tired so we have a quick shower and have dinner after arriving from Ugong Rock and sleep early because the next day is our last day and we decided to take the opportunity to tour the City on our own account and because it was not included in the package we got from the travel agency.

The following morning we had our early breakfast at the hotel which also by the way included in our package. The Tour to Underground River has a free buffet lunch too, we were so hungry so we forgot to take pictures....

Our newly found friends from El Nido tour was also with us in Puerto Princesa tour. So we asked them if they wanted to joined us in our City Tour the next day. We all agreed to hired (kontrata) a tricycle driver and meet them at the hotel lobby at 6:00 am. The half day City tour package is amounting of P600.00 all in, since our driver is a local he already knows where to bring us but we also make some suggestion of the places we wanted to go. We cross out one place that might not be too interesting for us to go since our time is limited we decided to maximize our time with the most better place to stay on. Four of us shared the P600.00 divided 4 is equal to P150.00 only per head.

OUR FIRST ITINERARY : CROCODILE FARM AND NATURE PARK

SOUVENIR SHOP

OUR 2ND ITINERARY : MITRA FARM

OUR 3RD ITINERARY : BAKERS HILL

BAKERS HILL IS INSTAGRAM WORTHY.....SO BEAUTIFUL AND NATURES AT ITS FINEST...

And your Palawan wouldn't complete if you haven't visit this place. The Most Famous Restaurant in Puerto Princesa among the Tourist is KaLui Restaurant

Let your Hotel Receptionist call to make reservation in this restaurant you can't dine in without making a reservation....and once you enter the restaurant you will leave your shoes or foot wear in a small locker that they will provide. Don't worry the place is spotlessly clean you don't mind walking barefoot on a wooden floor. And their Toilet is like a receiving room all the decors and lighting is pleasant to the eye.