"When you talked earlier about after a few years how a couple would begin to hate each other by anticipating their reactions or getting tired of their mannerisms-I think it would be the opposite for me. I think I can really fall in love when I know everything about someone-the way he's going to part his hair, which shirt he's going to wear that day, knowing the exact story he'd tell in a given situation. I'm sure that's when I know I'm really in love."

 ~Before Sunrise 

There are so many things I want to do, but I end up doing not much.

~Before Sunset

Apo Reef: 26th

Apo Reef. Not the Apo Island in Dumaguete. This one is in Mindoro.

I've been reading blog posts about this place and twice, we attempted to reach this place..but failed. Mainly because we booked our two trips on rainy days. Now summer's here, we tried again and boy, was the place sooo worth the wait!

We took the early morning flight to San Jose, Mindoro via Cebu Pacific, which flies once a day only. So missing a flight is not an option.

Tip: Do not take the airport tricycles, which charges a minimum of Php 50. Instead, flag a tricycle at the main road which is just a three-minute walk. Pay the basic rate of Php 8! Yes, I know..

We bought our food and groceries at the San Jose market. And took the two hour bus to Sablayan.

haggling for a kilo of liempo

Arriving at Sablayan, we took a trike, also costs Php8, to Sablayan Tourism Office. Here, we paid all the necessary fees to Apo Reef. See, it's a National Park, thus regulated by the government. So all tours and transactions are settled here.

We head to Apo reef. The almost three hours boat ride gave us a scenic view of the reef with waters changing hues.

And finally, we arrived.

The island was undeniably breathtaking! We were lucky we came in at the right time because yesterday, a group of 30 local tourists were present. The whole island is deserted, only for us. Happy birthday to me!

We went to the light house to wait for the sun to set.

 

There are no phone signals, no electricity. The rangers rely on batteries generated by solar panels. They man the island for eleven days. They get food and water rations. After eleven days, another set of rangers will do the manning. When the weather's not good or there's a typhoon, the 11 days becomes longer. FYI: From Apo Reef, it's a two to three hours boat ride to Coron. Yes, Palawan.

That night, we feasted on grilled liempo, sinigang na talakitok and green mangoes. Yum! And my friends prepared a surprise for me! Wow. Thank you guys!

 

 

That night, I spent my last day as 26 in a paradise.. surrounded with my friends. God gifted me a wonderful evening. Thank You! 

:I feel close to you
:Yeah?
:But sometimes, I don't know. I feel like you're breathing helium and I'm breathing oxygen

~Before midnight

Siargao Island: Habal-habal ride

Siargao has a nice beach vibe..

I particularly love the habal-habal rides. 

The beach on your horizon..
the sun peaking through the coconut trees..
the cold wind on your face..
the warm weather..

Staying on this island..

yes, i can do that..

Surigao del Norte: Sohoton National Park, Bucas Grande Island

Our last stop before leaving Surigao was Bucas Grande Island..
When I was planning this trip, I found out that there were more to see in Bucas Grande than in Siargao..but then again, why travel this long if we are not to surf in Siargao? 

So the Sohoton National Park in Bucas Grande Island became the side trip..

From Dapa, Siargao, we rented a boat to Hayanggabon port with side trip to Sohoton. We took this option because there were no public transportation at the time because its Holy Week. We got the boat for Php4,000 and the trip was a four to five hours not-so-smooth boat ride experiencing a bit of rain showers along the way.

This is what I am frustrated with our local transportation. Boats and buses from almost of the terminals we've been to do not have a fixed schedule. So, for the most part of the trip, we relied on hunches and from the locals, whom, no offense (mawalang galang na po), most were really not helpful. Whenever they learn we're not from around here, they rip us off!! And would often give us vague directions. Now, where is that so-called Filipino hospitality we're famous for?

view from Sohoton National Park Tourism office

We arrived at the Tourism Office. We were looking for something to eat but  no one's selling. We paid the necessary fees before entering the 
park. 

The whole place was really something. I notice a lot of lagoons along the way... and the underwater caves were magnificent. You know those scenes on some movies where they'd go exploring caves and there's a glowing light underneath them? It was like that! 

 Now, we went into this cave where the only way out was to jump off from a not-so-high 15 feet cliff! No choice talaga. Kailangang tumalon.

Jump! the only way out

Save the best for last.

Now we're off to see the famous Bucas Grande stingless jellyfish! They're like jellies!! Swimming with them wasn't aloud. The tourism office has long banned this activity; they noticed it agitates the jellyfish. Just like in Donsol. Same reason why they suddenly implemented rules when swimming with the whale sharks.

You're allowed to touch them but not swim with them
Photo courtesy of Mark Pelobello

Photo courtesy of Mark Pelobello

I was even trying to do some snorkeling before we leave, but time won't permit it. The whole tour took almost five hours, I think. And we haven't had lunch! Heading to Hayanggabon port, where we will be taking a bus to Surigao city, we saw a group of birds feeding.. Mark was able to take some photos. But it was something seeing it out in the wild.. 

Photo courtesy of Mark Pelobello

I enjoyed Bucas grande than Siargao..Bitin. From the stories of our tour guide, there's a lot more to see. It aptly deserves more than just a side trip.

Contact numbers:

09088963975 - Surigao Tourism Office

09394380618 - Kuya Kenny, boatman

09399047019 - Sohoton National Park Tourism Office, Kuya Dodo