december-2011

trip journal
PHILIPPINES
SURIGAO
AREA CODE (86)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN Upon your arrival, you can
hire a jeepney or tricycle to get around the city.
Although there are no taxis, most hotels offer a
complimentary van pick-up from the airport as well
as for departure.
BY DAY Head to the “Waikiki Beach of the
Philippines” when you visit Cagwait White Beach.
Be captivated by the magical waters of the
“Enchanted River” in Hinatuan, and the Tinuy-An
Falls or the “Little Niagara of the Philippines.”
BY NIGHT Grab dinner at Gold Bar Restaurant,
which offers the best carbonara, kilawin, seafood
and fresh lumpia in Tandag. Enjoy a live band or
catch a movie while eating tasty street food at the
Tandag City Boulevard.
SLEEP The Villa Maria Luisa Hotel is the one of
the fi nest hotels in the province. You can choose to
swim at the beach or in the pool. Tel: +63 (86) 211
5488/211 5499; vmlhotel.tandag@gmail.com
{ 212 }
Samantha
Grace E.
Moscoso
manager,
CA/CHS-MSD
LOCAL SPEAK “Pila” means
“How much?” and “Dinhi ra/diri
lang” means “Stop here.”
MUST-TRY Ride a habal-habal
(motorcycle) and eat tajum/tayum
(sea urchin).
BEST FESTIVALS The
Kaliguan Festival in June and
the Lanuza Surfi ng Festival in
November.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
EDGAR ALAN ZETA YAP
PHILIPPINES
SIARGAO
AREA CODE (86)
CURRENCY Philippine Peso (PHP1 = US$0.02)
TOUCHDOWN Taxis are available both at the
airport and at Dapa Pier. You can also ride a habalhabal
or an extended-seat motorbike to get to your
lodgings. On the island itself, there are mini and
jeepney buses.
BY DAY Talk to the locals and get good deals
on island hopping at Naked Island, Daku Island
and Guyam Island. There’s also a really popular
spot called Magpupunko, a tide pool; go there on
weekdays when it isn’t packed with people.
BY NIGHT Party with both the tourists and the
locals at Nine Bar. After partying `til dawn, you
can buy the Siargao local bread, which is simply
delicious. They usually start making the bread
at 4am.
SLEEP Backpackers and budget travelers can go
to Kabuntog Resort. They have a nice beachfront
where you can swim the clear blue waters or rent
a kayak.
Chris
Magnus O.
Catelo
travel
photographer
BEST DINNER Buy the
cheapest yellow fi n tuna you can
fi nd and cook it yourself.
BEST BUYS Need extra shorts?
You can rely on J Spot for cheap
board shorts.
LOCAL SPEAK It would
be really nice if you could say
“Maayong gabi,” which means
“Good evening.”
Surigao’s Mabua-Looc Stairway
has 167 steps.