May 20, 2012 Exploring Surigao del Sur
It was a Sunday, the day of our restday when Bulalo tribe embarked to a journey to Surigao del Sur. Kimoy was our guide since he grew up in Cantilan where his relatives still reside. Wake up time was early and by 630AM we were already at the highway waiting for the Tandag bound bus. And in no time, the bus came and off we go to Adlay.
Adlay is a barangay in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. There is this eatery with a fish farm that the tribe wanted to check and have breakfast supposedly. It began to drizzle as we approached Adlay. I think we missed the fish farm because we were seated at the back seats of the bus during the travel. Mario made a stop call right after a bridge.
Adlay is a barangay in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. There is this eatery with a fish farm that the tribe wanted to check and have breakfast supposedly. It began to drizzle as we approached Adlay. I think we missed the fish farm because we were seated at the back seats of the bus during the travel. Mario made a stop call right after a bridge.
We made a few step towards the bridge until we saw the eatery beside it. We entered and checked out the prepared food. I later learned that the eatery is a bus stop over for buses plying the Tandag-Surigao City route.
The place reminds me of Loboc river in Bohol. It's just there were no floating restaurants. There in Adlay, there is this restaurant built beside the river. There is also a fish farm next to it. We asked if they have a menu or if they cook fresh food by orders; and they do.
The place reminds me of Loboc river in Bohol. It's just there were no floating restaurants. There in Adlay, there is this restaurant built beside the river. There is also a fish farm next to it. We asked if they have a menu or if they cook fresh food by orders; and they do.
By 945AM, we had exited the restaurant and waited for the Tandag bound bus. We waited for around 10 minutes and even a walked a few meters. We found ourselves hitching at the backload of a pickup. Lucky were the "healthy" ones in the tribe for they will not burn their baby fats. We dropped by Carrascal as suggested by Kimoy and from there we hire a motorcycle going to our destination.
At Carrascal we learned that it's best to hire motorcycles or habal-habals at Cantilan. Our destination is nearer on that town according to the person we asked. While waiting for the consensus of the tribe, we saw this campaign material at the trash bin. We managed to play with it by taking some photos. People nearby were smiling and seemed to be amused of our act. To be honest and not to rouse debates, we did not went to Carrascal to stage such event nor created the props used during the pictorial. We simply played with what we found nearby considering it's already thrown away at the trash bin. I knew that a heated debate from private entities and some environmental groups was still on going.
The Search for Sipangpang Falls
We had two more motorcycle rides before I have a one of a kind motor ride experience in Mindanao. I wasn't decided to ride it earlier but I made a second thought. I had my first habal-habal (skylab for others) ride from Parang, Cantilan. Off we go to look for Sipangpang Falls. That's where we were heading in Cantilan. We had a bumpy ride all the way up to the mountains. We also passed by a check point somewhere.
We reached the drop off point, hike our way to the falls. Even our drivers came with us cause we agreed for a two ride. We noticed the clearing and presence of heavy equipment in the area. Fallen trees and excavated mountain land greeted us. We reached the river side and saw the large water pipes stacked on one side. We were told that a mini hydro dam was being built in the area explaining the devastation we witnessed. Searching for a way down to the river from high spot we were, there was no way that leads to it. We spent an hour searching for possible routes, passing by verdant grasses, bushes and among the trees. We called it quits. We did not find what we intended to see. No Sipangpang Falls for us.
We reached the drop off point, hike our way to the falls. Even our drivers came with us cause we agreed for a two ride. We noticed the clearing and presence of heavy equipment in the area. Fallen trees and excavated mountain land greeted us. We reached the river side and saw the large water pipes stacked on one side. We were told that a mini hydro dam was being built in the area explaining the devastation we witnessed. Searching for a way down to the river from high spot we were, there was no way that leads to it. We spent an hour searching for possible routes, passing by verdant grasses, bushes and among the trees. We called it quits. We did not find what we intended to see. No Sipangpang Falls for us.
Cool Down at Malinawa Cold Springs
We rode back the motorcycles that bought us in the mountains with me swapping rides. The skylab ride was tiring given the stretch leg position all through out the ride. We drove pass the route that we made earlier then made a turn to the west hitting a dusty road on the rice fields. Driving a little further from the rural houses, we found our way to the hills. We finally reached Malinawa Cold Springs.
Fresh water flows from the boulders at the Cold Spring. Water overflow to a nearby irrigation canal leading to the farms. A pool was constructed to collect the cold water. The area needs some developing since the shower room was old and damaged.
Fresh water flows from the boulders at the Cold Spring. Water overflow to a nearby irrigation canal leading to the farms. A pool was constructed to collect the cold water. The area needs some developing since the shower room was old and damaged.
A Walk Around Cantilan Plaza
We brought some food but it was not enough for barakos. Come 1PM, we headed back to Cantilan town to buy lechon manok, grilled liempo, bread and ice cream. Kimoy led us to his aunt's house for our late lunch. After lunch and short rest, we bade farewell to Kimoy's cheerful aunt.
Here are the photos we had at Cantilan.
At Cantilan, I saw some old houses, houses that were really taken good care of. I never thought that I would see such houses in Mindanao.
Going Home
The Surigao bound bus from Tandag passes through Cantilan around 4PM. By 330PM, we were already at the bus stop waiting for our ride back. Taganito is still a 2hr trip from Cantilan. Some of us took a nap while waiting for the bus. It was really a tiring day given the transpo transfer, hiking, walking we had for the day..
The bus arrived soon and we journeyed back to campsite. It was another adventure filled day. Let me tell a story of one portion of the Surigao-Tandag Highway. During our trip we passed by Noventa Highway. I heard stories that it is called Noventa, because people will pray the rosary (nobena) during the trip consisting of curves, slopes, smooth, rough, dusty road. I soon found out that the highway was built of serving the major mining companies along the red mountain in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. The highway starts at Km 90 connecting Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. Here are photos from the thrilling ride along the highway.
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust