May 26, 2013 Unwinding at Sohoton Cove
It's gonna be the long restday again for my shift and we were thinking where to spend it. Since some of my juniors staff haven't been to Bucas Grande Island which is overlooking from our campsite. Sohoton Cove is located in Bucas Grande Island. Naz from the other section reserved the boat for a hefty price of PhP5000 good for 15 persons. Anyway, what matters was the boat will be there to get us to Sohoton.
It was a Sunday and I have the group assembled 630AM at the campsite waiting shed. Macy was not on sight. Maybe he's still asleep someone said. We tried calling him through phone but to no avail. There were seven of us who went down the highway to get a tricycle that will bring us to Hayangabon Pier. We were a few meters away from the highway when Macy finally answered his phone. He just woke up but never-the-less he'll be joining the trip. I told him that I will just wait for him at the highway. He agreed. I told the rest of the group to go ahead at the pier to meet the boat man considering also that we can not be accommodated by the tricycle. So off they go. Good thing was, Johnny Boy who rode a tricycle passed by and saw me. He asked the driver to stopped by. I told Johnny Boy that I am waiting for Macy. A couple of minutes passed and there was Macy. We then rode the tricycle that Johnny Boy was riding earlier.
We met with the rest of the group at the pier. I found out that we still need a few stuffs to bring. So Macy, Naz and I left for a while to buy fruits, bread, chips and water. As soon as we have completed our tasks, we went back to the pier. The boatman was just waiting for our go signal. We left the pier at around 7AM.
It was a Sunday and I have the group assembled 630AM at the campsite waiting shed. Macy was not on sight. Maybe he's still asleep someone said. We tried calling him through phone but to no avail. There were seven of us who went down the highway to get a tricycle that will bring us to Hayangabon Pier. We were a few meters away from the highway when Macy finally answered his phone. He just woke up but never-the-less he'll be joining the trip. I told him that I will just wait for him at the highway. He agreed. I told the rest of the group to go ahead at the pier to meet the boat man considering also that we can not be accommodated by the tricycle. So off they go. Good thing was, Johnny Boy who rode a tricycle passed by and saw me. He asked the driver to stopped by. I told Johnny Boy that I am waiting for Macy. A couple of minutes passed and there was Macy. We then rode the tricycle that Johnny Boy was riding earlier.
We met with the rest of the group at the pier. I found out that we still need a few stuffs to bring. So Macy, Naz and I left for a while to buy fruits, bread, chips and water. As soon as we have completed our tasks, we went back to the pier. The boatman was just waiting for our go signal. We left the pier at around 7AM.
Most of us had not eaten their breakfast so most of the food we brought were eaten along the way. The bunch of banana was finished by the big monkeys in no time.
Ven took a shot of me with a mouthful of pandesal. Gutom eh!
We arrive at Sohoton by 740AM. From there, we had are our names registered and paid PhP1500 for the corresponding fees for the boat transfer plus the tour guide. We also added the jellyfish lagoon in our itinerary, so another PhP900 for 9 pax. We learned that it was still high tide by then so no boat cannot enter the cove yet. So as to maximized our time ,we decided to do some spelunking at Tiktikan lagoon instead. We boarded the same boat that brought us there.
Spelunking in Tiktikan Lagoon
Tiktikan lagoon is located at the other side of Sohoton. I forgot how much we paid for the entrance fees plus the flashlight rental. Naz paid for us for the meantime though.
We went to this crystal cave first. Armed with our flashlights and guided by a local, we entered into the abyss. There were a few stalagmites and stalactities unlike the ones I saw at Buenavista Cave, Hikdop Island, also here in Surigao. Anyway, we took a few photos here and there before we entered some narrow passages leading to different chambers. We even found Golum at the cave looking for his precious. Crystal Cave is not yet that popular among those who go to Sohoton area. We explored the chambers for some 30 minutes inside.
After spending some time at the Crystal Cave, we went into this other cave, named Bolitas Cave, located a few meters from the Crystal Cave. Here, entrance was really low that you have to bend low for you get pass. The cave was much deeper and with larger chambers. There were only a few stalactites. What irked me here was that the inside where crushed crystals and stones. I was not really sure what prompted people to do such thing. Our guide took us deeper into the cave that most of us can no longer catch up because of the rugged and muddy cave floor. And since there's not much to see inside, we decided to get back.
Paddling at Jelly Fish Lagoon
We went back to the Sohoton boat transfer area after doing spelunking. From there, we were given life vest. It's not my first time in Sohoton though because I had been there previously as part of a company outing, the time that there were a few employees still.
We were assigned each to a small boat. We paddled like there's a boat race going on. On the crystal clear water, one can see the corals and some marine life.
We were assigned each to a small boat. We paddled like there's a boat race going on. On the crystal clear water, one can see the corals and some marine life.
The jellyfish at the lagoon are stingless so one can touch them. My first visit here was April 2012 and most of the jellyfish are still spawn, meaning babies. But this time of the year, the are grown up. You can touch them but you cannot bring out of the water. The succeeding photos were taken using a Pentax WG-2 camera which I borrowed from another colleague.
Island Hopping in Sohoton Cove
Around 11AM, we are headed to the Sohoton Cove. The tide has gone down. We have to transfer to another boat that will take us around Sohoton Cove.
First stop: Hagukan Cave. Water level was really low so one can swim with his life vest and enter the cave. During my first visit, I was not able to enter even there's a guide that will take you inside. Why? I am not a good swimmer. You have to be carefull though of the barnacles at the entrance. They are sharp. A colleague of mine got a head injury during his last visit. Anyway, as I have said, water level was really low that an ample of light illuminates the inside chamber of the cave.
Next stop: Magkukuob Cave. Here entrance was much larger compared to Hagukan Cave. There is a main chamber then a small entrance into another chamber that leads to an elevated opening. The climb was steep and slippery with all the pointed stones around.
Now here's the challenge. One must have to jump out of the platform some 15ft into the water. You just have to jump away from the rocky edge of the islet. This was another achievement for my part. Since I knew that most of my companions are good swimmers, I took the courage to jump. I asked Macy to assist me later with the life vest after jumping. Macy took the first jump. Who gets last? Tian! We waited around 10 minutes for him to finally convinced to jump. The boatman and the guide were already arguing that Tian be let to climb down and make his way out from where we first entered. Soon, there was another group of boat that arrived. One, two jumped into the open water. Tian, was still there. The underwater cam battery got exhausted after waiting so much time. Then the leap of faith happened. Finally, we can have our lunch!
Lunch and Trekking at Kanlunes Resort
We had our lunch at Kanlunes Resort. Earlier Naz was able to contact our boatman to prepare grilled fish for us. Then at Kanlunes, fortunately there was dressed Saang (Spider Shell). We purchased a kilo of it then asked it to be cooked in adobo. We also had fish tinola which we asked to be cooked. Burped!
Since I knew the place that much, I asked the group for a hill climb for a great view of the scenery around. We were all breathless and tired from the steep climb. The group was not disappointed for such view. We spent some 20 minutes above the hill before we decided to go back down.
Swimming Time
It's past 3PM already and we haven't had enjoyed swimming. We asked the boatman if he knew a place. He said yes and brought us to a nearby islet. Upon surveying, the group was not satisfied on the area because of the presence of sea grass. Plus side was, the area is worthy of a good photo location.
To satisfy the boys, we stopped somewhere in the middle of our trip and had their play time. Just looked at them, they're like kids out of the pen.
After they had their fun, we had to call it a day. It's getting late already and it's still about 40minute going back to campsite. Another restday spent well.