Siargao!

June 2002
Siargao and Suhoton Adventure


Aboard fastcraft for Siargao


Bambie, Joy, Renee, Me (standing up), Jay, Alfie, Jerry, Suzet and Titing


Checking in at one of the local resorts there and checking out the boards they rent out to their guests


Boardwalk at Cloud 9!

The boardwalk leads to the judges' "sheds" used during the annual Siargao Surfing Cup they usually held in September. During our last night there, we lingered at the shed on the left of the above photo. It was pretty cozy there, with the sound of the crashing waves completing the ambiance.

Cloud 9 shoreline

By the time we have settled in and was finally free to explore cloud 9, it was low-tide. We had to walk along way just to get to the part where the water is deep enough for bodyboarding or swimming.


A huge pinkish brain coral in Cloud 9

I'm not sure about getting the name right though. Not that knowledgeable about marine biology =). It being low-tide, we were able to encounter at knee-depth several gems we would not have been able to see had it been high tide. This coral is one of them. It was pretty huge. And the fact that it is alive makes it even more special.

See the waves at a distance...


See it crashing in...

Low tide eh? But this fact does not diminish at all the "power" that cloud 9 waves are famous for. These crashing waves are just waves edging in towards the shoreline to signal in the high tide. That powerful already huh? How much more if it's high tide already and there's all that water. How big and powerful could the waves be by then?

Sundown...


Sundown... This time, more "orangy" as the sun begin its gradual descent towards the horizon.


Just about to set.. with the tides rushing in...


More closer now to the horizon line... bathing everything in a beautiful glow.


Ah. This one is really beautiful

I took this shot while being nestled in one of the "mini-pools" provide by a fissure in a group of dead corals in the seabed. I had to stoop real low just to get this perspective. It wasn't such an easy task as I had to take real care not to wet the camera with the tides rushing in for the high tide. It was worth it though.


hmm...


hmm....

These two photos are the last two ones we took that day. I was quite shy in posing for this one, prefering to be behind the camera than in front of it. B insisted though for documentary purposes. I tried a bit of boadyboarding that afternoon and got my knee scraped in the process huhuhu. It bled, which added to the drama. I still sport a scar over at my left knee until now. It proves to be quite a nuisance for wearing miniskirts. Luckily, it had began to pale over time. Now, it's hardly visible.

One of the highlights of that day was our desperate attempt at "panginhas." We diligently combed the seabed for some sea shells that could be the main feature for our soup that night. Pity them huh? :( We did manage to get some of them. And for a while, our attention was all focused to this particular "baby" crab that proved very much elusive, darting from one coral to the next.

We had quite a "catch" that afternoon actually. We all lost it though. Having encountered some "mini-pools" in which to take a dip in, we forgot about it entirely. The water felt warm and good to the body.

Come dinner time, we had quite a feast of some really good, big, grilled fish, some "lato" salad (seaweeds), and some soup. The guys also had a bit of a taste of the local wine -- laksoy. Was it called that? Not really sure.

DAY 2: On to Suhoton!!!

Aboard the banca we rented for a trip to suhoton nature park

We woke up real early the next day quite excited for our scheduled suhoton trip. The Vice-Mayor's son who is a friend of Titing was kind enough to provide us a ride for General Luna where our rented boat will be waiting.

Take note how we didn't even have lifejackets on considering the boat was too little to hold fourteen of us plus the two bangkeros. The trip took more than two hours. It was totally unsafe and unwise of us but that did not even occur to us. We were all looking forward to Suhoton. The fact that the boat was not an entirely comfortable ride did not even dampen our spirits.

One of the caves in suhoton nature park


Squeezing my way through...


Then sliding right through...

Inside "Bolitas Cave"


Literally littered with "bolitas"

Upon reaching the park, we immediately registered and made ready for exploring some of the caves there. We were able to explore 2 caves. There were others to explore still but we were pressed for time. One of the caves was aptly named, "Bolitas" for the pebbles that litter its floor. These pebbles are perfectly shaped that it makes one wonder how they came to be that way.

Then we returned to the "front ofice" of the park, had our lunch then braced ourselves again for what we really came there for -- Suhoton cave!

Entering suhoton cave


Inside the "cave"


Further inside...

Suhoton cave is more like a passage way than a cave. But as to where it opens up to, is an entirely different thing. The passage way leads to a new world of sorts, reminiscent of "The Lost World" and "Indiana Jones" movies.

Another thing that's special about it is that this opening is entirely inaccessible during high tide. It would be entirely covered with water by then. In fact, one could readily miss it by then. It is only during low tide that one can pass through Suhoton cave. It's really amazing. At the end of the passage is a "hidden" lagoon enclosed with lime mountains on all sides, made green by vegetation and trees. The cave is the only "opening" to this lagoon. This made the whole place pretty unique and special. Aside from that, a portion of the lagoon also teems with stingless brown jelly fishes. Yep, stingless! And there were lots of them. Nice.

Further inside the lagoon is the Humagok Cave. It's a small enclosure whose mouth barely opens up and is submerged in water. One has to really swim before entering the cave. The water is pretty deep at its mouth but somewhere in the middle of the cave is a big rock where one could just barely perch on. It was a welcome haven for us non-swimmers hehe.

I almost did not make it to the cave because of my inability to swim. The water is really deep and it's quite difficult to enter the cave given that it's mouth is partially submerged in water. But then again, when did I let this "handicap" limit me? hehe With one hand on the shoulder of our guide, I "swam" towards the cave. Bolo would not do. He feared too much for my safety. Our guide on the other hand was quite calm and trustful. He's already quite old and knows pretty much how to reassure me. When I did get inside the cave, the feeling was really great. Once again, it was quite a feat for me, overcoming certain limits :) Bolo was quite pleased himself. He was beside me and our guide the whole time I "swam" towards the cave. He told me he was really happy I was able to go inside, and see the cave for myself despite not being able to swim. It only took a little while before Suzette, who was also a non-swimmer, joined us.

Inside Humagok Cave. The guys treading in the water.

See how Pipoy's (in the middle) head just barely rise out of the water. He too doesn't know how to swim :) He's being supported here by Stephen and Titing just so he would be included in the picture. Notice also the cave's opening in the background. Leaves just a little gap for breathing huh? Renee took this shot with us perched on that little "island" in the middle of the cave. It could hardly be called an island though since we were still standing on it, chest-deep in water.

Some trivia -- Humagok is named for the "snoring" sound it gives off everytime air passes through the opening of the cave with the crashing of the water.

On our way out of suhoton

Having had our fill and with time to think of, we then head again towards the "front office" of the park. Notice how the opening of suhoton in this photo is wider than when we were still entering it. When we were entering it, it was just the beginnings of low-tide. We even had to maneuver our boat carefully so we could pass through the cave without incurring "injury" to our boat. Notice also the "quite pleased and satisfied" look that's pasted on our faces. We sure had fun that afternoon.

Docking in the park's "front office."


Class picture at Suhoton Nature Park front office. At the back: Gary, Jay, Jerry, Bolo, Suzette, Pipoy, Alfie, Stephen, Titing; In front: Renee, Bambie, Myself, Joy, Dax

Island hopping on our way back to siargao from suhoton

See how Joy (in pink sweater) looks real tired already. It had been a long day and it was quite a long trip to and back suhoton but it was all worth it.