Jul
07
2008
Well, after spending an interesting few days travelling from Bangkok, through Manila and Cebu city (via air), Surigao city (via overnight ferry), and Dapa city (via fast ferry), I’m back at the place shown in the above photo — General Luna, Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines.
The trip wasn’t, however, without it’s issues:
First, General Luna, Cloud 9, and Dapa (the 3 towns I’ll be in and around for the next couple months) were attacked by Communist rebels last weekend, with the final death toll totalling 14 people (2 police officers, and 12 rebels). Apparently most of the peeps here slept through it, so it apparently wasn’t that bad
Second, when I went to check into my flight on Cebu Pacific Airlines, I found out that they had cancelled the direct flight from Bangkok to Cebu about 1 week before I bought the ticket there. As such, they automatically booked me onto a later flight through Manila … with a 6 hour layover.
Third, due to aforementioned ‘Issue 2′, I missed the flight from Cebu to Siargao Island, which only flies on Mondays and Fridays. So, rather than wait until Monday (and that Monday flight was booked, anyway), I hooked up with my friends that were coming in from Manila and we all took an overnight ferry from Cebu to Surigao City .. next to the loudest fucking snorer I’ve ever heard.
Fourth, … oh wait, there is no fourth.
I’m in an island paradise on the very western edge of the Pacific Ocean. I went out for a surf ths morning (small, but fun), and I’ll be here for another month.
Sweet!!
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Draw me in with the “Really big hooters” tag, and then bore me with your travel plans. Well played Kish, well played.
Hi you:) love reading your stuff, as always.
‘fact, its you and chez thats inspired me to get me a blog for myself.
keep ranting.
cheers
after talking to local family in the island, They local people of the island kind-a happy the present of Rebel, its seems like the rebels demand in the reform of corrupted government officials, hoping to change for the best. also they are very carefull warn the poeple to hide inside the house so no one get hurt. local change thier believed on what rebel emage stock in thier mine, after all they have a good intension.
I’ve seen siargao in local travel TV programs in various channels and I always hear them say that it’s the “surfing capital of Philippines”… I never realized that until now and it’s amazing! I thought places like that can only be found in Australia or some other countries. Keep up the good work!
I have a Filipino friend in Australia who happens to be a surfer fanatic and would like to put up a surfing academy in siargao and is asking for my help but I’ve never been there and it’s a good thing I’ve checked this webpage (angel posted a comment on 4th of August, 2008 at 10:42 am) and read angel’s comment that she had met locals in the area… I know it’s kinda awkward because the topic is regarding about the so called “rebels” so if anyone gets a chance to read my comment and has any info and knows any locals in the area… pls email me at cazvalerio@yahoo.com or post on the blogsite. Peace out!