In Transit from Hinatuan to Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig to Samal Island

I awakened with my head heavy and a giddy feel.  The cold breeze reminded me of last night’s ordeal.  The rain hasn’t subsided but we need to keep moving amidst the unwieldy state.  The commuting us was first to cross to land then will meet up with the rest at Bislig who’s travelling by van.  Of course, we secured our stuff to keep dry.

The first boat was just right to fit us four with buttocks nearly touching the sea.  As we willowed ashore, the downpour severed leaving pure white vision at sight.  We slowed down but as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours… the engine stalled.  The boatman had several futile attempts and his assistant was of no help busy dipping the water out.

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In Transit from Davao City to Enchanted River and Sibadan Fish Cage in Hinatuan

We arrived at Davao at exactly 9pm and shortly after, we joined the Mt. Apo climber’s party bash.  Then at 230am, we took the Hinatuan-bound bus at Ecoland Terminal.  It was already noontime when we reached Hinatuan the following day. At the Hinatuan terminal we chartered a habalhabal to Enchanted River; it took us nearly 30 minutes and wilder than our prior Tinuy-an falls ride. 

This part of Surigao del Sur was missed during our Butuan-Bislig-Davao trip.

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HINATUAN – BISLIG – SAMAL ISLAND TRIP

Despite the impending Agaton storm at CARAGA on the weekends, here we are, the brave we for our Hinatuan-Bislig-Samal-Davao trip… We arrived at Davao where the earlier Mt. Apo climbers were nursing their limbs.  I so much wanted to revisit Mt. Apo but with our Year 2010 Sibulan-Katagan surmount, large preparation and training should be devoured.

As this is a sidetrip after a major climb, we had a flexi-itinerary, sort of come-what-may … But hubby and I should be back at Davao by Sunday night for our return flight.

With Agaton and the time bounds, we were afforded short stops at the major sights.  Here goes our actual route…

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AROUND BISLIG CITY

It was nearly 6:00 am when we went out to meet our driver, Kuya Peter...  The sun was up already but the cold breeze made me longed for my jacket.  Kuya Peter is a Manileño as well who married a Bislig native, hence the relocation.  He has full of stories about Bislig, from trees to PICOP to airport to tourists to chocolate beach and more... but most of all, he prides its beauty.   For hubby, having a Tagalog-speaking local was a relief from his 3-days nose-bleeding agony. 

First on our agenda was Tinuy-an Falls.  I’ve read several articles that it’s best to visit it early morning for a lesser crowd and the view of the rainbow.  Yes, a rainbow by the waterfalls around 7am to 9am.

On our way to Tinuy-an we passed by the 77 hectare manmade lake named Lake 77.  It’s like a mirror lake as everything above is reflected due to the stillness of the water.  It used to serve as a reservoir for PICOP, the largest paper mill in our country prior to its closure in 2008.

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TINUY-AN WATERFALLS

Tinuy-an Falls was the main reason for our Bislig visit.  It has been hailed as the widest waterfalls of the Philippines and among the shortlist of my must-visit place in our dear country.

Along the way, Kuya Peter graciously answered any inquiries we tossed, even about the trees that we passed by.  According to him, falcata tree is generally a paper tree and the common crop of the locals but some raised the higher class manguim trees which are used best as money paper.  We also saw from afar tall towering trees that the locals dubbed as an “umbrella tree”.   This early wisdom was my companion during the trip that compensated my shivering and awkward seat.

After about 1-1/2 hour of several uphill/downhill bumpy ride and 2 wooden-bridge crossing, we reached Tinuy-an Falls.  As we drew closer, the sound of the raging waterfalls resembled a chant -- “come visit me”, “come enjoy me”.... 

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IN TRANSIT FROM BUTUAN TO BISLIG

Travel from Butuan to Bislig can either be by bus or by van and travel time is shorter by the latter, so our first option was to take the van.  Upon arriving at the terminal, the van was only a quarter filled and it must be full before it leaves.  It was already 1pm then and the barkers cannot commit a definite departure time.  We were anxious of travelling at night time so we transferred to a bus at Langihan Terminal.

Our bus was bound to leave for Mangagoy, Bislig at 2pm with expected arrival time at 7pm.  But before we left, we were contemplating whether to stay at Hinatuan for the Enchanted River or drop it for Bislig.  Well, we opted for the latter...  I just told myself that there is always a next time. 

I chose the front seat for a good shot of the sceneries along the highway.  The first of which was the Macapagal Bridge which I shared in my other blog.  Also, I want to trace our location against the map at hand.  

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BUTUAN -- BISLIG -- DAVAO TRIP

This Butuan trip was one of my solo flights and my travel of 1-1/2 hour was consumed reading the magazine feature of Conquering Kinabalu, one of the mountains among my dream-climb list.

At Butuan City airport, “Welcome Delegates” banners, friendly usherettes and attendants greeted us, an indication that PICPA Butuan had prepared well for this event.  Thanks to the positive feedback of an acquaintance from PICPA Zamboanga who shared that PICPA Butuan are good in terms of event hosting.  It was one of the compelling reasons for attending this year’s event plus the fact that this will be my first at Butuan and the CARAGA region.

With that, I tweaked my itinerary with hubby coming along to make the most of CARAGA as follows.

Day 1-4 PICPA Convention and around Butuan – Agusan del Norte

Day 4-5 Travel to Bislig City and around Bislig – Surigao del Sur

Day 5-6 Travel to Davao City and around Davao – Davao Region

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