Our Caraga Adventure

Two weekends ago, a select group of Cebu travel agents and media practitioners went on a tour of the newly established Administrative Region of CARAGA, under the sponsorship of the Dept. of Tourism.

CARAGA is Region 8, on the northern tip of the Mindanao Island, next to Misamis Oriental. This new region is composed of 6 cities: Bayugan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Surigao and Tandag; and 5 provinces: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte (a big island northeast of Mindanao mainland), Surigao del Sur and the Dinagat Islands (a cluster of islands north of the Mindanao mainland). CARAGA is an ancient settlement where Surigao used to be a part with inhabitants called “Kalagans,” known to be a fearless tribe, a people full of spirit. CARAGA is from the Visayan word “kalag,” meaning spirit.

We took a Cebu Pacific flight to Butuan, from Cebu. After checking in at Almont Inland Resort, part of a chain of hotels owned and operated by the Alegrado family of the Sumilon Island Resort and Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort fame, we went around the impressive museums of Butuan. Numerous excavated gold ornaments, trade beads and burial jars exhibited in premiere museums of the country are from diggings in the area. (A more thorough article will come out this Sunday by AJ de la Torre.)

An enchanting portion of the adventure was our watery travel from Hayanggabon wharf of Surigao del Norte to Bucas Grande Island, staying overnight at upscale Club Tara for a subsequent day-long adventure to Sohoton Cove and the jelly fish sanctuary (where you can hold these sea creatures without being stung!)

One can only enter the narrow passage into the Sohoton lagoon during low tide. We had to stoop low entering the cavern entrance, then we had a breath-taking first sight of the truly enchanting clear water lagoon, straight out of the Robinson Crusoe tale. The magkono saplings (the most sturdy variety of hardwood) growing abundantly along the surrounding hillsides, with pretty wild orchids and plenty of the carnivorous pitcher plants, make up the surreal verdant world of Sohoton lagoon.

Last stop was the Island of Siargao, Surigao del Norte. We were ably escorted by the key people, led by Ms. King Arina – a woman “king!” -- of One Corporate Grand Tours in our island stays, with an after-dinner sing-along session before the start of the tour. (www.1corpgrandtours.com) Of course, the CARAGA DOT Regional Director Letty Tan was with us, despite her hectic schedule.

Siargao – world-famous surfing capital of the Philippines – can boast of a matinee-idol looking mayor in Hon. Constantino “Bully” B. Navarro IV of the Municipality of Del Carmen and an equally good-looking governor in Gov. Robert “Ace” S. Barbers. Don’t be misled by their “guapo” demeanors, both young politicians are hands-on in their respective jobs and progressive in their outlooks. That area of CARAGA seems heading for better times, especially in its tourism thrust.

September is the high season for surfing, with the barrel waves at their highest. Yet, we were amazed at the surf we saw the time we were at Cloud 9 beach area, where the international surfing competition is held annually. There were many blondes and brunettes, as well as other Asian nationalities learning how to surf. This was the best time to start, when the waves are manageable.

I met the Australian who started it all – David Motbey of Cloud 9 Resort & Restaurant (the only resort directly in front of Cloud 9), email: [email protected], whose accommodations are clean, spacious and with a lovely verandah facing the ocean. Unfortunately, he has grown tired of the business and has recently divided the property with his partner. Cloud 9 Resort is up for sale….any takers?

We took the Siargao-Cebu flight on board Cebu Pacific. Now, surfing – the waves, that is – is just a short plane ride away.

Travel safely now!