Blogs from Siargao, Surigao, Philippines, Asia

Took some effort getting to Siargao. First an overnight 10 hour ferry from Cebu City to Surigao. Then a slow 4 hour ferry from Surigao to the port town of Dapa on Siargao. Then everything changes! We took a motorbike taxi the 18 km from Dapa to General Luna and the counrtyside is just stunning! I dont remember seeing one single concrete building, just nipa and bamboo houses. Underdeveloped is the first word that comes to mind. Then we arrive in General Luna and go for a walk. No proper roads, just dirt roads, just nipa and bamboo houses, and just over the road an awesome beach and beautiful Islands just offshore. Untouristed, undeveloped, natural. Then theres the weather! It changes here from sunshine to tropical downpour in a matter of seconds. But the big attraction ... read more

Dear Blog Readers, Welcome to Part 7 of the Philippine Blogs! You can read the other parts by clicking the links below: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 We decided to make the most of the day after our sloth-like experiences the day before but the early morning start was difficult. We groggily made our way down for some pancakes for breakfast and ... read more

Dear Blog Readers, Welcome to Part 5 of the Philippine Blogs! You can read the other parts by clicking the links below: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Although we were having an early start, we didn’t feel tired. Laura had pancakes and a fresh banana milkshake and I attempted The All American Breakfast. This included a hamburger and I certainly felt morbidly obese after finishing it. We decided to hire a motorbike of the day. Our conversation with the owner went something like this: Me: Can we hire a motorbike? Andrew: Sure. Me:... read more

Dear Blog Readers, Welcome to Part 3 of the Philippine Blogs! You can read parts one and two by clicking the links below: Part 1 Part 2 We thought the best thing to start the holiday was to see what all the fuss was about with Cloud 9. It didn’t take us long to see why it was world-renowned. The barrels formed perfectly as the locals tackled the 8 foot waves crashing down before them. It was a truly awesome scene and it took some truly awesome skill to try and attempt riding them. My brain was struggling with the juxtaposition between the site before me and my first harrowing surfing experience which was in Hull. The ‘waves’ were barely a ripple. It was as though a fat man had done a running bomb ... read more

When you say the name SIARGAO, the first thing that will come up from your mind is a place called “The Surfer’s Ultimate Paradise”. This is the place where you will find the highest measured waves in the Philippines and it has been included in the surfer’s World map where numerous foreign surfers from all over the world are visiting SIARGAO to experience the Elegant Gigantic waves… From Surigao City, I rode an express Sea vessel called Britphil for only 180 Philippine Pesos where the travel time to SIARGAO is only 2 hours. When I arrived at SIARGAO, I went right away to the World famous Surfing site called CLOUD 9 located at General Luna SIARGAO and I was readily amazed when I saw my First Colossal Wave, it was a 15 foot high wave ... read more