Blog – Page 2

Heaven-Sent Vanishing Island, Barobo, Surigao del Sur

July 5, 2021 by caraga Leave a Comment

Vanishing Island of Barobo, Surigao del Sur has so many distinct beauty that is emerging in an open sea surrounded by turquoise water and a pure fine white sand beach while looking in a distance where the sea and the sky meet. Vanishing Island wowed visitors when the low tide comes in. During low tide, the sandbar became bright as ever showing its fine white beach as it expands far, glowing closer to another island, the Turtle Island. As you stand screening its beauty from one end to the other that was radiating in large blue seas, even the sand stretches wide in knee-deep water. Similar to the white island of Camiguin but this gem of Caraga Region has its own beauty to explain different from the rest of its own kind.

This Vanishing Island of the Pacific with its jaw-dropping fine white sand that you would mistake it powder could be a strong contender against the scenery of Maldives beaches in the Indian Ocean.

This wonderful place was a blessing from the people of Barobo. Aside from Vanishing Island are other neighboring islands, Turtle Island and Cabgan Island which set a triumvirate of power of tourism in the seas of Barobo. When the boat that carried you and sets your foot at Vanishing Island early in the day, you will find yourself holding the camera endlessly for taking a selfie or having a jump shot with your friends.

Vanishing Island is just a 30-minute ride by pump boat from Barobo seaport.

vanishing island, barobo, surigao del sur — source: Marlon Villasor

Nature’s Gift Kawa-Kawa sa Awog, Bislig City

July 2, 2021 by caraga Leave a Comment

Amazing Kawa-Kawa sa Awog was a nature’s gift that Mother Nature had crafted for so many years, even a thousand years before we existed. This gem of the Caraga Region is located at barangay San Jose, Bislig City where all Caraganons started to notice its beauty before the pandemic came in. Its uniqueness was the symbol of the strength and power of Mother Nature unfolding before our naked eyes.

Kawa-Kawa sa Awog forming like a bowl of clear water running from the mountains of tropical trees and plants from the rainforest, the locals calling it a natural pool or natural jacuzzi. Some of them forming like oval shapes of different sizes with shallow and deep, and you can choose where ever you want. Added also into the show for those early morning escapees is the foggy atmosphere in the tropical rainforest.

Locals were also surprised by the flowing clear water still endure and will not fade away even during summer. People in the City and the neighboring towns flocking from their homes and submerge in the sparkling cool water, but that was before the pandemic came in.

So much fun and stress-relieving activities by not just swimming but by just looking at the flows of the water and hearing the sounds of it will revitalize your world and change your way of thinking before going back to hustle and bustle of the City life.

kawa kawa sa awog, bislig city — photo source: AJ Mordeno

Malalag Ridge Overlooking Butuan Skyline

June 27, 2021 by caraga Leave a Comment

Malalag Ridge is another gem in Butuan with its inspiring views of the City skyline and the direct clear contact with your naked eye of the tallest mountain of Caraga Region, Mt. Hilong-Hilong, and the rest of Mother Nature engulfing the City of Butuan. Malalag Ridge is located at barangay Libertad with only around 15 minutes hike from the diversion road.

Malalag Ridge could be the nearest ridge in Butuan City that is good for camping with your tent overnight while looking at the City at night witnessing the boisterous lights below. Hammocking is another choice full of fun swinging while watching those scenic views at the same time chatting with friends. The sounds of the birds and the whispering winds coming from the mountains make you calm and refreshing. That deafening silence is the beautiful moment how to relieve stress that carried you from the hustle and bustle of city life.

On a cold morning, witness how amazing the clouds creeping and covering the City before the beautiful sunrise started hovering over the entire scene. This is how amazing Mother Nature unfolds before the naked eye at Malalag Ridge.

Butuan City is part of Agusan Valley that was surrounded by mountain ranges between the Sumagaya range to the west and Mt. Hilong-Hilong and Agusan Mountain range to the east. One of the most historic landmarks is the presence of Mt. Mayapay, a living witness to the Butuan’s glorious part.

malalag ridge, butuan — photo source: AJ Mordeno

Independence Day Climb at Mt. Mayapay, Butuan City

June 21, 2021 by caraga 2 Comments

The journey has been so exciting and amazing as the group of mountain trekkers swing back to the pathway that lead them to the most popular hiking destinations, Mt. Mayapay, the highest mountain peak in Butuan City. Mt. Mayapay was then the majestic crowning glory of the City’s glorious historic events that witness since Ferdinand Magellan coming to Butuan 500 years ago and the Kingdom of Butuan for a thousand years.

The mountain is standing 675 meters above sea level with its fascinating table-head shape as we look up from the distance. The trek started from the main trail through an overgrown rough road with a gradual walk. The difficult part of the journey is to climb near the peak where it is very steep and trekkers may literally crawl up most of the time. This difficulty, however, at the end offers a very rewarding view of Butuan City and the summit has breathtaking views of the plains and rolling mountains of Agusan del Norte, Butuan Bay and Agusan River. The winds are refreshing, and when the morning comes is a sea of clouds below them.

Mt. Mayapay has also its unique position from the rest of the mountains in the Philippines as it was surrounded by wide plain between the Sumagaya range to the west and Mt. Hilong-Hilong and Agusan Mountain ranges to the east. Plus the bonus offers of viewing Agusan River emptying into Butuan Bay with towering mountains behind them.

mt. mayapay, butuan city — source: Glenn Aspe

Khapeteren Forest, Barangay Bonbon, Butuan City

February 8, 2021 by caraga Leave a Comment

Khapeteren Forest is another mountain resort located at barangay Bonbon, Butuan City facing the majestic Mt. Mayapay. Your life would never be the same by looking the beautiful surroundings that is keep spreading the wings of Mother Nature. Khapeteren Forest with its lush greenery and scenic mountains, overlooking flat lands and urban skyline will makes you startle and amaze. Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

How to get there:

Ride a skylab crossing Sports Complex, then drop to purok Matin-ao, Bonbon. Then hike or ride again motor (depends on you if you want to choose motor or hike), for hike from Matin-ao will reach 30 to 45minutes.

Opens Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Under Construct when I went there, at the end of the month, according to the owner, they will open the resort everyday.

They offer coffee, drinks, foods and many more once the construction is finished. You can also stay there overnight with your own tent.

Tapnigue View Park, Brgy. Tapnigue, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte

February 7, 2021 by caraga Leave a Comment

Such an amazing views at Tapnigue View Park located in barangay Tapnigue, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte as surrounded with teeming lush green forest and charming mountains, foggy atmosphere, and noting the presence of historic Mt. Mayapay. This is one of sprouting resorts among the mountainous Butuan and Buenavista borders as part of the sprawling Agusan Valley.

tapnigue view park, tapnigue, buenavista, — source: AJ Mordeno

Tapnigue View Park is blessed with scenic views to fulfilled ones eyes who once drained from the life in the City. Its neighboring resort called Alicia Ridge Eco Park is another romantic place offering lots of activities like horse back riding, camping, picnics and taking picture by yourself or with the group.

Tapnigue View Park become the top of your list in visiting mountain resorts fleeing from the hustle and bustle of the urban life turning into a quiet and peaceful aspiration.