Aling Cora's, Weegol's, & Margie's of Butuan

Butuan City may have few tourist attractions, but they compensate that on nice food options. The city is like "Bacolod" in Mindanao, but on smaller scale. These are my reviews of the restaurants we tried, and my experience on their wet market.

Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora

This "dampa-carinderia" style restaurant is just across Gaisano Mall along Jose Rosales Avenue. Customers can choose between cheap set meals, or raw seafoods that can be cooked any style. 

Their specialty is roasted chicken inasal style, seems well marinated, and a bit on the sweet side. Still, Aling Cora could do better for their signature dish, as it lacks its own identity. It is served with 2 cups of rice.

Prince Hotel in Butuan City

There are many inexpensive accommodations in Butuan City. En route from Surigao del Sur to Manila, we stayed for a night in VCDU Prince Hotel along South Montilla Boulevard. Perfect location as its along the route of Bachelor Bus, and just walking distance from McDonalds along Jose Aquino Avenue.

We were given a room on the fifth floor. The view is not so nice, but at least we get to see the downtown from our room, being one of the highest buildings in the city.

Historical Tour of Butuan City in Agusan

Right after arrival and heavy lunch in Butuan City, Wife and I started our historical tour of the city. We went first to the city's museum but it is closed for renovation. The guard directed us to visit the Balangay Shrine Museum instead.

Our contracted trike driver charged us P 120 for a round trip and waiting package to the Balangay Museum. He do not know its exact location, so he asked the locals in the Paradise subdivision how to get there.

Casa de Babano in Mangagoy, Bislig City

In Mangagoy, Bislig City, it seems that there are very few choices when it comes to accommodation. Based on the limited blog reviews and Trip Advisor, I chose to book in Casa de Babano through their Facebook account, as they don't have a website. They reply both on SMS (0926-7597277) and FB messages.

Their reception desk is simple, where guestroom monitoring is still done traditional style. The staff are helpful and friendly, in answering my various queries. A tourist map is posted on the lobby area for guests' reference.

Gail's, Casa Babano & Ocean View Restos

One good thing when traveling is we get to try the food in other areas. When outside of Metro Manila, the food are usually fresher and cheaper as well. Here are some of the food we tried in Bislig City, including those I found in the market.

Casa de Babano Coffee Shop

We were starving when we arrived at night on the pension house. For our dinner, we ordered a chicken barbecue, a pork sisig, and malasugui fish in sour soup.

Hinatuan Blue Hole / Enchanted River

Our third and final destination in Surigao sightseeing tour is the Hinatuan Enchanted River. From Hinayagan Cave, we traveled northeast to the coastal town of Hinatuan. We turned right from the highway junction to the barangay registration office. We paid Php 30 each, with official receipt that we have to present on the river entrance. 

Then we traveled 12 km more to Brgy. Talisay, first with wide cemented road which was followed by paved soil road. We've seen heavy equipments preparing the road to be cemented, so we hope it will improve the travel time and comfort of the visiting tourists. Riding from a habal habal, I was not able to take photos along the way.

Hinayagan Cave in Bislig City, Surigao

After lunch, we headed north to Hinayagan Cave in San Vicente, Bislig City. The cemented road became rocky, so its quite a pain in the butt for 20 minutes at the back of the habal habal ride. 

Our driver Jikjik doesn't know the jump off point to the cave from the road. Good thing that we stopped right near the jump off point, where a local old man reside nearby, and guided us to the cave. The jump off point is on the left side of the road, with a small nipa hut and signage.

Desperate Measures to Eradicate Corrupt Politicians

You may have heard of an old story when God created Earth. Just like the yin & yang, God is showing Archangel Michael that He is putting a balance on each country that he creates. There are both good and bad things in any place. In Europe for example, He made the people smart to start the Industrial Revolution, but He also gave them cold winters. In Middle East, it is very hot and barren, but He gave them crude oil.

Then Michael asked why Philippines seem perfect, with lots of natural resources, happy and smart people. Where is that "balance" here? God's reply to him -- "Wait until I give them their politicians".

Transparency International have included two past Filipino presidents (Marcos & Erap) on their list of 10 most corrupt leaders in 2004. I wonder if GMA will be included on their list on their latest update.

Majestic Tinuy-an Falls of Surigao Del Sur

Majestic. Grand. Overwhelming. Magnificent. Breath-taking.

These are just some of the adjectives I could use to describe the Tinuy-an Falls in Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. You've got to see and feel the place personally to appreciate it!

From Mangagoy, the largest barangay in the country, we hired a habal-habal to take us first to Tinuy-an Falls. The barangay road is cemented and flat on initial part, where we crossed about 3 wooden bridges.

Caleruega Retreat Center and Sky Ranch

If you are tired of the usual attractions in Tagaytay, you can go further in Caleruega Retreat Center in Nasugbu (Batangas) after the Alfonso town. I've been to Mt. Batulao twice, but never got the chance to see the nearby Caleruega. Last July, I took my family and in-laws to this famous place for weddings and retreats.

Caleruega can be accessed by entering the Evercrest Golf Club (not operating anymore), just a few kilometers from the Nasugbu arc. But instead of going left to Mt. Batulao, we turned right on that fork in the road. Then its a downhill drive on mostly rough road. We paid entrance fees and parking fee, about Php 20-30 for each fee.

Preview of Cordillera's Rice Terraces

On our way back to Manila from Sagada, we chose the Ifugao-Nueva Vizcaya route instead of passing Baguio City. It was another zigzagging traverse of the Cordillera roads, with views of mountains and pine trees. Yet Halsema highway would not be included on the world's most dangerous highways, if not for ravines and rock/mud slides we've encountered on a rainy roadtrip.

Aside from various waterfalls which I have no opportunity to take good photos, we have also seen many rice terraces, where we made two stops along the way. The first one is at Bay-Yo Rice Terraces in Bontoc, Mountain Province above.

Spelunking on Lumiang & Sumaging Caves

Tired of the trails and views on top of the mountains? Going under the ground is a good break, to literally see what is beneath us. One of the major draws of Sagada is spelunking, or exploring its 3 interconnected caves. With 6 known entrance/exit points, Sagada caves are considered as the deepest caves in the country with lowest vertical drop of 163 m.

I booked a Lumiang-Sumaging cave connection tour which costs Php 400/head, minimum of 2 persons with a guide for every 5 clients. I thought that I would do the tour alone, but I was surprised that Mr. A from our seminar decided to join me. Our guide Joey (0919-2151096) is the VP of SAGGAS, one of the two guide associations in Sagada.