The adventure of going by land from the comforts of Manila to the Majestic land of Mindanao not to mentioned the forced circumstances of the family business had us crawling to our ever dependedent toyota fortuner. The trip started with the usual planning of where to sleep, gas location and roro schedules. After all was set the trip meter was set and off we go.
Traversing the SLEX was a breeze on an early sunday morning. We reached Atimonan Quezon around 8am
We changed driving duty after Caluag as the road conditions of Quirino highway requires fresh mind and body. I remember back in 97 when the highway was built. After only 17 years the highway undergone several major repairs. From the Quezon province side to Camarines. Indeed many millionaires had risen from this.
After a gas break at Sipocot. We had a short photoops at Albay. I was hoping I could have a glimpse of the Eruptions.From Daraga, Albay we diverted to Brgy gabawan for a little photoops with the lake.
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| The Majestic Mayon Volcano from Gabawan Lake |
We arrived at Matnog Ferry Station around 7pm. Prepare a few P20 or a sachet of cofee as the guard at the gate. The passsenger assistance officer at the gate and the roro boat vehicle parking assistance have a craving for coffees. The roro trip takes around 1.50 hours and for an SUV will cost us P950.00 including the driver and 115.00 for each passenger. Seniors and kids has discounts.
Heres the schedule as of this writing.
VESSEL ARRIVAL DEPARTURE
MV MAHARLIKA 3 2200H 0100H
MV DON BENITO AMBROSIO 0030H 0130H
MV KING FREDERICK 0130H 0300H
MV HANSEL JOBETT 0130H 0400H
MV NELVIN JULES 0400H 0500H
MV DON BENITO AMBROSIO 0500H 0630H
MV KING FREDERICK 0700H 0745H
MV HANSEL JOBETT 0830H 0930H
MV NELVIN JULES 0930H 1030H
MV DON BENITO AMBROSIO 1100H 1130H
MV KING FREDERICK 1230H 1330H
MV HANSEL JOBETT 1330H 1500H
MV MAHARLIKA 3 1400H 1700H
MV DON BENITO AMBROSIO 1600H 1800H
MV NELVIN JULES 1800H 1900H
MV KING FREDERICK 1700H 2100H
MV HANSEL JOBETT 2030H 2300H
MV NELVIN JULES 2300H 2400H
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| Allen, Samar |
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| Kinabranan Lodge Backyard |
Two more wee hours and zipping thru a few bridge work and a few moon like crater and were in Calbayog City, Samar. Beware though of large puddle of water. We almost got stuck from a knee deep water.
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| There are at least two bridge under repair in Samar |
A quick breakfast at Chowking and were off to Calbayog City. Calbayog is a coastal city and a pride of Samar. Though we had little time to explore the city I had this snap shot of the Provincial Capitol right.
Connecting samar and Leyte is the infamous San Juanico Bridge. San Juanico Bridge is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. Its longest length is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an arch-shaped truss design. With a total length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34 mi),[1] it is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater.
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| San Juanico Bridge |
Next Stop is Tacloban City. The City was heavily damaged by Typhoon Yolanda (International Name Haiyan). The city is moving forward. Aside from some business establishments that are up and running, the settlers in the coastline are also back.
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| Informal Settlers back in the shoreline |
Palo Leyte is just 15mins from Tacloban. It was also damaged by typhoon Yolanda. It was a beautiful coastal town. Here a few pictures.
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| The Leyte Gulf |
Palo is famous for the landing of General Douglas MacArthur and staff land at Palo Beach, on October 20 1944. A memorial was established by then President Fidel V. Ramos on October 20, 1994 almost 50 years after the landing.
There are still a lot of tourist spots from Leyte to San Ricardo Port. We had to hurry as to catch the RORO schedule of San Ricardo Port (more on the schedules below). We decided to take the San Ricardo Port as the regular Liloan Ports takes 5 hours to reach Lipata Port. San Ricardo is at least 41km away from Liloan Port. Be careful though especially at night as the road is quite twisty. Blowing your horn is a must especially at the curves. Also if you're using the AVT GPS, there is an error on the navigation after you passed Liloan Port as it diverts you to a rough road. Stick with the main highway.
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| 1,000KM and 600 more to go... |
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| Agas-Agas Bridge |
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| San Ricardo Port |
San Ricardo Port has limited roro schedules and mostly operated by the Montenegro Corp. Here are the schedules from San Ricardo Port to Lipata Port
4:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
Be at the port for at least 1 hour before the schedule departure.
Lipata to San Ricardo has this schedules:
2:00am, 6:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm and 6:00pm
Be ready lto shelter 2,150 for an SUV and at least 125 for each passenger.
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| The Gateway Hotel Surigao |
Lipata Port, Surigao City is at least 1,200Km from Manila. The almost 1 1/2 hours from San Ricardo had us arrived in Surigao @ 11pm. We stayed at the Gateway Hotel. The hotel cost us 1,700. It has two single beds, Hot and Cold Shower, Cable TV, WIFI Connections and Aircon. The breakfast is good. A reminder to Christians as since you are in Mindanao the chicken and beef are mostly Halal.
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| Mabua Pebble Beach: More Stones Less Sands |
Surigao is considered The Gateway to Mindanao. A 15 mins drive brought us to the Pebble Beach of Mabua.Unlike the usual sandy beaches, Mabua Pebble Beach, as the name implies, is uniquely dotted with smooth stones. Cobblestones are naturally- rounded stones used in landscaping, making pavements and pathways. Comparatively, pebble stones, which are smaller, serve a useful purpose in decorating fountains and garden pathways
At least 1 hour drive lead us to Lake Mainit. The town of Mainit is at least 4 kms away from Maharlika highway. Its beautiful, calm and simple town reminds you of how noisy the city life is. It's a perfect getaway from the busy city.
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| Lake Mainit from the Highway |
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| Exploring Lake Mainit |
The Road is silky smooth from Surigao to Davao City with a few road works. There are section that are having 4 lanes once you reached Davao Province. Along the way we passed by Agusan Marsh and the once infamous Bunawan the home of Lolong. One of my comeback list is to visit the Marshland.A few photoops i got along the way.
Toog Tree (Philippine Rosewood)
- One of the Philippines Tallest Tree.
Scientific Name: Petersianthus quadrialatus
Height: 57.4 Meters
Diameter: 82.76cm
Estimated Age: More Than 60 Year
The tree is endemic in the Agusan, Surigao, Davao del Norte, Leyte and Samar
The tree is endemic in the Agusan, Surigao, Davao del Norte, Leyte and Samar
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| The Toog Tree near the provincial capitol of Agusan |
Stay tuned for the next part of my blog... Davao..
