Diatagon and Barobo, Surigao del Sur escapade...

I just arrived home from a 3-day vacation trip to parts of Surigao del Sur, as part of my place-hopping plan for this sembreak. I may have told you in the past already, but I haven't done this kind of escapade before, not without my family with me, my mother in particular, whom I super missed while I was away from home, 3 hours away to be specific.

DAY 1, My first stop: Barobo, Surigao del Sur

Lowze and I left Butuan at around 10 in the morning and arrived at almost 2 in the afternoon. There were more stops than expected on the way so it took us an hour longer than expected too. As you can imagine, we haven't lunched by this time yet so we were actually hungrier than you think :))

We bought viands at the Public Market before we headed straight to Dzee's (Lowze) house, which was still over a kilometer away, and to make matters much much better, Dzee's folks are away harvesting their crops which only meant that upon arriving at their house we still had to cook rice for ourselves, sigh...

We arrived, we cooked rice, we ate...and their place? well, so remote but peaceful. And of all, peaceful places for me are the best!, in this matter, no matter how remote. They're what I have always crave for, especially at times when I am here typing... and folks scream house chores at you, or when younger siblings shout around playing or joking duh duh duh..their house is just beside a river as well, and I love water, water and water. I imagine they must have plenty of livelihood out there given their resources, a field to plant and a river to fish.

We climbed up a steep mountain too, too steep I can't imagine now how I climbed up there or how I came down. I was not expecting any climbing activity but Dzee climbed up and left me no choice but to follow. But the view.... so rewarding. From there, the Turtle Island is visible, and the body of water, and the rest of Surigo del Sur...

DAY 2: Dzee's Boyfriend's birthday!

I met her boyfriend on day 1, and he was actually the cause of our staying late in the evening, and honestly I didn't like it. People need rest after a 3-hour long trip, right? yey right..

But of course, next days are always different from the present day. And the day after that, my perspectives changed, and we got along well. Also, it was his birthday so I thought I should be a little more agreeable, LoL.

Unfortunately, as any other things, things out there can not always be perfect, as what happened. While we were eating (yeah, eating voraciously ^^), Ate Riza (the oldest close classmate) texted to meet us at Barobo and visit her place, Diatagon. Initially, Dzee thought it was a good idea, you know, us three going there. But her boyfriend thought otherwise. Apparently, he didn't want Dzee away on his important day and to make this story short, his birthday ended up dramatic. He went hibernating in his room and she went crying in hers. Boyfriends are an obstacle, now I confirmed.

To his birthday, I don't actually know what happened after that. Consequently, Dzee didn't come with me so I went alone, oblivious of what was taking place the rest of that day in Barobo. And as agreed I met Ate Riza at the Bus Terminal. She was travelling from Butuan, and I waited for a few minutes before I spotted the bus she was riding on.

The ride was only 30 minutes (or less), and we arrived just before it was completely dark. Ate Riza showed me around, introduced me to her relatives, neighbors and all. Since it was getting dark, we decided to put off until tomorrow what I came there for, spelled B-E-A-C-H. So by now, the initial plan was ruined. I should have been back to Barobo in that same evening but it was clear Ate wouldn't let me. So ride on!

DAY 3, Second stop: Diatagon, Surigao del Sur

The clouds were dark, rain was approaching. No sunrise was catchable.

so what???

After a sip of coffee, Ate and I strolled along the beach. By the way, their place is surrounded by beaches, river.. ohhh.. not that acquainted with water names.

Hmm.. if I was to rate the bestest, I should say this day is the bestesest (is there such a word?). Fortunately, I brought Dzee's camera with me so I was able to capture the best views, moments while I was there. While strolling, we came to this "private" place who is being looked after by an old lady who Ate rode on a bus with when she went to their place for the Local Election.

I put double quotes on the word "private" because as one of the countless kwentos Ate shared with me, private properties should be illegal in their place. Private Properties which are popping up here and there in their place which they call CAUSE WAY. An organization, to which Nanay (Ate's mother) is a member, is currently charging a case against those private properties. Going back to that private place.. since Ate is acquainted with the person in charge, we were allowed to get inside fee-less. We could use the beach too if we liked, we were told, but we did not bring anything, money for snacks and towel. So we just made ourselves busy taking pictures, flash! flash! flash! I tell you, the place is AWESOME!!!!!! I could live there my whole life...

Done there. We proceeded going forward. Forward and forward until we reached the limit. Other days when the river is low, we could cross neighboring islands. But it was high tide so we turned back just after reaching a mini white beach.

When we were so exhausted, we went back. Too late, by now we realized just how far we got.

After breakfast, we slept.

In the afternoon, four of us: Ate, Ivy, Juana (Ivy's and Ate Riza's youngest sister) and I took the beach. Ate and I rested there in the morning when we were on stroll before we got to that "private". That was my first time dipping in a clear white beach, honestly. I'm too used to dark beaches, hahahahaha!

By now, I was getting along very well with Nanay. Tatay's quite very kind, agreeable and all. Nanay is reserved and seems to be ready to scold you when you mess up. That's why it was good news for me when she started asking me questions, talking with me. Lang Lang (Juana's nick), was now close to me as well.

DAY 4: My last day

October 29 when I arrived, I knew Ate would not release me until tomorrow. But then, her high school classmate unexpectedly arrived and talked about going to Buslon on the 31st, an island 15 minutes away. So October 30... October 31.. everything scheduled was again ruined. Okay, but I need to be home on November 1, as I promised to my parents.

October 31..

The Buslon plan could not be fulfilled because big waves could crush a pump boat one is supposed to ride on when crossing an island.

So...

CAUSE WAY again.

with Ate's high school classmate and company.

This time, though, on the other end. The opposite end of where we frequented the previous day.

Mr. Matiaz, the IT Dean at AMA, was surprisingly there with his family. His wife is a Diatagon native, by now we knew.

As I said, there were big waves so it was like playing on the ocean where you get exhausted after the game, no it was more than that actually. It was like we've been to a wrestling match. Every muscle in my body ached, like it was being pushed to the limit. But it was more fun than you might think, way more fun.

We picked white sands and pebbles afterwards, pasalubong...

And then I was going home. The night before, I've made up my mind, that I would be home by the night of October 31. And once I made up my mind, it's hard stopping me.

With the pebbles and sands.. with all my clothes, all wet besides those I left in Barobo, which Dzee brought to the Barobo Bus Terminal for me, with all the memories.. I was going home.. one day later than planned.

Other than the dizziness caused by the 3-hour long trip going home, I was fine.

Along the way, there were lessons to learn, time to spend for things that would make you happy, memories to savor, friendships to treasure.

Now I'm back, but I know I'll be back exploring again, by myself.. but not alone.

P.S.

I'll post the pictures next time ;)