Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 7)

We left the boys (Joey, Chi and Maxie, Joey's friend) out on the waves and Father Cid brought us girls (Mama, Maite and me) and Ed to the Gold Bar Restaurant to have lunch.  Let's see, what did we have?  Binagoongang rice, fresh lumpia, tinolang malasugi, and tilapia.  And like any gracious host, he wouldn't let us pay... he wouldn't even let us see the chit, claiming all he had to do was sign it and we were done.

By this time, the beach house was ready and cleaned so Ed dropped us off there.  After that, he went about returning Father Cid to the convent and picking up the tired surfers and bringing them to the house.  It was easy to laze away the afternoon, with the cool ocean breeze and the sound of the surf in the distance.  As the sun was setting, we went out for a dip.  The water was amazing!  It was so calm, so clean and so clear!  That night, we had dinner on the beach (crabs, prawns, clams and chopsuey), courtesy again of our host and drinks (red wine) at the house of the Provincial Tourism Officer.  Unfortunately, we couldn't really keep up with the developments because we were all soooo sleeeeeepy.

The next morning, January 6, we were served breakfast again on the beach and then we had to say our sad goodbyes to Father Cid and Maxie, with the solemn promise that we would be returning soon.  Our trip was finally coming to an end and we would be on the road back to Bukidnon.  We took the shortcut at Lianga, through the mountains dividing Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur and came out just outside Prosperidad.  We headed north until Butuan City where we had our lunch (at around 1:00pm) at a restaurant called Rosario's.  Then, with a short side trip to the new Suspension Bridge, we were on our way.  We made good time and arrived home at around 6:00pm.

Joey departed for Manila early the next morning...  And so another turning point in our lives as travel coordinators has developed, and so begins another chapter in our journey to know the Philippines!

Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 6)

We were really leaving the next day, January 5.  It was raining and surfers were being discouraged to go out on the water.  So, off we went.  Our departure time was 6:45am.  By 7:45, we had entered the city limits of Tandag, and after correcting a wrong turn, we arrived at the Sacred Heart Cathedral.  Bishop Cid was ready and waiting with our smörgåsbord breakfast of scrambled egg, ginisang ampalaya, ham, bread, peanut butter, fried rice and our choice of coffee or chocolate.  Then, since we had a bit of time to spare, and Joey wanted to visit the owner of his outlet in the city, Father Cid graciously offered to be our guide.

First, we made a surprise (we were the ones who were surprised) courtesy call to the Provincial Capitol.  Father Cid directed us to the Tourism Office where we saw the many tourist sites of Surigao del Sur -- Casarica Island, Campamento Cave, Britania Island, Enchanted River, Iron Mountain, Mangkagangi Bat Island, Cagwait White Beach, and Tinuy-an Falls.  It did not look like we would be able to see any of them as our planned route would take us into Agusan del Sur via a shortcut, but at least we had an idea where to go for our next visit (very soon).  Then we went straight through to the Governor's Office, told him of our proposed tourism activities, had our picture taken, and out again.  One thing for sure, by the time we were back out into the sunshine, we had certainly made an impression of the Governor.  And, Father Cid had made a most favorable impression on us.

Then, we went to the best surfing spot in Tandag (in front of the Tandag Polytechnic School).  Joey was ready to go in and had already prepared his surfboard and bag for immediate use.  While we were watching his excitement, Father Cid asked why we weren't staying overnight, when there were many sights to see in the city? We were tempted; I was free until the 6th but I was concerned with Chi and Maite's daughter and business back in Malaybalay.  After a short conference, the couple decided that one more day wouldn't be too long for their daughter to wait.  So the priest directed us to a house along the beach which he said he was allowed to use whenever he has guests.  The house turned out to be the private beach house of the mayor of Tandag City.