I made it to Siargao. It was a very uncomfortable journey because of my circumstances and also due to a slight deviation from my planned schedule. The plan was for me to go to the bus terminal at around 5 pm on Thursday, take a 5-hour bus to Butuan plus a 1- to 2-hour wait time. After that, take a 3-hour bus ride to Surigao City. From Surigao City, I can ride a ferry to Siargao in the morning. My dad also suggested I go to Hayanggabon port via van instead of Surigao City because the ferry to Siargao is faster there.
“This plan was reasonable”, I thought. The alternative would have been a flight to Cebu and then another flight to Siargao. I didn’t really like the idea of going through two airports. I wasn’t in a rush to get there and taking the flights would have easily cost 3x the land trip. I also have too many flights booked this year and feel like I shouldn’t be taking them when I have a different reasonably priced option. I’m choosing the environmentally friendly option.
I was already packed by Wednesday – hell, I’ve been packed since the day I left Manila. All my stuff for three months was gonna fit in one 40L bag so I really needed to decide in advance. Thursday morning, I woke up excited to go but my tooth is starting to hurt. By this time, flights were already 6x the land trip. I was gonna survive the entire trip on over-the-counter pain meds. I set out around noon to go chill at a coffee shop somewhere and pick up some snacks for the trip. Spoiler alert, you can’t really chill if you’re in pain. My uncomfortable and impulsive self decided to head to the bus terminal. It was still 1 pm.
As I was walking to the terminal, I was approached by a man offering a van ride to Butuan for 250 Philippine pesos that would only take three hours. The bus ride costs 400 and it would take five hours. No brainer right? I followed him to the van. I waited for about 2.5 hours before they were able to get enough people. I got first dibs on seats so the van ride was all right. I have traveled to Butuan regularly for a good part of my young life to visit my grandma. I never noticed Claveria, Misamis Oriental was so scenic. Have I always been asleep for that part of the trip?
We arrived in Butuan at 6pm and it was already dark. There was a van bound for Surigao City there ready to go. I paid 170 pesos and got in the van. It took only 2 hours to get to Surigao City. I had dinner at the terminal. I ate two pieces of chicken barbecue with rice for only 36 pesos. Right?! It wasn’t good but still.
I took a 15-min tricycle ride to the pier for 70 pesos. I got a ticket for a 6am ferry ride to Siargao for 290 pesos. It was only 8:30 pm. In the terminal, everyone was asleep. There were enough seats that everyone could lie down. Probably a good idea right? In hindsight, it would have been best to book a hotel nearby. I hardly had any sleep
I slept through most of the ferry ride. I only woke as we were nearing Siargao. I was able to take this video, which offered a glimpse of what the island was to be like. I feel like this trip is going to be worth it.
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