It’s when jumping off cliffs or being drenched by a downpour at sea that you become at peace with yourself.
Quick impressions of Siargao from the ferry: It’s small and still provincial. The dock is like all the other provincial harbors I’ve seen—busy and noisy, big bundles and cargoes being transported to or from all kinds of floating vessels. Off to one stretch of the coastline, as our ferry got ready to dock, coconut trees swayed while wiry brown kids enjoyed diving into the dock’s deep waters. As we disembarked, I observed that my fellow passengers included backpacking foreigners toting longboards. What surprised me, though, was that many of the surfers on the boat with us were travelling alone. Since then, I learned that surfing is a solitary sport. For dedicated surfers, it’s a case of me against the waves— so it doesn’t matter if they’re alone or with a group.
Siargao is the Philippines‚Äô surfing capital. From its popularity as a surfing destination, I thought it would be bigger and busier. But it has still retained its provincial soul — perhaps because it‚Äôs a surfers‚Äô haven and the group‚Äôs distinctly bohemian vibe has permeated the place. Nevertheless, locals complain that the town isn‚Äôt what it was ten years ago, presumably when it was harder to reach and few had discovered its attractions.
However, lack of easy access has never deterred dedicated surfers, and Siargao is proof of this. For one thing, traveling around the Philippines is not easy. Going around the islands requires vast amounts of patience, level-headedness, and cool that would put a Zen master to shame. First, one has to fly into Manila and contend with the chaos in the airport. Once out of the airport, you have to go through horrible traffic, bad infrastructure, and confusing road rules to get to your hotel (it’s doubtful that you’ll be able to get a connecting flight to Surigao on the same day). And then there’s the heat, and so many other inconveniences. By the time you get to Surigao del Norte, it’s a wonder you have any strength left to carry your surfboard, let alone your luggage. Yet, upon reaching Surigao del Norte, Siargao town is still two hours away by ferry.
Source: sg.travel.yahoo.com
