Tour In Western And Northern Mindanao

[starlet]

Hi all,

 

I have just come back from a long (4 week) vacation in the Philippines, together with my wife and son, my mother and her friend. The main purpose for the trip was to meet our family who lives in Mindanao, and attend my brother-in-laws' wedding in Basilisa, Dinagat Province

 

We traveled extensively in western Mindanano (Zamboanga peninsula), Siqujor and Northern Mindanao, using all kinds of transportation: Plane, bus, jeepny, car, van, boats (from bankas to ferries), habal-habal and tricycle. It was fun and exciting, but also quite tiresome. Traveling with a 12 months old baby is not optimal.

 

We had this route:

Manila – Olangapo, rented van

Manila to Zamboanga City, by plane

Zamboanga City – Diplahan, (Zamboanga Sibugay Province), aircon bus

Diplahan – Imelda (Zamboanga Sibugay Prov.), private car

Imelda – Pagadian City (Zambanga del Sur), aircon bus

Pagadian City - Lapuyan - Margosatubig - Pagadian (Zamboanga Del Sur), private car and habal-habal

Pagadian – Dipolog – Dapitan (Zamboanga del Norte), Dakak beach Resort, private car

Dapitan – Dumaguete, Negros, ferry

Dumaguete – Larena (Siqujijor), Superferry

Around Suquijor, using privat minivan

Siqujor – Cebu, Superferry

Dumaguete – Cebu, Superferry

Cebu – Surigao City, plane

Surigao City – Basilisa, Dinagat, banka

Surigao City- Manila, plane

 

My old mother and a friend of her also joined us after 2 weeks. And they too complained a little about the ambitious itinerary. Well, the mastermind behind it was my wife. We made it, but we have concluded that next time, we will just have lazy days by the pool...

 

I will recommend Basilisa, Dinagat Islands Province to the forum members. Very beautiful. It consists of numerous islands. The nature there is to a larg degree, untouched by man. We visited the barangay with the famous name Puerto Princesa (SIC!) Yes, there at several places with that name in PI. Its a small fishing village with 3,00 inhabitants. People are poor but friendly and hospitable. As far as I know no foreigners live there permanently, but some of the girls have married foreigners, and they visit the place occasionally.

 

One tip: I you dont like fish so much, bring your own meat. Because in Basilisa, its fish, fish, fish (and other seafoodds) all day, 7 days a week.. hehe... :lol:

 

I have attached some images from Puerto Princesa (in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands Province!) The provinces lies north west of the more famous Siargao Islands. Dinagat is known to be just as beautiful as Siargao, but much less developed in terms of tourism.

 

 

Basilisa, Dinagat Islands:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisa,_Dinagat_Islands

 

 

If you have questions, feel free to ask...

 

Barangay Puerto Princesa, Basilisa Municipality, Dinagat Islands Province.

 

 

From the streets of Puerto Princesa. The barangay has only 3 streets..

 

 

 

 

 

 

My wife and son.

 

[i am bob]

Absolutely beautiful place!!!

Thanks for the photos!

[FlyAway]

Wow! Thought I was crazy with the travel all over the place. Dinagat Island is a great place. We only made it to San Jose last year. I really wanted to explore more.