Racing to the Other End of Mindanao, to Surigao!

Surigao baywalk

The pier is where boats going to Siargao island are docked  

Tricyles dominate the inner parts of the city

I am in Surigao! It is my second place to visit in Mindanao. 

A few hours before the news broke out about the Cebu Pacific plane having a mishap in Davao International Airport, we touched down riding a CP plane on the tarmac of Butuan airport.  We thought we will be making our way to Tandag, in Surigao del Sur.  But last minute we were informed we will meet our friend Minnie in Surigao City, 112 kilometers from Butuan.

Recently opened McDo outlet

A van was arranged to get us from Butuan to Surigao City. The driver navigated the winding roads very quickly, and made the usually 3-hour trip in almost 2 hours. We met Minnie in the hotel and grabbed a late lunch. When we finished, we barely had time to go around but managed to walkfrom the market to our hotel via the pier.

Surigao always has the fresh catch of the day

My first impression: Surigao City is a laid-back municipality. The streets are small, crowded with tricycles and multicabs. Minnie said it was only recently that popular Manila establishments like Chowking, Jollibee and few weeks old McDonalds were introduced in the local scene. The after hours leisure we observed were taking a stroll down the pier baywalk, rummaging through ukay-ukay and of course, the common provincial past time - karaoke. At night the streets are quiet and almost empty. The lifestyle is very simple.