LYING on the warm sand outside my room, I listen to the crashing of the waves as the sunrise glistens over the ocean. Pulling me out my reverie are early risers tackling the morning waves and my son, David, building his own sandcastle. This is my idea of bliss.
Greeted with smiles and a sweet tropical juice along the way to Abukay Resort leaves us in no doubt that we are on the island of Siargao. An hour away by plane from the bustle of Davao City, it is the best recluse to relax one’s body and mind.
As we arrive at Abukay, just 3 minutes away lies the famous surfing spot, Cloud 9. Not only does it have a viewing deck to check out the cool surfers who seamlessly glide along the waves, it also has few restaurants and coffee shops situated within the area.
Our lesson begins with moderate paddling, and we increase our tempo only when it is time to catch a wave. It is addicting and a little nerve-wracking to paddle up and ride the ripples. There is no age limit for the experience, so if the waves aren't too big, try to bring your folks and children. They will surely love it. For P400, one can enjoy two hours of surfing with an instructor.
After a good round of surfing, head on to Shaka Cafe Gallery. Order a Bom Dia bowl at P250 for a healthy fix. The taste of banana, acai, mango, coconut milk and pineapple leaves a delicious tropical flavour that will make you want for more.
At night, feast at the Bravo restaurant. The kitchen serves up delicious Spanish dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. The location is as excellent as the food, with the open-air dining area overlooking the swimming pool and the bay beyond. Try their seafood Paella for P500 and Peri-Peri chicken, it reels in pure gastronomic delight.
There are many choices of good restaurants to choose from such as Kermit, Mama’s Grill and Isla Cabana, although the latter is just a bit expensive. We spent a whopping P10,000 for lunch, but it was totally worth it. Also, the meat lover’s and the Tricia pizza at Aventino’s Pizza, Pasta and Vino is a must try. At a price range of P150-345, their grubs are very affordable packed with exceptional flavors. Imagine a three-layered thin crust pizza that has different offerings of cheese, vegetables and meat per layer, tropical foodgasm at its best.
A highlight of Siargao is its diverse nightlife. At night, locals and foreigners come together to feast on a good drink. The party scene in Siargao is entirely different from the ones in Boracay. I would say it’s a tad more raw and wild. Events are raised not by Facebook postings, but by word of mouth. You will never know who you are going to meet, maybe, one day you’ll walk to a bar and meet your soulmate.
In my three day stay, fun is just an understatement. There are so many things to do and places to discover in the beautiful Island of Siargao. The next time I come back, I will definitely try pampering my nails at Sirena Nail Spa and probably get a cool tattoo.