Pause the Moment: 2012.06

Club Tara Activities

The view form our water cottage was already worth the travel. But it will be more exciting if we'll explore the island (where Club Tara is located) --> and it's for free, it's already included in our package.

the see through glass to view the water below (for me, it's not necessary)

the amazing view from our balcony

The infinity pool

we had dinner there

By the way, our package includes:
1. Free use of the Infinity Pool
2. Free use of Kayak and Snorkeling Gears (the marine life, it's amazing)
3. Trekking
4. Beach Hopping (Balanghai and White Beach)
5. 3 meals per day
6. And of course, the private jacuzzi in our room.
By the way, Bucas Grande Adventure is not included on their package. (I'll share my Bucas Grande Adventure on a separate post)

We were guided by a Club Tara staff. He manages to answer all our questions.
There are nearby beaches that we've visited. To get to the White Beach (I don't know the name of the beach), we had to trek up and down a hill. It's about 30 minutes, depending on your pace. But, so worth it. And from the White beach, we headed off to Balanghai White Beach.

may trekking pala, wala man lang pasabi

trekking up

1st stop: the white beach

white beach

next stop: Balanghai White Beach

Balanghai White Beach

Balanghai White Beach and the islets

time to swim

We did our kayaking and we saw a lot of jellyfish (stingless(brown jelly fish) and with sting (white jellyfish)). I put my snorkle gear and got into the water when we saw stingless jellyfish.

my first time to kayak

practicing how to paddle... left right left right

kayaking in front of our cottage

lot of jellyfish in this area

On my way back my kayak, I got stung by a jellyfish. And whew, it was extremely painful, I'd shake my arms to get it off. I was really afraid during that time.
Our guide used vinegar and took the jelly off, and it seemed to get better. The pain went away after several hours. A week later, the areas became red, bumps appeared, and extremely itchy.

That's me, when I was suddenly attacked by a jellyfish

My jellyfish sting, after 24 hours

I should not have include my jellyfish sting here, hahaha! Okay okay, back to the topic, we were able to see a lot of fishes, and I saw Nemo!

A water cottage costs more or less 13,000 per night. But we only paid:
13,000 = 2nights / 2 PAX
2,000 = Round Trip Land and Boat Transfer from Surigao City / per person
Overall, I really had a wonderful time staying here. I would really love to go back here in the future

Club Tara, Bucas Grande, Surigao

Club Tara is around two hours away from Surigao City (1.5 hours land travel, and 30minutes by boat). I like where the resort is located- for me, it is truly a paradise in Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte . When we arrived at the place we were greeted by the wonders of nature. The scenery was very impressive (more impressive if you seen it personally, than the photo's I have taken)

I've been to a lot of places in the Philippines, but this place has really exceeded my expectations. I am so glad I discovered Bucas Grande in Surigao (It was my first time here and it never let me down).

Arriving at Club Tara

Can't wait to have a rest in one of these cottage

in front of Club Tara

Club Tara Resort is isolated but surrounded by nature. It's very unique and absolutely like a paradise. The cottages were just beside the lagoon. It was so relaxing. No phone signal, no internet, no atm and no nightlife. And yes, we enjoyed our stay so much.

the walkway

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a drink. They guided us to our water cottage, and wow! it was very really really beautiful. The view from our room was so relaxing, and very private. It is very nice to see the jacuzzi. (well, each room has a jacuzzi). What I like most is the balcony, that has the perfect view of blue lagoon... of the islets... definitely a perfect view of nature!

It was very refreshing to look at the islets and some fishes under the cottage. There's also a see through glass to see the waters below. I like the way they designed the rooms.

The only downside for me:
- No doors in the comfort room
- Aircon was small for the room
- The bath water was a bit salty.

But overall, for a nature-lover like me, the rooms were really designed so well, however there was no TV.

Our room.

door to the balcony

amazing view from our room

private jacuzzi

the balcony

balcony

inside our room

our room at night

the crystal clear water

The Beads -- that's the door to the CR

very nice view while taking a bath

There are activities available in the resort like kayaking, snorkeling, trekking to the other side of the island. There's also a swimming pool.
Best time to go should be summer because there are stingless jellyfish. But there are also jellyfish with sting so be careful!

Aside from breath taking view of the resort, we've also enjoyed to explore the island.
Even if the place was a bit pricey, for me it's totally worth the visit.

Bucas Grande Adventure, Surigao del Norte

Bucas Grande is part of the Siargao Islands. And Siargao is part of Surigao del Norte. And Surigao del Norte is part of Caraga Region.

While taking a relaxing vacation in Club Tara, we went on an island hopping tour. A nice and adventurous way to spend our time in Bucas Grande. We booked the tour through Club Tara.
We relied on their standard itinerary and we were able to visit the following:
* Crystal Cave
* Bolitas Cave
* Tiktikan Lake
* Canlunes White Beach
* Sohoton
* Hagukan CAve
* Magkukuob Cave
* Marka-a White Beach

We hopped in our boat and we were joined by two Chinese travelers, two boatmen, and one tour guide.

and the adventure begins. very nice view of islands/islets from our boat.

Our first stop, the Crystal Cave. We saw the crystal like formations of the stalactites.

short trek going to the Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave entrance

crystal-like formation of the stalactites

inside of the Crystal Cave

Bolitas Cave entrance

Our next stop, the Tiktikan lake. We had to trek a little to reach this wonderful lake. The lake was very calm, peaceful and so relaxing.

Here's the view of the sea before we trek off to the Tiktikan Lake

jumping into the sea

going to Tiktikan Lake

finally, the Tiktikan Lake

so peaceful, so relaxing

Tiktikan Lake

Next stop was the Canlunes white beach. We took the time enjoying the view of the cute islets and its clear water.

Coconut Picking

breathtaking view in Canlunes beach

Canlunes beach

The clear water of Canlunes Beach

And wow, it's already luch time. We headed back to Club Tara to have our lunch there.

After our relaxed lunch we went to Sohoton, the most popular tourist destination in Bucas Grande. Upon arriving, we were welcomed by their tourist assistance. Here, we paid the entrance fee, then transferred to a smaller boat.
The place is like a maze/labyrinth as we turned left and right. The only way in and out is during low tide,because the entance vanishes during the high tide

The only way in and out of Sohoton Cove

Sohoton Cove

maze-like view of Sohoton

stingless jellyfish

Hagukan Cave. It's time for us to get inside. I bravely jump into the water, then enter in to the cave. But we had to be very carefule while entering the cave, the rocks were very sharp. We had fun swimmig in this dark cave. They say that during high tide, the opening of the cave is almost not accessible.

Hagukan Cave entrance

It's my turn to go inside of the cave, I should really be careful with those sharp rocks

And I did it! I'm now inside of the cave. See that light? that's the cave entrance/exit

we really enjoyed swimming inside of this dark cave

Magkukuob Cave. It’s smaller than Hagukan. The water in this cave was waist level. We walked around the cave, and there are nice rock fomation there. The exit of the cave is challenging, wherein one has to jump from the cliff to the water.