Ironwulf En Route
What does Buddha do on his spare time? He surfs! Well that’s what the owners of Buddha’s Surf Resort in Siargao thinks. It’s just amusing to see a figure of Buddha lifting a surfboard when I arrived at the resort. Located right smack between the famous Cloud 9 surf spot and the bustling General Luna, Buddha’s Surf Resort is one of the pioneer establishment in Siargao that has long catered to visitors of the island.
A one hour ferry ride from Dapa, Siargao to Socorro Port in a jam-packed boat. A half-hour tricycle ride cutting through the bucolic landscape of Bucas Grande. Then a thrilling half hour boat ride from Barangay Sta Cruz on a small boat to Sohoton Bay. A transit that slowly swelled my excitement for visiting this emerging gem of a destination in Surigao del Norte. And my abode is at Sohoton Bay Resort. A lovely quiet cove just a stone’s throw away to the wonders of Sohoton Cove.
It was a night of the “super blue blood moon”. A rare celestial phenomenon that last happened in 1982. We were in the midst of our Lakbay Norte 7 tour in Tarlac that time that I firmly requested we hurry to our accommodation that evening to catch the “super blue blood moon”. The Farmhouse by EDL was our host that evening and I was ecstatic when we arrived on time. We hurried to capture the moon spectacle and after that I couldn’t help but look down at the attractive setting we have that evening. Inviting pool, lovely warmly lit garden and my companions starting their full moon party at the bar.
There’s a whole new different world in Boracay and they call it the Boracay Newcoast. This 150-hectare township is being groomed for upscale development. Amid the hilly greens, wide open roads and quiet white beach coves is the stylish Savoy Hotel. The six-story 559-room hotel has a distinctive modern and dynamic architecture.
With Boracay consistently cited as one of the best islands in the world, there’s a constant wave of people coming and going the island all year round. Finding an accommodation with a peaceful environment for sound sleep yet close enough to the White Beach may seem a challenge. Believe it or not, there are still pockets of quiet near the bustling main road of Boracay. Agos Boracay Rooms and Bed is a secluded guesthouse yet only steps away from the busy streets. Centrally located and only a few minutes walk to the main beaches.
From my window up 15 floors, I see the EDSA traffic but thankfully couldn’t hear it. I’ve passed through this area time and time again, mostly onboard the MRT and what I remember is the long stretch of not-so-idle land in between the intersection of Quezon Boulevard and the corner in front of SM City North EDSA, as well as the space where an MRT train makes a detour, parked quite away from motorists plying the main thoroughfare Then, Trinoma happened. Now, a newer, more prominent landmark has opened this side of Quezon City — Seda Vertis North.
I turned up the volume of the Bose speaker connected via bluetooth to my smartphone. The acoustic harmony of the Hollow Cove’s “The Woods” filled my large Luxury Room. I split the curtains wide and see the Sukhumvit street below early in it’s early morning bustle. “We’re all falling and we all need a place… to hide!” I somehow echo the lyrics of the song. After a week of exploring Bangkok and Chiang Mai, I welcome a little indulgence to cap my last few days in Thailand. Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit welcomed me with their 5-star comfort and warmth. My birthday was just five days ago but it felt this was the time to celebrate.
