The Rocker´s Notebook: Dinagat Islands: A Hidden Paradise Within

Facebook reminded me of another escapades I had a few years ago. This trip, I guess, deserves a good story.

This place has occurred to me only in my dreams and I couldn’t still imagine it came to reality. The sweet memories of me and my colleagues in that trip still linger on my mind. I could still smell the salty but refreshing air blowing from the deep blue sea. The scorching heat of the sun that told us it was summertime. Everything, the weather, the sea, the Philex Explo family was just awesome.

There’s a saying that states give credits where it is due. And so, I and my colleagues were rewarded ourselves for another job-well-done success party after days of hard preparation and lighting of midnight candle. Our trip to the Dinagat Islands was a stress-absorber. All the hardships were paid-off with this trip and an unforgettable one.

Dinagat Islands were previously part of the province of Surigao del Norte until it was separated in 2006 and became the Province of Dinagat Islands. It was known as the "Mystical Island Province of Love" based on Wikipedia.

Getting to one of the islands of the Dinagat takes time by boat. However, fascinating scenery and remarkable rock formations along the way will ignore the boredom cause by a long trip. Even it was a tiring trip, the great price waiting at the end is immeasurable.

Our whole day trip kicked-off at Isla Aga Island. The name of the island was adopted from one of the Ecleo’s daughter. I am not sure about this legend and this is after all not important. The most important thing to talk about is the island is a paradise. It has a few islets surrounding. Words other than beautiful are beyond words that can be describe to the place. Nature is just simply amazing.

We need to take extra careful exploring the island because of the treacherous path and rough wall rocks. There is a man-made human bridge connecting to a nearby islet and the island where we docked. I didn’t waste any time taking a quick plunge into the inviting water. Though, we didn’t spend long in that island. A heartbreaking part of the story, probably, but the exciting part didn’t end just yet. The best is yet to come.

The vivid photos taken can explain and can speak themselves. The beauty hidden in this part of the universe is just unexplainable. Kabakongan Cove should one of the places anybody should visit before they die. Frankly, no need for camera filters to capture the natural grandeur of the place. The deep blue sky reflecting the crystal clear sea water will surely make everyone to bathe for hours. And yes, the sea is best for snorkeling but watch out not to be surprised by a sea snake.

We had pork barbeque and grilled fish for lunch. Some villager can do fishing even in the sea shore. I tried and caught a fish on my first time. We spent long in the place and enjoyed every moments the place could offer. Some of use took some souvenir while others fulfilled themselves from swimming in the sea and jump-shot photos. And for me with a full stomach, it was a ciesta time. Snake mode activated.

We leaved the cove couple of hours past lunch and went next to the Bitaug Beach nearby. It was our last destination. Unlike the Kabakingan Cove, the place is much civilized. More cottages are built for anyone who would want to spend the day swimming in the white sand beach. Technically, the sand varies from coarse to fine. The place is visited by most local guests especially during holidays.

It was an exhausting trip yet a very enjoyable one. I promised myself I will return and visit the towering PBMA Castle in San Jose which can be viewed from our boat going back to Surigao.

I’m just inspired by the statement shirts of my colleagues. Love to dream to love. For me, to travel is love. Make today the yesterday of your life. And say to yourself, I have never regretted this.