WHAT TO DO WITH A FAILED SAMBAWAN ISLAND VISIT
Travel
time from Tacloban City to Naval Biliran is approximately 2.5 hours but due to
heavy traffic and downpour en route, it took us almost 4 hours to reach
Almeria, Biliran.
Our
main mission for traveling to Biliran is simply for Sambawan Island. The famed island is not that easy to
reach. Even on a slightly good weather,
the seas are rough and riding with the waves is unpredictable, as shared by
friends. Inevitably, the worst is
expected on our case as there is a low pressure area affecting the province of
Biliran on our visit.
We
booked our accommodations at Agta Beach Scuba Resort of Almeria, Biliran. Though it is the first scuba resort in the
province, we were not there for that purpose.
The beach front accommodation serves as a gateway to the island hopping
adventures of the province and that includes Sambawan Island. The resort made the arrangements for us. In the true sense of provincial hospitality
service, they were efficient and accommodating.
We
were informed beforehand during breakfast that there might be a possibility of
not pushing through with the navigation to Sambawan Island and so they offered
other islands for snorkelling and simply to swim. But the persistent selves we have attempted
to go to Sambawan Island, passing by some islands nearby.
DALUTAN ISLAND
A
privately-owned underdeveloped beach is visible at a distance from Agta Beach
Scuba Resort. Even with the nearly zero
visibility while traversing the seas en route to the island and us completely
drenched by the waves and the rain, the thin strip of pristine white sand beach
is still apparent. The island is named
Dalutan.
Basic huts and open cottages are available for rent at a minimal amount. Mainly covered by trees and with a good vantage viewpoint for nearby islands, the beach is good for picnics and snorkelling. It is also a good dive spot as shared by the locals and divemaster Melo Sabitsana, who came with us in this supposed island hopping.
Despite
the heavy rain, I enjoyed the short swim at the island and I can feel the
powdery white sand of the beach though a portion is covered by stones and
corals near the shores.
And
we moved to another island with the hope of going to the direction where
Higatangan Island and Sambawan Island is.
CAPINYAHAN ISLAND
Fronting
the town of Almeria and off the west coast of Biliran, we set foot on another
island that is still untouched by commerce.
The island is best for campers but there are no ready food supplies,
thus, it is advisable to bring sufficient amount for your group.
We
were the only group roaming around the island.
The shade of trees and mangroves were in a number to provide a panoramic
landscape for the island. The white sand
and clear waters were tempting but we opted to walk a few meters and stayed on
a hill overlooking the seas for a few minutes.
Then
it was decided Sambawan Island and Higatangan would no longer be possible for a
visit. With time constraints and in a
few hours, we need to go back to Tacloban City, we decided to go direct to
Caibiran, Biliran.
MAINIT HOTSPRING
Redundant
as the name suggests, the spring is indeed hot and refreshing. The watering hole does not only have heated
waters available but also a flowing spring water in its river located below the
man-made basin. At one corner we
witnessed locals converge and in a steaming small pool, hard-boiled eggs were
cooked.
The
pool is fed by water coming from Mt. Suiro, a dormant volcano that last erupted
in the year 1939. It is said that the
geothermally heated groundwater was one of the basis for the possibility of
having a geothermal plant in the Biliran province. There is a small open
cottage as well for holding of picnics.
TINAGO FALLS
This
is my second time to visit Tinago Falls, our last destination for the day
before we head back to Tacloban City. The
falls is situated at the center of Caibiran rainforest. A minimal amount for admission is asked for
visitors, allocated for preservation.
The
cool sounds of the rushing streams was relaxing. We were the only visitors of the area back
then.
The
activities for the day indeed compensated what could have been a Sambawan
Island experience. There’s always a next
time and we hope the skies would clear and the weather cooperates the next time
around.
Where to Stay in Biliran:
Agta Beach Resort
Biliran
Circumferential Road, Almeria, Biliran
Mobile
No.: (0939) 0622-56265
Email:
info@agtabeachresort.com
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