We were off to chronicle another adventure with an escapade to Siargao. It was once again dark thirty as we were waking up. Not that it mattered. We were still waking up way before the break of dawn. I felt that managing jet lag has become more difficult with age.

The distinct yellow turbo prop ATR 72 sat on the tarmac while waiting for the flight. We were two hours early to beat the delay of security lines and baggage check in. We were joking with the uninitiated that the plane has two propeller engines so that one will fly the plane and the the other was for spare. The joke didn’t go so well.

The airport was small but was a blessing to the island. It was providing for much needed access aside from the sea transport. Prior to 2008, it only accomodated small capacity planes. Landing was still a bit rough for the turbo prop plane. Still, we were happy that we arrived safely. Local tourism, I think, definitely got a boost through this infrastructure.

We were aghast at how expensive it was to transport us from the airport to our side of the island. We were later discussing that the price to transport us was equivalent to using a similar vehicle the whole day in the city.

Paying a fee to use the toilet also caught my attention. It reminded me of my travel to Europe where I had to pay 1-2 Euros just to be able to use the toilet. Or, at least, buy a cup of expresso at a local cafe for a free use of the toilet. I was thinking, some European expat may have started doing business in Siargao and adopted the practice. Now, the whole island does the same thing.

I almost did not recognize Siargao Inn. The brown wooden sign with metal letters was the only thing that betrayed its presence. We had to get off the vehicle at the side of the road. There was no real parking except for the multitude of scooters that plied the island.

The restaurant/bar was located at the end of the path leading into the Inn. There was a small fresh water pool beside it and farther down was a serene view of the Philippine sea. Cottages were lining the path to the restaurant/bar. We occupied a cottage that was facing the Philippine sea and behind another cottage that was facing the restaurant/bar. I liked the distance of our cottage from the potentially noisy area of the restaurant/bar.

Wow! I was seeing weathered hard wood on all the wooden surfaces. It felt so weathered smooth and solid! I haven’t seen these building materials in a very long time.

Island life was so totally different. Don’t expect fast food delivery and fast service. Sit back and wait for things to happen.

We ended up with our toes buried in the sand, looking at the mirrored water of the sea, and listening to the soft crashing of the waves on the shore. Heaven!

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