Butuan-Surigao Del Sur-Surigao Del Norte-Butuan : Day 1 - Getting to La Entrada Resort from Butuan Int'l Airport

It was not easy planning this trip as the destinations we plan to visit like Britania Group of Islets, enchanted river, Tinuy-an falls and Bucas Grande - are far from each other. But hey, we were ready to do anything for this trip.

After some researching, we were all set.


Let's start!!!

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January 8, 2014.
Day 1

Our group seated at the departure area of NAIA Terminal 3 at 5:30 AM. My hunger, tiredness and sleeplessness were all rumbling into one crazy emotion that I couldn't force myself to eat or nap while waiting to board and depart at 6AM. Thank goodness the Philippine Airlines arrived on time but plane flew 12 minutes late. It was because of runway traffic, the announcer said.




We landed in Butuan International Airport in Bancasi at exactly 7AM. With our printed itinerary in tow, we headed outside the airport, onto the parking area.

Disappointment and shocked greeted us when barkers flocked towards us. They are notoriously irritating. They followed us wherever we go. They talked all at once. Even we're talking to someone already, they wouldn't stop talking. At one point I could no longer help myself but tell this one guy to just please shut up. They kept on discouraging us not to take a bus (which is understandable, I mean they need to earn money) and offered 350 pesos to take us to Salvacion. We all accepted the offer just to get out of the place.

parking lot

When we got inside the van, the driver said he'll eat first. But when we asked what time he would come back, he wouldn't tell and said it would take some time then just left us there. Imagine that, he just said we'll have a hard time if take a bus then closed his door and left!

We were all freaking pissed. We got out and decided to just take a bus. Then a guy offered a van to take us to the Bus terminal for 300 pesos for all six of us. That's still a rip off I think as it really is not that far the distance from the airport to the bus terminal. But we were all just relieved to finally be away from those freaks. Later we found out from this driver that the first driver, who said would just eat breakfast, really planned let us wait until the arrival of the next passengers at 11AM.

What an A-hole!

... Anyway, moving on....

In the bus terminal, we looked for a Tandag signage. We ate in Dunkin Donuts while we wait for the bus. It arrived shortly before 10AM.

We paid the bus conductor 190 pesos. From Butuan, we headed south to Brgy Salvacion, San Agustin, Surigao del Sur to see Britania Group of Islands.

After 5 long hours of roadtrip, we arrived in our first destination...Well, almost! I thought it would only take 4  hours based on our itinerary, but the bus was so slow. We passed by every bus terminal of each town. There were land slides we saw due to rain the previous days.

We alighted at Salvacion Junction and from there we took a tricycle and asked to bring us to La Entrada resort, which is 2 km away.

in the tricycle. rough road ahead.

Upon reaching what seems like a toll gate, we were asked to pay an environmental fee of 25 pesos and registered our names. The tricycle driver collected 20 pesos each.

Our pre-ordered food was already waiting at the resorts restaurant. We immediately devoured ourselves with our sumptuous meal like some manic gluttons.

We checked in our things and started our tour.

La Entrada resort.



"Isn't entrada means entrance or opening?", one of my friends say. Sure enough, this resort was named as such because this is the gateway to Britania Group if Islands.

Among the accommodations we booked in Surigao for our entire trip, this is the only resort that required us for a deposit. While we were on our way to La Entrada, we passed by other small resorts. So I guess for those in a tight budget can try them.

We availed their standard room good for 2, maximum for 5 persons, for a relatively reasonable price of 1,200 pesos per night. The room is air conditioned and a loft type and surrounded by mangrove trees. It has one single bed below and a mattress at the top. The second floor area covers 2/3 of the entire floor area. It has its own toilet and bath.

We scanned the room and decided all 6 of us could fit here. The receptionist wouldn't agree first as the room max is only 5. But after few persuasion, she finally said yes. Extra single bed is 200 pesos. We paid 2000 pesos in total.

The resort's restaurant recommends to pre-order food and tell them what time to serve. I remember while we were still in Butuan waiting for a bus, they were texting us asking what food to cook. They even sent us their menu online. :)