Friday, August 15, 2008

Basul Island

The crown jewel of Surigao City's island getaway... Basul Island.
Basul Island

According to local historians and telltales, Basul is derived from a visayan word "basol" which means "regret" in English. The name does not spring from out of nowhere. It comes from old tales that develops into an urban legend which until now arouses the curiosity of some locals who have not yet been there. That urban legend says that one will regret coming over to the island because an accident is a possibility that one should anticipate. 

That legend, however, has a genesis. Some fishermen residing near the island says that accidents usually happen because of the strong current in the channel known as Surigao Strait.
 
In my case, however, my only regret was why it took me so long to get there. I must admit I was affected by the rumor. Especially because I dont know how to swim. Yes, an Islander who doesn't know how to swim. :D

Being visible from the shores of the mainland Surigao, I used to take a drooling stare at the island. But only this year that my plan to go there was finally realized. Together with some officemates, we decided to spend a stress-free holiday there which is, by the way, just a 30-minute boat ride from the boulevard and 20 minutes from its neighborhood Lipata.

From the mainland, Basul Island's glowing white sands reflected by the sun will be the first to catch your attention. Its strip lightens during the broad daylight like an enticing jewel calling you to come.


For your preview of the island:
This mix of fine and coarse sands is what will greet you after docking in the island. Like me, you cant help but get excited and would actually become impatient with the lazy docking. And who is not, when this one awaits you there:


The beach extends up to the interior of the island glittering in the green landscape.
At the back of the island is no longer the coarse or fine white sands but rather a flat bedrock littered with huge rocks coming from the eroded hillside which i believed caused by the crushing of waves.
And on the far left end is the enjoined bedrock that extends from the cliff and laden like a bride's veil onto the sea. From here, you have all the privilege to shout and say "i conquered Basul! Now you regret you were not here". This is the best spot for solitude.. with a wide range of sight of the city and the rural landscapes.
From the rocky side on the left, an exit walk from there by taking the flat bedrock partially immersed in the sea will take you back to the front side. By the way, if you wonder why there is no mention of the far right end, its because I wasnt able to take a photo of it. Some fishfolks were hanging in and were having their picnic so i give them their needed privacy. But nevertheless, there was nothing more interesting in their except the fishermen laying their nets.
Going back to the frontal act of the island, 'moment' is the best thing to do there. Like reminiscing, wishing, etc while staring in kawalan.
Or have a slowmo in the sand... imagining you were the leading star in a movie shoot.

Now, the Basul Island once more saying like "Come again!". Very enticing.
If only i have millions, i would buy it from the owner who charged us P20 of admission. And they did not allow us to buy bukos (young coconut) even if i told them i was thirsty. But still, i want to go back there soon. Who wants to come?

34 comments:

[G] said...

wow. beautiful place.

sama ako!

The Islander said...

haha! sure sure... when?

pusangkalye said...

saan ka na naman nagsuot. grabe ka talaga. ako napapagot sayo. Part ba yan nhv job u JP to go places? tell me so that tomorrow I would apply for a job like yours.kkk

Anonymous said...

kami din...pwede?

Boying Opaw said...

ganda naman dito...

The Islander said...

@salingpusa.. haha dati pa yan. at di sya part ng trabaho. pag around the province lang, not part of the job. yung mga out of towns ang job related.

hanap ka ng chamber of commerce jan malapit sa inyo. the same lang naman advocacy lahat ng chambers eh. so baka lahat may projects na out of towns.

The Islander said...

@mandaragat... long time no hear.. kamusta? haha cge bah sama ka.


@boying.. thank you po..

leons said...

I hope you'll have millions someday so that you can buy that island. For sure you will never regret such investment... plus hindi na kami magbabayad nang entrance fee @ may free buko pa. hehehe.

The Islander said...

@kalabaw.. haha! i wish i wish... and not only will i buy basul island, i will also go there in greece, explore santorinni ...dressed like a god. hehehe.

Stanley said...

I enjoyed you pictures by the fact that its makes me feel so relaxed......and lazy. I really wish I could have a holiday now =)

Anonymous said...

is the island for sale? how much?

Oman said...

ako ako sama ko. kung ikaw ang bida sa movie kahit kontra-bida ako pwede na basta makasama lang. hehehe.

Dakilang Islander said...

ako sama din ako!!! hheh gusto ko ng ganung relaxation ehh...

nung kinuwento ko sa mga lokal dito na meron tayong more than 7,000 islands unang tanong nila di ba daw ako bumili ng sariling isla..hehh how i wish!

pamatayhomesick said...

pards..dapat umakyat ka nlang sa buko,...he he he.pero kahit ako babalik ako dyan kasi yung place ang aking kinagigiliwan.:)

Anonymous said...

nindot ang isla bai. different kinds of soil and rocks. makabasul jud diay na sa dili maka adto :-)

escape said...

ayos nga magrelax dyan. yan ang mga gusto ko. for P20... mura naman.

The Islander said...

@stanley.. plan for it sir. in this fast paced world, sometimes the best thing to do is halt and relax.


@frienemy.. i dont know. what i know is already taken na sya.

The Islander said...

@lawstude.. hahaha! wag naman. BEST supporting role nalang. o kaya director. bigay natin kay dong ang cameraman na role. hehe.


@dakilang islander.. ayoko! aagawan mo pa ko ng eksena eh. haha!

sarap nga ng may sariling isla noh? hmmm.. magkano kaya isang isla? *nag isip talaga at mukang may plano* sana sinabi mo nahirapan kang pumili dahil sa dami ng magagandang pagpipilian. hehe

The Islander said...

@ever.. bawal din umakyat. baka targetin pa ko ng itak. haha. sarap ngang bumalik dun eh. regret talaga kung bakit this year ko lang napuntahan. mas maganda naman kasi pag marami kang kasama. mas maienjoy mo yung place.

The Islander said...

@estan... mao jud. mao diay na tinuod na urban legend sa isla.

wala pa ka nakaanhi ani nga isla? sayang. na syay 4 characteristics, 4 faces on its different directions. mao tong sa sides, sa back and sa front. makalingaw huna hunaon.

The Islander said...

@dong... mura na ba? hehe. nasanay kasi kami sa libre eh. kadalasan naman kasi ng mga spots dito libre lang. kaya medyo nadidismaya pa rin pag may mga ganung entrance.

Anonymous said...

wow! grabe nlng jud pagkalaagan nimo noh?.. congrats! hihihi.. keep it coming! =)

vi-a-v!
moi bena~!

pusangkalye said...

Pinangarap ko dati na tumira sa gitna ng oasis o sa isang isolated na isla. Pero dapat me cable tv parin, Ref, aircon and the like.kkk

Ciela said...

Can't help but admire this very beautiful place and the way it was photographed. Superb!

Btw, can you link me here? Let me know so I can link you back if ever. Thanks!

http://ailecgee.i.ph
http://beng-gee.blogspot.com

The Islander said...

@bena.. dugay na man ni day. og nganong gicongrats man ko nimo? haha.


@tonyo.. hahaha ang gara ng demands! sure ka na desert or isla ang pinangarap mo ha? baka kasi urban. hehe


@ailecgee.. thank you po. at talagang superb ha. hehe. cge exlinks po tayo.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you liked Basul, thank you for this informative blog about our family's island.

jadylee

TravelSurigao said...

Hello islaman. you have a nice blog and great photos. anyway would you mind if I would take some photos of yours in this site? I'm planning to promote surigao also w/ a site.

Anonymous said...

hi im planning to be thier but just curious the island have a house to stay? if ever how much the charges.Still looking good place in surigao hope you can help pls..

Thanks,
Drewmhae

Anonymous said...

hi im planning to be thier but just curious the island have a house to stay? if ever how much the charges.Still looking good place in surigao hope you can help pls..

Thanks,
Drewmhae

Abi V said...

From the boulevard ba may regular na bumabyahe sa Basul Island?

Ming Andrada said...

wow! I'll be in Surigao 2nd week of June! I can't wait to see this island! thanks a lot <3

Anonymous said...

woah...now i know that theres no need to worry about those rumors regarding sa Basul Island...weeeehhh!!!! were going there this saturday (july 16, 2011) :]

Unknown said...

The original of Basul island is Mr. Undurico Basol.

Unknown said...

The original Owner of Basul island is Mr. Undurico Basol.