From the Garden Pavilion, where we were booked, we went to Siargao island, a two-hour boat ride from the mainland. It is impossible to describe Siargao without using the words breathtaking and amazing. There were simply too many things to see, do and experience here.

Surfer's paradise
Our base for the overnight stay on Siargao was Pagsukian. Staying here costs a few hundred dollars a night, but if it's complete rest and relaxation you're looking for, this is the place-the only place, I might add-to be. It consists of several large and comfy cottages of eclectic Asian design, plus a bar and recreation area. My favorite spot is a gazebo with a spectacular view of the vast, untouched blue sea.

Cloud 9 is where the annual surfing competitions are held in September, when the waves are really good. There wasn't much surf and not many surfers when we got there, but once in the water, we could tell the waves could indeed get really strong.

The locals weren't really sure how Cloud 9 got its name. Some said the foreigner who discovered the place was eating Cloud 9 chocolate bars while surfing. Others claimed the waves here could reach nine feet high. Whatever-the place simply lifted you up.

Naked island

For those who enjoy the sun more than the surf, Naked island is the best choice. But no, despite its name, there are no naked women or hunks lying around sunbathing.

The island, or islet as it really is, is a small strip of sand and nothing else-not a single palm tree to protect you from the sun.

Another destination to enjoy is Suhoton cave, actually a tunnel leading to a lagoon with several islets and more caves. The entrance is half submerged in water and is only accessible during low tide.

Despite our group's traveling on two small boats so we could easily slip through the narrow passage, we still failed to enter as it was already high tide. We would have run the risk of getting stuck there overnight.

But we managed to do a SpongeBob outside the cave and catch friendly jellyfish with our bare hands.

Bring home the tuna

When shopping for pasalubong in Surigao, forget about beads, sarong and handicraft. Instead, grab a bayong and head for the palengke.

After the governor treated us to dinner at his farm on the eve of our departure, I could not stop talking about the tuna. It was so good it almost tasted like beef.

In the market, I got the best bargain for pasalubong-two large tunas for less than P200. The fish, sans the tail and head, were the length of computer keyboards. Imagine tuna that's so plump, tender and juicy and costing only a fraction of it price in Manila.

Surigao can be reached direct from Manila via the Asian Spirit airlines. What are you waiting for?