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The Tuka Marine Park Adventure, Part I




6 June 2008 86 views 13 Comments

I have been to Tuka Beach once before in 2006, a trip I enjoyed so much that when my brother invited the whole family for a weekend there again, I was the first to say “yes”!

Tuka Beach in the municipality of Kiamba, Sarangani Province is actually the name given to a protected marine park consisting of four coves christened as Tuka 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Currently, only the first three coves are open to the public while the last one is off-limits.

On the day of what my nieces called the TUKA MARINE PARK ADVENTURE, we left Gen. Santos before 7:00 AM since staying overnite was not part of our plans and we wanted to come back home to the city before 6:00 PM. There were 11 of us inside my brother’s INNOVA which made for a very noisy although merry ride to the municipality of Kiamba, 87 kilometers west of the Tuna Capital, along the shores of Sarangani Bay.

We arrived Kiamba an hour and a half later and proceeded straight to the wharf where Mrs. Dayday Falgui, wife of the Mayor, Rommel, a friend of my brother from way back was waiting for us.

Since Tuka is only reachable by sea, she directed us to a 20-foot long fishing boat which will take us there. But since it was low tide and the boat couldn’t get near the wharf, some of us had to be ferried by a smaller banca to the boat itself.

The rest (like me) waded in waist-deep water instead.

My huge brother Orman trying to fit into the 6-foot long banca which will take him to the fishing boat, our transport vessel to Tuka. Obviously, nobody wanted to ride with him.

Since my siblings and I were of the extra large variety, we had a hard time going up the boat and if not for the strong arms of the boatmen who helped us by pushing our heavy asses upwards, we would have fallen into the cold water below. Eventually, all were us were seated comfortably in the middle part of the vessel.

In no time at all, we were sailing our way to Tuka, past other fishing boats which berthed for the day, past small communities along the shores of Kiamba, and past majestic views of the rolling hills of Sarangani in the not too distant horizon.

We soon passed by Tuka 1 and Tuka 2 which all seem deserted and eventually, the sight of Tuka 3 was now before us.

CONTINUED AT PART TWO (<—click here)



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13 Comments »

  • toto said:

    nice one.

    Kuy comment lang… it will be of great help kung may “How to get there” info at the end plus who to contact. Helpful kaayo para sa mga laagan nga pareho nako.nyahahaha

    I’m just wondering…nganong dili open sa public ang isang cove?

    Lastly, great photos, pero I can see some spots. I guess your dear camera needs some lovin’. Have it checked with the pros para matangal. Blower lang yan e.

    Cheers.

    totos last blog post..Life’s an Ore:Of Gold and Child Labor and other photo-stories

    Reply - Quote
    - 6 June 2008 at 8:19 pm
  • bariles (author) said:

    Thanks toto. That’s a good suggestion altho somewhere in my posts, there are scattered directions, there’s still nothing like putting complete details at the end.

    For your question on the 4th cove, you will have to wait for the 2nd part of my article…hehehehe.

    With regard to the camera, it’s now at the CANON service center in Makati for almost a month now. Still looking for money to pay for the clean-up and the replacement of the defective shutter.

    Diin gali ka subung?

    Reply - Quote
    - 7 June 2008 at 2:02 pm
  • toto said:

    Hahahaha then I guess I have to wait for the next article.

    My friends have their cameras fixed in Hidalgo, medyo mura kumpara sa Canon Service Center.

    I’m preparing to leave for Metro Manila. Graduation rites namin.

    Hope to see you soon.

    Toto

    totos last blog post..Life’s an Ore:Of Gold and Child Labor and other photo-stories

    Reply - Quote
    - 7 June 2008 at 11:52 pm
  • bariles (author) said:

    hi toto! will check out hidalgo during my next manila trip. Congratulations on your photojournalism course! See you again around here.

    Reply - Quote
    - 8 June 2008 at 2:53 pm
  • dAVe said:

    part 2! part 2! mwehehe

    Thanks for the info regarding .net (TLD) and a cheap domain. Still weighing things.

    Reply - Quote
    - 8 June 2008 at 8:11 pm
  • bariles (author) said:

    Hi Dave! Part 2 is coming soon. Hehehe! Thanks.

    Reply - Quote
    - 9 June 2008 at 12:02 pm
  • Komodo Dragon said:

    this looks like such a fun adventure.

    Reply - Quote
    - 10 June 2008 at 6:38 am
  • glengonz said:

    kainez! bitin!

    Reply - Quote
    - 10 June 2008 at 8:42 am
  • bariles (author) said:

    hello glen!

    hehehe! one more na lang. :)
    bariless last blog post..The Tuka Marine Park Adventure, Part II

    Reply - Quote
    - 10 June 2008 at 7:24 pm
  • bariles (author) said:

    hello komodo dragon!

    you bet it is!!! thanks for commenting. :)

    Reply - Quote
    - 24 June 2008 at 2:58 pm
  • xXtotsmchortXx said:

    txt mo kung mobalik mo didto, mouban ko ^_^

    Reply - Quote
    - 25 June 2008 at 11:02 am
  • bariles (author) said:

    @tOTO, SURE! Ikaw bahala sa gasolina ha? Hehehe! :)

    Reply - Quote
    - 5 July 2008 at 10:20 am
  • bob said:

    Vel,
    i don’t see any reason why I should miss this hot spot on my next trip. Its on top my list. sure hope they do have camp grounds as well. I’ll be on the southeast by fall, I’ll give you a howler soon as I’m in the neighborhood.

    take it easy vel,
    Bob

    Reply - Quote
    - 11 July 2008 at 7:57 am

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