A Quick Samal Island Tour and In Transit to Davao

On our last day, we were blessed with a fair weather, not even a drop of rain.  We had greater appreciation of the cozy setting of Kostal Beach Resort.  TravelbookPH now offers online hotel reservation for small, independent and budget hotels.  For discounted rates and availability of accommodations in Samal Island, check out this link.

Read More

The Hagimit Waterfalls of Samal Island

For hubby and I, the highlight of our Samal Island tour was the visit to Hagimit Falls.  With the non-stop downpour brought by Agaton storm in the past days, Hagimit, though not as raging as Tinuy-an Falls, was of choco-like look.  Although not at its purest, the beauty of Hagimit’s cascade is still beautiful in brown.

Read More

HINATUAN – BISLIG – SAMAL ISLAND TRIP

Despite the impending Agaton storm at CARAGA on the weekends, here we are, the brave we for our Hinatuan-Bislig-Samal-Davao trip… We arrived at Davao where the earlier Mt. Apo climbers were nursing their limbs.  I so much wanted to revisit Mt. Apo but with our Year 2010 Sibulan-Katagan surmount, large preparation and training should be devoured.

As this is a sidetrip after a major climb, we had a flexi-itinerary, sort of come-what-may … But hubby and I should be back at Davao by Sunday night for our return flight.

With Agaton and the time bounds, we were afforded short stops at the major sights.  Here goes our actual route…

Read More

THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE CENTER

From Philippine Eagle Center: The Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles, 18 of which are captive-bred. It also houses 10 other species of birds, 4 species of mammals and 2 species of reptiles. Simulating a tropical rain forest environment, the Center offers the visitor a glimpse into the country’s forest ecosystem. Although the exhibits are used primarily to help educate the Filipino people on conservation, the facility is also considered a major tourist attraction in Davao City.  

The Philippine Eagle Foundation is a private, non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to saving the endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) and its rainforest habitat.  Organized in 1987, it had before that time been operating as a project undertaking research, rehabilitation, and captive breeding.  Staffed by highly trained and dedicated personnel, it has today evolved into the country’s premiere organization for the conservation of raptors.

We commuted by van at Annil Terminal located at Quirino and San Pedro Extension.  The travel time took about 1 hour.  Then at Calinan Terminal, we hired a habal-habal for P100 two-way to bring us to the center.  The Philippine Eagle Center is located within the Davao City Water District premises.  Entrance fees are P5 and P50 for the water district and the eagle center, respectively. 

Read More

AROUND DAVAO CITY

The previous night was among my frightful nights as awakened by the sad news from home....  The possibility of being stranded by the forthcoming storm was another thing that rocked my strength.  It seemed like everything in the universe had convened to sympathize my sorrow, my mourning from losing one of the most important person in my life.... My sanity reminded me that I needed to pull all strength and keep myself together.  The unyielding airline policy was another incident that I had to understand.  They meant only business, no more no less...

That day seemed to be the longest waiting day of my life.  Sleep had left me and tremor was all I felt.  Hubby has tried his best to lessen the grief but the more I struggle, the more it abscond me.  So I decided to busy myself... Maybe the sight of busy people, vehicles, birds, and other things will temporarily fill the waiting time.  Maybe it can temporarily hinder from thinking and feeling too much.  Maybe...

We first dropped by at Magsaysay Park with a seaside view of Samal Island.  I visited the tourism office inside the park to ask directions of the spots around Davao City.  The sidewalk outside the park was filled with vivid colors of the fruits proudly Mindanao produced.  And across the park is the Mindanao Chinatown, said to be the only Chinatown in the Island of Mindanao.

Read More

IN TRANSIT FROM BISLIG TO DAVAO AND A NIGHT AROUND DAVAO CITY

Just like the Butuan to Bislig route, Davao can be reached from Bislig either by bus or by van.  This time around, I insisted taking the van to avoid too much stops along the way.  The downside however, it took more than an hour to fill the van plus there was someone with durian.  I can’t imagine being confined with durian smell for six hours.  I love durian but I can’t bear long its smell.  Anyways, with complaints from other passengers, the driver hung it outside.

I initially expected a paved road like the Surigao highway.  Well for Bislig-Davao, the first 2 hours was a bumpy ride but road works are already on-going.  Passing by the ridges of Compostela Valley reminded me of the Baguio Mines View Park but the sight of an impending downpour was so bizarre, I just couldn’t explain. 

It took us 6-1/2 hours to reach Davao.  Rain started to drop and we haven’t decided where to stay until we’ve settled at Crown Regency.  Crown has been a blind witness to several memories of our Mt Apo climb.  The ambiance of the hotel amidst the rise of modern ones makes Crown Regency still a preferred one.  For best rates, check out this link.

After checking-in, we went out for dinner and a night tour.  The rain stopped but it left a gloomy atmosphere.  We decided to have Luz Kinilaw for dinner.  Hubby ordered kinilaw while I had inihaw na buntot tuna.  Everything was emptied in swoosh...

Read More

MATUKAD ISLAND -- Caramoan, Camarines Sur

During our Caramoan Trip, we spent our last adventure at Matukad Island famous for its fine powdery sand that looks like a powder soaked in water.

Matukad Island

Matukad is also known for the mystic bangus (milk fish) that resides inside the secluded lagoon which is accessible by a steep ascend on its jagged rock formations.  The eerie story of the milkfish is an added persuasion to climb the top even to faint-hearted persons.  

According to folks, long time ago there used to be two fishes in the lagoon until a fisherman caught one of those to fed his family which unfortunately has caused the death of everyone.  Since then, no one dared to catch the remaining fish.

Read More

TUDAYA FALLS -- Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur

During our Mt. Apo climb, we passed through an on-going construction of a hydropower plant at Sibulan river... Curious about what's at stake, we inquired with the guide about where the water would be coming from.  We were informed that a beautiful waterfall will be sacrificed with the development of a hydropower plant.  Upon hearing the word "sacrificed", we knew right then that time is of essence, that this trip could be our first and only chance to be mesmerized by Tudaya's beauty.  With that, we decided to take a glimpse of the said wonder before it losses its reign as Mt. Apo's highest waterfall.

Tudaya Falls is located near Mount Apo and is accessible by about an hour trek from the Tudaya main road.  Tudaya Falls towers an estimated height of about 150 meters and is regarded as the tallest waterfalls in Mt. Apo National Park and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. 

Read More

MT. APO -- Davao del Sur (MT. APO SIBULAN - KAPATAGAN TRAIL)

MT. APO (SIBULAN - KAPATAGAN TRAIL)

Davao del Sur
Entry point: Brgy. Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Exit point: Brgy. Kapatagan, Digos, Davao del Sur
by Julius Paner, Mindanao Correspondent

Cel #0920-8567991; e-mail: trekjulpanz@yahoo.com.
PinoyMountaineer.com

Sibulan Trail is advised for hardcore mountaineers looking for extreme and strenuous adventure. It basically ends in Colan, passing by Todaya but it gives an extra day of adventure.

Read More