Slidin' and Divin' in Samal
When our boss announced that we're going to have a 4-day weekend because we're moving in to a new office, and transferring all the equipment takes that much time, I was bothered where I'm gonna spend that long weekend. That same day, my officemates asked if I want to join their Davao trip which was already pre-planned for several months. Coincidentally, it fell on the long weekend. I said yes in a jiffy! I've never been to Davao, and it's one of the places I really wanted to visit.
We were a bunch of 12 adventurous kids who took different flight schedules because that's how airfare sale works in real life. Some of us flew as early as 4am, while Emman and I flew late in the afternoon. The rest of the gang flew in the next day. Our flight, which was initially delayed was one hell of an experience since the plane had to go through lots of turbulence areas, and at one point it even bounced. Thank goodness we arrived safe and sound in Davao.
Day 1
From the airport, Emman and I went straight to Green Windows Dormitel at FTC Tower, where our group checked in, to check if our companions would want to dine out. But then we decided not to go out and just took a rest instead because we need to wake up early for the next day's activities. Green Windows Dormitel is famous for its P188 room and for that price, the amenities are more than OK. Eight of us stayed in a single room while the other 2 couples booked each a more expensive but cozy room where we spent most of the nights watching TV because our room doesn't have one.
A little later, we went to the nearby marketplace and bought durian because Emman just couldn't wait to taste the famous Davao fruit. We ate over cigarettes because we weren't sure if we're going to like the taste of the nasty-smelling fruit. It was my first time to taste it, too. The one we bought at a street vendor near Times Square at P63 for more than a kilo was rather sweet-smelling and some of us didn't like it. Marj even said it tastes like bacon while Ras said it's like beef. I didn't find the taste extraordinary either. We thought it was the smell that must be the basis for the taste, so the worse the smell, the tastier the fruit must be. This hunch was later confirmed.
Day 2
Sunday. We traveled to the nearby island of Samal, which is the last island in the middle-part of Mindanao. Although Shyne, Rein, Onchie and Mela couldn't join because they were yet to arrive in the afternoon of that day. As for me, this is the highlight of our trip because we did a lot of exciting things.
We woke up early and went to Sta. Ana Port looking for the boat to take us to Samal. The only ferry trip bound for Peñaplata leaves the port at 9am and it was only half past 6 when we got there. We had breakfast at an eatery outside the port while contemplating on which way we should take. After eating, us girls bought pearl earrings from the vendors in bargain prices. We were convinced when the vendors showed us that the pearls are genuine because they cannot be scratched or burned.
We took the Island Express bus from Magsaysay to the RoRo port. Fare is P40 each and the trip is around 30-40 minutes. Then the bus had to ride the barge/RoRo ship to get to Samal Island. It around 10-15 minutes. We got off at Peñaplata market then rode the habal-habal (motorcycles) to take us to Maxima Resort at P30 per person. The habal-habal ride though was not as exciting as I thought.
Upon entering the resort, visitors are charged P5 each for environmental/conservation fee. The entrance fee at Maxima Aqua Run and Eagle View Canopy Walk is P200 and you'll have to pay separate fees if you want to try other activities like canopy walk (P50), banana boat (P250 for 15 minutes), etc. We were a group of 8 so we were given free 30 minutes of kayaking. They have a promo for every group of 6 who comes in). We tried the canopy walk, although once again, it wasn't what I expected. I was actually expecting a more challenging one like a small bridge suspended in between mountains with a deep ravine below.
We had pancit canton for lunch at the resort's cafeteria. And after lunch, we went for another round of water adventures.
We planned on riding the resort's ferry back to Penaplata but it was already full even before we were ready to go. Thus, we had to take the same way we took earlier. It costs the same, but the thing is we could've witnessed the sunset from the ferry.
This day was the most fun-filled. I did a lot of first times including swimming with fishes! Yep, they didn't go away even when you're playing right beside them. The place is such a wonderful diving and snorkeling spot.
We were a bunch of 12 adventurous kids who took different flight schedules because that's how airfare sale works in real life. Some of us flew as early as 4am, while Emman and I flew late in the afternoon. The rest of the gang flew in the next day. Our flight, which was initially delayed was one hell of an experience since the plane had to go through lots of turbulence areas, and at one point it even bounced. Thank goodness we arrived safe and sound in Davao.
Day 1
From the airport, Emman and I went straight to Green Windows Dormitel at FTC Tower, where our group checked in, to check if our companions would want to dine out. But then we decided not to go out and just took a rest instead because we need to wake up early for the next day's activities. Green Windows Dormitel is famous for its P188 room and for that price, the amenities are more than OK. Eight of us stayed in a single room while the other 2 couples booked each a more expensive but cozy room where we spent most of the nights watching TV because our room doesn't have one.
Day 2
Sunday. We traveled to the nearby island of Samal, which is the last island in the middle-part of Mindanao. Although Shyne, Rein, Onchie and Mela couldn't join because they were yet to arrive in the afternoon of that day. As for me, this is the highlight of our trip because we did a lot of exciting things.
We took the Island Express bus from Magsaysay to the RoRo port. Fare is P40 each and the trip is around 30-40 minutes. Then the bus had to ride the barge/RoRo ship to get to Samal Island. It around 10-15 minutes. We got off at Peñaplata market then rode the habal-habal (motorcycles) to take us to Maxima Resort at P30 per person. The habal-habal ride though was not as exciting as I thought.
Upon entering the resort, visitors are charged P5 each for environmental/conservation fee. The entrance fee at Maxima Aqua Run and Eagle View Canopy Walk is P200 and you'll have to pay separate fees if you want to try other activities like canopy walk (P50), banana boat (P250 for 15 minutes), etc. We were a group of 8 so we were given free 30 minutes of kayaking. They have a promo for every group of 6 who comes in). We tried the canopy walk, although once again, it wasn't what I expected. I was actually expecting a more challenging one like a small bridge suspended in between mountains with a deep ravine below.
Next, tried the water slide next. It was scary at first but it was so fun! It was my first time to slide and dive into around 120 feet deep water open sea. Emman claimed it was only around 50 feet deep, but still, for someone who's afraid of the ocean because she can't swim, it was like the deep blue was going to swallow me to its depth. Most of us couldn't swim but that didn't stop us from having fun in the water.
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| Photo: Ren Endonilla |
Kayaking is so fun! I could do it on hours end.
We had pancit canton for lunch at the resort's cafeteria. And after lunch, we went for another round of water adventures.
We planned on riding the resort's ferry back to Penaplata but it was already full even before we were ready to go. Thus, we had to take the same way we took earlier. It costs the same, but the thing is we could've witnessed the sunset from the ferry.
This day was the most fun-filled. I did a lot of first times including swimming with fishes! Yep, they didn't go away even when you're playing right beside them. The place is such a wonderful diving and snorkeling spot.
