Paradise is never within everybody's reach. In the Holy Scriptures, one must live by the laws of their Divine Creator to be able to rest in paradise after life. And as humans, it is never easy to consistently abide the Divine laws. Just like here on earth, as one must be able to go on a real adventure to experience the most hidden yet the most beautiful earthly paradise.
How to get there:
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| A P10.00 for a Ro-Ro boat can already take you to Samal from the City Proper |
It's just 10 minutes away from the Davao City Proper through RORO (roll on-roll off) ferry boat ride. As you reach the island, you can either ride a habal-habal or tricycle to search for hotels. Samal Island beaches have no shoreline, so you cannot merely find a place to stay by the beach (unlike the White Beach in Puerto Galera and the stations in Boracay). I recommend to book your hotel through the internet so the resort's owned boat can fetch you up from the city proper (Davao Boat Club) directly to their resort's harbor. This way, you don't have to ride the RORO and grab a tricycle/habal-habal anymore for a hundred pesos per trip. Most of the resorts in Samal offer this boat ride services for the guests' convenience If you are on a backpacker's trip, you better search for something affordable so you can tour the different beach resorts across the island through day tour. We chose to stay in Blue Waters Hotel and Resort, few minutes away from the Samal harbor via land trip. Rates are affordable, amenities include two infinity pools, facing the Davao City Skyline, Davao Gulf and a view of Mt. Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines.
What I really love about this resort is the service orientation of the staff. I assure you will have a good stay in Blue Waters because of their glowing spirit of hospitality and their warm approach to their guests. And I must say their stewards deserve a big tip!
After booking a hotel, you can now visit different resorts and explore the Island through a day tour basis.
More info at http://ph.88db.com/Travel-Leisure/Resorts/ad-199075/
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| The infinity pool of the Blue Waters can give you a view of the Mt. Apo and the Davao city skyline. Meanwhile, here is my own version of BB. Pilipinas tsunami walk 
Mt. Apo by morning sunrise
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This is one of the most luxurious hotels in the entire island. It is quite far from the city proper, around 20-30 minutes travel time. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time since the resort becomes fully-booked most of the time.
Pearl Farm welcomes you with a nice infinity pool, a perfect place to escape from the stress you have still brought with you from the city. But before they let you explore the entire resort, a short orientation was given to give the guests a brief background of the resort, as well as to familiarize them with the amenities and directions to each attractions. Tourist friendly indeed!
Few walks away from the resort's harbor, there is another swimming pool and a shoreline for snorkeling and fish feeding activities. There is a great view underneath the water. Starfishes are scattered all over and you can actually swim with different schools of fish. Make sure you wear snorkeling shoes to avoid getting wounded because of the small corals nestled near the shoreline. And you should also watch your steps to avoid destroying the fishes' tiny homes!
A free buffet lunch was included in the day tour package that costs 1950.00. However, the cost still worth the price! You will surely feel a 5-star luxury experience because of the cozy spots and amenities, and service, Even in a day tour package.
More info at http://www.pearlfarmresort.com/
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| The Ice-cold drink gives a heartwarming welcome to each guest. |
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| While the staffs were giving orientation, I was busy doing this shot. |
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| Lucky Day! Mom won a free usage of snorkeling gadgets via raffle! |
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| Pearl Farm's infinity pool welcomes the guests who came from their harbor.
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As much as Pearl Farm gives you a total relaxation, Maxima Aqua Fun offers a total blast of water sports and adventure. It is reachable through land travel, however a staff from the very accommodating resort Blue Waters negotiated a driver to bring us to Maxima, as well as to the Monfort Bat Cave and Hagimit Falls as well. It's quite too far from where the resorts are located (45 mins to 1 hr drive) so it is really advisable to rent a multi cab for just 2000.00 (two-way, from 7am to 4pm) especially if you are traveling with a group. It is indeed a must visit spot especially for water sports buffs and adventure lovers.
Entrance fee is 200.00, inclusive of unlimited use of the giant tarpaulin slide and the jumping board, plus free use of their safety vest (All guests must wear safety vests because the entire resort is an open sea). Kayak boats are available for an additional fee.
The main event was indeed the 40-meter/9-second giant slide which will throw you down to the open sea. The experience really had me a stomach ache but it was one-of-a-kind experience! I even had the chance to experience the jumping board which lessened my fear of heights a little bit.
This is also a perfect spot for diving and snorkeling. Different breed of fishes are settling in the spot, so make sure you have brought a piece of bread with you before swimming so you can experience a free fish feeding activity, if you don't have the guts to experience either the giant slide or the jumping board.
Maxima Aqua Fun is certainly a tiring trip yet amazing experience you'll surely never forget, especially if you have tried their water adventure facilities.
More info at http://aquafun.psdgroupph.com/
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| Jumping off a diving board kills 2% of my fear of heights. |
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| the 40-meter giant slide and the 9 seconds of death. I survived the Challenge! |
Time to relax! After the adrenaline rush from Maxima, it is the best time to experience a cold water massage from Hagimit Falls, just 5 minutes away from Maxima. For just P20.00, you can already experience a virgin and natural paradise covered with trees and blue (yes, literally BLUE) water. It was not yet fully developed, but the locals collect entrance free for preservation and maintenance. It is a perfect place for relaxation as you take a shower from the cold fresh water gushing to your body and the flowing sound of water that lullabies you to sleep. It is also a good place for camping, where they established campsites close at hand.
Hagimit is certifiably a jaw-dropping paradise experience, every Samal Island tourist should never miss.
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The jaw-dropping scenery of Hagimit |
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Bucketlist: Shower in a waterfall - CHECK!
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Animal lovers, science geeks and even just plain tourists should include Monfort Bat Cave to their itinerary list. Because failing to visit this sanctuary is like missing a chance to witness a Guinness World Record Holder! The Monfort Bat Cave is certified by the GWR for housing the largest colony of Geoffrey Rousette Fruit Bats for an estimated number of 1.8 million and still increasing.
Actually, bats are not our enemies, though they stereotypically connoted as major horror and spooky moment stimulator because of being nocturnals in nature. However, they preserve the ecological balance through eating pests and mosquitos. And these bats are merely the reasons of having abundant durian production and the continuos growing of trees in the forests for they are also pollinators like bees and butterflies by transferring the pollen from one spot after another. This time, we should change the way we see and know about bats because after all, real bats can do mightier things than Batman!
According to some blogs, entrance fee costs 40.00 but as of now, it has increased to 100.00 already.
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| The must-be-known facts about bats yet still remain unknown and untold. |
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| Guinness Certification |
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| Their sanctuary. Meet the sleeping bats! |
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| Closer view |
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