Beach, Falls And Bats For Summer

We had our employees summer outing in Samal City, it gave us the opportunity to visit some of the famous tourist spots there, particularly Monfort Bat Colony, Hagimit Falls and Pearl Farm Beach Resort.  Our company provided buses for our transportation.  The buses were then transported using barges in a ferryboat located at Km. 11, Barangay Sasa  here in Davao.  As we reached Samal, we immediately proceeded to our first destination... to the bat cave!!!

One of the tour guides overheard my question, the reason why bats don't cluster
 in the exposed portion of the cave is to protect themselves from predators like the raven.

By the way, they are a record holder.

Upon arrival, the site in-charge gave us a short background about Monfort Bat Colony, the importance and significant contributions of bats to our environment and rules to follow in bat watching.  The rule is simple, don't disturb the bats in any way since they have sensitive senses and a lot of them have babies which when dropped will die, and don't over crowd in one place, the surface above the caves can only carry a couple of people (safe to say, 30 max).

Here are some important facts about bats that was shared during the event:

• Bats are mammals that give birth to 1 baby a year and they do this hanging upside down;
• They control parasite (i.e. mosquitoes), crop pest and other insects being their major predator;
• They love nectar, making them a big contributor to cross pollination of wide array of tropical fruits (i.e. durians, mangoes, bananas, etc.) found in our place; and,
• They play an important role in the dispersal of seeds they get from trees to our forests, thus helping rebuild our damaged environment.

After being overwhelmed seeing millions of bats in the place,   we moved to another equally breathtaking (literally) place, Hagimit Falls.  Since our buses can only drive us up to the highway (due to narrow road towards the place), we needed to walk a bit long way, not to mention the couple of steps down the walkway to the falls.  Well, you know what, it's worth it.  The beauty of the place, just took my breath away (now, I'm figuratively speaking).

It may seem everything is blurry and starting
to lose colors but I'm almost there... LOL.

In as much as we wanted to stay long and take even just a short dip, due to time constraint, we needed to go and face the uphill trek towards our rides.  It wasn't a joke, especially to those who haven't stretched their muscles for a long time.  But hey, it's a good stop, a great prospect and something to recommend to everyone who wants to visit Samal.

Along the way to our last stop, our bus experienced a mechanical damage.  So we needed to transfer to one of the other buses.  We had to fit passengers good for 2 buses into 1 bus (since the other buses were already ahead of us.  I really couldn't think that moment if we were lucky or not.  Well, what's important was we somehow arrived to Pearl Farm safe and sound.

Upon arrival, we had a short program, picture taking and prayer, then we had our bountiful lunch.  The food, just wowed me, one of the many things I like about the place.  Then, we roamed around the Malipano Island (still part of Pearl Farm where our outing was held).  A couple decided to simply take a swim by the beach, while others took opportunity of the discounted rates for use of facilities (banana boat, kayak, and JetSki rides) given to employees just for that day.

Prepared for lunch... me.

Then we called it a day.  We took a 45 minutes boat ride from Pearl Farm on our way back home.  It was fun, but I just wish that I can also share such experience with my family.  I hope and pray that I will, someday.  Yahweh bless.

A Getaway In Paradise

It’s been a while since we’ve planned to go on camping with the kids... and spend some quality time together.  It was Monday when I received a text from a cousin informing me about what we agreed upon the other day... to go to the beach.  There was no confirmation, so I assumed they forgot the whole thing.  Anyway, it was a blessing in disguise; and more, thanks to a two day holiday streak last August 29 and 30 (National Heroes' Day and Eid'l Fitr, respectively), our plan of a camping escapade was realized in a nearby beach resort in Davao City.  So, without further delay, my wife and I prepared the kids and the things we needed for... and off we went.

After a few minutes boat ride, we arrived at Paradise Island Beach Resort in Samal.  The kids were already so eager to take a dip in the sea but we asked them to play first around the shaded area and wait until the sun’s heat subsides a little bit (we didn’t want them to get sunburned).

We told our relatives that we were staying overnight, so they went ahead after a few hours later.  At that time, the kids were still enjoying themselves swimming and playing along the shore until nighttime... along with us, we didn’t like to miss the fun.

We ordered dinner in the resort... chicken tinola (soup), barbeque, rice, drinks and some desserts... and their prices, well, it’s on the average... So, after enjoying our dinner, we took some leisure walk around.  The resort had improved, in a way, since our last visit...a nice and wide playground for the kids, a mini zoo and more cozy rooms for their guests... though I still did not notice a pool... but well, they have a vast beach line.  The kids wanted to stay on the playground but we told them its late and promised them we’ll return there in the morning.  So, we returned to our tent and had our rest.

Can't catch a fish, eh?

We hadn’t slept well that night... though we already opened our tent, there was no sea breeze that time... we alternately fanned our kids manually (LOL).

We woke up early and took a morning dip in the sea... brrrrr but refreshing.  And after a while, we accompanied the kids to the playground... were we all enjoyed the facility and a tour to their different species of beautiful birds, deer and other wild animals... truly, there are things money can’t buy...

Great Morning...

 

Relaxation and Fun... 

Moments...

The Tour...

My Family... and Life...

The family stays clear even if everything might be a blur... 

Children give color to your world...

Upon returning to our table, a sad unexpected incident happened... which I’m no longer going to mention, so as not to change the atmosphere of my post.  Not to worry, we arrived home safe and sound.  We and the kids took some needed rest... and without a doubt, we all enjoyed our camping escapade... The kids couldn’t wait to go back there…What a nice time in paradise... to Yahweh be the glory.
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