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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Happy Fathers' Day... Camp Holiday

I'm very blessed to have my family with me, Sunday and the following day is a holiday Monday... More so is that its Father's day and we are celebrating it here at Camp Holiday... Wow, what a package... hahaha.  I have with me the rest of the guys... my relatives and friends.  Most of us are fathers... Being in the occasion, I'll talk about being a father... so what is it to be a father... well to tell you frankly, being a father for 8 years, I'm still learning along with my wife and my children.  It is as if every day there's something new to learn... but it's a journey I'm most willing to take in life.  I enjoy every moment, along with my wife, as we watch our children grow and discovering new things along the way.

Staying outdoors.

Today we are spending the two day holiday with my big family at Camp Holiday... to get the feel of staying outdoors, we have decided to put up a tent and spend the night on it instead of getting accommodated on a cottage. It was fun assembling the tent, we were like in grade school again getting so excited in a camping activity. It was a perfect time to celebrate Fathers day where everybody just came to have fun, not thinking about work, everyone just wants to relax and unwind.

Enjoying the beach at night.

The moment we arrived at the site, we couldn't stop the kids from jumping into the pool, good thing they already have their swim wear on. The pool was made for kids so we didn't have worrying to do cause the water was only their waist deep.

And guys, it's also our national hero's 150th birth anniversary... I guess I'm getting used to this multiple celebration thing (LOL).  Just a trivia, do you know the whole name of our national hero?  It's Dr. José Protacio Mercado Rizal y Alonzo Realonda... (so you should be glad having just two long names).  There is a proposed bill that Rizal day be transferred from December 30 (his death anniversary) to June 19 (his birthday)... I say, why not both... more holidays (haha). But seriously, we should give Dr. Rizal the honor he deserves for what he had done to our country... even to the point of offering his own life.

June lovely wives birthday celebrants...

To my sister-in-law, Donna, a happy, happy birthday to you... May Yahweh bless you with more, good health and a pleasant day ahead of you...

Happy Father's Day to all... be responsible and good role models to your children... Yahweh bless us all.

Enjoying the rest of the day with the kids.

Keeping the Summer Heat Going in June

My wife asked me to accompany her in their unit's summer outing.  I also wanted to check the place since I've never been there.  Our destination claimed to be the only resort inside a banana plantation as very apparent in their name "Banana Beach".  It is located in Tagum City, more or less we drove for an hour from Davao before reaching the resort.  We paid Php 880 each, inclusive of a cottage, a tour around the resort, use of their pool and a lunch buffet.

By the pool centerpiece =)

Upon arrival, we lazed under their cottages just getting the feel first of the site.  We then took a short tour around the place... in their gray-sand beach, infinity pool and guesthouses where we took some pics.  The pool was very tempting, everyone was so excited to take a dip in the pool but we had to wait since we were already scheduled for the tour after our lunch.

Waiting for the coconut to fall... lol.

Pa-effect... hehe

Stairs to e-walk.

Then came our tour...  Our guide related to us  the brief history of the place and what were to be expected of the trip.  There you could see not only a plantation of bananas but hectares of coconut trees (should be named banana-coconut beach as we jokingly said)... Until we came to our first stop.  It was a series of hanging bridges attached to a century-old (I assumed) Dahao trees.  They called it e-walk or elevated walk.  The atmosphere was humid considering it was in the middle of the forest and its around 1:00 pm, but we enjoyed every moment taking pictures with the wild vegetation and at the same time having the pleasure of being with nature.  We were also creeping and keeping our voices low so as not to disturb and scare off the wild animals and get the chance to see them.  The walk ended at a part of Madaum River and along the way were tracks of wild pigs, but we never got a chance to see one there.  However, if the wild pigs were that afraid not "Dagul", a well-known male monkey among the resort employees... busy eating scattered bananas along the way.  We also saw different species of birds and lizards in their proud virgin mangrove forest... Then we arrived in our next destination... The Spot... there we took another couple of hundreds of pictures... haha.  They said its a place where guests can go on fishing or taking a lot of pics (LOL).

One of the many hanging bridges...

A pose along Madaum River...

One huge Dahao tree!!!

Our ride during the tour.

That's Dagul, the monkey at the back... not me (lol)

The fun never stopped...

Then as the tour ended, everyone was already impatient to cool down in the pool (at last)... They served various fruit shakes which you can enjoy in a counter in the middle of the pool... cool eh.  Then they served us with a unique (for me) dessert, its a frozen ripe banana dipped in chocolate and caramel... yummy.  We enjoyed the rest of the day in the pool and after we had our light merienda, we went straight to Davao's Tita D'z for another boodle fight... hahaha. And at the end of the day I thank Yahweh for all His graces and protection... and for an overall wonderful day.  That all folks ;)

  

Here Comes the Sun... Glan Padidu

Mesmerized by the breathtaking view in Glan.

We were jokingly singing as we traveled towards our destination, Rosal Resort in Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province.  We were so eager to see the beach.  Aside from the good things we have heard about the beaches in Glan, it'll be the first time for most of us to visit the place.  So, after an hour drive, finally we reached the resort... and it did not disappoint our expectations. A serene sight, white and fine sand, comfortable and uncrowded place (considering it is a weekday).  Since it was still early when we arrived at the site and the sun was still rising, we right away took the opportunity, it's the best time to go on swimming.

At last, Rosal Resort.

A very special moment... captured by a paparazzi (lol)

 

Can't wait to go to the beach... 'coz it might run dry ;)

It was sunny the whole day, a perfect time to take pictures and roam along the shore.  The beach line was full of natural rock formations and vegetation with fine sands along and within the beach swimming area.  The locals were warm and very accommodating.  They even let us see  their catch which showed how rich  the marine life in their area was.  We took lots of photos, looked for some nice drift woods and enjoyed the beach all day long, while some of us took a nice and relaxing nap in our cottage and along the shaded portion of the beach.

Just having the time of our lives...

After a whole day of fun and relaxation, even if the kids and the kids at heart (haha) still wanted to stay longer, we had to go home.  We brought sand and drift woods(for our garden), said a  prayer of thanksgiving and safe trip back home, and waived our goodbyes to the place with the hope of returning back someday soon.  It was indeed such a wonderful experience for all of us.  Thank you God for all the wonderful blessings.

By the way, in case your wondering about the title, Glan-Padidu isn't just added to rhyme with the song of the Beetles' "Here Comes the Sun", but it's actually a place we passed by going to the resort. God bless.

When Forgetting Is Much Better

Today, we had a good time in a nearby beach resort.  For just 120 pesos per person, you already have a free boat ride back and forth the resort (since it is located at the Island Garden City of Samal and we're in Davao City) and also inclusive of use of all their amenities except for their pool with the gigantic slides and  zip lines... And yes their white beach is free and for those who can't live without the net... they have free WIFI zone. We just regret it because we had to leave early for General Santos City so as not to arrive late. Besides I already accomplished what I wanted to do there... to get a bucket of white sand for my landscaping project in our small garden.  I asked my family to bring some more... however they forget since they told me they we're all in a hurry.  We'll that's okay, guess, just have to do it some other time then...

Taking time for a nice pic...

The shortcut... just kidding (LOL)

Preparing for the zip? Nope just for the pose...

That's my mom... no fear challenge conqueror.

So  up we went to Gensan, while on bus, I asked my wife if we can bet for fun (no money involve...lol).  Our ticket cost P480.00, having no exact amount I gave the ticket in-charge(kunduktor) a 500 peso bill.  And he told me to just wait since he also didn't have any change... he got my ticket, put a note and returned it back to me.  Our bet was, if the man would give me back the change without me reminding him then I win.  And guess what, I lost.

I told my wife, there are two possibilities for a person not to be able to give back our change without us asking him: First, is that he purposely did that for us to eventually forget it or... second, he just honestly forgot the whole thing.  We prefer to think it was the latter...

It was not a very smooth sailing ride, we nearly bumped by a backing mixer truck.  Thank God, we arrived safe and sound... and the best thing is we again saw our children... eagerly waiting for us... God bless.