Foot and Fire

I call our trip as an introduction to Mindanao Tour because we took the easiest places to navigate: Samal Island, Koronadal City, Lake Sebu and Davao City during our one-week vacation. Here is our itinerary as it actually happened and I inserted some more suggestions to make your trip better than ours! Enjoy... Nov 22 -- From Bacolod City, arrival to Davao Airport and headed to Samal Island (nightswimming at resort, bat cave and holiday view deck) Nov 23 -- joined a brgy fiesta, White house, Haguimit Falls, Maxima Aquafun and tried Langka delight at a pasalubong center Nov 24 -- traveled to Davao City Overland Terminal and rode yellow bus going to Koronadal/Marbel, South Cotabato. Checked in, checked out Koronadal. Commercial Center (KCC) Mall and dinner at basilio's and visited Lantaw Marbel Nov 25 -- traveled to Lake Sebu where we did the dressing up, zipline, and sight seeing. Don't forget to enjoy tilapia. (Back in Marbel, one should see The...

That must be Mt. Apo because this was taken from the ferry when we left Samal Island.  *** Still the wide ocean of the Davao Gulf;  this was taken from the ferry when we left Samal Island.  *** Stilt houses in the shores of Davao Gulf.  Taken from the ferry when we just left Davao City for Samal Island.  *** Leaving Davao City. *** The oceans and the skies of Davao City from the ferry. *** Approaching the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte. *** From the Ferry overlooking the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte. *** We had a very quick Davao Gulf cruise of less than five minutes. *** From the pretty airport of Davao, it took us about 15-minute taxi ride up to the Holiday Samal Ferry in Sasa. *** And at most 5 minute ferry ride, to reach the tropical  Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte. ***

Definitely, attending a barangay fiesta is not on our to-do or to-visit list in Samal. But Lady Serendipity can never be resisted. We were there during the Christ The King Fiesta celebrated by the Samalinos residing in Brgy. Caliclic in Babak District, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte. Celebrated every last Sunday of the month of November, the barangay fiesta is a happy event with church mass, basketball events, dance and videoke singing.   ***  *** Toys, accessories, number games, and ukay-ukay are very much alive in Brgy. Caliclic. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** These three tasted the Durian popsicle priced at "Tulo Biente"  which we initially thought P1.20 but it turns out it was Three for Twenty.  *** A pose with the vendor of the Durian Popsicle! *** Too bad, can't take home some. ***

Amik looks like bihon (our local dried noodle made of cassava or corn) but more fragile. It is crunchy, sweet and oily. According to the locals, this is the food of the Muslims when it is Ramadan. ***  We bought one piece to sample "Amik," a food prepared with so much care as according to our host, Sir Roger de la Cruz, it will never form in oil like this if the one who cooks is a sinner. Well, as an aspiring cook, I am challenged to do this some time. ***  Seaweeds abound Samal and one should not leave the island without tasting at least this kind  that has the soft jelly texture. *** This seaweed is my favorite because it has the crunch, a perfect characteristic for salad. *** Panga ng Tuna or Tuna Jaw is best accompanied by these two seaweed salad.  Courtesy of our host, Sir Roger. *** I can't leave Samal without sampling the Isda sa Bato, fishes that are colored when in water and looks like they should go to the aquarium rather than in my bowl. *** *** Yes, Just ...

No rush can keep us from having our memorable sisters' twofies.  Hagimit Falls is interesting. First, we have a barangay in my hometown named Haguimit which has a man-made swimming pool with waters coming from the local spring. Second, the photos all over the website is amazing; I just can't get it out of my list of places to go despite the beach temptations. My verdict: the Hagimit falls are not gigantic but they are a series of brief falls that rush to many basins. It is a zen place for me. The paved steps down the falls from the entrance is quite a good walk experience because of the lush forest trees. While we were rushing to beat the imminent sunset, we were not oblivious of the beauty Hagimit falls. Since, this is located just near the Maxima Aqua Fun in the Penaplata District of Samal City, these twin sites are highly recommended for those who look for a one-day Samal experience.    Below are my eloquent witnesses: *** *** *** ...

We arrived at the Moncado's White House after braving partially unpaved, stony and steep road via motorcycle rides since it is located in the central hilly area of Samal Island, a fitting location if one has to look for a house built for spiritual purpose. While I expected that the White House is still inhabited by the followers of Moncado, locally known as Moncadista, the house turned out to be unoccupied, and served only as an imposing historical and religious structure amid the serene skies of Samal Island. The property is fenced and has been circled with warning that the same is subject to a quieting of title case pending in the local court. *** Who is Moncado, byt the way? According to Samalguide.com , Hilario Camino Moncado (1898-1956) was the founder and supreme commander-in-chief of the Filipino Crusaders World Army (FCWA). At the age of nine he graduated with honors from the College of Mystery and Psychics in Calcutta, India. Multi-talented, he was...