A paradise just near the city....
Crystal clear waters with swimming fishes as company...
Water changing from green to blue to dark blue...
All against the creamy white sand....
It's a perfect recluse. Yet it's not so far that you will loose your wits in the process (well a bit, I did).
I'm taking about Samal Island, in particular, an island at the "back" of it called Talikud in Isla Reta.
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| Even when you just stare away... |
THE ROAD TO ISLA RETA
*note: this wasn't a planned trip. Just a spur of the moment... so welcome to our (mis)adventure. :)
The Island Garden City of Samal is practically around 30 minutes away from the city. Booked at The Pinnacle Hotel at the heart of Davao City, we just rode a cab to the port for around 20 minutes at Php 120. The port that we went to was private for Paradise Island Resort, it was just Php 15 per head, 1-way.
When we arrived at Paradise Island Resort, we didn't like the beach so much. It was literally just across the port so it's also not as clean so we decided to look for another. Warning: don't follow this mishap. We didn't know that we weren't allowed to beach hop so we had to pay Php 200 as entrance fee per head (also because we have to exit in their vicinity, too). (Tip: go via the public port where barge ride is at Php 10 per head, ride will just be at 20 minutes because the barge is slower).
At the exit (which was 10-minute walk from the entrance-- a large resort, in fairness), we found waiting habal-habal and rented it at Php 400, 2-way. At first we just wanted a better beach than Paradise Resort but the searches from Trip Advisor points us to Talikud Island.
The habal-habal drivers said they can accompany us. We added Php 100 or Php 200 more I think because it was a bit far. And oh boy! Little did we know that we will travel half Samal Island (around 20-30 minutes) just to get to Kaputian Port.
First, the travel for me was a bit scary because we just learned a few months that a foreigner was kidnapped. And, law of relativity computed, it was a long and hot travel.It was hard not to ask, "Are we there yet?". But the drivers were just so reassuring! They kept on telling us that they won't do anything bad because it's their tourism at stake. But on the other hand, it was thrilling! So thrilling I wish I had the courage to take a video or even photo of myself while riding.
Second, Kaputian Port is beautiful in itself already but it's now so developed and it is used as port. So we had to cross again Kaputian and right at the back of Samal from the port is Talikud Island. We rented a boat at Php 1,500.
When we arrived at Paradise Island Resort, we didn't like the beach so much. It was literally just across the port so it's also not as clean so we decided to look for another. Warning: don't follow this mishap. We didn't know that we weren't allowed to beach hop so we had to pay Php 200 as entrance fee per head (also because we have to exit in their vicinity, too). (Tip: go via the public port where barge ride is at Php 10 per head, ride will just be at 20 minutes because the barge is slower).
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| Oooooooops, wrong move |
The habal-habal drivers said they can accompany us. We added Php 100 or Php 200 more I think because it was a bit far. And oh boy! Little did we know that we will travel half Samal Island (around 20-30 minutes) just to get to Kaputian Port.
First, the travel for me was a bit scary because we just learned a few months that a foreigner was kidnapped. And, law of relativity computed, it was a long and hot travel.It was hard not to ask, "Are we there yet?". But the drivers were just so reassuring! They kept on telling us that they won't do anything bad because it's their tourism at stake. But on the other hand, it was thrilling! So thrilling I wish I had the courage to take a video or even photo of myself while riding.
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| Had to take photo of the habal-habal ride |
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| Kaputian Port is pretty in itself, right? |
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| Almost dusk at Kaputian Port |
IN ISLA RETA, TALIKUD ISLAND, SAMAL
Was it worth the habal-habal ride just for a bit of paradise and recluse? The answer is a big YES. Just a few meters from Talikud Island, I can already sense that we are up to something nice.
We landed at Isla Reta and the white sand was glistening as a welcome. Such a treat! And I guess I need not say more with these pictures:
Food wasn't a problem in the island because they have a resto.
On the way back to the city, we made sure to ride a barge thru Samal Ferry Wharf that operates 24 hours. :)
It's good once in a while to be unprepared. It's just that it will cost more than usual. All things considered, it was well worth it. :)
*some pictures credits to: @marydms
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| Welcome! |
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| Docked at Isla Reta, Talikud Island |
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| Happy to have set foot here |
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| A bit of an adventure |
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| My color belong |
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| Beach front |
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| What you see at the backdrop is actually Kaputian Port |
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| Time-freeze this moment <3 |
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| Cool sheep |
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| Look at the colors :) |
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| Beautiful! |
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| Almost dusk |
Food wasn't a problem in the island because they have a resto.
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| No you won't get hungry |
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| A feast near the sea |
It's good once in a while to be unprepared. It's just that it will cost more than usual. All things considered, it was well worth it. :)
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| Look at it from every angle... |
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| ...it's stunning at every turn |
*some pictures credits to: @marydms
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