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. 

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). 

Oooooooops, wrong move

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.

Had to take photo of the habal-habal ride

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. 

Kaputian Port is pretty in itself, right? 

Almost dusk at Kaputian Port

Whew! An unforgettable experience. 

IN ISLA RETA, TALIKUD ISLAND, SAMAL

Welcome! 

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. 

Docked at Isla Reta, Talikud Island

Happy to have set foot here

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:

A bit of an adventure

My color belong

Beach front

What you see at the backdrop is actually Kaputian Port

Time-freeze this moment <3

Cool sheep

Look at the colors :)

Beautiful! 

Almost dusk 

Food wasn't a problem in the island because they have a resto. 

No you won't get hungry

A feast near the sea

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. :)

Look at it from every angle...

...it's stunning at every turn

 *some pictures credits to: @marydms

beach resort Davao City DIY trip isla reta talikud island Island Garden City of Samal Kaputian Port samal island travel guide travel diary Trip Advisor When in Davao

Saturday, November 28, 2015

 

Hello friends out there! I renamed my blog from www.hellosheena.blogspot.com to www.eatsdelicious.blogspot.com.

Please be guided! Happy eating :)

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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Sumilon in Oslob, Cebu was once listed as a must-see sandbar in the Philippines. Was so lucky to have enjoyed this famous papaparaside, recently.

But before that, let me first applaud search engines. For without it, I never would have known that hitting two adventures with one stone's possible. The beauty of DIY!

It's hard to miss, really. I mean the island. Even when excited or engrossed swimming with the gentle giants, the private island of Sumilon can be easily spotted.

The whaleshark encounter won't take too long. So usually, a sidetrip elsewhere's arranged. Mostly, the cheapest and nearest is Tumalog Falls. A few minutes ride up the mountain via habal-habal.

Well Sumilon's a road (or sea?) less traveled. 

Though just a short 10-15 minute ride via a relatively large outrigger boat, price haggling was cruel. Even when raining, Php 2,000 was still the last price given (entrance per head they already included).

Expensive. I was hoping to bring it down to Php 1,000 based on the blogs I've read. But since they won't budge, might as well grab whatever. For that moment in Sumilon.

Happily, the trip was worth it. And hope these pictures would help paint that thousand words.

Almost there!

Oh sandbaaar!

Ooops, we're only allowed up to this point

Bad weather, but not the sight!

I can stay here loooong

:)

Clear waters despite the weather; fine creamy sand; the stillness of nature; the melody of the waves; amazing rock formations; not too salty water and little creatures living. It was a sight to behold. I wish I could fill in my lungs all the positivity and fresh air of that moment.

I wish too, to have stayed longer. If only I'm richer by a few thousands, I'll pay for a day trip in Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort-- an exclusive island were day tours range from Php 1,500- 2,000 per pax.

Bucketlist, prepare. 

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Saturday, February 21, 2015

Another tick in my bucket list: swimming with the whale sharks or butanding! One surreal and unforgettable experience!

Oslob, for their whaleshark encounter, only made a buzz a few years back. It rose to fame within the traveling community fast because the chance of seeing them in flesh was fat.

We had to be sure it's fat. The ride from Cebu City to Brgy. Tan-Awan, Oslob was about three (3) hours long.

That entailed waking up before dawn. Caught the earliest bus ride from South Bus Terminal to Brgy. Tan-Awan at 3am sharp.

It might sound like only the bravest can do, but really it's easy. Bus conductors already know where to drop travelers looking for this kind of adventure. 

We stopped at MB's Sunrise View Resort. After paying fees (Php 300 for whale shark watching/ Php 500 for swimming plus Php 100 resort fees), they took us by boat to the Briefing Center where do's and don'ts were discussed. Of the few that I could remember were:

• Each group's allowed 30 mins of watching or swimming 
• Distance from the whale shark should be 4 meters 
• No flash photography as they're sensitive to light
• No to sunscreens

Road sign so as not to get lost.

After the reminders, we went back again to the boat to wear our life vest and hola! All aboard to swim with the whale sharks! The interaction area was pretty near the shore. 

Not that far, right?

Once within, it didn't take long for us to meet the gentle giants. The moment I saw baby butanding (because I was still on the boat), I wanted to jump at once. Thirty minutes was just too short and I had to relish every moment. Seeing them on the boat was different from sharing the same water-space with them. Like, whoah!

Hello there, baby!

Submerged in water, it was kind of scary at first. I wanted to verify and recall my science lesson. Really, they don't eat humans? Once I'm sane, every time it's near, I'm awestruck though they smell fishy! I can't get over its breathing gills, too. And, my symbiotic relationship lesson was coming all over again. What do we call those freeloaders, again?

Up close and personal!

Of course, we cannot let this moment pass without pictures. The boatman and his assistant took us one by one for the photo-opp. The harsh process goes like this: they'd push us underwater (with or without life vest), then we'd strike a pose. I was afraid of trying it without my life vest on in my first few shots. But for precious moment's sake, I mustered everything for that, as kuya said, "perfect profile pic."

So here were my attempts for a selfie with baby butanding:

Look at my stunt with kuya! hahaha

Now for a groufie!

Better without the lifevest on. Hahaha

I keep on saying 'what an experience!' I hope that by enjoying them in the flesh no serious harm's done. It would be great if future generations will still be able to marvel at this wonder. 

P.S. Whale shark watching is until 1pm only. The usual side trip after that is in Tumalog Falls, but we took a different course, in Sumilon. Enjoy reading!

Here's our travel itinerary to Oslob, Cebu.

TIME	ITINERARY	PRICE
2:30-3:00 AM	Hotel to South Bus Terminal (Ceres)	Php150.00
3:00-6:00 AM	South Bus Terminal to Brgy. Tan-Awan via Ceres Bus (Non-aircon)	Php150.00
6:01 onwards	Sunview Hotel Registrtation	Php100.00
	(use of facilities such as shower and 'locker' included
	Whale Shark Watching	Php500.00
	Add-ons: Underwater cam rental	Php550.00
1:00-2:00PM	Side-Trip:
	Sumilon: (Free area only)/ Boat rental	Php2,000.00
2:01-4:30PM	Ceres bus to Cebu City (aircon)	Php155.00
	TOTAL:	Php3,605.00
	*Plus food and tip

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

So what about the title?

First of, several series of Survivor of many countries were shot in this idyllic place.

Second, it's almost unreachable and so far away you have to survive the travel hours. But then again, those hard-to-find, best-kept-secrets were sure to blow the mind away.

Agree? If not, then maybe this post-card-from-us will drive the point.

I wouldn't mention that by bus or by private car, the province of Naga, Camarines Sur was 10-12 hours away. In Naga, in the all-known SM, vans can be found bound to Sabang Port, town of San Jose at Php 100/person. From there it takes about 1.5-2 hours to the port.

In Sabang Port, 2 more hours of nature-tripping to reach Guijalo Port, Caramoan. The boat ride from Sabang is operational at 6am, with an hour interval until 11am. Since we went there during the Holy Week, we were able to depart before that. Individual fare is at Php 120.

Unlike in Batangas, the sea was calm here. I was able to enjoy the feast of nature. It was reassuring too that we were somehow just rounding the island.

For an overnight stay in Caramoan, it's a must to rise early

In Guijalo, we were asked Php 30 for the environmental fee. 

Caramoan's truly a blessed island. It was a good feeling seeing stretch of rolling hills, sprawling rice fields and pristine rivers. The town is far from developed yet. So it's really wise to go for package tours. In the long-run, it will save you more. (Think, per person in a trike was Php 50)

It's not only the beaches and islands to enjoy, this <3

The adventure starts 30-minutes from the port- in Paniman Beach. Rates for boat rental range from Php 2,500-3,000, but we didn't feel it much because we were on package.

Get ready for adventure at Paniman!

So all aboard!

We first went to the famous Matukad Island. If you've seen postcards of Caramoan, you've probably seen it. The water here's so clear. Wading with water, it makes it a milky combination. The sand was so fine it reminds me of polvoron.

Zoom-out of Matukad Island

Next we found ourselves in Lahos Island. Lahos was like a stumpy sand bar. When the sun strikes the sand, it sparkles! That it's like a sand bar, you get to experience two sides of it. Both were equally stunning!

Hello Lahos! Here we come!

And so we're coming clooooose!

We hopped on next to Manlahos Island. It's quite a small island. We found refuge under the limestone rocks. Again, the waters' just so clear!

Manlahos from afar

We were supposed to go to Sabitang Laya, but we weren't able to so we headed to an island across Manlahos. (Will insert name here once I remember the name :P). It wasn't white but it was fine and perfect as mudpack. Birds keep on chirping it wasn't that quiet.

I will remember your name :)

Would I want to survive Caramoan again in the future? I'd say yes! There are still so many islands to explore that we cannot squeeze in an overnight stay like the stretches of Sabitang Laya or the saaaaandbaaaar!

I shall return!

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Sunday, June 01, 2014