Mindanao is always a dream for me. I never tried to travel as i feel its not safe in there especially this time where there are some terrorism act around the area.But that didn't stop me to fulfill one of my dreams.
Davao is one of the places i really wanted to visit.
I booked a plane ticket 4 months prior to this trip.
Booking ahead of time saves u lots of money and i suggest to check seat sale time to time.
First place to Visit is the Samal Island.
Samal Island Or The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) is the only 10 minutes away by ferry thru Sasa Wharf. And its a part of Metropolitan davao and is a great place if you are looking for great adventure and tranquily.
Getting the earliest travel time is the best so you can save time and start your tour just right after you landed at the airport. I took 4.45 am flight a
and i arrived 6.30 am.
Just right after the arrival at Francisco Bangoy Airport I hopped in to a taxi going to SaSa Wharf.
Estimated time of travel is about 15 mins and it cost 90php. I catched the RORO boat just right on tike before it leaves going to Samal Island the fare for 10 mins ride is 10php.
Prior to the arrival i already contacted my Habal Tour Guide / Driver Kuya Igo Ventura.
SAMAL ISLAND DAYTOUR .He picked me up in front of Camp Holiday Resort ( just beside the port). Right from there we got a short briefing and we started the tour.
First Stop:
Monfort Bat Sanctuary. We arrived just on time as the sanctuary just opened @7.00am . The entrance fee is 100php. No one is around so i conquered the entire place. It was so peaceful and all you can hear is the humming of birds and the noise from the cave where you can find millions of bats. There are 5 different openings that you can see in the sanctuary.
A. Entrance - You can see the entrance with lots of bats the first opening you'll see upon entering the sanctuary.
B. Maternity Ward- This is the opening where u can see all female bats that are concieveing and waiting for the giving birth of new bats.
C. Training Ward - as u can see from the name ots the place where the bats are being trained to live to hunt food.
D. Male Ward - the noisiest ward among all.
E. Oldies Ward - this is the place where all the oldies are located and those who are just waiting for their time to say goodbye to the world. This is also the most bad smelling cave among 5.
https://www.facebook.com/ronna.patino/videos/1475857622437325/
After the Monfort Bat Sanctuary tour we headed to the town bakery to get some bread and cofee.
Second Stop :
Punta del Sol Beach Resort - I was just curious to see this resort so even its not included to my itinerary kuya Igo gave me the opportunity to check out this place. They usually charge 100php for the daytour entrance fee, but my habal driver talked with security and told them i was jist checking around the place. GoodJob!! I saved a hundred bucks for this. They do offer some outdoor activities such as island tour , and kayaking etc. I didnt try any of the tour they offer.
Third Stop :
Taclobo Giant Clam Sanctuary - One of the Highlights in this tour. From hagimit Falls turn right and about 7 km you will be redirected to the small road accessing the small barangay towards the Taclobo Sanctuary. Arriving at small Barangay Hall there was the guy who are doing this trip to bring you to the sanctuary. For 500php boat ride back and fourth is A little bit expensive for solo traveller like me but its ok as i am really eager to see the Giant clams. When u arrived the sanctuary. The student intern gave me a little bit of a lecture about this place. Entrance fee is 100php. You can also rent. Snorkelling gear for 100php and even rent a gopro for 300php. In my case i just rented snorkling gear.They give 1hr Tour around the sanctuary .Two of the interns assisted me around. The Giant clams are amazing! One of the best i saw underwater. They are huge and colorful. There are also lots of different sea creatures like different colors of fishes, sea anemones, corals, etc. It was really worth the visit.Worth the money. And worth the travel. A memory to be treasured. It was such an awesome feeling.
By the way the Famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort Davao is just located few minutes away from this sanctuary.
The Hagimit Falls - the falls is just 7kms travel from the Taclobo Giant Sanctuary. Entrance is 50php and they have inhouse tourguide. Usually on weekends the falls is jam packed and gets really crowded with locals so luckily since i travelled on weekedays no much locals around.I met some foreign Students from India who are enjoying the cold water.
I had a great time here and enjoyed this nature and the super cold water.
After an hour we moved to get our Lunch in Peñaplata. I was surprised how cheap the food was.Kuya Igo and i shared the food i ordered
4 rice , shirmp adobo with kangkong, Sinuglaw ( a local deli which is sinugba and kilawin in one consist of grilled port and fresh tuna in vinegar) and 1lt Mountain dew all of this cost only for 220php. Yes we made our hungry tummy full for that cheap price.
Sinuglaw (sinugba and kinilaw)
with kuya Igo My habal tour guide and driver
Fifth Stop:
Blue Bird Overlooking - found almost on top of the mountain and from the name itself its the place where u can see the overlooling of samal island.Entrance fee is only 10php
My sixth and last Stop also my drop off
Kaputian Beach - no entrance fee but u can see such super white sand and super clean water
This beach is just fronting the famous talikud island which i will talk about on my next blog.
I didnt spend much time here but i just had a little bit of sight seeing.. As i need to hopped in to the outrigger boat going to Talikud island.
Hope you enjoyed this blog and hope you follow me on my next blog --->> Talikud Island
Breakdown of expenses
Davao Airport to Sasa wharf --------90 php
Sasa wharf to Samal island --------10php
Monfort Bat Cave entrance --------100php
Taclobo boat transfer --------500php
Taclobo entrance and
Snorkelling gear rental -------200php
Hagimit Falls and Tip -------100php
Snack bread and cofee -------60php
Lunch at peñaplata -------220php
pasalubongs
Shirts,Ref magnets -------600php
Bluebird entrance -------10php
TourGuide and Tip -------700 php
Total Expenses ---------------->>>>> 2,370php
*** The tip you can give to your guide is all up to you. The Pasalubongs are optional if you wanted to save dont buy pasalubong 😛
Contact person : Igo Ventura ( Habal driver/tourguide/photographer
Contact number: 09759385001
Hope you enjoyed this blog and hope you follow me on my next blog --->> Talikud Island
Thanks for reading 😄😄😄😄
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