DAYANG BEACH RESORT

 DAYANG BEACH RESORT

Since I arrived Davao City 3 days earlier for the Kadayawan Festival 2012, I decided to have a side trip and explore the beauty of Samal Island and Talicud Island, and made my last stop in Talicud island before I headed back to Davao city.

But before I made my plans for the Kadayawan Festival I already inquire and use the search engine of google about the Talicud Island and the best beaches they have where it is affordable,not too crowded , unexploited and only few people been there.

That is the Dayang Beach Resort,I was so fascinated about the place so I called the resort from the number I found on the photo taken on the resort print adds, and made a reservation right away.Perfect to my taste,perfect to my choice and most importantly perfect for my budget.

From St. Ana wharf of Davao city,a ferry boat travel daily to Dadatan wharf of talicud island with a 60 pesos fare for about 45 minutes of boat travel.In Dadatan wharf a number of "Habal-habal"(local term for motor cycle) are available for hire just instruct the driver that you are heading to dayang beach Resort, a 100 pesos fare for the ride if you are traveling alone or a 50 pesos if someone is traveling with you,just be patient on the 15 minutes ride on rough and bumpy roads, wit and rocky terrains going to the resort since the location is hidden enough to have a little extreme adventure on the way.

From the entrance of the resort a walking distance of 20 feet you will be welcome to a vast white sand and clear blue water with a deferent cloud formation in the sky and to the far side of the island is the beautiful view of Mt. Apo.The resort is rich with a coconut trees that creates a shades from the heat of the sun, a kubo style cottages in front of the beach with a warm tropical ambience's around.

Kubo 

This "Kubo" a local name for Nipa hut is 700 pesos rent per night,it has a single bed with clean linens spacious enough for 2 persons with wall fan, a small balcony for the guest to set and relax while pondering on the white beach and the view of the tallest mountain in the Philippines which is the Mt Apo.Very simple, very laid back,quite,clean beach sand and again no TV and music that will disturb you while you are in the resort.The electricity in the island will be on at 2 PM in the afternoon and it will be off at 2am early in the morning.You cannot find any electrical socket for charging of cellphone in the "kubo" but you can ask for a little favor to have your cellphone batteries to be charge in their bank house for free.

In between the kubo's is a young coconut tree set for picnicking since the resort doesn't require any corkage that brought by the guest outside,you can even request the resort caretaker to cook the food you bought with a little charge of course,their kitchen cook are very good.Though the resort do not have a Restaurant for their guest,the menu they have is a freshly catch fish everyday,fresh pork meats and dressed native chicken packed in half kilo that you can order and cook according to your choice of Filipino dish.

While waiting for the food to be serve you can relax and chilling to this area of the resort while enjoying the fresh breeze of air that touches your body.

Native Chicken Tinola

 I requested for my lunch was a half kilo of chicken native cooked in a tinola style with papaya, malonggay leaves and chili pepper leaves on it,a lemon grass and some herbs added to make it more flavorful to taste,this is a local filipino dish that is perfect for a native chicken to cook.The other half kilo of it was for a visayan chicken native adobo style(dry souce) for my dinner afterward.

 A very sumptuous and pleasant lunch I got since I choose to have my lunch at the table facing the beach right beside a wide shade of a coconut tree,watching the beauty of the beach and the motor boats of deferent colors passing by while I'm enjoying my meal.

Indeed as the name of the resort derives,Dayang a maranaw word which means "Prencess".I was treated like a royal on that time as all the request I got from the utensils,extra towels and even cleaning  my left overs without a charge. In their simplest way and a touch of a little heaven, though its not like other high end beach resorts but then the people of Dayang made my stay perfect.

Since I arrive at the resort, I was warned by the caretaker that the sand was not fine as I expected and the beach was not clean and there was several floating garbage on the sea shore that day.According to them it was because of the "habagat" season, meaning the wind were strong enough that makes the sea current carry along broken corrals and other sea stone to the shore that make it rocky and the sand was not so fine as compare to other beaches I had been,although they had workers who maintain the resort and rake out all the big pebbles in the shore and the floating garbage I do still enjoy the beach.

The owner of the resort is a Filipina married to a foreigner,the beach was offered to them and got interested and bought it.At first it was just a private vacation beach as the couple made their yearly vacation in the Philippines,the wife thought of making it an investment and make a money out of it.As their income grow and more tourist got interest on the place so they decided to make an improvement by adding extra cottages and started receiving guest, but maintain the resort as a being private,simple and laid back experience.Security of the guest is their first priority so a 24 hour guard is on duty.

This part of the beach was an touch,unexploited and undeveloped waiting for you to discover and enjoy the beauty hidden when you were there.

This ruin structure was an old port that was destroy many years ago only this big boulders being lift today and its add to the attraction of the resort, taking picture on this site was the only things to do for the adventurers an enthusiast though it is very unique by itself that only to be found in talicud island.

After my lunch  I continue taking photos to the object and scene that makes me amaze.Then I took a little nap in my kubo before the sun heat down enough for me to took a swim and enjoy the beach.

Note that aside from scheduled operation of their electricity there is also no fresh water to drink so its advisable to bring your own bottled drinking water supply,they use sea water for washing and bathing,a gallons of fresh water for 15 pesos is for sale if you wanted it.A small sari-sari store (mini store)also available in the resort for toiletries,soda's, alcohols and a several    souvenir items.

Walking along the beach is a good exercise while collecting rare sea shell and stones along the away.

The View of Mt. Apo from the resort

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Sta Ana wharf in Davao city you can ride a boat daily  on their schedule just ask the MBCA Pacific about their boat trip, just be there morning to make sure that you can make it to Dayang beach resort before lunch.
From  Sta Ana wharf to Dadatan wharf the travel will took you for about 45 minutes for 60 pesos fare.
In Dadatan,a lot of "habal-habal" local names for a motor bikes are available for hire going to the resort,the trip will cost you about 100 pesos if you are traveling alone while much lesser into half if  someone is with you.In about 15 minute time you will be at the resort.Don't worry about the safety and tourist security,the poeple of talicud island are very warm and friendly,they know each other since the island is very small with a few population. 

If you are the kind of traveler seeking for solemnity and self discovery, Dayang beach Resort is the place for you and I guarantee you a 100 percent satisfaction...Enjoy!

BUDYONG BEACH RESORT

BUDYONG BEACH RESORT

Finding a nice,clean,calm and quite and affordable place? there is nothing I can think of except the Budyong Beach Resort in Bantayan Island.I been here several times now but I never felt any feeling of tiresome about the place.Every time I visit the place I really wonder that  Im on a perfect paradise.White powdery sand, clear blue water,a nipa hut cottage standing in front of the beach and a wide horizon of blue sky.

If you want to be alone and away from the busy and noisy city or just finding my self back in a peaceful and quite place my recommendation for you is the Budyong beach Resort a laid back type of resort where no TV and noisy sound can be heard in the area,Just be there appreciate the beauty of the sea, just you and the sea,..just you and the sand...

"Do whatever you can do while you are in the resort" just observe the resort policies then I guarantee you that you will enjoy your day while staying the resort.

The resort has its own restaurant with a set of  Filipino dishes to choose from,or you can have it cooked according to your own preference,enjoy the area and sit on their unique tables and chairs made of Kamagong woods while  reading materials are available for you to read and a section area where a souvenir items are made for sale,an open air area where a fresh breeze of wind flowing in and out while enjoying the scenery friendly staff and good foods.

 but the most practical is buy a fresh sea foods along the beach,morning and afternoon many vendors passing buy selling sea foods that are freshly catch from the sea in a very affordable price,have it cooked according to your request and they will have it prepared by their  resort kitchen chef ,A charge will be required per kilo.

Or buy your drinks and food outside if you are on a tight budget.Its more cheaper and affordable since the market is just a walking distance and anyway you can bring it along in the resort.

Choosing the perfect beach front cottages upon making a reservation so that you will enjoy the beauty of the resort.A 1,500 pesos a night good for 2 persons during off season with a private wash room and an air conditioned room,each cottage has its own mini balcony to enjoy while wondering the beauty of the beach.Its not a high -end accommodation,a comfortable and clean linens is all it need enough for staying overnight.  

You can do your land and water sports since the resort had a spacious area for your preferable sports activities as long as you bring with you your own equipments. 

Or contact locals "bangkero"or boats for an Island hopping for only 1,000.00 pesos for 4 persons,and explore the hidden beauty of the Island and discover the hidden paradise awaits for  you to see. 

Every cottage on the resort are made of Nipa hut a local term for "Bahay Kubo" an indigenous house used in the Philippines,it is made of a bamboo tied together and Anahaw leave or nipa as a roof.

Living on this kind of structural houses is very refreshing as it is made of wood materials perfect for a tropical areas.

For those sporty groups you can bring a tent with you,there is an area where you can place your tent just pay for about 500 pesos for an overnight stay of the resort.

After a day of fun and water activities, you can spurge to the clear blue water of the beach,enjoy the fine white sand or even do a walk by the shore where you will experience the vast white sand of the Island and collect some deferent kinds and form of sea stones and sea shells along the way.

ENJOY! ENJOY! ENJOY!

HOW TO GET THERE:

From Cebu go to the North  bus Terminal locates near SM mall or ride a metered taxi and say the direction and they will drive you there.At the terminal a Ceres Buses(local names of the buses in yellow and white coaches travelling to Hagnaya port) a 70- 80 pesos fare for non - air con and 130 pesos for air con bus but it run occasionally so be there at the terminal early in the morning to catch the first trip of the bus to Hagnaya port in northern part of Cebu so that you will be at your resort before lunch time so you will have a day ahead to explore the island.The bus depart every 30 minutes and travel time would be 2- 3 and a half hour depends on the bus stop.

From Hagnaya Port you will ride again a ferry boat bound for Bantayan Island,the trip will cost you about 70 pesos for an open accommodation and 80 pesos fare for the air con cabin, travel time is approximately 75 minutes to1 hour sea travel to St. Fe port of Bantayan Island.

From St. Fe Port available service car of the resort will accompany you if you have a reservation or a side car waiting outside of the port that you can ride just give them the direction where you are heading.don't worry about your safety and security becouse the people of Bantayan island  where very friendly and accommodating  to their tourist.

After checking -in to your resort especially in Budyong breach resort explore the area and a walking distance to their town proper.

HOW TO BOOKED:

www.budyong.net

contact number: (6332) 438-5700

Cellphone number: 0921 314-5275

You can also email  at budyongbeach@gmail.com

BANTAYAN ISLAND

There is something about Bantayan island that I keep coming back,maybe its because of their pristine white beaches where every corner of the island is made of white sand even from the pier of St. Fe you will be welcome with a vast and white of a sand as far as the eyes can see.A friendly,quite and peaceful community.the food is quite affordable even everything can be walk. maybe its because it is a small and peaceful island and the concentration of the population is in the center of bantayan island which is the St Fe.

WHERE IS BANTAYAN ISLAND?

Location: Northern most tip of Cebu
Land area: 8,404.70 Has.
Population: 71,655 (2007 Census of Population)
Classification: 1st Class Municipality
Distance: 136 KMS. From Cebu City




HOW TO GET THERE?

From manila a daily domestics flights are  available bound for Mactan international Airport,a flight to or from Cebu are also available in all major Airports in the Philippines.Cebu,if you are from abroad you can booked your flight direct to Cebu.A sea ferry are also available both trips from or to luzon and mindanao.From the airport or sea port,take a meter taxi or jeep bound for north Bus Terminal catch an early morning trip 6:30am with an interval trip of 30 minutes  to Hagnaya,the trip will run approximately about 3-4 hours of travel depend on the speed of the bus and stop over on the way.The fare rate can be change depends on the season so just prepare 150 pesos to 220 pesos for the air con and none air con bus fare.Ferry boat from hagnaya runs every day depend on their schedule just make sure to take the morning and before lunch trip so that you arrived early in bantayan island and enjoy the rest of the day discovering the island.A and 180 for the air con cabin and 160 pesos for non air con which I take so that I will enjoy the scenery and fresh breeze of sea water just enough to enjoy in about 1 hour and 30 minutes after you will be arriving to St Fe Sea port.Outside the port there is a tricycle the town main transportation are waiting just be couscous about their 5 pesos rate fare and additional depending on the distance of your accommodation.Dont forget to ask direction to the port guards or any men in uniform inside the port as a basic safeguard as a traveler for they know where you going and they will refer you to  a trusted person that will transport you to your resort.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN BANTAYAN ISLAND 

Bantayan island is compose of 25 baranggay including islands baranggay,most of the developed resort were fount in St. Fe,there is a hospitals,churches,Schools and banks,but be aware to bring cash since its and island and ATM machines are few to be found and sometimes it runs out of cash.The local dialect is cebuano and bantayanon to some areas.The stretch white sand  of St. Fe are the home of deferent resorts like Hoyohoy Villas,Bantayan cottages,Island Cottages,White Sand Villa,Sea view Apartelle,Martin beach Resort,Budyong Beach Resort,Sugar Beach Resort,to name the few,enjoy sun bathing and walking along the powdery of white sand while collecting some sea shells along the shore or else have a swim on the water.

You can contact a rental bangka of 6-12 setters for a 500-1,000 pesos for an island tour.There is also caves in the island,the Tiyaba cave and the Ogtong cave but sad to say I was not able to visit those caves since my itinerary was to enjoy the white beach.High end and local restaurants are to be found,there is also BBQ of sea foods,pork and chicken available near the market.Enjoy the lively streets during the night where many karaoke bars are open,the town curfew is still implemented. 

Virgin Island

Diving Island

  Another reason why I keeps coming back to the island is the resort where I usually stay,there is no other resort as I can compare to theirs since the time i started travelling,its affordable, accommodating staff and their cottages where it is located exactly at in front of the beach!,a few steps away is the sea shore in a clear blue crystal and powdery white sand.

Budyong Beach Resort

....this is Budyong Beach Resort,the next subject of my story...

CAMOTES ISLAND

Sugary White sand, pristine clear blue water,laid back and close to nature, and spectacular view of tourist spot,friendly communities and just 3 hours travel from cebu city. This are the reason why I decided to visit Camotes Island, Philippines. As usual doing my backpacking for 2 days clothes,cameras,extra cash, a pin and note for writing Im ready to go.

A brief background of Camotes island.It is 62 kilometers of northeast of cebu and 25 kilometers east of Ormoc.It has four islands,with sub islands and four municipalities.

Municipality of Poro

municipality of tudela

Municipality of San Francisco

Municipality of Pilar

Poro and San Francisco are connected by a causeway for a bout 1.5 km.the main livelihood of the community is farming and fishing, their Dialect is Cebuano as part of the Visayan region, while in poro speak porohanon a native language distinguish by pronouncing of a certain words.A population of 89,324 as of 2007 census,the island  Camotes name after when a Spaniard arrives to the island and ask the native whats on the basket they are carrying and they replied "camote"a sweet potatoes  that is how it derives the name of the island.The climate of the island is typified as a dry  season like the rest of the country,while monsoon season starts early of July to January the next year,with sometimes a strange patterns of the weather since it is a small island prone to typhoon patterns of the country.

An 8 flights daily is serving Manila to Cebu,and if you are from Mindanao once a day flight on major cities bound for Cebu,or yet a daily schedule of sea ferries for those who wants to travel by the sea.From cebu,the best way is via Danao,northern part of Cebu by a V- hire van located near to SM mall,or in North bound Terminal to those who want to take a bus. A 50 pesos fair for  a V hire or by a taxi for about half an hour drive without a traffic and it will cost you for abour 300-350 pesos from the Airport.We took the early morning trip to catch the first trip of the Jumalia barge for Consuelo port.From Danao a Roll on-Roll off boat you can take with a daily schedule: http://travelcamotes.com/schedule.html.

From Consuelo Port,a lot of habal-habal that you can arrange for a half day tour,A multi cab available for a group tour for only 1,500 pesos for the entire cab,since my two girl friends is with me,we choose the multi cab instead.The tour includes a visit to town proper of San Francesco, Bay walk,Buho rocks,Timubo Caves,Bakhaw beach in Esperanza,Lake Danao and Santiago bay where we had our delicious  lunch by the seaside.

BAYWALK

First stop is the baywalk along the town proper of San francisco near  to the market where a lot of stalls selling foods and drinks for the tourist and locals,perfect to stay,relax and enjoy the sunset while serinnating you with their music using a big speaker.At night, the area is filled with BBQ and grilled sea foods stalls catered both locals and tourist for a fun dinner and doing some video-k.

BUHO ROCK

Buho rock is another tourist spot in the island.Located in Poro town is a government run Eco park where there is a cottages right for the group who want to have a picnic and enjoy the beauty of the crystal blue sea strike by the sun while a  big rock  in the middle where you can take pictures with your friends.Entrance fee and facility rates is just right for your budget.

TIMUBO CAVE

Our next stop we headed up north is the Timubo Cave, hidden at the mountainous side of San Francisco,for 15 minute ride from the town proper,we stumble into a hole with a stairways down to the hidden paradise of builders stones,stalagmite,a drops of cold water as we get deeper into the cave so expect to get wet,though the government put a line of lights on the way so just be careful on a slippery and wet floor step,passing trough a small but clear pond where caves stones are visible to our naked eyes as we pass trough finally we are inside to the enchanted clear cold river of the caves as if we cannot wait for a minute we jump off to the water till we are wet and wild overwhelm with joy and happiness and embrace the hidden paradise that we bare witness,after taking pictures and stayed there for long,we pay grace to mama Mary where there is a small altar in the corner for people who seek solidarity and peace.You will get to experience the wonders of the cave with an entrance fee of 10 pesos per person,no food allowed inside.

Entrance of Timubo cave

You will have to cross a small pond before a river of clear blue water on the way

Timubo Cave

LAKE DANAO

Our next stop is the Lake Danao, its  like and eight shape body of fresh water as the largest lake not only in province of Cebu but also in the whole region of Visayas.It is rich on fishery where the locals surrounding the lake depend on the resources as their subsistence,boating and other water sports are the few things you can do aside from picnicking on  their spacious area. A 10 pesos entrance fee for the maintenance of the government park and be amaze of the bountiful scenery of the lake with extra bonus if you visit their during the  visiting of the migratory birds.    

Lake Danao

BAKHAW BEACH

After taking photos and having a little snack while appreciating the wonders of the lake we decided to move on to our next stop which is the Bakhaw beach,Located in Baranngay Esperanza,San francisco.from there we enter a narrow roads with bushes and coconuts around, no wonder it is called the hidden paradise and unexploited stretch of sugary white bars of sand with a laid back feeling while your in the place, since the government and the land owners near the beach agreed to leave the place as it is in their natural habitat.With a 10 pesos entrance fee that will give you a quite and peaceful mind while appreciating the long stretch of sand,secluded and unspoiled. Picnicking on green grass under the coconut trees lullaby you with the sea breeze.Deep yourself in a clear blue water under the sun or perhaps walking along the seashore that well give you a feel like therapy from a powdery sand,just to make sure to have a sunblock on hand.Pack your own foods because you cannot see stores selling  in the area.although at the distance from the beach far enough not to obscure the beach is a resort called Borromeo Beach Ressort,they do not sell any food and from what I heard from our driver even their guest buy their foods at Esperanza proper.

Bakhaw beach

Area where you can have a picnic in this lush carpet of green grass

SANTIAGO BAY,SAN FRANCISCO

Since I'm talking about food I cannot wait to move on to our next destination which is the Santiago Bay where we will be having  our lunch,our driver told us that there is a restaurant that serves fresh sea foods cooked as you want, not so pricey and the location right on the beach front!how was that?!I'm thinking already and its sound good!

Anyway,Santiago bay is a baranggay of san francisco,several beach resort lying on the beach namely,Belle Vista resort offers a cheaper room rates,Santiago bay Garden and resort which has a infinity pool a restaurant,function hall,gardens, private cottages and rooms with a view overlooking

 the Santiago bay,Masmayor Beach Resort and Payag Beach Resort.During low tide the water goes down for about 200 meters from the shore,walking barefoot is fun to do especially low tides come in the afternoon where the sun goes down and enjoy the sunset afterward.It is not that well maintain unlike to other private beaches, it  was run by the government of Santiago so the collection of garbage and maintenance for the cleanliness of the beach depends on the income of their renting cottages (for those who want to have a picnic) and the voluntarism of the community.Since the beach is crowded, different stalls selling souvenirs,henna tattoo shop and restaurants are sprouting along by the bay,You can discover the beauty of the Santiago bay when you are inside the Santiago Bay Garden Resort overlooking the whole bay area,from there you will find the magnificent vast of white sand. A mirror from the clear blue water from afar is the formation of the clouds. 

A view from  Santiago Bay Garden Resort

A view from  Santiago Bay Garden Resort

Cottages along the bay area

PITOS' SUTOKIL

 Taadaah!look at that food!inviting right,will that is just two of the main menu in PITO'S SUTOKIL Restaurant right at the bay area of Santiago bay where we had our lunch,they had fresh sea foods catch by their local  fisherman from the area everyday,so expect the freshness of the food when it is cook.Very affordable with only 80 pesos per serving good for 2-3 person and a regular rates of rice platter for only 30 pesos good for 3 persons and 30 pesos per liter of soft drinks and battled water,it is not a high end restaurant as you imagine by it but it is a typical and simple filipino restaurant serving filipino famous dishes.According to the owner they run their restaurants for several years now and they have master the secret ingredient needed  according to the taste preference of their clients that is why regular client from Cebu are keep's coming back just to taste their food,Pito's are also known to the entire island as the best seafood restaurant. that is why all the driver's either multicab or habal-habal they recommend Pito's Sutokil as the best sea food restaurant in town plus bonus the location where it is located  fronting the white beach of Santiago.
Some of the beach goer's who stayed their overnight had their food cooked by Pito's with extra charge ranging from 100-200 pesos depend on the kilo of food they brought along,the best right!wait there's more,you can sing along with their video-k while having an extra battle of beer to cool you off from a day of tour in Camotes Island. Dinner serve you with extra candle light or a bonfire and dance with the beat of the music. You can make a request just be creative and the people of Pito's will do the rest off charge.

Tuna fish Kinilaw

Pork Sisig

Beat the best pork Sisig I ever taste only in Pito's.Perfect cooked meat crispy pork skin on top with checharon and egg spicy enough with extra hotness of chili!Most recommended while you are in Pito's

The Famous PITO'S SUTOKIL

....After Enjoying our lunch we decided to end our day by having a little rest to our resort which is the Mangodlong Paradise Beach Resort...and this will be my next story.