Thursday, April 30, 2015

TIGBE SPRING RESORT

It's Labor day and it's a holiday. We decided to go to this new to us spring resort located in Purok 8, Kulasihan Lantapan Bukidnon. The resort just had their first anniversary last April 2015. It was still in a developing process until now. It is owned by a kagawad in brgy. Bugcaon, which I didn't get the name. The resort opens @ 8am but we arrived there earlier. Still, they let us in. Swam for 2 hours and then went home.

How to get there:

From Malaybalay city proper, we drove 20 minutes to Bangcud National High School. Just after the school, we turned right on this narrow rocky road. Just straight ahead, you'll reach this bridge.

                                                                       This way to Tigbe Spring Resort.

                     Uprooted mango tree caused by the strong rain and wind yesterday, just a few meters from the resort.

                                                                            Entrance fee is 25 pesos.

                                                                                   The resort's restrictions.

                                                                                4ft to 4.7 ft deep pool.


                                                                  Kuya caught in the act vacuuming the pool.

                                                                          2 ft deep pool.




                                                                                  Mini store inside the resort.

                                                                                  Potable spring water.

                                                                              Water resource from the pool.

*** Some of the photos taken inside the resort.



SUMMER 2015: TOURING WESTERN MINDANAO DAY 3

It's 6:30 am and we went for a walk and for breakfast. We had our free breakfast at this Thai like restaurant. It's a plated in breakfast with two options. You can either have pork tocino or chicken sausage with scrambled eggs paired with coffee. I ordered the tocino and hubby had the chicken sausage. I was not really in the mood to eat, and the food was not that good, so hubby finished my meal. 

After eating, we went back to our room to wake up our sleeping son. Immediately he got up. Swimming is probably his most favorite thing to do right now.He is just 3 yrs old but is not afraid of the deep.


                                                                       Some beechneering.


                                                                   Jump shots in the beach.


                                                                                     Chillin in an 8.5 ft deep pool.

We still got 3 hours before check out and we made use of that time. Check out is 12 noon but we can still opt to stay in the resort and use their amenities until 5 pm. But we decided not to for we will still travel back to Dipolog and then Molave.

                                                                               Bye for now Dakak. It was a nice stay.


Went back again to Dipolog and had our lunch at penong's. We ordered the good for 4 set that comprises with seafoods, oysters, shrimps, fish, calamares and a green mango side dish with one pitcher of iced tea. This costs 629 pesos and their rice costs 23 pesos and is already unlimited. For our lunch, I paid around 800 pesos. Oh, and by the way, on the way to Dipolog, we stopped by some fish stalls and bought this huge fish for only 120 pesos. Bought another kilo for 100 pesos which if you buy in our place,will cost you 200 pesos.

And off we go to Molave. Along the way, we turned left on this very rough road that my hubby seemed unsure if it's the right way. Were already 500 meters away from where we turned, and he was still not sure if it's the right path. So,we asked some people nearby. They said it's a shortcut to where we are going. And that was a relief for all of us,thinking we were lost. It was still a long way ahead, probably 3 hours to Molave. We passed by these towns; Katipunan, Sergio Osmena, Josefina, Dumingag, Mahayag and Molave, Zamboanga del Sur.

                                                                The view is like this from Dipolog to Molave.


Finally arrived after hours of travel. Checked in at Aleksandra hotel for 2 nights. Standard rooms that can fit 3 people cost me 700/night. The price is not bad but I think the hotel lacked maintenance. It's not clean, no staff in the front desk and the worst part of the hotel is that a disco bar is underneath our room. Now, how are you gonna sleep with that? But because of the long trip we had, we still had a goodnight sleep.



Saturday, April 25, 2015

SUMMER 2015: TOURING WESTERN MINDANAO DAY 2

The sun is up and were off to another adventure. Were suppose to jog along the boulevard but unfortunately, we weren't able to get up early. So my boys just decided to go to the beach to witness the fishermen with their caught fishes while I packed and prepared our things.

                                                                              This baby loves to play in the sand.

                      Fishermen just docking with their caught fishes. The beach is just 10 meters from the hotel.

We had our breakfast in downtown Dipolog. Ate at Jollibee because it's the first food chain we saw and we were in a hurry to go to Dakak. After Jollibee, went to Montanos sardines store to buy some pasalubong.

                                                                               Shopping some Spanish Sardines.

 Their sardines cost 75 pesos per bottle. And they have these packaging with 3 sardines that costs 245 pesos. You pay an additional 20 pesos for the box. They also have bagoong, sardines in olive oil, which costs a little higher, and some pica picas.

                                                                                Gotta take some photos here.
                                                                           Amazing Dipolog City cathedral.

We then went straight to Dapitan. Dapitan city is just 30 minutes away from Dipolog. You'll see beach resorts lined up along their boulevard. Dakak is still far from the city so we decided to stop by Rizal Shrine. Entering the shrine, there are vendors selling this bird whistle which I was really amazed. It's just an ordinary whistle but when put with water, it will sound like a chirping bird. So, I bought one for my son for 50 pesos. But I think you can still haggle it to 40 pesos.

                                                           A little bird lost in paradise. Century tree at the back.

                                                                                         Rizal's house.

                                                                                   One of Rizal's clinic.

After Rizal Shrine, we decided to have our lunch. We went back at the boulevard to find some decent place to eat. Then we bumped into this place.

                                                            Dine @ Sea restaurant, sunset boulevard Dapitan City.

We ordered pork sisig, kinilaw and fish tinola. Their food is fairly price ranging from 100-180 pesos all servings good for 3-4 persons. It was freshly cooked but I didn't really like how it tastes. I only ate the sisig that is really, really oily. The kinilaw still tastes really fishy. The tinola was great but still smells a little fishy too. Our lunch costs me 550 pesos.

After our lunch, we went straight ahead to Dakak. Dakak beach resort is 30 minutes away from Dapitan City. Dakak itself is a very massive place with acres and acres of land area. From the entrance, we still drove a long way to reach their reception hall. And at the reception, we were given complimentary drinks while waiting. And since its 12 noon yet, check in is @ 2 pm, we just went swimming.

                                                                        Dakak Beach resort waiting lounge.
 
They got 4 swimming pools in the resort. 1 shallow pool for kids, 1 7 ft deep pool with slides, an 8.5 feet deep pool and a 6 ft deep pool with man made falls in it. They don't have any restrictions on swimming attires, just make sure you take a shower first before swimming. Oh, and they use salt water on their swimming pools.

                                                          8.5 ft deep pool. Parang hindi lang takot mag dive.hahaha

                                                                            Hubby and son enjoying the pool.

At 2:30 pm, we were checked in at our room located in cluster C. From the reception, we still drove 500m more or less to get to our room. 

                                                                                          Our room.
                                                                Complimentary toiletries.
                                                                                        View from outside.
                                                                                            View from below.

Our room accomodation cost 3550 pesos per night with free breakfast for 2 and a complimentary ride all you can pass in Gloria's Fantasyland. They also offer a free shuttle ride to Gloria's fantasyland which leaves @ 8pm and 9 pm and their return trip starts @ 11pm.

We took a nap after swimming and had our dinner in Veranda restaurant. It's an all grilled restaurant. You can choose from pork or chicken bbq. Their price starts @ 90 pesos to 130 pesos. It's cheap, right? So, for the 4 of us, i thought were just gonna pay around 600 pesos including our coca cola 8 oz drink. But when I got the bill, I was shocked to see that our bill totaled 850 pesos. My husband was scrutinizing the bill and he saw that the 8 oz drink costs 55 pesos. What? 55 pesos? Seriously? That's like 5 times its SRP. Another lesson learned here, check the price first before ordering.
 
                                         Veranda restaurant dinner. With their overpriced softdrinks.

                                                                    Bowling alley in the Veranda restaurant.

At 8pm, we rode the bus to Gloria's Fantasyland. Gloria's fantasyland is located in Gloria de dapitan which is more or less a 20 minute bus ride.

                                                                                 Gloria's fantasyland entrance.


                                                                                         First ride. Apollo.






                                                                          Paid 50 pesos for this for a 5 minute ride.

At 9:30 pm, you can witness an extraordinary show; The Grand night parade: Festival of colors. It's the newest addition to their attractions. The show includes:
  • Joie De Vivre (Joy of Life)
  • Fire and Thunder Show
  • Festival of Colors/Parade of Cultures
      * Fireworks Display





These are some of the photos I captured from the Festival of Colors parade. By the way, the entrance fee for the ride all you can pass is 1000 pesos and 500 pesos for the kids. Gates opened at 4 pm and closes at 12 midnight. Went home at 12 pm. Another fruitful day had ended and tomorrow is another day. 


Arki Wanders

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