Cheap Accommodation in Cagayan de Oro - D BUDGETEL

Looking for a cheap place to stay in Cagayan de Oro City? D Budgetel Hotel maybe the place you are looking for. It is located at Corales Extension which is close to banks, Gaisano Mall, convenience store and 1 ride to the bus terminal. They have different types of accommodations from single, deluxe and bunker type like the one below. 

As you can see, the bunker type or cabin-like accommodation is similar to Cebu’s Sugbutel. The room is composed of more than 10 beds, fully airconditioned with lockers for valuables. Rates here starts at a very affordable, P200.Upon check in, you will be guided by a friendly staff who will arrange a linen for you at no additional cost.

The toilet/bathrooms are located outside the room and has plenty of cubiles for bathing. One of the things I am looking for an accommodation is the cleanliness of the toilets and I recalled that Sugbutel really paid attention to that by cleaning their rooms and toilets every now and then. They keep their toilet dry and well maintained. However, D Budgtel Hotel may need to improve on this part. Another comment for this hotel is the lack of wifi-connecitivy because wifi is only available in the lobby and in the restaurant until 10pm only. The room also has few power outlets like in my room, there were only 4 so maybe during peak season, guests may be unable to recharge their electronics. 

Overall,  I would definetely reccomment this hotel for everyone especially backpackers and surely, I will be back here for sure in the near future.

Animal Encounters at Davao Crocodile Park

For those who want to see the origins of Lacoste brand, here at Davao Crocodile Park provides visitors with encounters with one of mans most-feared creature, the man-eating crocodiles.The park has huge pens for breeding crocodiles, as much as 500 crocodiles live here and more are coming from the hatchery. Aside from crocodiles, other animals were parrots, monkeys, snakes, dragon lizards and so much more. 

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A revisit to Davao Crocodile Park & Tribu K’ Mindanawan

Close to my apartment here in Davao is one the city’s most visited tourist destination, Davao Crocodile Park. It has been over a decade since I visited this place and finally last week I had the chance to revisit it once again and discover new things on what holds this famous attraction. 

Davao Crocodile Park is located at Davao Riverfront Complex along Diversion Road. Some attractions on this complex are Zorb Park, Butterfly House and Tribu K’ Mindawan. I decided to check out Tribu K’ Mindanawan first before entering the Croc Park. It is an indigenous village where it  displays different tribal houses found in Mindanao and it comes to show that Mindano has a rich cultural background. Few interesting houses were from Mansaka Tribe where they build tree houses. 

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Find the right beach - Gumasa, Saranggani - Boracay of the South

In our quest to find the right beach, we excluded Samal Island on our list because of its Sawa-factor due of its close promiximity to Davao City. We were looking for something that is new to us, something more azure, more pristine, white sandy beaches where we could just relax and feel the sea breeze. To add, we want something far from Davao as long we reach our budget. We were just so happy with our trip to Mati and we were drived more to wander around to look for the perfect beach we had in mind.

 We find ourselves in the beautiful waters of Gumasa, Glan, Saranggani Province. From Davao, we travelled all the way to General Santos City and from there, we rode a van going to Glan, Saranggani. It was my first time to step foot on this province and this adds to my lists of provinces visited. My goal in two years is to visit all provinces in the country as inspired by Ivan and Estan. Anyway, travel time from Davao- Glan reached 4-5 hours via public transportation.

We were left marveled by the torquiose waters of Gumasa and it was just the thing we were looking for. We rented a small hut at White Haven Resort, the cheapest we got was P350 with entrance fee of P50 per person. 

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Rent a Bed at Ecoland Bus Terminal Davao

Dont want to miss your firs trip or afraid to to be left out by the bus? Or you just dont have money to pay for an accommodation? Well, thats not a problem anymore for travelers from Davao going to Northern, Central or Southern Mindanao as Davao’s Ecoland Bus Terminal offers a cheap solution for homeless travelers or backpackers.

   Now you can do RENT-A-BED or should I say RENT-A-FOLDING BED.

Many people prefer to sleep in the bus terminal because they can’t afford to stay in a decent accommodation or some would prefer to catch the first morning trip back to their provinces. In my experience, this is a  convenient, practical and affordable way to spend a short night. I recalled one time in Cebu, I had to sleep on the floor and on the bench because no services were like this back there. So, this helps alot of travelers and backpackers to rest and hit the road again when they wake up. Perhaps one disadvantage would be the sanitation because I wonder if they do clean this things properly, from the looks of it, its a bit dirty. 

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Seagull Mountain Resort - Buda, Bukidnon - Experience Winter in Davao

After Quezon, Bukidnon we head straight to Buda back from our route. Buda is known to be the border between Davao and Bukidnon and it is where many nature resorts are located because of its cool weather throughout the year. This is the perfect escape away from the heat of the city.When we went here, it was the time when gush of cold tailwinds strike Davao City and what best to experience winter in Davao but here in Seagull. 

We stopped at SEA GULL MOUNTAIN RESORT at Buda which offers a beautiful view of the mountains with its lush pine trees, refreshing mountain breeze, travellers here will surely feel oneness of nature and be taken into a deep sense of relaxation. If you dont like hitting the beach, this is the perfect alternative.  Different rooms are available depending on budget including concrete camps for budget travellers at P700 a night. 

On the other side of the resort,  a waterfall is located which is extremely cold to swim in.  My friends went for a splash depsite the freezing water and we had to do quickly because swimming around it is only until 5:30pm. 

 After the waterfalls, we went back to the resort and found a place where we can relax and enjoy the sceneries. The views were just awesome but perhaps the best was the sunset which was amazing, it was feiry red as if a phoenix came out of nowhere. Unfortunately, I havent take a photo of it because my DSLR was already battery empty. You have to see it here in Buda. 

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The Overview, Quezon, Bukidnon - 2011 kick-off Travel

The Overview Park is a 2-3 hours trip by car from Davao City situated at Quezon, Bukidnon. The place offers a picturesque view of the majestic mountain ranges of Bukidnon and this where BOY PALABOY kicked off his travel this month for year 2011.

The team was composed of my friend and colleagues from SPMC-ER.Supposedly we will depart at 9am but ended up leaving Davao at 1pm after we waited for others to come and finally negotiate our transportation.

Goodbye 2010, hello 2011

Looking back 2010 brings lots of wonderful memories to share especially on my travel escapades here and around South East Asia. First, I travelled again to Singapore for the 5th time to attend a church conference where I had a short sidetrip to Johor Bahru, Malaysia which I had only a cup of tea there. Another trip in the middle of 2010, I was back again in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia then went to Cambodia’s Siem Reap and then travel again to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. After 2 months, I went again to Singapore for a quick stopover then fly away to Jakarta, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, my local trips have been a blast also. I remember a life threathening experience happened to  me when I was in Malapascua Island when I experienced severe fever and chills while I was alone the resort island which was worsened by a terrible storm then only to find out that I am experiencing dengue. Thank God I was not having bleeding. I thought to myself that time that solo backpacking is a bit risky. Prior to that, I’ve been back to Cebu for a couple of times where I had a quick visit at Olango Island and Camotes Island. Last September, I went to Anawangin Cove in Zambales then to Baguio City with my ER friends. It was my first time to travel in a group which was totally fun. Last November, I trailed Mount Pinatubo in Tarlac. Finally, December was really amazing perhaps I consider this trip to be the  most highlight becausen not all is brave enough to visit Tawi-tawi. Before the year ends, I also went to Lake Sebu, Samal Island and Mati, Davao Oriental. 

Now lets begin 2011!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

 TRAVEL SCHEDULES:

January 7 - Buda-Quezon, Bukidnon - done (unplanned trips)

January 15 - Glan, Saranggani, Philippines

January (anytime) - Kisulad, Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur

January 30-February 3– Puerto Princessa, El Nido-Palawan, Philippines

February 18-21 – Siargao Island, Philippines

March 2-6 - Singapore

March 15-20 – Singapore, Johor Bahru-Malaysia

April 28-30 – Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia

May 1-4 – Bangkok, Thailand

June 28 – July 5 –Manila, Philippines – then possibly for Vietnam (Open bus to Hanoi), Laos or domestic

August 14 - August 17 - Naga (for the CWC)

September - Manila (possible to Coron, Tuguegarao)

October - Manila  (to apply Visa)

November - Seoul, South Korea

December - Manila

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Surfing and Skimboarding at Mati, Davao Oriental

The waves of Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental attracts beach goers and surfers alike. The beach is facing the Pacific Ocean and during surfing seasons, waves can get as high as 10 feet, thats why this place is a mecca for surfers and skimboarders. In my case, who dont know how to swim may try out the surfboard but not on water but on sand for photo opportunities only  and I could use some lessons for skimboarding. (See the video). I felt thisis now my new sport. (lol)

After so many tries, it all failed. But I had so muchfun in the water, just being pounded by huge waves. We all laugh our hearts out as we stumbled when we tried the skimboard. The waves could be very dangerous for kids to be here. Waves can get you afar from shore. A friend of mine remembered being swept away by the waves miles and miles away from the shore. If you dont like it here, you can try the calm waters of Masau just 15 minutes by car from Dahican. 

This January, an international competition on skimboarding will happen there and guess who is the defending champion? Its this guy above in the picture behind me. He will compete with other nationalities on the 3rd week of January. If you could just see him skimboard, you will be amazed and he just lives around the area. No wonder. He practice everyday.

 SKIMBOARDING 101

The ingredients to the perfect skimboarding: RIGHT WAVES, PROPER BALANCE, EXACT TIMING… 

OHH AYAN NA! EASY EASY EASY… 

KAYA MO YAN MARCUS!!!! PERO SAN NA ANG BOARD  MO?

 AND FINALLY……………. (NASAAN NA AKO) HAHAHA. SKIMBOARD SEMPLANG. FAIL. HAHAH

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Sleeping Dinosaur at Mati, Davao Oriental

A beautiful scenery lies along the road going to Mati, Davao Oriental and they call it the Sleeping Dinosaur because it is comparable to a dinosaur sleeping on the vast body of water although it took me awhile to get the picture in my head. At first glance, it is more to me a turtle than a dinosaur because of the humplike hill but after so much scrutiny, I was finally convinced that it is really a dinosaur shaped island. 

  The island itself can’t be accessed easily but you can have a stop and take pictures at designated viewpoint just along the highway. Travellers communiting can ask the bus driver to take them here then wait again for another bus enroute to Mati or elsewhere. Thristy? No problem because there are 2 stores around that sells ice cold softdrink.  

  So what do you think? A sleeping dragon or  a sleeping turtle?

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