Hiking Challenge Accepted: Exploring the Mountain 1st day Adventure

                   
 

                                                                                           Checking out from Mt. Apo Highland Resort

Lake view from our room.

If in the Highland Resort cottages has hammock and benches under

this one has a bed under. ;)

my boyfriend and I decided to check in to the Lake Mirror resort instead of spending another night  in the same resort.

Before heading to Lake Mirror, the guy from the resort provided us a guide that would take us to whichever places we wanna go.

In the map that I have posted prior to this blog there was  Three Falls delineated. My boyfriend and I wanted to go to the falls since I personally haven't gone so close to one,only from a far. So we chose the Virgin falls to go to.

The lake, where u can do boating

We parked our car in the the campsite and immediately left for our little adventure.

So here are the list of our activities for that day:

Hiking to the Virgin Falls

Going to the Hotspring

Zipline at Camp Sabros

         We opted to ride on the motorbike of our guide headed to the Waterfalls. 

       Heading there, we've witnessed how remote the place was with people who uses horses for transportation and the primary source for the living is by farming. However, knowing that  these people gets little pay from the works that they do from their day-to-day living, I have come to realize that they actually have contributed more in general for the maintenance of the environment compared to some urban areas that provides enough pay or even more to those people who inhabit the area which mostly has not contributed or may not be enough for a contribution for the land's rehabilitation.

 Despite the inequitable way of living, the smile on their faces are very bonafide.

This is how the way down to the falls looks like

Hiking under the  vehemence of the sun, capturing pictures of the surroundings had completely omitted from my mind. We hiked for almost an hour or more together with our guide (which we forgot the name again) I never anticipate that it would be that far and it was pretty challenging for my part as I was wearing slippers. The cool part about our hiking is that the path is steep.And every time I'd feel pain with my legs, I'd tend to ask to our Kuya guide, "Are we almost there?" or "Are we there yet?" hahaha

 You would need a long stick while your doing this which never passes our mind when we had our chance. Also you should bring water because it's not just the kind of walk like roaming around the mall from the ground floor until the top for 10 times. Hahaha.. I never thought I could do this in my entire life!!

     So here it is, the Virgin falls, the water was icy cold, but my boyfriend forced me to soak myself in the water. I was really shaking. But it was sunny, so I soaked myself to the area where sun strikes its ray. Over all, the long walk was worth it. What we had when we got there was a tetra pack of fruit juice and our strawberries. And my better half just enjoyed his morning swim. While I was just observing the water. But nothing to worry, there are no snakes.

VOILA! The Virgin Falls!

     We didn't stay for long in the falls since we still have two more activities to do and we want everything to be accomplished. Hiking back, it was the hardest for my part. So I asked my boyfriend to piggy back carry me. Since I can't take it anymore. But that was from I think 3/4 of the way when my legs decided to give up.

A fifteen to twenty minute drive from the falls to the next destination which was the hot spring, my boyfriend and I have seen people harvesting their crops. The weather wasn't so sunny anymore but that doesn't meant it won't make you dark.

There was an entrance fee for this resort also for cottage rent which isn't that much, it's for the maintenance and improvement of the area. 

There's this hose that came from the top that directs to each basin which makes it warm. I think it's connected to where the spring is.
There are lots of hot springs by the way. You just have to set a proper schedule for your plan trip because each tourist spots aren't just close with each other.  Same as with the falls.

The cottages are just the usual bamboo huts that are very common here in the Philippines. But every hut has different techniques to be created. 

So after this, we headed to Camp Sabros because he really wanted to try the zipline. Well I was actually having second thoughts about it but I'll just try to face my fear.

Contact Number Highland Resort/Lake Mirror: 275-7955

Room Rate: 1800php 

Additional Note: Make an advance reservation during the peak season which is summer here in the Philippines. From March- May.

We visited the said place January of this 2015.

Crazy Adventure: Hof Gorei getaway!

Three days and two nights after my boyfriend arrived from Germany to visit me, we opted to escape  the busy city life of Davao City. But before we headed to Hof Gorei, the name of the beach resort we planned to visit which is situated in Adecor, Kaputian District Island Garden City of Samal, we already booked a room to make sure everything is hassle free by the time we get there.So we chose the round hut which costs 3,850php but it includes the round trip boat ride and breakfast.

Take note: For over night guests, you really have to pay upon reserving since I have done this before I tried calling them just to make reservations but they said they needed assurance from the guest which is why you have to pay by the time you're gonna make reservations. Booking can be found in there website. www.hofgorei-resortdavao.com/?page=home#

Also the resort is not accessible by land transportation except single motor cycle. I asked about this since I was hoping that my boyfriend and I could go there by car through the barge in Sasa wharf but unfortunately it ain't possible.

So we left the hotel that we were staying by 11:00 am to make sure we'll be at the port before the boat leaves by 2:00 pm which is the last trip. But before heading to Sta. Ana Wharf where the boat docks, we thought of buying some snacks for the long boat ride.

I tried my very best to stand properly even though the boat was rocking furtively

(well you wouldn't know if it does 'cause it's a pic) LOL. Though it made me sick already.

So the boat left before 2:00pm actually, there were two more guests (couple also) that took the last trip along with us. The boat was pretty fast, waters were splattering on my face giving me  hard time to take selfies.

While on the boat heading there, I fell asleep in the arms of my love, haha  it's actually nice to sleep in there with the cool breeze blowing your hair, a comfy chest to lean on ya know. ^_^ Hahahaha

So to set the "hoity toity" thingy aside we never had the chance to eat what we bought. But it's okay. Actually I forgot what time we docked in in Hof Gorei, I think past three, hmmm maybe almost 4:00pm. Pretty not sure.

Still splattered seawater won't stop me from taking selfie ;) ayee

But when we arrived, our personal assistant/ butler was expecting for us in their almost done floating restaurant where our boat docked in with a complimentary fresh water melon juice and some cold wet towels.

The first word that came from our mouths when we walked in the area was just "WOW".

It was really amazing, how it was arranged, the plants, the pathways, everything! It's really close to nature. Sooooo breathtaking! We were really glad we booked for this resort.

That's me, exposing my armpits with joy, looking forward of having fun in this cool place together with my prince. ;)

 Before heading to our hut, our personal assistant, (whom we forgot the name) immediately asked us about what food we're gonna order for our supper. Since I'm with a vegetarian dude, I went vegetarian for the night as well, also he already took our orders for our breakfast and also asked what time we prefer it to be arranged.

 Foods aren't that expensive, it's at its decent price, I have no complaints with the food, everything was satisfying. What we had for the night was vegetables saute'd in butter, potato salad, a cup of garlic rice since we're kinda hesitant to order more rice (just to avoid waste) and I had my fresh buko juice and he had his four seasons (boring). Then we were also asked as to where we would want to have our dinner. So we just said just at the balcony of our room. But there are plenty of choices actually, you can have your dinner along the seashore, or to that specific cottage, I forgot what it was but it is made out of stone and the sea is overlooking. But you really gotta roam around the area to discover more! ;)

This is how the room looks like.

To be honest, the way to our room made the two of us ran out of breath. Just the long walks all the way to the higher elevation drains me. But it was pretty fun, a surprising exercising to be precised.

Voila! Here's how the sand looks like. :3

my boyfriend in action -_- while me just taking photos.. oh well.



So we decided to spend the rest of the daylight on the beach, then we were invited by the staff to play volleyball with them. But I ended up sitting there alone while watching at him playing . :(

I wasn't wearing the proper getup. I don't wanna end up having wardrobe malfunction by too much jumping. But anyway, yeah I did enjoy watching him having fun. ^_^

So we ordered two more cups of garlic rice 'cause we were so famished. haha. Actually, we were  hungry but the real deal is that we enjoyed the food so much. I even got a bloated gut after finishing my meal. We had a great night so far. Everything was perfect, until the next morning..

This bird frightened the two of us. Like for real! It wasn't my first time actually to see Kalaw, but the one that I saw before like 16 years ago was caged, so this one terrifies us. It stares at us like how pterodactyl's stares at it's prey. Jeez, if I'm being exag, I don't know. But the gardener told be it would peck you! So be aware.

To continue the fun with our remaining hours of stay, we headed back to the beach, actually I really don't know how to swim -_- I don't know until when I'd be able to do so. Oh well, let's just hope I'd have the determination to learn how to! Haha..

They have geese. They were actually up for Ben. Told him not to run. ^_^ They really look like in a hurry to catch him

It was such a nice morning. The weather is not moody and it wasn't low tide. Yet

This was the cottage that I was talking about where in you can have you meal. We just found it later that morning

This is how the view looks like from the top

So we decided to check on the Jacuzzi which was located on the top of the highest hill. How many steps? I didn't count,
we just had a fun time running. Until he saw a goat. -_-

 Austrian type of Architecture.

Jacuzzi baby :*

So yeah this was how our trip here stopped. We checked out ahead of time since we have to go to our next trip. Over all, the experience was terrific. Service is great! Perfect for couples because of it's privacy. We highly recommend this resort!

Hof Gorei Resort Contact number:

286-0238

website: www.hofgorei-resortdavao.com

Additional Information: The internet connection of the hotel wasn't that fast during the night. But perhaps you can try in the morning. They have two locations for their wifi hot spot. Which is in the bar and in the floating restaurant. No corkage for beverages or snacks.

Ciao baby! :* We had a great time!!