Where to go this summer

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

SUMMER is finally here!

To students, it means no more classes! To parents, it is time for relaxation as they don't have to wake up early to prepare things for their children going to school. To others, summer is the time for vacation. To most, it entails travel, fun, and discovering new things.

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So, do you know where you're going to this summer? If you have no definite plans yet, allow us to give you some exciting places to visit. Forget Boracay, it's too far and too expensive. Baguio, the country's summer capital, would be packed with people. So, why don't you consider the following:

Lake Sebu: Southern Mindanao's Summer Capital

Lake Sebu, in North Cotabato, is the summer capital of Southern Mindanao. Its climate is cool because it has an estimated elevation of 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) high from sea level. At night, the temperature gets cold and is pleasurable for those who seek the highlands and mountain feel.

Visit one of its three lakes: Lake Sebu (from which the town got its name), Lake Seloton, and Lake Lahit. A motor boat good for eight to 10 persons can be hired to tour around the biggest lake. Wild boars and Philippine deer, both considered endangered animals, live around the lake. Lake Sebu is also famous for its seven waterfalls, a series of river drops along the lush mountain forests. The five falls can be viewed through a zipline.

There are good places to eat but Punta Isla Lake Resort is highly recommended due to its floating restaurant. Imagine the cool weather, the breathtaking views, and the freshly grilled tilapia. Other tilapia delicacies they served include chicharon tilapia, tilapia foyong, tilapia rebusado, tilapora, kinilaw na tilapia, nilasing na tilapia, pinaputok na tilapia, and daing na tilapia.

At the bus terminal in General Santos City, take bus bound for Koronadal (often referred to as Marbel, its old name) and get off at the Koronadal bus station. The trip is about 45 minutes. From Koronadal, take the Yellow Bus to the town of Surralah (about 38 minutes). From Surralah, take a jeep to Lake Sebu (about 43 minutes).

Mati City: Mesmerizing White-Sand Beaches

"Once a sleepy municipality, Mati is now a newly established city enjoying a surge of tourist influx and word-of-mouth hype from those who have experienced a glorious escape from the busy urban life."

That was how multi-awarded photojournalist Jojie Alcantara wrote in an article which appeared in Mabuhay, the in-flight magazine of Philippine Air Lines.

True enough. The city is no longer "the best kept secret of Davao region." Around three hours from Davao City (five hours if you take the bus), Mati is getting a fair share of guests and visitors from all over the country.

There are several reasons why people have come to flock Mati. The city is a haven for beach goers. On top of the list is the pristine Dahican Beach whose serene and tranquil shores make it a great escape from strenuous busy life. There are no parties and not too many people - just simple beach life. Some 15-minute ride from the heart of the city.

Mati is known also for its captivating islands. The four-hectare Waniban Island in barangay Tamisan is ideal for picnic, swimming and sunbathing because of its white sand. It takes a 30-minute boat ride from its jump off area in Masao. Visitors are advised to bring food and water when entering into this island. Recommended duration of visit is slag (stop, look, and go), excursion, and overnight camping.

The Oak Island in Barangay Lawigan is very fascinating. Actually, it is a very small island of white sand and visible only during low tide and disappears during high tide. The island is located in Barangay Lawigan and could be reached by a rented motorboat from Masao Beach Resort or Gregorio Beach Resort.

There is one natural attraction that will immediately grab your attention once you enter the city; they call it "sleeping dinosaur." This is visible upon passing the eight-kilometer winding road of Barangay Badas from Davao to Mati. So far, only local and domestic tourists have gone in the area, which can be reached by motorboat within 25-minute ride.

Maragusan: Davao Region's Summer Capital

Maragusan, one of the municipalities of Compostela Valley, is the summer capital of Davao region. It is home to 30 majestic waterfalls and 300 cold springs and two hot springs. Its lake is situated about 7,800 feet above sea level. Its total land area of 39,427 hectares is typhoon-free as it is surrounded by mountain ranges, home to the world's largest individual flower. Not to forget is its banana, which has an atypical kind of sweetness!

As there are several waterfalls, just visit one or two. Top of the list is Marangig Falls in Barangay Albay some 10 kilometers away from the town proper. It has 13 series of falls. At Barangay Coronobe, you can watch the famous Tagbibinta Falls. Unlike the first waterfall, this one has only a series of seven falls, the first one measuring approximately 70 feet in height. If you thing is trekking and climbing, then this is the place you should go. It is about five kilometers away from the town.

So far, only two hot springs have been discovered in this town. The only one open to the public is Kanlawig Hot Springs Resort, which is just along the road going to poblacion proper. The location is great with a wide plain in its background as well as the mighty Mount Candalaga (which measures up to 7,880 feet above sea level). The resort has many cottages with a store enough to cater their visitors basic food needs.

The best place to stay is Haven's Peak as it is nestled on Tarago Hills facing the town with 208 beautifully landscaped steps (with three stop-over for those who are tired!) leading to its tidy but beautiful lobby. This mountain resort provides sight of the picture-perfect and picturesque view of green foggy mountains appearing like a painting and like backdrop of a stage.

Or, you may opt to stay at the Aguacan Cold Spring Resort, an idyllic "all in one" resort located just a kilometer from the town's center. It has an Olympic-size swimming pool, a boating area, conference hall and restaurant, cottages for overnight stay, tent area, souvenir shop, billiard hall, videoke facilities, table tennis and volleyball and basketball courts.

Maragusan is located 138 kilometers away from Davao City.

Samal: Heaven by the Sea

Exotic, tranquil, beautiful are some of the accolades used to describe the island with a coastline adorned with white sand beaches, abundant marine life, rock formations, mangroves, and landscape of coconut palms and fruit-bearing trees.

Over 20 beach resorts - and still counting - dot the island's 116 kilometer-stretch of white sandy beach. Heading the list is the world-famous Pearl Farm Beach Resort, which was featured in the Miss Universe contest some years back. Visitors are always fascinated with its Parola wharf but its exceptional features are the houses patterned after the stilt houses of the seafaring Samal tribe of Sulu.

Another highly recommended is the Bluejaz Beach Resort and Waterpark. Among its biggest attractions are the two giant slides. Then, there's Bluewaters Resort and Village whose beach line of the resort is only 150 meters but it has an infinity pool that faces Davao City.

Other affordable beaches are Maxima, Paradise Island, Camp Holiday Resort and Recreation Area, Costa Marina, and Isla Reta.

There's more to Samal than just beaches. About two kilometers away from Peñaplata is the Haguimit Falls, a haven for picnickers, swimmers and nature trippers yearning for the simple, inexpensive pleasures in life. The area is well-covered by the canopy of full-grown trees from the scorching heat of the sun.

Davao City is the launch pad and takes about 45 minutes away by motorboat. You can go to Sta. Ana Wharf and Km 11 Wharf in Davao where there are small boats and even a ferry (if you are bringing you car). Some resorts have also their own motorboat to bring you to their place.