SAMAL ISLAND | 3 REASONS FOR SAYING “WOW, SAMAL!”

How I got there?

                Actually, Island Garden City of Samal is no longer new to me since I have already heard so much good about this place from my college classmates, friends and other travel bloggers who have been there. However, the thoughts of having no companions and spending days out there would be so expensive hinder my visit, luckily, I was so thrilled upon hearing such “yes!” from my friend when I asked if she could join me visiting Samal Island, a week right after Sinulog 2016.

                

My Travel Diary

            We departed Agora Bus Terminal, Cagayan De Oro City around 7pm of January 23, 2016 and took us 8 hours to reach Davao City. It was raining that day so upon arriving at the terminal, we took a taxi going to Sasa Port and there, we waited for the first trip going to Samal Island which was exactly 6am that day. And here are some points that set Samal Islands apart from the other tourist destinations in the Philippines…

1. THE FARE IS UNBELIEVABLY CHEAP.

                a. From Sasa Port, Davao City the barge just like what is shown below will take you to Samal Island for about 15-18 minutes for only 10 pesos only. How cool is that?

b. From Samal Port, you can hire a motor cycle going to the other side of the island or to the port heading to Talicud Island or you can simply ask the diver to take you to the different tourist spots in the island for a minimum fare of 100 pesos each person. Also, the drivers are very friendly that you can easily get along with them.

For us, we decided to directly go to our first destination the Kaputian Beach Resort. It is actually a much undeveloped beach resort with fine white sand. I guess, that’s the reason why the entrance fees isn’t that expensive but seriously the beach is a promising one.

Fronting Kaputian Beach Resort is the Sub-Station going to the Talikud Island. There you need to wait for the pump boat (shown below) to fully occupied until it will depart the station.

So while waiting for the pump boat to be fully occupied you can do some crazy stuff for you not to get bored like posing a very gay-ish pa-cute photo at the station with the Kaputian Beach Resort as the background…ha-ha

TALIKUD ISLAND

2. THE FOOD IS GREAT!

                In Talikud Island, Samal, you don’t need to go expensive and fancy restaurants and classy hotels in order to experience the finest delicacies of the island and eat like a King or Queen because even eating in the carenderias will make you say, “Wow, Samal!” This Carenderia is located near Sta. Cruz Wharf, Talikud Island.

3. NUMEROUS TOURIST SPOTS TO CHOOSE FROM

                Just like my very own Camiguin Island, Island Garden City of Samal is also a haven filled with amazing world class natural tourist spots. When searching for fine white sand beach, you will never go wrong with the virgin white sand beaches of Talikud and Samal’s.

Unexpectedly, because of our friendly driver, we found a very good spot for some overlooking view of the Davao City Skyline… 

A NIGHT AT DAVAO CITY

            After beach bumming at the white sand beaches of Samal Islands, we went back to Davao City and spent a night out there before going back to Cagayan De Oro dawn of the next day.

1. VISITING ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

                It was Sunday so I decided to attend a mass in the university thinking there will be a 5pm mass just like in my school –Ateneo De Cagayan but it turned out to be none. So instead, we just roam around the campus and by the way, that was my first time visiting another Ateneo school. Ha-Ha

2. FOOD TRIP AT ROXAS NIGHT CAFÉ

                We deserved some Alacart de Davao! Just was exactly the same as Night Café in Cagayan De Oro before ….

3. FOOD TRIP AND ROAMING AT JACK’S RIDGE DAVAO

                It was exactly the same again as High Ridge of Cagayan De Oro. Perfect for some fine dining while gazing at the city lights of Davao!

4. VISITING PEOPLE’S PARK DAVAO

                Finally, we reached our last destination before hitting our bed –the people’s park! To be honest, I don’t usually visit public parks because I was thinking it would be just like any other parks in the Philippines which are not maintained so it looks boring and dirty but with the People’s Park Davao I was surprised how lovely it was –clean and perfect especially for kids. 

Been there already? How was your experience? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Facebook!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklowillalmedaa