Category: Travels

I was impulsive, as usual, and my impulsiveness led me to an around the City tour in Davao just to look for a hotel room. Good thing, the taxi driver was very helpful and he even offered to not let me do my hotel-hunting alone.

We went to five hotels which were all fully-booked. Very tired from the airport mishap (Read my dread here), I was so close to booking a very expensive room. But when I told the driver that the price is a little over two thousand pesos, he told me that it is not practical given that I’d be staying there for just six hours.

Then finally we found Grand Princess Hotel. I got my own room with my own bath for 800 pesos. Still expensive for a solo traveler but what can I do? At least I had an unlimited WiFi access, own TV, and outlets to charge my gadgets.So the next day, I woke up early, ate at the canteen near the hotel, and hired a cab to Sta. Ana Wharf. I was impulsive but at least I did my research when I booked my flight to Davao. I was so determined to go to Dayang’s Beach resort located in Island Garden City of Samal.

How to get there: From Sta. Ana Wharf, look for MB Pacific (Ferry ride) which leaves the port between 8:30 in the morning until 9 depending on the number of passengers aboard. It will only cost you 100 pesos to Talicud Island.

M/B Pacific stops at Sta. Cruz Wharf in Talicud Island. From there, ride a habal-habal (motorcycle) and just tell the driver to drop you to Dayang’s Beach Resort. It’s 60 pesos per person but because I was alone, I had to pay 120 pesos because the motorcycle is designed for 2 people. People in Sta. Cruz Wharf were so helpful so one should not worry about getting lost.  The ride from the drop-off point to Dayang’s Beach Resort was rough because the road is still undeveloped but I wish it stays that way to preserve the isolated island feel of the place.

After almost 30 minutes of motorcycle ride, I reached the place. I chose Dayang because I wanted a peaceful place for my restless soul. Upon reading reviews about this resort, I knew I chose the best place to stay. Indeed, I did. The water is so clear I wanted to go plunge  directly but I calmed the inner kid in me. Good thing I already booked a cottage after I booked my flight and I was so glad I did not cancel my reservation.

However, I had to wait until two in the afternoon (I arrived at 10 in the morning) because there were other guests in the area. I was so willing to oblige because I did not have a choice in the matter.

Backslash: Dayang does not offer much of food choices because the resort only houses a small sari-sari store. But you can ask the caretakers to cook for you. They have ready-to-cook meals that will only cost you 150-200 pesos. Mine, however, lasted even for my dinner. 

Forgive me but I already forgot the name of the resort’s guard who made my stay there safe and educational. I stayed at his post until my cottage was ready and I found a father during my short stay in Samal Island.

I was so tired that I decided to take an afternoon nap in my cottage as soon as it was available. When I woke up, I realized that I was the only guest left in the resort. But after meditating on what I was gonna do next, someone decided to have a day tour in the resort and she, too, was alone.

I was so happy to know that I have a company but my happiness faded abruptly as she told me that she decided not to stay at the resort anymore. I guess she was also on a tight budget. She told me that I should go with her, take the route to Kaputian island then back to the city, because it is safer there. She even told me that it was not okay for me to be alone in an unfamiliar land.

I was scared at first. I was so tempted to leave the island, but I decided not to be swayed. When she left, she even waved goodbye to me and sarcastically told me, “You’ve been warned.” I stayed with fear lurking just around my mind. It was a Sunday and I was alone because the other guests went home after their weekend chill, with only the guard as my companion. I did not know what I was up to but I had yet the most thrilling solo night in an island that made me realize that I can really be brave at times.How to survive being alone: Talk a little too much; ask questions you do not know and ask questions you already know the answer; just nod even if you do not know what they are talking about because the locals talk in their native dialect most of the time; talk.. and just talk even if it means talking about world history and Hitler’s regime.

What triggered me to stay? I don’t know exactly, but I was so glad I did. I still, however, did survive, alone.. until the night came and…

REALIZATIONS next. 🙂

Have you ever had that haunting feeling of wanting to go somewhere else alone and rethink about you decisions in life? One weekend, I did.The impulsive travel was an attempt to go solo backpacking in Mindanao before I turn a year older this year. That, I chose Davao.

I was supposed to be taking the Civil Service Exam scheduled on the 6th of December concurrent with my scheduled trip on 5 until 7. I have told my family and friends the moment the news about the rescheduled exam went out that I won’t pursue my travel plans.

I booked the flight a week before the announcement and I indubitably turned the trip down thinking that I can always book another flight.

I was thinking that taking the exam was really more important until I could not access the online portal where the school and room assignment of CSC announcement should be.

Then, when I was on my way to Tarlac for my writer and photographer duties, it dawned on me that I need to be alone more than anything for the weekend.My flight was at 8:45 in the evening and I was home from Tarlac at 3 in the afternoon. I packed my bag with light clothes that could last for 3 days, my travel loot (when you constantly travel, you should have the basic necessities/toiletries already packed in a pouch), a book, a notebook, and a pen.

I also got with me my Canon 1100D partnered with a 50mm lens and my GoPro that were both barely charged.

I left the house at a little over four in the afternoon with only my cousins knowing. I sensed that they did not want to let me go but my stubbornness just cast its victory.

I didn’t know that the traffic to airport is at its worst at six in the evening so I had to haggle with the Pasay boys for a ride to the airport. Then they found a ride for me.

Had I not taken their offer of 300 pesos cut to 200, rode with a Muslim family (who are very friendly and are also running late for their 7 PM flight), and still ran for maybe 3 kilometers, I probably could have not reached the airport just on time for the final call for boarding.But I reached my destination safe and sound, didn’t I?

I hardly even had a hotel reservation more so an itinerary but I know I wanted to go to Samal island for a much needed rest.

So much for hopping in and out from the taxi just to search for a hotel to the next but I still had a good night sleep, though.

Before I slept that night, I momentarily searched for “Where to go in Davao,” but I didn’t know that my impulsiveness led me to feature worthy adventure.

Again, I have to assure you, I was alone but I was not lonely.