Kwentong Kaladkarin #40: Davao Delights – Soaking Up the Samal Sunshine

Da Where: Isla Reta Resort, Talicud Island, Island Garden City of Samal
Da When: August 13-14, 2012
Da Who: me and Deej, on our Davao Duo trip

Serenity and the sea

 The past two weeks before this trip, Manila was once again drenched in heavy rains brought along by the southwest monsoon or habagat. Several colleagues even experienced flooded homes and landslides in the northern mountainous areas became news on the nightly programs.

Save for a few minutes of heart-thumping turbulence before landing in Davao, it felt like Deej and I were in a whole different continent. It actually made feel a little guilty to laze around in sunshine while my Facebook news feed filled up with woes of never-ending rain, flood and horrible traffic. I was sending virtual sunshine to friends, hoping that helped a little.

Kwentong Kaladkarin #39: Davao Delights – A Day in Eden

Da Where: Eden Nature Park & Resort, Mt. Talomo, Toril, Davao City
Da When: August 12, 2012
Da Who: me and Deej, on our Davao Duo trip

If you were brought up in a Catholic home and had Christian Living, Religion or Catechism classes when you were younger, then likely the word Eden is synonymous to Paradise. It is said to to be the garden where Adam and Eve were brought and there was no want or need in this place.

Kwentong Kaladkarin #27: Come South, Cam Sur! – Long Journey To Lingating

Da Where: Caramoan Islands, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Da When: October 20-23, 2011
Da Who: Me and my partner in crusade and crime, Vin! It's his birthday! :)
Da Trivia: Day 1 for this trip was the day we have been on all forms of transportation – air, land and sea. Spell t-i-r-i-n-g! :D

The recent weeks leading up to this trip saw the country pounded by three  typhoons - Pedring, Quiel and Ramon - that left large areas flooded from the relentless rain. It was a relief when the weather forecasts started showing sun instead of rain or dark cloud images and with the words sunny, warm, and dry slipped in. No way in hell I'm getting on a small plane that will land on a small airport if I see any semblance of a rain cloud in the sky! :D

We were delayed at the runway for almost an hour because of airport traffic. Geez, hope NAIA will do something about that. :(

Flight 5J 521 bound for Naga

Kwentong Kaladkarin #24: Bewitching Bohol – Paragayo Resort

We were looking for affordable accommodations in Panglao that was close to the beach as possible and came across several great reviews for Paragayo Resort in Tawala, Panglao.

I thought getting beachfront resort reservations won't be necessary since we were both planning to do a Bohol Beach Club Day tour anyway so I scoured blogs and forum reviews for a good backpacker place to stay without sacrificing comfort and convenience.

Paragayo Resort entrance