Samal Island: A great jump start for Adventure (5 days Mindanao Adventure: day 1)

June 8, 2019 (Samal Island, Davao)

"Live in each season as it passes; breath the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth"- Henry David Thoreau
I just love how this passage came to life for this 5 days Adventure in Mindanao. It's daring, dauntless, gritty and mettlesome. Not my first time to travel in Mindanao but first time to travel in a semi backpacking experience due to adversities. 
Our Adventure started with few setbacks and uncontrolled circumstances. We're about 7 persons at first, then as the day go by, one has to attend some important matters in life and won't be joining us. Then another one, and another one on the day before we're about to go. What's more challenging is that, the very person who's really into conversation with the locals when we arrive will not be joining us anymore. Sound Challenging? Almost but not quite. Now, we're down to 4 in numbers and relying on the contacts sent to us. 
After telling myself that this time I won't be doing so much effort on talking to contact persons, memorizing the itineraries, and other things. It all melts down. We have to make use of every planning skills we have on the spot to make our 5 days cross province travel possible. 

Air traffic = delay

It was June 7 in the evening, we boarded the plane with delays on take off. It was past 11pm when we arrived in Davao City and meet another friend who happen to be on a different plane. Since it was too late to do anything, we meet the Person who will accommodate us everytime we'll stay in Davao City. Next day, is to wake up early and wait for the arrival of another friend with an early flight. It was Samal Island that we'll be taking off first on the list since we really don't know if delays in flight will occur. Almost late with agreed time, Past 8am and we make our way to Sasa Wharf but drop by first to the nearest Jollibee for a breakfast. We then boarded a barge with 10peso fare. Our Guide Kuya Jeramil with his Tricycle as our Transportation waiting for us, just in front of the wharf. By the way Here's his contact number in case you want to ask for a DIY tour too. 0906255234. 

We immediately proceed to a long drive going to Kaputian Beach which also serves as a jump off to Island Hopping. Kaputian Beach is a public beach similar to Lambug beach of Badian, Cebu. It has a clean shore with gentle waves and emerald water, this used to be the locals to-go place for a day swim. Upon arrival of our boat, we didn't even care to ask our detailed destination, we just rely on what they had agreed with our supposed to be point person. Thankful that even if she wasn't able to go with us, she's continuously in talks with our local guides and contact person to arrange our planned itineraries. We went first to Linusutan Sandbar, but was too late to see it. High tide and strong current welcomed us. Our guide told us to swim and explore the area. But we can't even take our hands off on our boat. We opted to go instead on next destination which is Coral Garden. This time, current was more gentle and tamed. We try to explore what's beneath us and to our astonishment, It was rich marine life. Coral beds and school of fish were at sight welcoming us to a great view of the water world. Thanks to our boatmen and guide for letting us borrow their goggles since we don't have even one (we're not really prepared for this! not even a sun blocked hahaha). After a while, we were heading to Starfish Island. At first, we noticed small starfish around the area; its plenty that you can feel them while walking in waters. We didn't know that it was starfish island that we keep on enjoying the time we had. just swimming in the shallow crystal clear water and of course photo ops. Little did we know when we're about to go, one by one we're seeing different kinds of starfish; amazed by what our eyes seeing we took some photos of it but afraid to hold it actually. It was late noon already and haven't taken any lunch yet. We have decided to skip some of the destinations and have our lunch somewhere along the road. Yet our guide still brought us to some sites like the cave, Angel's cove and Mangrove sight. We didn't want to get down anymore since we were too hungry to exert more energy on the waters. Gone back to Kaputian Beach but no lunch available anymore even to small eateries nearby. 

At Kaputian Beach

Still searching nearby, there's this grilled chicken with small eatery on the side. Having no plan at all we have our simple yet one of the happiest meal we had. So having no idea at all we make our way to Sabang Cliff Jump. I must say, Samal Island has a special spot in my heart because of this sight. It's something to behold though it is not the main attraction for this area; for about 25 ft. People go and jump and experience some adrenaline rush. We didn't even try to think of jumping though our Guide consistently convincing us to give it a try. We don't have enough courage yet to go for a jump, maybe afraid of what's beneath and afraid of being a non-swimmer. We just savor the moment of how solitude and tranquility of place brings joy to our weary hearts. I also say a little prayer in front of the image of the Virgin Mary on site. I can't even help but contemplate while looking at the quaint horizon. Without enough time for inland tour we had our last destination which is Bluebird viewdeck. Another breath taking spot where we can see the whole Island hopping destination while feeling the soft breeze of the wind on our face. Some People would say the Island we're seeing from the viewdeck belongs to a Celebrity. I don't know if its true so I won't be dropping any name; if ever that seemed to be true then, I must say She/He must be blessed enough to have an island as sarene as it was. Blue bird view deck has nothing to offer than the view itself and get some coffee while savoring the moment. I can sense a good business idea if only I had the money hahaha (JK!) This is where we also changed our clothes before leaving the island. Our Guide kuya Jeramil wants us to push through with some of the inland sites but it was getting dark and we have go back to the City not too late to be able to catch the last scheduled bus trip at ecoland terminal bound to Surigao del Sur (Tandag/Barobo). Also, the rain started to pour heavily and there's nothing we could do but bid goodbye to the Island that made our first day of adventure extraordinary. 

Our humble meal :)

We haven't seen the whole Samal Island yet and all it's Island hopping offers but nevertheless I can say that there's always a reason to go back. It has been another memorable Samal Island experience and looking forward for more. Boarded the Barge again and get some clothes from our accommodation good for 2 days since we will be continuously travelling to Surigao del Sur then Davao del Norte and hopefully got back to Davao before heading to South Cotabato. With the delays because of heavy downpour of rain and some trial of transportation from Gaisano Terminal to Ecoland Terminal, finally! a confirmation that there will be another trip to Tandag at 11:30pm. That was a great relief for a moment so we had our late dinner then wait for the bus to arrive. Little did we know, when the bus came it was like a rush hour in Manila. We have to squeeze ourselves and be able to get in for there were lots of Passengers trying their luck same with us. Luckily, we got the ride and slept all night. That's how our day 1 has ended. See for my next blog for the continuation of our adventure

Arriving at Sabang Cliff Jump

Solitude

At Bluebird Viewdeck

Thank you Samal for the 2nd time

Our day 1 seemed to be a sort of Preparation for the whole trip. A mixed of different emotions and mind boggling experience. Adversities from stress of carrying out the Itinerary we have planned beforehand but missing out the person who's hands on it. I used to be handling all kind of details from my previous travel, this is the first time that I only get involved in Itinerary planning but not on talking terms with the locals for guides, accommodations and others. I thought this would give more time to relax my mind which I always look forward for this vacation but God has a different plan and it wasn't my plan at all. Been Burn out before this travel, I only want to be Joiner-like feels. little did I know, God is trying to teach me another lesson or maybe telling me it's not who I am if I am not busy about this trip. Every stress has a great reward, I just can't explain how plain the experience was, but extremely pleasing with the heart. A Day of allowing things to flow accordingly, that moment where we were like a kid playing in the sea and shifting to contemplation when the serene and stillness of Sabang Cliff jump dawned on us. I couldn't say anything but thank the Lord for His detours never fails to amazed me/us.