Tripadora

“Treasures are just around the corner. You just have to dig and discover them.”- I.M.

This best describes my short trip to the Hagimit Falls last May2010. (I know it was long overdue. haha. But thanks to my vivid memory.)

It was a Sunday so part of the itinerary was to hear mass. Good thing, there’s the Immaculate Conception Parish in Penaplata, Samal Island, which is near the Hagimit Falls.

My brother, Lola, and I left Bluwaters Beach Resort in Limao, Samal at around 3pm. Here’s a map to our destination.

The staff of the resort told us that the only way to get to Hagimit Falls was their local transport called the Habal-Habal (a motorcycle which can carry two or three persons depending on the size). Thank God, my lola agreed to ride the habal-habal. I paid Php 500.00 (back and forth ride) for the three of us. The regular rate according to the staff is Php 300.00 (one-way) so we got a discount of Php 100.00 since we were booked at the Bluwaters.

So off we go on the rough road in Limao. It was one exhilarating ride passing by the residences of the locals. Since it was election time during our visit, my journalistic instinct struck me and so I asked the driver, “Kuya, sinong malakas dito sa lugar nyo?” And he said, “Si Erap. Si Erap ang iboboto ko.” I asked why. “E kasi di ba, naging presidente na ‘sya? So kaya nyang patakbuhin ang bansa,” he answered.

After an hour, we arrived at the Immaculate Conception Church for the mass. I was a bit torn since the sun was setting down and I might lose the light I need to capture the beauty of Hagimit. We decided to stay and finish the mass. The sun was really bidding the sky goodbye so we hurried to the Hagimit Falls, which is about 20 minutes away from the town proper of Penaplata.

I was surprised when I saw the entrance to the Hagimit Falls. Based on previous research, the entrance was only Php 10.00 but the signage bears the amount Php 40.00.

Our good driver from the resort also acted as our tour guide. He said the place was developed by a wealthy family in Samal.

Hence, the way to the Hagimit Falls has been easier with the cemented stairs and pathways. The 800-step stairs was helpful. You can hold onto the hand rail to assist you with the pull of gravity in going down.

I was really rushing to capture the best spot in the Hagimit Falls. But coming unprepared with no tripod was a big mistake. I was so frustrated with my waterfall shots. But here are the best that I got:

Lessons learned:

1. Visit Hagimit Falls in the morning and not in the afternoon. For campers, you can stay overnight here since there are cottages. A cottage (bahay kubo where you can sit and eat) costs Php 250.00.

2. (For photoholics like me) Bring a lightweight/traveling tripod to take clear, sharp shots of the waterfalls.

I’d definitely return to take a dip and jump into the pepsi-blue nature pool. Hagimit is truly an enchanting place!

Suggested Trip Itinerary for future Travelers:

For a day trip:

1.AM- Visit Hagimit Falls. Take a dip into the pool! Refreshing Waterfalls.

Hagimit Falls and Nature Park

Cawag-Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal

contact no: 0917-667-4831 /0920 587 2430

2. PM- Visit Monfort Bat Cave (home to the world’s largest colony of fruit bats) in Babak, Samal Island (which is north of Penaplata)

Translation

Izah Morales

Beautiful is an understatement. The Island Garden City of Samal is enchanting! The wanderlust in me led me to see one of Mindanao’s treasure island.

When I drafted my itinerary for a trip to Davao, I made sure I had Samal Island on my list of places to go to. Samal Island lies in the Davao Gulf and is just minutes away from Davao City. Even if you’re on a tight schedule, you can still visit this island.

Let me count the reasons why you should go to Samal Island:

1. Hop from one island to another and capture the unspoiled beauty of the islands like Samal’s small neighbor, Talikud Island.

2. Swim in the turquoise waters

3. Snorkel and see the underwater wonders

4. Nature trip at Hamiguitan Falls

5. See the Monfort Bat Cave where the largest colony of fruit bats reside. It even landed on the Guiness Book of World Records.

6. Ride the Habal-habal and experience the thrill.

Check out my next post for our island hopping, underwater, and Hamiguitan adventures.

How to go to Samal Island

You have a number of options in going to this island.

1. Since we reserved a room at Bluewaters Beach Resort, we went to the Marina Wharf, Lanang Beach Club where Danica, the boat of the resort is docked. Lanang Beach Club, located at Lanang, Davao, is six kilometers away from Davao City.

Lanang Beach Club is also the docking area of the boat going to the world-class Pearl Farm Resort.

Pick-up time is 7:00am. If other guests are riding with you, then you don’t have to pay P200 to go to the resort.

Travel time from Lanang, Aplaya to Bluewaters is about 10 minutes.

The Waiting area of BlueWaters at Lanang

2. Another option is to ride a ferry at Sta. Ana Wharf at Magsaysay Park. Fare is 50 pesos. Or ride a bus going to Samal Island at Magsaysay Park.

Accommodation

Blue Waters Beach Resort

I chose this resort since their prices are affordable. The apartel room costs 1,800 pesos for two persons and you just need to add 300 pesos in case of an extra person. It’s not your A-class resort but the rooms are decent and the people are friendly.

The staff even helped us in our inland and island hopping tour. I’ll tell more about it in my next post.

But what I didn’t like is the FOOD. It’s not that delicious and it’s quite expensive. It’s better to bring your own food. Two BBQ sticks with rice and mango cost around P180.