First and foremost, before starting this Samal post, apologies for my blog readers and subscribers for not blogging on almost a month. Summer class is over and I got the chance to grab this very late summer getaway.

I spent the whole weekend dazzling around the upper part of Southern coast, Davao specifically, and thinking of a better getaway other than staying late at Davao's famous coffee experience and their unforgettable malls.

A nice spot to shade around in the east coast of Davao is Costa Marina which is located at the Babac District of the vast city, more specifically Samal Island Garden. Just a boat ride away, with a cheap fare of 10-20 pesos, you are off from the city's usual environment but maintaing the view of Davao's cityscape.


Along the Pearl Farm and other lining resorts located in the island, Costa Marina is a frequent visiting place of Davao folks and tourists. You could enjoy the beach with the entrance fee ranging from 50-100 pesos.



A view could even satisfy you while sitting under the shade of the beach's trees. The white sand gives you a lot of reason to enjoy a stroll along the bay. You could even dip yourself down in the afternoon's high tide, or shoot the scenery in the morning's low tide.



How to get there? For first timers, well I guess I have to include myself, all you have to do is, ride a Panacan-route jeepney or if you are unsure, just take a taxi all the way, drivers would instantly know it.

You should be guided by the boat crew in selecting your route or resort.

Here are some of my shots last weekend:

If i'd be given another chance, i'll definitely visit Samal again, and try island-hopping.

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Sarangani Province has so much in nature's blessings to offer beyond a festival full of surprises and scenic landscape.

If you have ended your week with those hectic activities, then start off your weekend with one of Sarangani's boast, Isla Parilla, a premier resort not so far away from Gensan. The place is not just an ordinary type of usual scenery.

Given us the chance to visit Sarangani again, I never mind being the last one to board on the vehicle. I never got the chance to charge my phone which is wasted from the previous night's plurking. I was too excited to try out their most sour sinigang again, and expect to have some snapshots on what's the latest development on the islet.

We started our late lunch at Formosa Cafe, which serves as the main board of the islet. Stuffed with the place's main taste of attraction: Pork Barbecue, Sinigang (I bet it's the most sour fish soup I've ever tasted), Kinilaw, and their juicy Tilapia, which comes fresh right from the lake engulfing the island. The meal went smoothly, I didn't even bother to take a shot of the served foods, all I did was to intake the delicious meal seriously.

After a sweet burp from our contented appetite, everyone agreed for a calorie burn, do a little walk around.


If you want to relax and would like to have a dose of soft breeze around, then Fishing Village is suited for you, or you can go with the second option which is boating. One of the two will do.

Cozy cottages for overnight travellers are prepared along with the mere view of the sunset. Aside from the cottages which are erected in the middle of the lake, recreation also centers in the pool, billiard bars, videoke hut, and the shaded playground not only for kids, but to those who are kid wannabes too.

A dip in their warm pool cools off stresses, and pressures from the urban hemisphere, thus, we ended up hanging around the poolside, where videoke kings possibly trying to top the videoke's high score, while trying to take a glance on the pool.

Our CDO guess's eager urge to go home must have speak of their talks about the appraisable visit on the islet . No wonder, Isla Parilla is a place of silence, a haven, and a nature's sanctuary which Sarangani Province should be proud of.

If you are off for a soothing weekend, take time to visit Isla Parilla's website.

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