Samal Islands 2010 Hagimit Falls and Canibad Cove

Samal Island, Davao City PHILIPPINES May 2010

One month before summer ends and a few days after backpacking, we landed in the wonderful Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS). As I've said, a few days after backpacking meant we (with my 8 yr old daughter) already visited the place. Backpacking in Samal is very easy... first, you take a bus in Sta. Ana Wharf near the dive shops. We left our vehicle outside the Carabao Dive Shop, dropped by and inquired (I think the foreigner there is the owner... very friendly) and politely asked if I could leave my vehicle outside his shop... and he said OK. BTW, I asked for the diving rates and they had the lowest P750 for intro dive including the gears. We would have came back on the weekend except that my husband wouldn't allow us, especially if my daughter would go.

So, off we went to Samal. The bus would drive all the way to Sasa Pier, taken on barge, and land in Babak (fare is P25 for me, and P13 for my kid). From there we took the motorcyle ride... took a peek on La Familia's Resort (fare P40). Took another habalhabal ride and had our lunch in Babak Proper. A locale told me beaches along Marex Villarica is good. So we took another ride (this time, I opted for a tricyle... can't bear another bike ride) fare is P20 but I gave P30 coz it was a long ride. On our way home, I talked to the resort's guard (most people there are friendly) and found out that we're near the Monfort Bat Cave so we hiked down the rough road (about 200m). The best part of adventure is the unexpected!!! Didn't expect that it would be the best part of our backpacking>>>1.8 million bats visible from outside the openings (4 large holes). They are now Guiness World Record holder. After taking pictures, we took a ride back to Babak, waited for the bus and went home... no, I didn't forget my car!!! you know what I mean, just to fast forward.

That was the backpacking part, now here comes Sunday May 2. We took the whole family plus the best friend (Chao) on the Island. This time with the Pajero on barge. So we entered the Sasa Pier going to Samal, paid P270 for the barge and landed on Babak where we drove all the way to Penaplata (there's a Central Warehouse there). We're not familiar of the road so we had to ask locals whenever there's an intersection we're not sure of. But fairly, we arrived in Hagimit Falls. Don't worry if you haven't brought food, there are 'lechon manoks' (Chookstogo) and bakeries along the way. You can drive all the way to the entrance (P40 for adults and P20 for kids) but from there you need to hike down til you reach the cottages P250 for open kubo and about P30-P100 for tables&chairs only (very tiring, pls don't bring too much heavy stuff like we did). So here we enjoyed grilling barbecue, plunging the clean cool water, and not worrying about sunburns.

A little past 3 in the afternoon, we packed up and took another destination>>> the Canibad Cove. I'm just curious with the place, after seeing pictures from Panoramio (while using Google earth). It was a 1 hr ride for 11 kms. That's what it said on the road sign going to Canibad but we had a lot of stops coz the road sign is a rarity. But still we found the cove like a hidden treasure. Looking down from the top, looks like a paradise, but when you actually get there, it's not that amazing... lots of garbage, there are drunk locals with the noisy videoke (not that they are offensive or rude) and the water from toilet and baths are just drained on the ground (no other direction but going to the sea). Well, I assume the garbage must be coming from the tourists. So after snorkeling, and collecting stones and coral samples, we took off. The climb uphill is most unbearable after the tiring day. By the way the last trip of the barge back to the city is 11pm (but when I asked during a weekday it was 10pm). Next time I visit the Island, I'd like to see the Precious Garden Resort and visit the Bat Cave AGAIN!!!