Northern Mindanao Roadtrip 2013 – Day 2

For the first time in several months, I slept like a log last night. That’s the beauty when you’re on vacation, you don’t care about anything else. You get to forget about work and the business. And just have fun for a change… Nice right? 🙂 Thank God!

By the time John and I woke up, breakfast was already served in the restaurant. Yes, Almont Inland Resort has a buffet. And since our booking came with free breakfast, we just headed towards there after shower.

The food choices included Puto Maya and Tsokolate! Believe me, that made me so happy. lol They had fried rice, chorizo, several kinds of bread, sausage, vegetable and other Chinese food like siomai, etc. . Also, there was an egg counter where you can order the eggs the way you want them to. Almont’s restaurant is like an open clubhouse overlooking the swimming pool. I found that really beautiful.

Puto Maya.

We left the resort around 10:30am. Our next destination is Duka Bay Resort in Medina, Misamis Oriental.

Somewhere in between Butuan and Gingoog City.

We had a good laugh on our way there when I said – ” I like their roads here. It’s so friendly with all the danger / curve signs. Plus it’s well maintained.” A few seconds later, we saw the sign that said “You are now leaving Region XI”. And the road changed from very nice to worst. John said “you jinxed it!” haha

At least an hour of our lives were spent on a 20km per hour ride. If you care for your vehicle, you do not have a choice. The road was torn to pieces. And there were many parts where it cracked and had big holes in it. I couldn’t believe the state of disrepair it’s in. We were told by the locals that repairs just started when President Aquino sat down. Hmmn.. that says a lot right? No wonder the roads were so terrible. I think one problem there was that it probably wasn’t done right? Hence, the cracks and the holes? For miles… Unbelievable…

Upon arrival at Duka Bay Resort, the staff immediately checked us in. I was given 30 meal tickets. Our booking came with buffet lunch , dinner and breakfast the next day for 10 people. 🙂 For what we paid, it was worth it.

After lunch, we set up tables and chairs under the tree. That’s our resting place beside the beach. 🙂 I can’t believe that I just sat down for hours, doing nothing… I watched the cloud formations changed, listened to the sound of the waves, watched my nephews play in the sand and relaxed to the max…

We bought this book in the US. But John never had the time to read it. Now he does… 🙂

Wemce and Marco with beautiful Kim. 🙂

Pretty Sight… 🙂

Around 4pm, we were told that the chef prepared binignit. A local delicacy for merienda. I said yes! We grew up with binignit on holy week. The staff brought them to our tables. John doesn’t like coconut and binignit, has one. So he ordered, ham and cheese sandwich.

hehe.. my nephew got embarrassed huh?!

After merienda, we decided to proceed to our rooms. The air was a lot cooler then. And since our villa for the night had a large porch in it, we just hung out there instead.

Thanks to my sister Pearlie for this picture.

The view from our porch..

I walked on the beach just before sunset.. I found out that Duka bay only has blue starfish. 🙂 I , super like their color… Cute right?

I found some crabs and other interesting creatures..

Shell on the rock.. 🙂

Clams have attached themselves to the rocks.. It’s so cool!

More Clams…

Small crab..

I don’t know what this plant is.. It looked so cute on the rocks..

And finally, sunset at Duka Bay Resort. The mountain you’re seeing is Camiguin Island. Our family has been there in 2008. One of the best destinations in Mindanao too. If you want to read more about it, just type Camiguin in the search box of this blog. 🙂

Dinner Time:

You know, I was so amazed with the staff of Duka Bay. I asked them during lunch if they will have beef on their dinner menu. The restaurant incharge told me that if they don’t, they will just prepare beef for John. I found that so touching. I guess that’s what sets them apart from other resorts, they care for their guests.

Dinner included beef caldereta (which tasted so delicious), steamed fish, chicken with egg and cheese, vegetables, chicken sotanghon, soup and a lot of fresh fruits.

Buffet dinner at Duka Bay Resort.

After dinner, I said “thank you” to the staff. 🙂

Arlene of Duka Bay graciously took this picture of me and John. 🙂 Thank you.

I found this moth upon arrival in our cottage. I remember , a moth stayed with us also the night before our Bucas Grande trip last year. That trip was really fun. So I thought, that it was a good sign? 🙂