Diaries of a Financial Traveler

Isla Jardin Del Mar is just one of the many resorts in Gumasa Beach of Glan, Sarangani Province. It is said to be the fanciest resort in Gumasa but has the best facilities among others. It covers around 750 meter long white sand beach shoreline and pristine waters. For a budget traveler like me, their rooms are quite pricey...BUT WAIT!!! they have a space for camping with a minimal camping fee of Php 100/night. Note: Bring your own tent.

We arrived at Isla Jardin around 7pm and being a backpacker, we opted to pitch tent and cooked our own food with the cook set and stove that we have. (Another good news: No corkage fee). If my memory serves me right, this was my first beach camping experience.

Waking up naturally because of the sound of the waves crashing on the shore is just so good that it almost felt music to my ear. T'was one of the most relaxing moment I had my entire life.

I immediately went out of our tent to finally see the beach and yes, nature never did betray the heart that loved her. It was pure paradise! A walk on the shore of Gumasa beach is just plain awesome. Even if its too much to say, this is my most beautiful, calming and feel-good beach experience. Let me enumerate why:

1. 750 meter long white sand beach and pristine water.

2. 'Unspoiled'. I have to commend Isla Jardin for making this possible. Their beach front is just clean. Just some rocks and falling leaves along the way (part of nature). Nevertheless, no human trashes since there are designated trash cans everywhere.

3. THE MAIN REASON: WE LITERALLY OWN THE BEACH!!! No one... As in no other people/guest was there. (except for the resort staff of course). Its like walking and swimming on your own private beach and be disturb by no one. I love how secluded the attractions and destinations are in Mindanao. Perfect for those who love to be alone and just be one with nature.

Note: Aside from being situated in Mindanao that makes it hard for tourists to go to, we visited Isla Jardin on a weekday. I heard that on weekends, it can really be crowded too.

Here are some photos to convince you otherwise:

ISLA JARDIN RATES

How to get there:

1. If you're coming from Manila or outside Mindanao. The nearest entry point is General Santos City Airport.

2. Take a cab and tell your driver to drop you off at KCC Mall.

3. There's a van terminal at KCC Mall bound to Glan, Sarangani. Fare is Php 100/head. Around 1-2 hours travel time.

4. Tell you're driver that you're going to Gumasa Beach and he must drop you off at E. Alegado Transport Terminal. From there, you have to ride a tricycle or habal habal bound to the resort of your choice. Fare is around Php 100-200 depending on the resorts location.

Wrote by Diaries of A Financial Traveler

3rd part of my Mindanao Backpacking in SOCCSKARGEN Region.

Lake Sebu is a first class municipality of South Cotabato. Tourists usually go here to experience the highest zip line in South East Asia. But aside from that, there are other activities and destinations that you may try. Here's the list!

1. Explore the Seven Falls and Ride the Highest Zipline in Southeast Asia.

Flying 600 feet above the ground may really be frightening but don't let fear stop you from doing a once in a lifetime kind of experience. We all have dreamt to fly like an eagle and this activity made it possible! I can literally say "I believe I can fly" plus the beautiful scenery makes it all worth it.

Rates:
20- Entrance fee for the seven falls
250- Weekday Rate for Zipline
300- Weekend Rate for Zipline
100 to 300- Photo Packages for Zipline

2. Visit the Lamdalag Divine Mercy Sanctuary

The main attraction here is the 30 ft tall image of Jesus Christ at the top. A beautiful place to relax, reflect and be closer to God. The place is open to everyone regardless of religion. This is a haven for flora and fauna lovers because of the abundant species of flowers artistically designed within the premises.

Entrace Fee is per donation basis.

3. Dip into the cold waters of T'daan Kini Cold Spring

Do I need to say more? As the name suggests, the water here is freezing cold! Yay!

Php 20 for the entrance fee.

4. Go museum hopping

Visit T'Boli Museum and Cowhed to know more about the T'boli history and culture.

Entrance Fee is Php 20 for both museums.

5. Food trippin' at the plaza

Because food is life, ayt? There are lots of food that you can choose from.

All of these can be done on a day tour but incase you arrived in Lake Sebu a little too late just like us, you can follow our actual Itinerary.

WHERE TO STAY?

PUNTA ISLA LAKE RESORT.

This is the biggest and they say the fanciest resort in Lake Sebu but what others do not know is that they offer Dormitory Type Rooms which is perfect for backpackers on a budget like us. So we got our room good for 4 strangers for Php 150 per head. And we're lucky because aside from us no one checked in so we got the room all by ourselves.

MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

Habal habal is the main mode of transportation in Soccskargen. There were flocks of habal habal driver waiting as we disembark from the van. I strongly recommend Kuya Michael 09972481091. He served as our guide/habal habal driver on our whole stay at Lake Sebu. Php 500 for destinations I've mentioned above. So, since I am with my friend JM. 500 divided by 2 is Php 250 per head. And I can say that his service is worthy. We actually find it cheap so we gave him an additional tip for being so hospitable.

ITINERARY

Day 2 of 7

16:00 ETA Poblacion Lake Sebu
16:30 Check in at Punta Isla Lake Resort
17:00 Divine Mercy Sanctuary
17:30 Lang Dulay's House
18:00 Dinner/Food trip at the plaza
19:00 Back at the hotel. Free time

Day 3 of 7

06:00 Breakfast at Punta Isla
07:00 Start tour with Kuya Michael
08:00 ETA Seven Falls. Explore all the falls. Go zipline. Buy pasalubong
10:00 T'daan kini cold spring
11:00 T'boli Museum and Cowhed
12:00 Check out Punta Isla Lake Resort. Lunch at the plaza.
13:00 Ride van bound to Marbel.

NEXT ADVENTURE: GUMASA BEACH IN SARANGGANI

Wrote by Diaries of A Financial Traveler

2nd part of my Mindanao Backpacking in SOCCKSARGEN region.
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After the beyond majestic experience in Lake Holon, we proceeded to the best sidetrip ever which is Bakngeb River Cave Adventure!

It's just a stone throw away from Brgy. Salacafe which is our exit point from hiking Lake Holon. Still riding a habal habal, it would take less than an hour to reach Bakngeb.

We were asked to wear a life vest for security purposes because the current of water inside the cave was of high intensity as described by our guide.

There were at least five people who assisted us inside the cave. We rode an inflatable boat usually used in water rafting and the adventure begins!

The current was really intense! When we reached the half of the cave, the boat can't enter the cave anymore because of its size. So, one by one, we dip ourselves into its frozing waters! And geez!!! its hard to swim against the current. Even if I was holding and pulling a rope, I can't seem to push through. One guide needed to help me for us to go further. Thanks Kuya! All of our weariness from our previous hike had gone! It seems like the frozing water had taken it all away. We stayed there for at least 20 minutes. I hold on to the rope and it was easier going back because I am being pushed by the water. There's this part where you would dive onto a "waterfall like" about 5 feet and I thought it was cool so I tried it! But didn't expect that that was deep. I had a hard time reviving myself to breathe air and I have drunk so much water. (Literal na nabusog ako.)

Overall, that was very fun!!!!!!! It was my favorite adventure among all the activities we did. The adrenaline and excitement was there. Please don't forget to go there after hiking Lake Holon! You wouldn't regret it :)

After the activity, we ate our late lunch at the traditional food restaurant inside the premises.

How to get there? (with expenses)
- From Brgy. Salacafe, ride a habal habal and tell them you are going to Bakngeb River.
Travel time: 45 mins.
Fare: Php 210 per motor.
- Upon arrival, there is a registration of Php 50 per head. Free use of life vest, boat and guide fees. I actually find it really cheap.
- Ride a habal habal again back to Terminal of Brgy. Edwards.
Travel time: 1 hour
Fare: Php 230 per motor
- Proceed to next destination which is Lake Sebu also in South Cotabato.

Sample Itinerary
Day 2
11:00 Arrival at Brgy. Salacafe. Ride habal habal to Bakngeb.
11:45 ETA Bakngeb River. Register.
12:00 Start Bakngeb Adventure!!!
12:45 End of activity. Freshen up
13:00 Late Lunch
13:30 Prepare to leave. Proceed to terminal.
14:30 Arrival at Brgy. Edwards Terminal. Ride van going to Surallah.
15:00 Terminal. Ride Van going to Poblacion Lake Sebu.

NEXT ADVENTURE: LAKE SEBU, SOUTH COTABATO

Wrote by Diaries of A Financial Traveler

First part of my 7-day Mindanao backpacking in SOCCKSARGEN region.
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Lake Holon is nestled at the crater of an inactive stratovolcano Mt. Parker locally known as Mt. Melibengoy in T'Boli South Cotabato in Mindanao. Mt. Parker has an elevation of 1,824 MASL while Lake Holon's elevation is about 1,600 MASL and has an area of 304 hectares and was also hailed as the cleanest lake of Region XII.

Going atop doesn't require any advance mountaineering skills. It is actually good for newbies/beginners. It has two trails: Salacafe trail which is beginner friendly and Kule trail which is a little hard but offers much greater view than Salacafe trail. So I highly suggest ascending in Kule Trail then descend to Salacafe trail.

Btw, I'm with my mountaineer friends from Luzon. Sir JM and Sir Roel together with his sister Mam Let. Mam Let had a hard time trekking since it was her first time but she still managed to do it. Her exhaustion have faded when we reached Nabanghan Viewdeck. She was amazed by the beauty that is in front of her, and so are we.

Without doubt, I can say that this is the most beautiful place I've ever been. The view from Nabanghan viewdeck was beyond majestic. It's so perfect that it looks like a painting. Indeed, a surreal beauty.

Note: Nabanghan Viewdeck is only passable via Kule Trail. You won't see the 360 view of Lake Holon in Salacafe Trail.

After our picture taking at Nabanghan Viewdeck, we descended and got closer to the crystal clear waters of Lake Holon. Since it is a lake, you can visibly see the tilapias! We have to cross the lake to reach the campsite by riding a boat which costs Php 50 per head.

Upon reaching the campsite, I was amused to see that there is a cottage, a restroom, a place for bonfire and cooking.

We pitched our tents beside the lake then cooked food for our dinner. We didn't have alcohol for socials. I believe that this was my first camping experience with no alchohol! So it was pure sharing of stories, reminiscing our previous climbs together like our Pentalogy Climb, Mt. Sicapoo etc.

In the morning, we rented a kayak for Php 100 each and paddled our way to the heart of the lake. I thought it was easy but its not, maybe paddling is not my thing but I enjoyed circling around.

At 8am, we descended to Salacafe trail and reached the flat grounds at 11am. We rode a habal habal and proceeded to our next adventure which is Bakngeb River Cave adventure!
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How to get there? (with expenses)
1. From General Santos City, ride a bus in Bullaong Terminal going to Marbel/ Koronadal. Tell your konduktor, to drop you off at Husky Van Terminal.
Fare: Php 85
Travel time: 45 mins to 1 hr
2. At the Van terminal, look for a van with signage "Direct T'Boli" and tell your driver to drop you at Tourism office near the Elementary School.
Fare: Php 60
Travel time: 30 mins-45 mins
3. Register at the Tourism Office and arrange for habal habal going to Jump Off either Salacafe trail or Kule Trail.
Registration: Php 20.
Note: Starting November 1,2016 Registration will be Php 150.
Fare: Php 450 per motor.
Travel Time
Salacafe Trail: 1 1/2 hours
Kule Trail: 2 hours
4. At Kule, register again with the T'bolis and they will arrange for your guide.
Registration: Php 10
Guide Fee: Php 600
Boat Fee: Php 50
Kayak Rent: Php 100
5. How much time to get at the top?
Salacafe Trail: 2-3 hours
Kule Trail: 3-4 hours

Sample Itinerary.
DAY 1
05:30 Wake up. Breakfast and prepare.
06:00 ETD to Marbel. At Bullaong Terminal. Take bus/van going to Marbel/Koronadal
07:00 ETA Marbel. Bought food as packed lunch at nearby Jolibee. Take Van bound to T'Boli.
08:30 DENR/ Tourism Office. Register and secure Habal Habal.
09:00 ETD to Jump Off (Kule Trail)
11:00 ETA T'boli house Jump Off. Register Again. Secure guide.
12:00 Rest. Early lunch at T'boli house. Packed Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
15:30 Viewdeck (Perfect view of Lake Holon)
16:00 Arrival at Lake Holon. Campsite. Pitch tent. Free time.
18:00 Prepare dinner. Socials.
20:00 Lights Off.

Day 2
05:00 Wake Up. Prepare breakfast
06:00 Go kayaking!
08:00 Start descend traverse to Salacafe Trail.
11:00 Arrival at Brgy. Salacafe. Ride habal habal to Bakngeb River Cave.

More pictures:

While waiting for our guide at the house of T'boli. I rented a costume for Php 50 and dance their tribe dance which is called "Kadal Tahu" together with Ms. Joan, a legit T'Boli.

Descending at Salacafe Trail, you will pass unto a Century Tree. Century=Over 100 years of living.

NEXT ADVENTURE: BAKNGEB RIVER CAVE

Wrote by Diaries of A Financial Traveler

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