Low tide in Cateel

    On the second day of our stay here in Cateel, Davao Oriental, we invaded one of their beach resort. Upon looking by the Philippine map, it is located at the eastern part of Mindanao and it is surrounded by the beach.

directions...

   The whole gang traveled for an hour to look for any good beach. But before doing that, we looked for a place to eat breakfast since our tummies are empty. 

strolling

   Tricycle and motorcycle are the only means of transportation in Cateel. Luckily the driver of the tricycle is so kind that he allowed nine of us to rent his tricycle.

super tricycle

   We had our breakfast with one of my sister's friend. We ate cassava cake, sardines and jack fruit.

gate crashers

sweet langka

breakfast

us girls

  

  The beach was not so inviting since it is low tide. The sand is not good for barefoot.

the view

wet look

  

   Even though we were not that  satisfied with the beach that we saw but still the important is the friendship that we shared and the fun that each and everyone brought.

Hot Sping in BAGANGA!

Get it while it's still HOT!

   

   On the night that we arrived to Cateel the group was offered to have dinner in the hot spring. Balite Hot Spring Resort is located in Kinablangan, Baganga, Davao Oriental. As far as I can remember we traveled for an hour from Cateel town to Kinablangan, Baganga. We journeyed using a tricycle so I suppose it will just take less than an hour to get here if one will use other vehicle such as van and the like.

try to feel the water by soaking your feet first...

   

   Going to hot springs like this is best recommended for people who are sick, based on a article that I read soaking to hot springs is good for the soul, sore muscles. Even for tired people like me, it's a good treat for yourself since it's very relaxing it's like getting a massage after a day's hard work.

it's not a foggy effect...

   Entrance fee is just 5 php each person,while cottages cost 100 php. For a minimum cost you can experience a 100 percent relaxation.

water falls

    It was raining when we arrived here yet the water is still super hot it's like boiling point. It's advisable to visit this early morning or in the evening. Don't go here at noon if you don't want to get burned.

 

hottest corner

    
   According to wikipedia  a hot spring is a spring that is produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. There are geothermal hot springs in many locations all over the crust of the earth.

it's freakin' hot

Soaking up to hot spring is a good way to end this roller coaster day.

Low tide in Cateel  is next... :)

Exploring CATEEL!

  

   Welcome to Municipality of Cateel! Cateel is a 1st class municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,655 people in 5,731 households. (wikipedia )

welcome to CATEEL

    It's finally semestral break, every student deserves a break from school work, free from school paper, quizzes, examinations and specially free from cruel teachers. Fortunately my sisters friend will go to her hometown Cateel to celebrate "Araw ng Cateel", I tagged along with them. There are nine of us including me and my sisters classmate. We took the first trip from Ecoland Terminal to Cateel, Davao Oriental, it lasted for 4-5 hours before reaching the destination.

Non-air-conditioned bus

home sweet home

  Jenny's land (daughter's owner) is approximately 22 hectares, 6 hectares of it composes bodies of water. It is a typical province in which their house is situated far from the neighbors, their family raised a lot of animals and coconut plants were everywhere. This kind of atmosphere is totally new for me since I grew up in a city. 

wooden raft

   After lunch break we went directly to the back of their house, approximately 3 minutes away from their house it is where the river was situated. Take note they still own this river!

no crocodiles here

  
    As we arrived there, we immediately took a dip on the cold river. Luckily there was a raft for us to use, it was our first time to experienced swimming in a river using the wooden raft. It felt so refreshing,lucky for us that the  weather is perfect for this activity. It didn't rain and not to sunny as well. The water is not too deep, good for those who don't know how to swim like me. It doesn't have any crocodiles too so we totally had a great time of our lives.

crystal clear water

   After we swam on the river, we looked for some coconut fruits. There are plenty on the farm but it's very difficult to climb since there are a lot of big ants.

waiting for some fresh coconut fruits

fun,fun,fun

   We took coconut fruits as many as we can, after all it's just for free.

only in the Philippines

    Right after taking a bath on the spring, we went to see their covered court located near the ocean. There was a basket ball league happening there at that time so locals gathered to witnessed this event.

with Jenny's mom

 
    After watching the game we strolled outside the court where you can see the ocean. We took many pictures afterwards. This place is not so popular, it's even my first time to go here. The road is not also friendly to tourist but I think it's worth to travel this far and witness the beauty of Cateel.

me, Jenny, sister Isay, Juharra

How to get to Cateel?
- Ride a bus from Ecoland Terminal to Cateel. Fare cost 500 php per head.
- Rent a van From Davao or from any origin to Cateel.


Please read the next entry Hot Sping in BAGANGA! Thanks ^_^

GAP Orchard Resort!

The  Gap Orchard Resort which is localted at the Diversion Road, Ma-a Davao City, was officially opened for the public at the year 1983. Every Davaoeño has their own memories of the resort.  

Land of Promise

According to the article in sun star davao, In 1973, Quirino bought six hectares first, where he built the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in a natural spring. Being a religious person, he also constructed the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the upper portion of the resort.

with my CHE classmates

The entrance fee is 40 php per head, it includes the gate admission and free use of the picnic areas. They also have 3 swimming pools, Mini - Olympic size (7 ft deep), children's pool (3ft deep) and a baby/ toddler's pool (1 ft deep). Additional fee shall be collected for the swimming pool area and that is 60 php per head. 

a pose just above the "LAND OF PROMISE" sign

The ten hectare land is full of recreational sites that is fit for friends and families. GAP which means "good activities of the people" is also famous for students that is why it is a favorite place for educational tour, most especially for the elementary students.

wacky...

a thorn and the roses

   It's huge land covered with grasses is ideal to set up for a picnic. It also offers adventure, since you can you can both ride a horse and carabao for less than 100 php each ride.

jumpshot...

   They also have different attractions that tourist will look forward to, such as: parade of popular mystical folklore creatures, parade of Philippine presidents, parade of heroes, parade of tribes and parade of animals.

Region 9

They also a small cave inside the resort but unfortunately it was already close the last time that I visited the place. I remembered during elementary days, I paid 5 php just to go inside the cave. 

Here are some of the photos in the swimming pool during our visit to GAP Orchard resort:

   

   Since Mindanao is famous for its tropical fruits, you can actually see it here in GAP farm resort. Fruits like rambutan, durian, marang, sampaloc, mangosteen, jackfruit, cashew, star apple and mangoes. 

   The peacefulness of the place is perfect for reflection and fresh air is all over the vicinity since it is surrounded with trees and flowers. Meetings and small conferences are also ideal to set here, for they have buildings and cottages that fits for any occasions. 

   

   GAP Orchard Resort is indeed a perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It is just 15 minutes away from the heart of the city,so it is a perfect get away for people who are looking for a relaxing place to visit.  

So long GAP Farm Resort, till we meet again!