Just Another Weekend in Samal Island

I must be very lucky! Why am I saying this? It is because it only requires me less than 30 minutes to travel from Davao City to Samal Island. I had lived and worked in General Santos City last 2019, and since my relatives live in Davao City, I often went home in a weekend or during holidays (if I wouldn't be hopping from one destination to the next). Given that fact, I told my students that Samal Island is just a stone throw away from my place. I could see their expressions and just like that, we went for a day trip to the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).

"Samal Island is accessible thru Sasa Wharf with 10 pesos as your ferry fee!"

The Beach Bummers and the Workaholic

As an IELTS Trainer, my work schedule is dependent on my students' free time. Since they are nurses, I understand how their shifts vary, and how it will affect our class session. So, even if it was a Sunday, I still had a 2-hour class with my Ghanaian student. 

"Joy managed to snap a photo of me before my class began."

The good thing was that, I had the chance to hold my online class in a relaxing ambiance - a little away from the crowded beaches, and just the right rendezvous for the sunset, pristine white sand, and basically, nature. 

"This beauty illuminates the calmness I was feeling."

I could see from the Tiki Bar (where I was holding my classes), my students bumming over the beach. I appreciated how our classes progressed into something meaningful - the bond of friendship. Later on, I joined them for a cool afternoon swim just before dusk. 

Festive Samal Restaurant

It was already 6 in the evening when we checked out from the resort and asked our kind driver to bring us to a restaurant for dinner. Good thing that he brought us to the nearest restaurant where we satiated our hungry stomach. Although I should say it wasn't the sumptuous dinner I had, I would still rate the service as satisfying. 

"Joy, Gwen and I enjoying our dinner before we headed back to Davao and all the way to GenSan"

Gwen and I had fried bangus while Joy had porkchop, and the consolation for us was that we had unlimited iced tea and seafood soup. Thus, for a satisfying dinner before we headed back to Davao City mainland, and avail for a night bus ride to General Santos City. 

A Little More about Samal Island

I had the chance to visit Samal Island way back 2015 when my friends and I had an outreach program in the Bagobo-Klata Tribe (Kilum-Kilom sa Kinabuhing Lumad article) in Davao City. As a side trip, we had a 2-day excursion in Samal Island and I instantly fell in love with IGaCoS at that time as I knew it was both a paradise and an adventure haven. 

These were among the places and activities we did together with my best friend in Samal Island (will try to write about these adventures in the coming days):

1. Cartwheeling and beach bumming in White Sandbar

2. 41-Kilometer Downhill and All-Terrain Bicycle Ride round Samal Island

3. Cliff Jumping in Hagimit Falls 

4. Trekking at Mt. Anggas

5. Visiting the Monfort Bat Cave

Whew! Truly, Samal Island is one of the best places to visit if you are both in love with adventure and the beach!

P.S: Today is my 8th Day in the Isolation Facility. Three days ago, I loss my sense of smell and taste. Until now, I still couldn't smell and taste anything or any food, at all. This is so struggling in my part. Earlier this morning (at dawn), my vital signs dropped especially my Oxygen Saturation and my body temperature. I experienced hypothermia, nausea, and general malaise. Good thing, my body and mind are still fighting! Thanks for your prayers!