My Boyfriend and I have been travelling around the
Philippines and so far, I can say that I am the extreme one. Haha :D Surprisingly JA (my boyfriend) grew the love for zip lines
w/c I totally support.
We were both hyped when we saw a Local Travel
show try one of the highest zip line in Southeast Asia found in
Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. For my 26th birthday, JA bought me one of the best gift ever, it was a roundtrip plane ticket to General Santos City. He also coordinated hotels for my dream Mindanao Trip. Our Travel period was December 2016
Regardless of the security concerns we are hearing from our
good friends (we love you guys), we agreed to push the trip and maximize our stay by going around the
Soccsksargen Region. Soccsksargen is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani) and one of its cities (General Santos). – Wikipedia
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| This photo is owned by Wikipedia |
Our trip started
on a Monday and the airport was less crowded than usual. Our flight to General
Santos was on time and we reached General Santos City within 1 and half hours.
But due to bad weather conditions our plane landed to Davao for around 30 minutes
while waiting for the air traffic advise from Gen San.
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| With you know who |
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| 30 minutes at Davao Airport |
Yes. I travel like a Man :D
I think it is Mt. Matutum
*Note: There is
no direct flight to South Cotabato and General Santos City is one of the easiest
point of entry.
Our flight was
lucky and the plane landed safely on General Santos International Airport.
There are no Jeep or Tricycle around the airport to reach town proper so we took the taxi and cost around 300 pesos (fixed rate).
There are no Jeep or Tricycle around the airport to reach town proper so we took the taxi and cost around 300 pesos (fixed rate).
We stayed at
Pearl Suites Hotel (if you are looking for an affordable place only :C) for the night.
Our room cost around 590 PHP.
Note: Main mode
of transportation in GenSan is the 6-seater tricycle. Next are the Taxis, Vans, and
Buses
We took an early
dinner at the famous Tiongson Arcade where many Paluto Restaurants can be
found.
GenSan being Tuna Capital of the Philippines,we ordered all the tuna we can. Our dinner cost around 300 to 400 pesos all in.
I also took the chance to eat one of the best Durian Ice Cream in General Santos.
Day 2: Our way to
South Cotabato
We took a
tricycle to Eusebio Bulaong Public Terminal where the UV Express Van to Lake
Sebu South Cotabato is found. UV Express Fair will cost 15O per person with
travel time of 3 to 4 hours. We had 1 to 2 short stop over during the trip and reached Lake Sebu around noon.
On the way to Eusebio Bulaong Public Terminal
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| Started our morning we the famous Balbacua and rice |
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| JA with the Locals |
You won't miss the terminal
Mt.Matutum
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| You will witness many check points and speed limits: D |
On the terminal, the
President of Lake Sebu Tourist Drivers Association greeted us and presented the
tour packages we can avail during our stay in Lake Sebu.
The fare and tour
matrix was also discussed to ensure that the drivers will not overcharged
tourist and travelers.
One of the
objective of the association is to keep the tourist safe and secured.
The assigned
driver for us is Kuya Roy and Kuya Noli. They are our contact person for any
tour or transport service we might need.
Note: Because of
the rocky and steep roads, the main mode of transportation in Lake Sebu is the Motorcycle
or what we call “HABAL”. For people who are no used to riding the motorcycle, There’s
no need to worry as the drivers are very careful and responsible. Just bring
some more guts and your good to go. :)
For our 2 days in
Lake Sebu, we stayed as the budget place called Tolento Lodge with good crew
and gazebos near the lake. :) The regular room with fan and bathroo for 2 cost around 560 pesos.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tolento-Lodge-Resort/646629725457640
Contact Details: 0906-7171-186 / (063) 236-10-56
We spent our
first lunch in Lake Sebu at Punta Isla Resort, a walking distance resort from
our lodge.
The resort also
allow walk in visitors who can ride the lake cruise or enjoy the traditional T’boli
Dance performance.
Tilapia is the
main source of livelihood in Lake Sebu. We tried the Tilapia Chicharon and some
corn Soup.
You can also buy locally made beads and jewelry as souvenirs to the native T’boli women outside of the resort.
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| Please Support local products. :) |
It was a long
day, and the rest of our afternoon was spent enjoying the view of Lake Sebu.
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| Drinks with the Locals |
Day 3 – Around
Lake Sebu
Kuya roy and Kuya Noli came early to fetch us for our whole day tour around lake Sebu.
As help, visitors can buy colored candles the signifies different petitions or donate any amount of money.
Y ou can also buy
T’boli accessories and beautiful Tinalak Fabrics.
If you want a full video of the zip line ride please click below:
Day 4 and 5 to be continued........
Kuya roy and Kuya Noli came early to fetch us for our whole day tour around lake Sebu.
For this day, we selected
3 main places to visit – Divine Mercy Shrine, Lang Dulay Weaving Center and 7
Falls.
Divine Mercy Shrine
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| Divine Mercy Shrine |
We were the 1st
ones In the shrine and we took all the time to say all prayers.
As help, visitors can buy colored candles the signifies different petitions or donate any amount of money.
To see a shrine
in the heart of Mindanao mountains is truly amazing.
Dulay Weaving Center
Lang-Dulay was
given a title as a National Living Treasure because of her weaving of the
T’nalak Fabric w/c is sacred to the T’boli Tribe. She died May 2015. To Learn
more about Lang Dulay and her creations you can visit the link below.
We are lucky to have a chance to meet her students.
Because it was my birthday, they agreed to dress us with T’boli clothing with a rent of 100 pesos.
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| Just like a princess |
7 Falls Zip Line
We visited the 1st
falls called Hiking Alo w/c means Passage.
We saw the 6 others falls by riding the Seven Falls Zip line the cost 350 pesos per person. Please try the zipline because it is very worth it.
If you want a full video of the zip line ride please click below:
Our last stop was
a very late lunch to a small Sinugba Eatery where we ate all the tilapia dish
we can with Kuya Roy and Kuya Noli as my birthday treat J
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