The Hidden Paradise "CITY of MATI"

    

August 12, 2007 by John  
Filed under John Grant

As some of you know I have a close contact with Harold a young man who I have adopted over the last few years as a surrogate son. His real father died a couple of weeks ago and has visited here in Davao City to try and relax and get over the death.

After staying with me a few days in DAVAO we decided to take our first ever trip to Mati , and this is Harold’s report of that trip which I have edited for those of a nervous disposition

Mati, is outside from Davao, three hours driving by a car from the city of davao ,passing thru the mountains and it was very awesome to look at the overwhelming view of the sea side and green leaves from the different kinds of variety of trees in addition the view of SLEEPING DINOSAUR that connect to the mountain.It was recently proclaimed last August 03, 2007 as a newest city in Mindanao. We stay inside the town with my English and Filipino friends at a INN. It was shock to me the I never expected that the place is not suit to my taste,the comfort room was not well, sink was not

working, no working shower only a bucket of water.”You can see this in typical Filipino house setting” but i can cope it.”No choice” that’s the only place to stay with as a traveler like me.

We had a quick walk with my filipino friends heading in the Baywalk entertainment center of Mati at night and i found it that the people were very friendly and nice and enjoying an all night open air concert which appeared to be a battle of school bands, even the rain did not stop the enjoyment.

Its not unusual that you we always hear in the news that Mindanao is not safe for the foreigners to travel in that southern part of the Philippines how i want to tell you that’s not true.

During the night while i sleeping i was not alone in the place, i had my friends to accompany me the mosquitos, rodents, and cockroaches and in addition very noisy ladies and a dancing bar one meter away from the reception area of the hotel.

The second day it was a new place to explore within that City i mention above, me and my friends went in the Resort, which is in Brgy Dahican outside from the city of MATI. its about 20 minutes driving by the private car and you will see the different kinds of tree who gives a natural view of green on the area, but most of the tree was are coconut trees and I really enjoyed watching the scenery of the place while passing the road heading in the resort. The resort was empty and the sand went on uninterrupted for miles and miles.

I had not expected that they have a very beautiful and magnificent place outside in the town, I can say that i felt i am outside in the Philippines but it was not. You will see the reflection of the clear blue sky on the sea water and addition of the white sand, the air gave the feeling to fall asleep while you set in the cautage “it a tiny house made by NIPA HUT”. I had a quick walk under the very sunny weather and as it was low tide I was

encouraged to walk in the sea water where i saw different kind of species in the water that i cannot define as this moment.but i am pretty sure that you will not harm of those species, although they might bite your toes I did not take that chance.

Time goes by i notice that the sky is getting is dark and symbolize that soon the rain was fall into the sand. so we divided to go back to the town,and take dinner at A very native eating house a tiny restaurant just across in the place i stay with name was DALICA GRILL, about 5 to 6 min walk.the ambiance was not good but the FOOD WAS clean and PERFECT and the price was definitely cheap.

In my last day in the CITY, we went to the small village to explore and within the fantastic homes and a very small streets i was still impressed by the place , the people who swarmed onto the street as John and I walked down to the Sea front, it seemed that all the kids were following us with a hundred perfect smiles and shaking our hands, maybe because John was a rare visions in that village carrying a video camera around the village.

I passed through a mosque of that village where two Muslim elders greeted us warmly and shook our hands and asked about England and how Muslims were doing in London

Since the sun become far to hot to walk further we retreated back to town to open the doors of Jolibee and drink Coke at an alarming rate, it is really amazing place that makes me a glad i went there and enjoyed the friendly people and the non hectic comparison of my home town Manila.

About the Author:  John is always finding something new to share with the readers here. John is from Great Britain where he has a background in Retail, Banking and other endeavors. John is a member of the Gay community and writes for gay blogs in the Philippines.